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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
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

65,329 miles · Aug 22, 2015
Steering

DAUGHTER DROVE CAR HOME FROM SCHOOL. WENT TO LEAVE A COUPLE HOURS LATER FOR VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE AND THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY FROZEN. WE COULD NOT DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND THERE WERE 2 LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD THAT KEPT FLASHING. ONE WAS RED AND HAD A KEY SYMBOL IN IT AND THE OTHER WAS ORANGE AND SAID THE WORD KEY IN IT. THE CA…

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DAUGHTER DROVE CAR HOME FROM SCHOOL. WENT TO LEAVE A COUPLE HOURS LATER FOR VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE AND THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY FROZEN. WE COULD NOT DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND THERE WERE 2 LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD THAT KEPT FLASHING. ONE WAS RED AND HAD A KEY SYMBOL IN IT AND THE OTHER WAS ORANGE AND SAID THE WORD KEY IN IT. THE CAR WAS STUCK IN THE GARAGE, COULD NOT EVEN MOVE IT INTO NEUTRAL TO BE TOWED, HAD TO GET THE TOWING GUY TO GO GET ANOTHER MECHANIC TO USE A SCREWDRIVER TO RELEASE A MECHANISM THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL SO THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO "DRAG" IT OUT OF THE GARAGE. ENDED UP BEING THE STEERING LOCK WITH A COST FOR PARTS OF $684.87 - TOTAL COST WITH LABOR $964.76. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THIS PARTICULAR PART HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PUT ON IT THAT WAS GOOD THROUGH MAY OF 2015. DIDN'T MATTER THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR, APPARENTLY IT WAS ONLY A TIME ISSUED WARRANTY. SO, ONCE MAY CAME AND WENT - YOU PAID FOR YOUR OWN PART. WE ARE CURIOUS AS TO WHY THIS WAS NOT MADE A RECALL VERSES AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SITUATION. WE ARE NOW OUT $1000 FOR SOMETHING THAT NISSAN KNOWS IS A PROBLEM, YET HAS NOT DONE THE PROPER THING BY ISSUING A FULL RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10758555

100,000 miles · Aug 5, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE DASHBOARD TO MY 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA IS MELTING AND IT IS CRACKING AROUND ALL THE AC VENTS AND AROUND THE RADIO & DISPLAY CONSOLE.

NHTSA ODI #10746384

109,000 miles · Jul 21, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING, THE VEHICLE DID NOT REGISTER THAT THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR LOCK MODULE MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING, THE VEHICLE DID NOT REGISTER THAT THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR LOCK MODULE MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ODI #10735420

153,200 miles · Jun 25, 2015
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT SAYING AIR BAG IS OFF

NHTSA ODI #10730499

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

81,000 miles · Jun 8, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT GOING AT A MINIMUM SPEED. DRIVER THAT HIT THE MAXIMA WAS ON LAPTOP THUS PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF THE MAXIMA WHICH WAS TRAVELING THE FULL SPEED LIMIT. MAXIMA WAS STRUCK ON DRIVERS SIDE CAUSING THE WHOLE FRONT OF CAR TO BE OBLITERATED. BENT THE FRAME FROM THE FRONT OF CAR ALL THE WAY BACK TO BACK DOOR.…

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VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT GOING AT A MINIMUM SPEED. DRIVER THAT HIT THE MAXIMA WAS ON LAPTOP THUS PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF THE MAXIMA WHICH WAS TRAVELING THE FULL SPEED LIMIT. MAXIMA WAS STRUCK ON DRIVERS SIDE CAUSING THE WHOLE FRONT OF CAR TO BE OBLITERATED. BENT THE FRAME FROM THE FRONT OF CAR ALL THE WAY BACK TO BACK DOOR. CRACKED DRIVER SIDE CHROME RIM IN HALF AND PUSHED THE WHEEL WELL UP INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AT THE PLACE THAT YOU REST YOUR FOOT WHICH CAUSED JAMMED THE DRIVERS LEG UP INTO THE PELVIS. NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, WHICH LEFT WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUFFER FROM MAJOR HEAD TRAUMA AND PASSENGER'S NECK WAS FRACTURED. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT. THE DRIVER THAT HIT THE MAXIMA, HIS VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS ALL CAME OUT. STEERING WHEEL PASSENGER SIDE AND ALL OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SO MANY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHIN THAT CHRYSLER YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT A PRODUCTION WAS GOING ON ALL THE CURTAINS THAT WERE POPPING OUT. NISSAN, I DO NOT TRUST THEM AND NOT CONSIDER ANY OF THERE VEHICLES SAFE.

NHTSA ODI #10723902

81,000 miles · Jun 2, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT PRODUCED BLACK MARKINGS AND METAL FRAGMENTS THAT CAUSED FURTHER CUTS AND BRUI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT PRODUCED BLACK MARKINGS AND METAL FRAGMENTS THAT CAUSED FURTHER CUTS AND BRUISES TO THE CONTACT, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT ASKED THE POLICE IF THE BLACK MARKINGS WERE NORMAL AND THE POLICE SAID NO. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000..... UPDATED 06/30/15 *BF MA 08/17/15 THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG BURSTS. ONE OCCUPANT HAD CUT TOES FROM BLACK SHARDS THAT LOOK LIKE ROCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED UPDATED 9/15/2015*JS UPDATED 12/3/15 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10722934

500 miles · May 20, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR, WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, AIR BAG NOT ON SIGN WILL ILLUMINATE. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. I NEVER TOOK IT IN AND IT STILL HAPPENS NOW. IT BECAME OBLIVIOUS TO ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T MAKE TIME TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, SEAT BELTS ARE FASTENED AND THE LIGHT STILL COMES ON. TH…

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WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR, WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, AIR BAG NOT ON SIGN WILL ILLUMINATE. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. I NEVER TOOK IT IN AND IT STILL HAPPENS NOW. IT BECAME OBLIVIOUS TO ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T MAKE TIME TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, SEAT BELTS ARE FASTENED AND THE LIGHT STILL COMES ON. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE RADIO COMPLETELY DIES AND IN A HURRICANE SITUATIONS WE RELY ON THE RADIO FOR WEATHER AND HIGHWAY CONDITION UPDATES. THIS IS A CURRENT PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10717433

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR AS I LEFT WORK ONE AFTERNOON AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE PUSH START BUTTON WAS IN THE LOCK MODE AND THE PICTURE IN THE DASH INDICATED THAT MY WHEEL WAS LOCKED, WHILE MY ANT-THEFT LIGHT FLASHED CONTINUOUSLY. I MADE SEVERAL DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS FOR HOURS TO UNLOCK THE STEERING COLLAR MYSELF AND START MY C…

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I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR AS I LEFT WORK ONE AFTERNOON AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE PUSH START BUTTON WAS IN THE LOCK MODE AND THE PICTURE IN THE DASH INDICATED THAT MY WHEEL WAS LOCKED, WHILE MY ANT-THEFT LIGHT FLASHED CONTINUOUSLY. I MADE SEVERAL DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS FOR HOURS TO UNLOCK THE STEERING COLLAR MYSELF AND START MY CAR, ONLY TO FAIL OVER AND OVER AGAIN WHICH LEAD TO ME HAVING IT TOWED TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP, THE NEXT DAY. THE DEALERSHIP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW STEERING LOCK BOX, WHICH TYPICALLY DOES NOT GO OUT ON CARS LIKE MINE (2009 NISSAN MAXIMA). THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT BUT I AM BEING CHARGED AT LEAST $1000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, WITH NO FAULT OF MY OWN. WILL YOU ASSIST ME IN RESOLVING THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA ODI #10717347

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.