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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

What owners actually said

339 reports
160,000 miles · Feb 17, 2017
Steering

MY MAXIMA WON'T START OR DO ANYTHING. I TOWED THE CAR TO MOSSY NISSAN AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE STEERING LOCKING MECHANISM.

NHTSA ODI #10955191

105,000 miles · Feb 16, 2017
Steering

I OWN A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA, NEVER HAD NAY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR EXCEPT FOR ROUTINE WORK DONE. I CLOCKED OUT OF WORK AND WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE CAR DID NOT START. THE WHEEL AND BRAKES WERE LOCKED ON ME AND I COULD NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK TO SHIFT IT. MY KEY LIGHT APPEARED ON MY DASH AND I LOOKED IT UP IN MY MANUAL …

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I OWN A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA, NEVER HAD NAY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR EXCEPT FOR ROUTINE WORK DONE. I CLOCKED OUT OF WORK AND WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE CAR DID NOT START. THE WHEEL AND BRAKES WERE LOCKED ON ME AND I COULD NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK TO SHIFT IT. MY KEY LIGHT APPEARED ON MY DASH AND I LOOKED IT UP IN MY MANUAL AND SAW IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK.. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAD TO PAY TO TOW MY CAR FROM WORK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT COST ME 1113.00 TO FIX THE STEERING LOCK UNIT.. TO MY KNOWLEDGE I NEVER WAS NOTIFIED OR RECEIVED A LETTER TELLING ME ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ABPUT THE STEERING LOCK. I FEEL LIKE THE WARRANTY SHOULD BE FOREVER BECAUSE WHAT IF THIS STEERING LOCK UNIT I REPLACED GOES OUT ON ME AGAIN LEAVING ME STRANDED SOMEWHERE ELSE AND THEN I HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER 1113.00 TO FIX... WAY TO GO NISSAN!!!!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #10955140

72,000 miles · Feb 13, 2017
EngineSteering

THE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM (AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE) FAILED. IT LOCKED MY STEERING WHEEL AND DISABLED THE START BUTTON ON THE CAR. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY; I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT AWAY FROM HOME WITH A CAR THAT WOULD NOT START. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAD ISSUED A TSB, BUT NO RECALL. NOR WAS I NOTIFIED OF THE PO…

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THE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM (AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE) FAILED. IT LOCKED MY STEERING WHEEL AND DISABLED THE START BUTTON ON THE CAR. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY; I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT AWAY FROM HOME WITH A CAR THAT WOULD NOT START. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAD ISSUED A TSB, BUT NO RECALL. NOR WAS I NOTIFIED OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM AS AN OWNER.

NHTSA ODI #10954324

87,000 miles · Feb 4, 2017
Steering

2009 MAXIMA WITH 87,000 MILES WAS OPERATIONAL THROUGHOUT THE DAY; WE PARKED AT A BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT FOR LUNCH FEBRUARY 4, 2017 (WINTER; CLOUDY NO RAIN OR SNOW) OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE 45 F. WHEN RETURNING TO VEHICLE, CAR WOULD NOT START: STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND INTELLIKEY SYSTEM WOULD NOT FUNCTION; BLINKING DASH LIGHT INDICA…

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2009 MAXIMA WITH 87,000 MILES WAS OPERATIONAL THROUGHOUT THE DAY; WE PARKED AT A BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT FOR LUNCH FEBRUARY 4, 2017 (WINTER; CLOUDY NO RAIN OR SNOW) OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE 45 F. WHEN RETURNING TO VEHICLE, CAR WOULD NOT START: STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND INTELLIKEY SYSTEM WOULD NOT FUNCTION; BLINKING DASH LIGHT INDICATED CAR WAS IN LOCK-DOWN MODE. HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK - AFTER 75 MINUTES WAIT CAR WAS TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER FOR REPAIR (STILL WAITING). THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM & IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP IN THIS VERY SAME CAR (THAT TIME WAS OCTOBER 2012 WITH 46,000 MILES ON THE CAR). THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM SINCE THIS APPEARS TO HAPPEN AT RANDOM; LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION OR VICIOUS WEATHER. PREVIOUS REPAIR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I SUSPECT THIS REPAIR WILL BE QUITE COSTLY. THE CAR SHOULD NOT LOCK UP LIKE THIS FOR NO REASON. THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISMS APPEARS TO BE EITHER A FAULTY DESIGN OR HAVE PROBLEMS FUNCTIONING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND HAVE THIS PART RECALLED OR REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI #10949590

