← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Power Train complaints

11 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2020
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

THE BATTERY RAN OUT, I SENT IT TO A MECHANIC, A FAULT ARRIVES AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION FAILS, IT DOES NOT ACCELERATE WHEN IT DOES SO, IT GIVES ME A CODE P0746 I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO SEE HOW THEY CAN HELP ME THANKS

NHTSA ODI #11319083

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…

Read full complaint

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

220,000 miles · Dec 12, 2019
Power TrainSteering

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS COMPLETELY OUT AND HAVE TO REFILL EVERY TWO WEEKS. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE PARKWAY AND MY RPM KEPT JUMPING SLIGHTLY. GOT OFF MY EXIT TO MY UNIVERSITY AND STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THEN IT WOULDN'T MOVE. AFTER LETTING IT SIT FOR A WHILE I COULD GET IT TO MOVE ACROSS A PARKING LOT, BUT IT SHOOK THE WHOLE TIME A…

Read full complaint

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS COMPLETELY OUT AND HAVE TO REFILL EVERY TWO WEEKS. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE PARKWAY AND MY RPM KEPT JUMPING SLIGHTLY. GOT OFF MY EXIT TO MY UNIVERSITY AND STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THEN IT WOULDN'T MOVE. AFTER LETTING IT SIT FOR A WHILE I COULD GET IT TO MOVE ACROSS A PARKING LOT, BUT IT SHOOK THE WHOLE TIME AND WOULDN'T GO OVER 1200 RPM. IT EVENTUALLY WENT COMPLETELY OUT AND NOW IT DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL. IT IS ALSO SMOKING UPON STARTING IT NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11288704

128,000 miles · Oct 29, 2019
Power Train

MY 2009 MAXIMA CURRENTLY HAS 128,00 MILES ON IT. SATURDAY 10/26 MY TRANSMISSION WENT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, HEADED TO WORK, MY CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN ALTHOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE GAS. IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP! LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE SHOULDER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO GET ANOTHER QUARTER MILE…

Read full complaint

MY 2009 MAXIMA CURRENTLY HAS 128,00 MILES ON IT. SATURDAY 10/26 MY TRANSMISSION WENT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, HEADED TO WORK, MY CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN ALTHOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE GAS. IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP! LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE SHOULDER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO GET ANOTHER QUARTER MILE DOWN THE ROAD WITH THE CAR STOPPING AGAIN IN AN EXIT LANE. AFTER TOWING IT TO MIDAS, THEY STATED THE TRANSMISSION WENT. FOR THE MILEAGE TO ONLY BE A QUARTER OVER 100K AND THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL IT HORRIBLE. I AM NOW LOOKING AT A $4200+ REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #11271810

144,000 miles · Sep 2, 2019
Power Train

THE CVT TRANSMISSION ON 09- 2014 NISSAN GO OUT AND TAKE YOU TO PRACTICALLY A DEAD STOP FROM 60MPH. THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY UNDOCUMENTED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT NISSIAN HIDES/ DENIES. THERE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATIONS DONE ON THE TRANSMISSIONS AND RECALLED. CVT STEPPER MOTOR/ VALVE BODY / 09 NISSIAN MAXIMA

NHTSA ODI #11252810

119,000 miles · Oct 4, 2017
Power Train

WHINING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS SOON AS VEHICLE IS TURNED ON AND CONTINUES WHILE RUNNING. MANY FORUMS DESCRIBE THIS AS BAD SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS DUE TO COMPLETE WEAR-OUT OF PLASTIC MATERIAL. MOTOR NEEDS TO BE PULLED TO REPLACE TENSIONERS. 19 HOURS LABOR AT DEALER PLUS PARTS PUTS THIS REPAIR AT $2500 …

Read full complaint

WHINING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS SOON AS VEHICLE IS TURNED ON AND CONTINUES WHILE RUNNING. MANY FORUMS DESCRIBE THIS AS BAD SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS DUE TO COMPLETE WEAR-OUT OF PLASTIC MATERIAL. MOTOR NEEDS TO BE PULLED TO REPLACE TENSIONERS. 19 HOURS LABOR AT DEALER PLUS PARTS PUTS THIS REPAIR AT $2500 PLUS. PHOTO ATTACHED SHOWS NEW PART AND OLD PART REPLACED BY A DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #11031734

114,000 miles · Jan 15, 2016
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

STEERING WHEEL LOCK - IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY FAILURE. I PURCHASED MY 2009 NISSAN MA XIMA IN NOV 2012 AND MY CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING PRETTY GOOD UNTIL THE DREADED DAY WHEN I WAS STRANDED BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD MY CAR TOWED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEVSTEERINGBWHEEL LOCK ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED $1189.00. I DON'…

