← 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

Wheels complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2022
Service BrakesSuspensionWheels

On 9/12/22, my son purchased a 2009 Nissan Maxima from Street Cars. My son was told that the car did not pass the state inspection, but all items on the list were taken care of. The salesman noted the Air Intake Tube would be ordered for the car and installed once received. My son paid $5299 in cash. My son wanted to pay with a…

Read full complaint

On 9/12/22, my son purchased a 2009 Nissan Maxima from Street Cars. My son was told that the car did not pass the state inspection, but all items on the list were taken care of. The salesman noted the Air Intake Tube would be ordered for the car and installed once received. My son paid $5299 in cash. My son wanted to pay with a cashier's check, but the salesperson requested cash. On the way home to Woodbridge from Fredericksburg, the vehicle began to slow down as if it were going to cut off. My son slowed down and proceeded home. On 9/13/22, my son went to Minnieville Exxon to have the vehicle emissions test completed, and the car was listed as "Not Ready." In addition, seven (7) additional issues must be addressed before the vehicle can pass. We began calling the salesman at 11:45 am, sent a text message at 12:17 pm, and called until 1:30 pm. Due to what we felt were deceptive practices, we traveled to Street Cars in Fredericksburg to speak with the salesman about returning the vehicle for a refund. The salesman stated the vehicle was sold "As Is” and is on the Bill of Sales. We asked about the sign on the front of his business which states "3-Day Return Policy". The salesman said it does not apply to cash cars or discounted cars. When asked about the items on the failed inspection report being taken care of, the salesperson refused to discuss it further. The salesperson stated my son should use the warranty, where he will be responsible for half the cost of all repairs. When the salesperson was asked about the Air Intake Tube order, he refused to provide a confirmation number for the order, a telephone number, or a location for the company. My son did not receive any title paperwork and was told to sign the vehicle delivery form when items had not been received. We contacted ASC Warranty company which was provided with the vehicle, and they told us to take the car to any automotive repair shop for an estimate. We took the vehicle to Sheehy Nissan in Manas

NHTSA ODI #11495700

87,000 miles · May 18, 2018
SteeringSuspensionWheels

CONTROL ARMS BOTH NEED REPAIR, REPEATED ISSUES WITH TIRE INFLATION GAUGES, TIRE WEAR, STRUTS, AND STEERING. NEEDED REPAIR COSTING $2700 TO REPLACE CONTROL ARMS.

NHTSA ODI #11096748

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2016
Air BagsSuspensionWheels

RECALL 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS NOT STABLE FEEL LIKE THE CAR IS WOBBLING AND THE TIRE IS GOING TO COME OFF. AND I ALWAYS HEAR THIS LOUD CRACKING/POPPING SOUND WHEN BACKING UP AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND GO FORWARD, WHILE DRIVING I SOMETIMES CAN HER THIS CRACKING/SQUEAKING…

Read full complaint

RECALL 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS NOT STABLE FEEL LIKE THE CAR IS WOBBLING AND THE TIRE IS GOING TO COME OFF. AND I ALWAYS HEAR THIS LOUD CRACKING/POPPING SOUND WHEN BACKING UP AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND GO FORWARD, WHILE DRIVING I SOMETIMES CAN HER THIS CRACKING/SQUEAKING SOUND AND ALSO THE TIRE INDICATOR CONSTANTLY STAYS ON. I HAVE TAKE IT TO THE SHOP TO BE CHECKED, AND THEY HAVE CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE IN EACH TIRE ON MY CAR AND ALSO THE SPARE TIRE IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR SEVERAL TIMES. AND THE TIRE INDICATOR WILL NOT GO OFF. GOD FORBID IF WHEN I GO OVER A SPEED BUMP THE ENTIRE CAR MAKES THIS LOUD SQUEAKING SOUND. WHEN MY VEHICLE ENGINE IS ON PASSAGE AIRBAG INDICATOR KEEP BLANKING AND WILL NOT GO OFF, STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH PASSAGE IN MY CAR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT." GOD BLESSED"

NHTSA ODI #10870351

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…

Read full complaint

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

98,000 miles · Sep 1, 2014
Wheels

IN MAY 2014, A ROARING SOUND SUDDENLY STARTED, GOT WORSE, & THEN WE HAD TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE A WHEEL BEARING. THE SOUND QUIETENED A LITTLE BUT WAS STILL THERE AT ALL SPEEDS. THEN, WE HAD TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE ANOTHER WHEEL BEARING A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER. IN LATE AUGUST 2014, WE AGAIN HEARD THE NOISE & HAD TO REPLA…

Read full complaint

IN MAY 2014, A ROARING SOUND SUDDENLY STARTED, GOT WORSE, & THEN WE HAD TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE A WHEEL BEARING. THE SOUND QUIETENED A LITTLE BUT WAS STILL THERE AT ALL SPEEDS. THEN, WE HAD TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE ANOTHER WHEEL BEARING A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER. IN LATE AUGUST 2014, WE AGAIN HEARD THE NOISE & HAD TO REPLACE THE 3RD WHEEL BEARING. IN MY 61 YEARS, THIS IS THE ONLY CAR WITH WHICH I HAVE EVER HAD A DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING PROBLEM. EACH TIME, I AM OUT OF POCKET NEARLY $500! I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND HAVE BABIED IT; THERE IS NO REASON BESIDES FAULTY PARTS TO CAUSE THIS. FROM READING ONLINE, I SEE A PATTERN OF FAULTY WHEEL BEARINGS IN NISSAN MAXIMAS. I COULD OVERLOOK 1 BAD WHEEL BEARING, BUT 3???? AND NOW I AM WORRIED #4 MAY BE LURKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629915

22,000 miles · May 18, 2010
Wheels

WHEELS BEND EASILY AND CAUSES VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330942

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.