2016 Nissan Maxima vs 2016 Toyota Camry
Two midsize cars, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2016 Nissan
Maxima
4/10
The '16 Maxima drives like a discount Maserati and dies like a $500 rental-car transmission.
VS
2016 Toyota
Camry
8/10
Not exciting, but a 2016 Camry will outlast your interest in owning it, and that's the point.
Milo scores the 2016 Toyota Camry higher — 8/10 against 4/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Nissan Maxima |
Toyota Camry |
| Known failure points | 6 | 6 |
| NHTSA complaints | 142 | 185 |
| Safety recalls | 8 | 2 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 42 | 88 |
| Cheap to own | 35 | 85 |
| Fun factor | 78 | 30 |
| Holds value | 40 | 72 |
| Enthusiast cred | 45 | 15 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2016 Nissan Maxima
Jatco CVT (RE0F10D/JF016E derivative) shudder, slipping, or hesitation to accelerate — the car's signature weakness
$150–$5,50060k–100k mi
2016 Toyota Camry
Clear coat/paint delamination, especially on white and silver cars (per NHTSA structure complaints)
$0–$3,000100k–140k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2016 Nissan Maxima
A 2016 Maxima SR with full documented CVT fluid service history and confirmed completion of all 8 recalls — SR trim gets the sportier suspension and paddle shifters that actually make the 'four-door sports car' branding feel earned.
✅ 2016 Toyota Camry
2016 Camry SE or XLE with the 2.5L four-cylinder, built after March 2016 (post airbag recall production date) — cloth or leather XLE with full service records is the sweet spot for reliability and value.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Run my free report →
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.