Read full complaint

STEERING WHEEL LOCK - IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY FAILURE. I PURCHASED MY 2009 NISSAN MA XIMA IN NOV 2012 AND MY CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING PRETTY GOOD UNTIL THE DREADED DAY WHEN I WAS STRANDED BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD MY CAR TOWED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEVSTEERINGBWHEEL LOCK ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED $1189.00. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT IM NOT MADE OUT OF MONEY. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 09. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND NISSAN SHOULD HAVE OWNED UP AND FIXED THIS PROBLEM ALONG TIME AGO. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND NOT JUST A BULLETIN. THERE IS A PROBLEM AND NISSA NEEDS TO FIX THERE WRONG, INSTEAD SELLING CARS KNOWING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED AND NISSAN NEEDS TO DO THE REPAIRS IMMEDIATELY WITH NO CHARGE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ODI #10820586

101,648 miles · Feb 7, 2014
Power Train

I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MY DEALERSHIP THAT MY TRANSFER CASE IS LEAKING AND IF I DO NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE IT THE CAR WHILE DRIVING WILL BASICALLY THE GEARS IN THE MECHANISM WILL GRIND MAKE A LOUD NOISE AND JUST STOP. THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN USA I WAS INFORMED MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY …

Read full complaint

I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MY DEALERSHIP THAT MY TRANSFER CASE IS LEAKING AND IF I DO NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE IT THE CAR WHILE DRIVING WILL BASICALLY THE GEARS IN THE MECHANISM WILL GRIND MAKE A LOUD NOISE AND JUST STOP. THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN USA I WAS INFORMED MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT EVEN IF IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. IT ALSO IS WELL DOCUMENTED THAT NISSAN HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSFER CASE LEAKING. WHY IS NISSAN NOT REPLACING THIS PART WHILE UNDER WARRANTY IF THEY NO THERE IS AN ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563440

78,000 miles · Nov 29, 2013
Power TrainService Brakes

I HAVE A 2006 MAXIMA WITH 78,000 MILES. ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING WHEN SHIFTING FROM GEAR 1 TO GEAR 2. ALSO JERKING FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE. AFTER STOPPING, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE AND THE RPMS SKY ROCKET UNTIL THE GEAR ENGAGES. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED BUT THE PROBLEM STI…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2006 MAXIMA WITH 78,000 MILES. ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING WHEN SHIFTING FROM GEAR 1 TO GEAR 2. ALSO JERKING FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE. AFTER STOPPING, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE AND THE RPMS SKY ROCKET UNTIL THE GEAR ENGAGES. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHERE STOPPING AND STARTING IS REQUIRED DUE TO STOP SIGNS AND LIGHTS. IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN ANOTHER CAR REAR-ENDING ME BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN ACCELERATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554130

2,585 miles · May 5, 2010
Power TrainSteering

IN NOV. 2009, APPROX 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING NEW CAR, IT STARTED INTERMITTENTLY HAVING HEAVIER VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. SINCE THEN, THERE IS A CONSTANT MINOR PULSING/VIBRATION, WITH INTERMITTENT VIBRATION THAT HAS MORE INTENSITY. WHEN I HAVE MORE INSTANCES OF THE "HEAVIER" VIBRATION DURING MY COMMUTE IT CAUSES MY HAN…

Read full complaint

IN NOV. 2009, APPROX 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING NEW CAR, IT STARTED INTERMITTENTLY HAVING HEAVIER VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. SINCE THEN, THERE IS A CONSTANT MINOR PULSING/VIBRATION, WITH INTERMITTENT VIBRATION THAT HAS MORE INTENSITY. WHEN I HAVE MORE INSTANCES OF THE "HEAVIER" VIBRATION DURING MY COMMUTE IT CAUSES MY HANDS TO TINGLE. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES WITH THIS COMPLAINT - THE LAST TIME WITH A REGIONAL REP PRESENT. TO DATE, THE DEALER AND NISSAN CORPORATE CONSUMER ASSISTANCE HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY SOLUTION NOR ANY OTHER COMPENSATION. I FEEL THERE IS A DEFECT OR DESIGN FLAW THAT IS PRODUCING THE VIBRATION, WHICH I CAN ONLY ASSUME WILL GET WORSE OVER TIME. I AM AFRAID IT WILL EVENTUALLY PUT MY HANDS TO SLEEP ON A LONGER TRIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328974

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.