2016 Nissan Maxima — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2016 Nissan Maxima is a saloon/sedan powered by a 3.5L 6-cyl premium gasoline engine. It returns around 30 mpg (UK) / 25 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Nissan Maxima workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 3.5L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S7) |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Saloon/Sedan |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 98 cu ft (2,775 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 14 cu ft (396 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 30 combined / 26 urban / 36 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 25 combined / 22 city / 30 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 226 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 6 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,300 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2016 Nissan Maxima, all with the 3.5L 6-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 25 (22/30) | 226 | $3,300 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 98 cubic feet (about 2,775 litres) and luggage volume at 14 cubic feet (about 396 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2016 Nissan Maxima
Running Costs: 2016 Nissan Maxima
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2016 Nissan Maxima at 30 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,212 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2016 Nissan Maxima Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 8 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 Nissan Maxima (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (5), Air bags (2), Fuel system (1). 2 campaigns carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Service brakes — campaign 19V807000, reported 8 November 2019. Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Service brakes — campaign 18V601000, reported 7 September 2018. Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Air bags — campaign 16V911000, reported 19 December 2016. Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Service brakes — campaign 16V636000, reported 2 September 2016. Risk: A brake fluid leak onto the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Showing the 4 most recent of 8 campaigns.
Owners have filed 142 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Nissan Maxima. The most-reported areas are Power train (33), Electrical system (31), Unspecified (27). Complaints include 10 reported crashes, 4 reported fires, 12 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 62 complaints across the 13 Nissan Maxima model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2016 Nissan Maxima
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Brakes (5 recall campaigns · 20 owner complaints) — Brake firmly from speed and look for pulling, vibration or a soft pedal; ask for brake service history.
- Transmission & drivetrain (33 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Electrical system (31 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Air bags (2 recall campaigns) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
At 30 mpg (UK) combined it sits close to the 29 mpg average for Nissan models in our database. Its 226 g/km CO₂ figure is 14 g/km lower than the 240 g/km Nissan average.
Of the 13 Nissan Maxima model years we cover, the 2016 is the most economical on its best configuration (30 mpg UK combined). See every Nissan Maxima year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2016 Nissan Maxima
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2016 Nissan Maxima have?
It's fitted with a 3.5L 6-cyl premium gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (av-s7) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Nissan Maxima?
The most efficient configuration returns around 30 mpg (UK) combined, or 25 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2016 Nissan Maxima cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2016 Nissan Maxima have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 5 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2016 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 safety recall campaigns that include the 2016 Nissan Maxima (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (5), Air bags (2), Fuel system (1). 2 campaigns carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Nissan Maxima?
Among the 142 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Power train (33 complaints), Electrical system (31 complaints), Unspecified (27 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2016 Nissan Maxima have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 98 cubic feet (about 2,775 litres) and luggage volume at 14 cubic feet (about 396 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.