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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.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
339Owner complaints

Model-year median: 99

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2009 Nissan Maxima

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 339 owner complaints · 1 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Steering: 168 reports
  • Electrical System: 79 reports
  • Air Bags: 43 reports
  • Suspension: 36 reports
  • Unknown Or Other: 33 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
576
2006129
200778
2008339
2009275
2010106
2011107
2012
Compare all Maxima years →

Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Steering
168Electrical System
79Air Bags
43Suspension
36Unknown Or Other
33
All reported categories
Engine
18Seats
15Power Train
11Structure
8Visibility/wiper
7Wheels
6Engine And Engine Cooling
4Service Brakes
4Tires
4Visibility
4Vehicle Speed Control
3Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Service Brakes, Electric
2Equipment
1Exterior Lighting
1Interior Lighting
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
75,600 miles · Apr 3, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

CAR DOES NOT START. DIFFICULT TIME GETTING INTO THE CAR WHILE USING MY KEY FOB. WHEN I PUSH THE IGNITION BUTTON THERE IS NO NOSE AND NO LIGHTS. TRIED JUMPING THE CAR FOR 15 MINUTES WITH NO SUCCESS. I WAS TOLD BY THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP MECHANIC THAT IT IS THE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME FOR TOWING AND LABOR A…

Read full complaint

CAR DOES NOT START. DIFFICULT TIME GETTING INTO THE CAR WHILE USING MY KEY FOB. WHEN I PUSH THE IGNITION BUTTON THERE IS NO NOSE AND NO LIGHTS. TRIED JUMPING THE CAR FOR 15 MINUTES WITH NO SUCCESS. I WAS TOLD BY THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP MECHANIC THAT IT IS THE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME FOR TOWING AND LABOR AND PARTS. MONEY I DO NOT HAVE. READING UP ON THIS PROBLEM TELLS ME THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703465

75,000 miles · Jun 16, 2009
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

I PURCHASE MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IN JULY 2003. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT MAJOR PROBLEMS. I PERFORM THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR AND STILL HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE LASTED ON THE CAR THE CD PLAYER HAS BEEN REPLACE AND WHEN OUT AGAIN TWICE. TENSOR ASSEMBLY AND …

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I PURCHASE MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA IN JULY 2003. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT MAJOR PROBLEMS. I PERFORM THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR AND STILL HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE LASTED ON THE CAR THE CD PLAYER HAS BEEN REPLACE AND WHEN OUT AGAIN TWICE. TENSOR ASSEMBLY AND TIMING BELT ALSO 1500. AND NOW I HAVE THE REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION ANOTHER 3100.00. THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR A CAR THAT HAS A LUXURY PRICE TAG. NISSAN HAS NOT BE HELPFUL AT ALL AND DO NOT TRY TO ANSWER OF HELP IN ANY WAY. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL ALL 2004 MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274003

Recall campaigns

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 ↗

Defect investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.