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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.

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

Suspension complaints

36 reports
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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'…

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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

69,000 miles · Oct 15, 2015
Suspension

STRUT MOUNTS ARE CRACKED AND DISINTEGRATING POSING A DANGER OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS, BUT NISSAN CLAIMS THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10782381

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2015
SuspensionWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE STRUT BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE RIM ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRACKED DUE TO A FAULTY STRUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A RECALL FOR THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE STRUT BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE RIM ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRACKED DUE TO A FAULTY STRUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A RECALL FOR THE STRUT WAS ISSUED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V358000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10781111

80,100 miles · Aug 27, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STRUT INSULATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE BOTH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STRUT INSULATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE BOTH FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V358000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,100.

NHTSA ODI #10759679

123,000 miles · Jun 9, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER FRONT STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER NOT WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER FRONT STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER NOT WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ODI #10724382

68,785 miles · May 8, 2015
Suspension

WE PURCHASED A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA AFTER DRIVING THE CAR HOME WE NOTICED A POPPING SOUND THAT WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. WE HAD IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FRONT END. HE REPLACED THE STRUTS, AND A COUPLE OF THE OTHER PARTS. WHEN WE PICK THE CAR UP IT WAS MAKING MORE NOISE THE WHEN WE BROUGHT IT IN.…

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WE PURCHASED A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA AFTER DRIVING THE CAR HOME WE NOTICED A POPPING SOUND THAT WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. WE HAD IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FRONT END. HE REPLACED THE STRUTS, AND A COUPLE OF THE OTHER PARTS. WHEN WE PICK THE CAR UP IT WAS MAKING MORE NOISE THE WHEN WE BROUGHT IT IN. THE MECHANIC TOOK A LOOK UNDERNEATH THE CAR NEAR THE WHEEL. HE HAD TO TAKE ONE OF THE PARTS OFF BECAUSE IT HAD MALFUNCTION. HE STATED IT WAS A FAULTY MALFUNCTION PART. HE REPLACED IT AND THE ONE SIDE STOP POPPING. WHILE THE PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL STILL MAKES A POPPING NOISE. I HAVE OWED A TOYOTA, HONDA AND I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH AN ON GOING PROBLEM. AFTER READING THE ISSUES THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING WITH THE FRONT END. I THINK I HAVE MADE A MISTAKE BUYING A NISSAN. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED TO RIMS BECAUSE OF CRACKING AND WARPING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10715432

22,000 miles · Feb 20, 2015
Suspension

CLICKING NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION AT INITIAL BACK UP OR FORWARD MOVING AFTER CAR HAS SETTLED FOR OVER SEVERAL HOURS. IT ONLY CLICKS ONE TIME. FRONT END SHAKES AT SPEEDS OVER 60 MILES AND HOUR ON SMOOTH HIGHWAY SURFACES. NISSAN STATES IF THE ISSUE CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED WHEN THEY TEST IT THEN IT CAN NOT BE ADDRESSED. PENSKE NISSA…

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CLICKING NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION AT INITIAL BACK UP OR FORWARD MOVING AFTER CAR HAS SETTLED FOR OVER SEVERAL HOURS. IT ONLY CLICKS ONE TIME. FRONT END SHAKES AT SPEEDS OVER 60 MILES AND HOUR ON SMOOTH HIGHWAY SURFACES. NISSAN STATES IF THE ISSUE CAN NOT BE DUPLICATED WHEN THEY TEST IT THEN IT CAN NOT BE ADDRESSED. PENSKE NISSAN TURNERSVILLE NJ. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689538

60,000 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Suspension

WEAK FRONT SPRINGS IN SUSPENSION! KNOWN DEFECT...NISSAN SHOULD ADDRESS THIS! THE NISSAN MAXIMA HAS PLENTY OF WEIGHT UP FRONT (TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE). MY 2009 MAXIMA S HAD THE LARGE FRONT COIL SPRING OF THE SUSPENSION SNAP IN HALF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TURNING A CORNER. I WAS TURNING AND BRAKING LIGHTLY WHEN IT SNAPPED I…