113,000 miles · Jan 3, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK LOCKS AND DOESN'T ALLOW YOU TO START YOUR VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I LIVE IN MINNESOTA AND HAD THE STERRRING LOCK TRIGGER WHICH LEFT ME STRANDED IN FRIDGED TEMPERATURES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT HAPPEN WITH OUT NOTICE AND COULD CAUSE HARM OR DEATH BY NOT BEING ABLE TO START YOUR VEHICLE. TH…

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THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK LOCKS AND DOESN'T ALLOW YOU TO START YOUR VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I LIVE IN MINNESOTA AND HAD THE STERRRING LOCK TRIGGER WHICH LEFT ME STRANDED IN FRIDGED TEMPERATURES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT HAPPEN WITH OUT NOTICE AND COULD CAUSE HARM OR DEATH BY NOT BEING ABLE TO START YOUR VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED IN PARK AND THE IGNITION IS DISENGAGED.

NHTSA ODI #10939492

68,493 miles · Dec 28, 2016
Electrical System

STOPPED AT CONVENIANCE STORE AND SHUT CAR OFF. TRIED TO RESTART CAR AND IT WON'T START. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER SHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT. FOUND THAT IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK THAT HAD FAILED. COST TO REPLACE WAS 1300 DOLLARS. FOUND OUT THIS IS A HIGH FAILURE PART AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #10937979

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING FAILURE IN WHICH THE PUSH BUTTON START FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK MECHANISM INTERNALLY MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING FAILURE IN WHICH THE PUSH BUTTON START FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK MECHANISM INTERNALLY MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10937569

135,000 miles · Dec 15, 2016
Steering

CAR WILL NOT START WITH THE ELECTRIC PUSH BUTTON. IT SEEMS TO BE THE ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK MECHANISM ACTUATOR. NISSAN WANTS TO CHARGE $1000 FOR THE PART AND $400 LABOR. IT TOOK US 15 MINS TO TAKE THE PART OUT OURSELVES AND UNPLUGGED IT AND PLUGGED IT BACK IN. IT DID WORK A FEW TIMES BUT NOW IT WONT WORK AGAIN. LOOKS LIKE I WILL…

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CAR WILL NOT START WITH THE ELECTRIC PUSH BUTTON. IT SEEMS TO BE THE ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK MECHANISM ACTUATOR. NISSAN WANTS TO CHARGE $1000 FOR THE PART AND $400 LABOR. IT TOOK US 15 MINS TO TAKE THE PART OUT OURSELVES AND UNPLUGGED IT AND PLUGGED IT BACK IN. IT DID WORK A FEW TIMES BUT NOW IT WONT WORK AGAIN. LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO BUY THE PART WHICH IS ON AMAZON FOR AROUND $400.00. THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH THIS PART AND NISSAN SHOULD HONOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT! I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TWICE BEFORE FIGURING THIS OUT! NOT SURE WHY THEY HAVE CHARGE SO MUCH FOR SUCH A SIMPLE FIX. THE DEALER SHIP IS A RIP OFF...

NHTSA ODI #10935390

98,000 miles · Dec 13, 2016
Electrical System

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WENT OUT AND I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR WHICH I HAD TO PAY $1,100 TO GET A PROBLEM FIXED I NEVER EVEN HEARD OF. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS PART THAT "EXPIRED" A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. NISSAN NEVER RECALLED THIS PART THAT IS CLEARLY…

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THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WENT OUT AND I WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR WHICH I HAD TO PAY $1,100 TO GET A PROBLEM FIXED I NEVER EVEN HEARD OF. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS PART THAT "EXPIRED" A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. NISSAN NEVER RECALLED THIS PART THAT IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10935026

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2016
Steering

MY CAR STARTED WITH NO PROBLEM EARLY MORNING TO GO TO WORK, BUT WHEN I GOT OFF IT WOULD NOT START. I SAW A KEY LIGHT ON, SO I ASSUMED THAT IT WAS MY INTELLIGENT KEY BATTERY. SO I GOT A NEW BATTERY. I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE NEXT MORNING THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC.…

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MY CAR STARTED WITH NO PROBLEM EARLY MORNING TO GO TO WORK, BUT WHEN I GOT OFF IT WOULD NOT START. I SAW A KEY LIGHT ON, SO I ASSUMED THAT IT WAS MY INTELLIGENT KEY BATTERY. SO I GOT A NEW BATTERY. I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE NEXT MORNING THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC. THEY TOLD ME MY STEERING LOCK UNIT IS BAD AND IT WOULD BE 1,020.00 TO REPLACE IT. I ASKED HOW DOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING AND THEY COULD NOT ANSWER. I WAS TOLD IT JUST HAPPENS.THIS UNIT REALLY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #10930267

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.