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2009 Nissan Maxima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Maxima years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Nissan Maxima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 99.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

272 reports with mileage · 67 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 168 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

43 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2023
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

The airbag light is on and blinking. I did call the local Nissan dealer and they told me there was not a recall for this problem on the 2009 Nissan maxima. This seems very unfair because several recalls have been made on the airbags. Also I was told over 5 years ago that the struts on my car were defective when I had my brak…

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The airbag light is on and blinking. I did call the local Nissan dealer and they told me there was not a recall for this problem on the 2009 Nissan maxima. This seems very unfair because several recalls have been made on the airbags. Also I was told over 5 years ago that the struts on my car were defective when I had my brakes repaired. I did call the Nissan company and they told me my year was not included in the recall. My car was driving so badly I was having problems controlling it and I had to go ahead and get the front struts replaced and shocks replaced on the back and they had to put a stabilizer bar (sway Bar Link) on it also. I recently had this done. This airbag light had come on 4 years ago but I was thinking it was my seat belt light. When I would remove my purse to the floor it would go off. My brother took my manual out and told me it was the airbag and not the seat belt light. It blinks all the time now. I firmly believe the Nissan company know this 2009 Maxima has defects but they refuse to acknowledge it. Appears they could care less about our safety.

NHTSA ODI #11527809

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2023
Air BagsSteeringVehicle Speed Control

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ODI #11527551

257,000 miles · Feb 9, 2023
Air BagsCrashInjury

The contact owned 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while at a complete stop, another vehicle driving approximately 70 MPH, crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained hips and back pain. The contact was seen by emergency services and sought medical assistance later that day. …

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The contact owned 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while at a complete stop, another vehicle driving approximately 70 MPH, crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained hips and back pain. The contact was seen by emergency services and sought medical assistance later that day. The contact underwent physical therapy and hip replacement surgery. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 257,000.

NHTSA ODI #11506422

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2022
Air Bags

Passenger front air bag defect. Since reading many post in this forum in relation to the same issue, manufacture should be held responsible to replace sensor. Vehicle have not been in a wreck as far as I know. The sensor light came on around June this year and haven’t went off. I received a quote for approximately $2500 dependin…

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Passenger front air bag defect. Since reading many post in this forum in relation to the same issue, manufacture should be held responsible to replace sensor. Vehicle have not been in a wreck as far as I know. The sensor light came on around June this year and haven’t went off. I received a quote for approximately $2500 depending on available parts. If this issue is not rectified by the dealer, will make sure not to purchase another Nissan Maxima again. Just imagine if I have a family member in the front seat and a accident occur! Cannot even imagine the outcome.

NHTSA ODI #11476710

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2022
Air Bags

The airbag warning light on the dash started blinking. The local dealer investigated and advised that the front passenger airbag occupancy sensor was defective. Repair would require complete replacement of the front passenger seat cushion at an estimated cost of about $2,000. The mechanic told me he has seen the exact same issue…

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The airbag warning light on the dash started blinking. The local dealer investigated and advised that the front passenger airbag occupancy sensor was defective. Repair would require complete replacement of the front passenger seat cushion at an estimated cost of about $2,000. The mechanic told me he has seen the exact same issue numerous times for the Maxima of multiple model years. This appears to be a persistent problem with these sensors as reflected in multiple Nissan user forum entries. This is a safety issue that has been detected on multiple Maxima model years over the past several years. It needs to be fully investigated and a safety recall needs issued to hold the manufacturer accountable. The customers should not have to bear the expensive repair.

NHTSA ODI #11446224

120,000 miles · Jan 24, 2020
Air Bags

OCCUPANCY SENSOR FOR AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON CONSTANTLY HAVING ERROR WASTE NO AIRBAG COMES ON

NHTSA ODI #11301706

151,000 miles · Dec 27, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSORS KEEPS ON RESETTING AS NO ONE IS SITTING ON THE SEAT. I HAVE TO TELL THE PASSENGER TO JUMP ON THE SEAT FOR THE "AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT TO RESET. THE CVT TRANSMISSION PUTTER AT LOW SPEED WITH A WITH LOTS OF NOISE, I HAVE TO GIVE IT MORE GAS FOR THE NOISE TO STOP. THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR LOCK AND D…

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PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSORS KEEPS ON RESETTING AS NO ONE IS SITTING ON THE SEAT. I HAVE TO TELL THE PASSENGER TO JUMP ON THE SEAT FOR THE "AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT TO RESET. THE CVT TRANSMISSION PUTTER AT LOW SPEED WITH A WITH LOTS OF NOISE, I HAVE TO GIVE IT MORE GAS FOR THE NOISE TO STOP. THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR LOCK AND DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK DOES NOT UNLOCK. FOG LIGHT ON THE CAR IS NOT WORKING, I WAS TOLD MY A MECHANIC THAT THE RELAY SWITCH THAT IS BUILT INTO THE STEERING COLUMN IS NO GOOD AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11291611

87,925 miles · Sep 4, 2019
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,925.

NHTSA ODI #11253216

120,000 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Air Bags

I OWN A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. IN THE YEAR 2016 THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT BEGAN TO CONTINUOUSLY BLINK AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT SAID 'AIRBAG OFF' WHETHER THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED OR NOT. THINKING THE LIGHT NEEDED TO BE RESET AS MY AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED I TRIED THIS ROUTES. IT ULTIMATELY PROVED NOT TO BE THE PROBLEM A…

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I OWN A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. IN THE YEAR 2016 THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT BEGAN TO CONTINUOUSLY BLINK AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT SAID 'AIRBAG OFF' WHETHER THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED OR NOT. THINKING THE LIGHT NEEDED TO BE RESET AS MY AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED I TRIED THIS ROUTES. IT ULTIMATELY PROVED NOT TO BE THE PROBLEM AND THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO BLINK. THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED BY NISSAN AS AM OCS SENSOR FAIL B1018 AND THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WOULD BE $2100. THE WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT FAILED. WITHOUT THE REPAIR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL NOT FUNCTION FOR THE ENTIRE CAR. UPON SPEAKING TO NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS I LEARNED THE THE PART HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED BUT OFFERED NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. EVEN WITH THE FAILED PART BEING A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN NISSAN REFUSES TO OFFER ANY KIND OF ASSISTANCE TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS PART IS NOT EXPOSED TO ELEMENTS AS IT IS IN THE ACTUAL SEAT CUSHION. THE PRODUCT JUST FAILED AND NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FAULTY MANUFACTURED PARTS. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT COULD CAUSE SOMEONE THEIR LIFE.

NHTSA ODI #11243811

111,000 miles · Jul 17, 2019
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ODI #11232830

Official recalls

1

09V358000 · Suspension

Sep 16, 2009

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS. THE UPPER FRONT STRUT INSULATORS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT INSULATOR TO CRACK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE STRUT INSULATOR IS CRACKED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT ROD TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION, WHICH COULD AFFECT VEHICLE STABILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT STRUT INSULATORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.