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WEAK FRONT SPRINGS IN SUSPENSION! KNOWN DEFECT...NISSAN SHOULD ADDRESS THIS! THE NISSAN MAXIMA HAS PLENTY OF WEIGHT UP FRONT (TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE). MY 2009 MAXIMA S HAD THE LARGE FRONT COIL SPRING OF THE SUSPENSION SNAP IN HALF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TURNING A CORNER. I WAS TURNING AND BRAKING LIGHTLY WHEN IT SNAPPED IN TWO. SCARY!! THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD THE MAXIMA SERVICED ADMITTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM..."WE REPLACE A FRONT SPRING ON A '09-10' MAXIMA AT LEAST EVERY MONTH, OFTEN FOR A SURPRISED CUSTOMER." ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE JUST THE FRONT SPRINGS (THEY RECOMMEND YOU DO AS A PAIR OR YOU WILL BE BACK FIXING THE OTHER SPRING REAL SOON) WAS $1,000.00, AND THIS PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE THE STRUTS BEING REPLACED, --ONLY THE SPRING, STRUT BEARING, AND FRONT SPRING SEAT THAT CONTACT THE SPRING DIRECTLY ARE REPLACED FOR YOUR $1000 OUT-OF-POCKET. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE NISSAN HAS NOT ADMITTED THERE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ORIGINAL FRONT SPRINGS...NO RECALL, NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, NO DISCOUNTED REPAIR COSTS, NOTHING. HOWEVER, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NEW REPLACEMENT SPRING FROM NISSAN HAS BEEN REDESIGNED WITH A SUBSTANTIALLY THICKER GAUGE OF SPRING AND COMES WITH A NEW SUPERSEDED PART NUMBER TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL SPRING PART NUMBER. I HAVE OWNED 5 NISSAN VEHICLES OVER THE PAST 3 DECADES AND THEY HAVE BEEN GOOD CARS OVERALL. I HAVE LOGGED OVER 500,000 MILES ON NISSANS IN TOTAL. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THE SPRINGS (ON THE NON-MAXIMA NISSANS) I'VE OWNED HAS LASTED THE ENTIRE LIFE OF EACH VEHICLE. FOR A SPRING TO SNAP IN HALF WITHOUT WARNING AT 60,000 MILES IS UNACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS. NISSAN SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO ADDRESS THIS FRONT SPRING ISSUE FOR ALL MAXIMA OWNERS. TO ME THIS IS A BLACK EYE ON THE FACE OF AN OTHERWISE EXCELLENT AUTO MAKER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680855

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2014
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH MY 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA, FIRST I KEEP HAVING TO REPLACE THE BATTERY WHICH I RECEIVED A NEW BATTERY FROM THE DEALER IN JANUARY OF 2013 WITH AN 84 MONTH WARRANTY, WELL TODAY THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 2008. THE…

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I HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH MY 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA, FIRST I KEEP HAVING TO REPLACE THE BATTERY WHICH I RECEIVED A NEW BATTERY FROM THE DEALER IN JANUARY OF 2013 WITH AN 84 MONTH WARRANTY, WELL TODAY THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 2008. THE FIRST TIME STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IT WAS REPLACED AGAIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BATTERY AND THEN SEVERAL MONTHS LATER STOPPED WORKING AGAIN THE UP AND DOWN FUNCTION. SECOND THE VEHICLE SUSPENSION WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED DUE THE RECALL ...BUT I WAS TOLD RECENTLY BY DEALER THAT IT NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND THEY WERE TRYING TO CHARGE ME OVER $1200 FOR A RECALLED ITEM. WHICH I REFUSED TO PAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653533

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2014
SteeringSuspension

THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE THE STRUTS I PURCHASED THE CARE FROM ALANTIC NISSAN SEPTEMBER 2009. I TOOK THE CARE TO GET CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ORIGANAL STRUTS WERE ON THE CARE YET ALANTIC NISSAN SAID THAT THEY PROFORMED THE RECALL DECEMBER 2009. MY SPOUSE AND I DID NOT TAKE THE CARE TO GET THIS DONE BECAUSE WE WE…

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THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE THE STRUTS I PURCHASED THE CARE FROM ALANTIC NISSAN SEPTEMBER 2009. I TOOK THE CARE TO GET CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ORIGANAL STRUTS WERE ON THE CARE YET ALANTIC NISSAN SAID THAT THEY PROFORMED THE RECALL DECEMBER 2009. MY SPOUSE AND I DID NOT TAKE THE CARE TO GET THIS DONE BECAUSE WE WERE NOT AWARE NEVER TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. THE CAMPAIGN #09V358000. I ONLY FOUND THIS OUT BECAUSE AT SERVICE IN NISSAN 112 I WAS TOLD. I WAS TOLD THE NISSAN IS NOT REQUIRED TO TELL CONSMERS ABOUT RECALL NHTSA IS REQUIRDED TO DO SO. IF SO WAS I NOT INFORMED THAT THE TRANMISSON COVERAGE WAS CHANGED TO 120,000 THE STEERING WAS RECALLED AND MOTORS IN THE SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10614466

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.