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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

Steering complaints

168 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2026
Steering

The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that after the windshield was replaced by Safelite Auto Glass, the employee at Safelite attempted to start the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start, and the steering wheel had seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle…

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The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that after the windshield was replaced by Safelite Auto Glass, the employee at Safelite attempted to start the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start, and the steering wheel had seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the electronic steering column lock had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. Upon further investigation, the contact found Manufacturer Recall Number: PC516, which involved the electronic steering column lock (ESCL). However, the VIN was not included. The contact stated that Safelite did not remove the rearview mirror. However, the rearview mirror was left hanging while the windshield was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the Service Campaign under PC516 for the same issue, and the Service Campaign had since expired. The failure persisted, and the vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11709781

170,000 miles · Jan 29, 2025
Electrical SystemSteering

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact received notification of an undisclosed recall. The contact stated that while the vehicle was off, the push-to-start button was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to start. The immobilizer warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed th…

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The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact received notification of an undisclosed recall. The contact stated that while the vehicle was off, the push-to-start button was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to start. The immobilizer warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the key fob and the steering lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #11639330

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2024
Steering

The steering wheel lock malfunctioned. The part is available for inspection. The car was parked on the street. It endangered others because it would not start and had to be towed. This issue was confirmed and reproduced by the dealer with diagnostics. There were no symptoms prior to this issue and the warning light only came …

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The steering wheel lock malfunctioned. The part is available for inspection. The car was parked on the street. It endangered others because it would not start and had to be towed. This issue was confirmed and reproduced by the dealer with diagnostics. There were no symptoms prior to this issue and the warning light only came on after the part malfunctioned.

NHTSA ODI #11580982

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2023
Steering

In 2016 we had to replace the steering lock mechanism. Went to start the car and a security light came on and car would not start , and had to get the car towed from work. We paid to have the part replaced on 12/23/2016. Now, 11/27/2023 we had the same issue with the steering lock mechanism where we tried to start the vehicle an…

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In 2016 we had to replace the steering lock mechanism. Went to start the car and a security light came on and car would not start , and had to get the car towed from work. We paid to have the part replaced on 12/23/2016. Now, 11/27/2023 we had the same issue with the steering lock mechanism where we tried to start the vehicle and it won’t due to this same issue. Now having to get the car towed again to have the part replaced. I saw there was a voluntary safety recall on this issue in 2017. We did not receive any letter stating our car was affected, yet we replaced the part in 2016 with no reimbursement and now again in 2023 with the part doubling in cost.

NHTSA ODI #11557187

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2023
Air BagsSteeringVehicle Speed Control

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ODI #11527551

170,000 miles · Aug 27, 2020
Steering

I HAVE PARKED MY VECHICKLE AND AFTER 10 MIN. I COULDN'T START ENGINE. IN NISSAN SERVICE THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED REPLACE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK ($830.00). THEY TOLD ME TOO, THAT WAS RECALL ON THAT PART BUT UNFORTUNATELY HAS EXPIRED.

NHTSA ODI #11351716

99,500 miles · Jul 25, 2020
SteeringCrashInjury

TWO DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FROM MY HOUSE BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, FIELD STEERING WAS SO OUT OF CONTROL I HAD A HARD TIME KEEPING IN MY LANE THE BRAKES WERE IF YOU WERE TO JUST TOUCH THE BRAKES THE SLIGHTEST YOU WOULD GO OUT THE WINDSHIELD PRACTICALLY. AFTER THEY CLAIMED TO HA…

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TWO DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FROM MY HOUSE BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, FIELD STEERING WAS SO OUT OF CONTROL I HAD A HARD TIME KEEPING IN MY LANE THE BRAKES WERE IF YOU WERE TO JUST TOUCH THE BRAKES THE SLIGHTEST YOU WOULD GO OUT THE WINDSHIELD PRACTICALLY. AFTER THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED THE STEERING ISSUES, I PICKED MY CAR UP FROM THE SHOP AND I WAS GOING DOWN THE CITY STREET AND IT JERKED SO HARD TO THE RIGHT THAT I JUMPED THE CURB ALMOST HIT A BUSH AND THREE PEOPLE WALKING IN THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS MY PROBLEM NOT THEIRS.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11341451

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2020
Steering

THE ELECTRONIC STREERING COLUMN LOCK WAS STUCK AND MY CAR WAS UNABLE TO START TWICE. IT HAPPENED ONCE WHEN I WAS AT HOME AND I GOT IT REPLACED. NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS AT WORK.

NHTSA ODI #11310732

154,000 miles · Feb 3, 2020
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE STEERING LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED (HILLTOP NISSAN LOCATED AT 258 STATE ROUTE 10, EAST HANOVER, NJ 07936) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE STEERING LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED (HILLTOP NISSAN LOCATED AT 258 STATE ROUTE 10, EAST HANOVER, NJ 07936) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS. THE CONTACT DID SO AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000.

NHTSA ODI #11306674

16,000 miles · Jan 9, 2020
EngineSteering

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I STOPPED TO GET GAS AT A REST STOP AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START THEREAFTER. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH THIS VEHICLE HAS A CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK THROUGH NISSAN . I CONTACTED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REIMBURSE ! DUE TO MAL…

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WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I STOPPED TO GET GAS AT A REST STOP AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START THEREAFTER. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH THIS VEHICLE HAS A CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK THROUGH NISSAN . I CONTACTED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REIMBURSE ! DUE TO MALFUNCTION MY CAR SHOULD HAVE THE APPROPRIATE STEERING BOX IDENTIFIED IN THEIR CAMPAIGN. THE DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN CORPORATION REFUSED TO ABIDE BY THEIR OWN CAMPAIGN AND DENIED ANY REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #11298261

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.