Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 1986 Nissan Maxima, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 35 | 52% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 15% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 9% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 3% |
| Steering | 2 | 3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% |
| Power train | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THE OZONE PRODUCED BY THE FAN BRUSHES OF THE INTERNAL FAN BLOWER IS NOT VENTED TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR BUT TO THE INTERNAL PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. LONG EXPOSURE TO OZONE WILL SHOW UP IN CHEST X-RAY AS CLOUDING OF THE L
NHTSA complaint: Equipment
SUSPECT FUEL INJECTION CAUSED FIRE. DEALER WORKED ON PROBLEM WITH GAS FUMES APX 6 WEEKS PRIOR AND DID NOT CHECK FOR RECALL ON INJECTION SYSTEM. NISSSAN CONTACTED AND DENIES INVESTIGATION.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM ON MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED SOMETIMES IN 1997. NOW, I EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE: SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER, AND SMELL OF FUEL. I CONTACTED NISSAN. THE COMPANY REFUSED T
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
CAR GARAGE KEPT FROM NEW/FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT ONLY IN THE AREA WHERE THE REAR ANTI SWAY BAR ATTACHES/RIGHT SIDE HAS DETACHED/LEFT SIDE ABOUT TO LET GO/IS CAR SAFE/ 85,86, AND 87 SAME PLATFORM?*AK
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE FUEL INJECTORS . CONSUMER SAID THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
AFTER VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND PARKED FOR ABOUT 5-7 MINUTES, IT BURSTED INTO FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID FLAMES CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ENTIRE HOOD WAS DAMAGED BY FIRE. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A DRIVE-THROUG THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HOOD STARTED SMOKING. THE CONSUMER AS SOON AS SHE SAW THE SMOKE SHE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF PARKING LOT WHERE SHE HAS SEEN THE VEHICLE ON FIRE; THE FIRE DEPARTME
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
GAS WAS LEAKING OFF THE BACK OF THE FUEL INJECTOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. THERE IS A SAFETY CAMPAIGN OUT ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER STATES THAT SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION. SHE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WIT
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1986 Nissan Maxima. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WHICH COULD LEAK.
Risk: FUEL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: NISSAN DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT THICKNESS OF ADHESIVE IN THE CONTACT AREA BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS AND THE BODY. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS LACK OF ADHESIVE MAY CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD TO
Fix: ADD MORE ADHESIVE TO BOTTOM OF FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 76 | good |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 35 of them (52%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1986 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.