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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
55,000 miles · Jan 29, 2014
Electrical SystemSeatsSteering

WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED AFTER 5 YEARS. FEW MONTHS LATER, THE TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISES AND WILL NOT TELESCOPE BACK AND FORTH UNLESS I MANUALLY PUSH OR PULL HARD. GOT QUOTED $850 FOR A REPAIR, BUT I REFUSED TO PAY THAT MUCH TO GET IT FIXED AS IT IS NOT MY FAULT. I SEE MANY 2009 NISSANS HAVING THIS PR…

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WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED AFTER 5 YEARS. FEW MONTHS LATER, THE TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISES AND WILL NOT TELESCOPE BACK AND FORTH UNLESS I MANUALLY PUSH OR PULL HARD. GOT QUOTED $850 FOR A REPAIR, BUT I REFUSED TO PAY THAT MUCH TO GET IT FIXED AS IT IS NOT MY FAULT. I SEE MANY 2009 NISSANS HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN THE MANUFACTURER TO NOT RECALL THIS! THIS MIGHT BE MY LAST NISSAN AS I ALREADY HAD 3 NISSAN BATTERIES, MY ALTERNATOR REPLACED AND MY DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME REPLACED! I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL MY CAR LOAN IS PAID OFF! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561956

66,100 miles · Jan 17, 2014
Steering

STEERING WHEEL MOTOR STARTED GRINDING AND LOCKED IN THE LOWEST POSITION DIFFICULT TO STEER IN THAT POSITION UNTIL FIXED CALLED NISSAN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO CAMPAIGN, EXTENDED WARRANTY, OR PROBLEM THEY KNOW OF. THEY ADMITTED TO EXTENDED WARRANTY ON PUSH BUTTON IGNITION REPLACED MOTOR AT A COST OF $420 NISSAN IS I…

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STEERING WHEEL MOTOR STARTED GRINDING AND LOCKED IN THE LOWEST POSITION DIFFICULT TO STEER IN THAT POSITION UNTIL FIXED CALLED NISSAN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO CAMPAIGN, EXTENDED WARRANTY, OR PROBLEM THEY KNOW OF. THEY ADMITTED TO EXTENDED WARRANTY ON PUSH BUTTON IGNITION REPLACED MOTOR AT A COST OF $420 NISSAN IS IGNORING THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET FORUMS, PROBLEM OCCURRING IN 2009 MAXIMAS AND MURANOS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY REPLACE 2-3 A WEEK. IF IT IS TRUE, AT EVERY DEALERSHIP IT IS ABOUT 40 % OF ALL MAXIMAS SOLD IN 09 HAVE THE BAD MOTOR WHICH COSTS $189. NISSAN NEEDS TO COVER THE COST FOR THIS DEFECTIVE MOTOR !!!!!! THE START BUTTON AND STEERING COLUMN ARE RELATED PARTS !!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560419

65,000 miles · Jan 16, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

MY 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA WILL NOT START. THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE LEFT COMES ON BRIEFLY. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULE AND THAT IT WILL COST OVER $900 TO REPAIR, NOT TO MENTION OVER $100 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC EXAM. I DON'T FEEL CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A PROBLEM THAT THE…

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MY 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA WILL NOT START. THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE LEFT COMES ON BRIEFLY. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULE AND THAT IT WILL COST OVER $900 TO REPAIR, NOT TO MENTION OVER $100 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC EXAM. I DON'T FEEL CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE NOT CAUSED. IT'S APPARENT THAT THIS IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY ACCORDING TO THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE. I FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD PAY THIS COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560205

70,000 miles · Jan 14, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

I PARKED AND WENT INTO LOCAL POST OFFICE. GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. TRIED TO GET A JUMP AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH BATTERY, DOORS UNLOCKED, LIGHTS CAME ON AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORKED. CALLED LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED TO SERVICE GENTLEMAN WHAT WAS GOING ON AND HE IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THE STEERI…

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I PARKED AND WENT INTO LOCAL POST OFFICE. GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. TRIED TO GET A JUMP AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH BATTERY, DOORS UNLOCKED, LIGHTS CAME ON AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORKED. CALLED LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED TO SERVICE GENTLEMAN WHAT WAS GOING ON AND HE IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THE STEERING LOCK RELEASE HAD GONE OUT AND I NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THREE DAYS LATER THE SERVICE GENTLEMAN CALLED ME AND TOLD ME IT WAS INDEED THE STEERING LOCK RELEASE THAT'D GONE OUT AND IT WAS $775 + TAX TO GET IT FIXED. I'M BAFFLED BECAUSE MY CAR IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE END RESULT IS THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. THE CAR WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT THIS RELEASE SWITCH BEING REPLACE AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT FIX SO WHAT NOW AM I TO DO. I BEGAN TO READ UPON THIS ISSUE AND SEE IT'S AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH '09 MAXIMAS AND IT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER SUCH NISSAN VEHICLES. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND RECALL THIS PART FOR ITS CUSTOMERS. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE AND ALSO NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559822

71,000 miles · Jan 9, 2014
Steering

MY WIFE PARKED THE CAR ON MONDAY NIGHT, AND THE NEXT DAY WHEN SHE TRIED TO START IT, NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN, LIKE IT WASN'T REGISTERING THE KEY FOB. SO I WENT TO THE CAR AND I TRIED TO START IT, AND I NOTICED THAT I COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT, AND ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ISN'T W…

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MY WIFE PARKED THE CAR ON MONDAY NIGHT, AND THE NEXT DAY WHEN SHE TRIED TO START IT, NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN, LIKE IT WASN'T REGISTERING THE KEY FOB. SO I WENT TO THE CAR AND I TRIED TO START IT, AND I NOTICED THAT I COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT, AND ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ISN'T WORKING. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH AN EXPENSIVE FIX THAT HAS TO BE FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS THAT WE LIVE 2 HRS FROM THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, AND ON TOP OF THE LOCK BEING REPLACED, WE WILL HAVE TO PAY AROUND $200 TO HAVE IT TOWED. I'M THANKFUL THAT MY WIFE WAS HERE AT THE HOUSE WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND NOT OUT SOMEWHERE WITH OUR NEW BORN DAUGHTER CONSIDERING IT HAS BEEN BELOW 0 DEGREES HERE THE PAST FEW DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559170

111,000 miles · Jan 2, 2014
Suspension

OUR VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING LOUD SQUEAKING/RATTLING SOUNDS UNDER OUR HOOD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. WE NOTICED THE SOUNDS WERE GETTING LOUDER, SO MY HUSBAND DECIDED TO TAKE OUR VEHICLE INTO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR OBSERVATION ON DECEMBER 24, 2013. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, HE WAS TOLD VERY QUICKLY THAT THE SOUNDS WE HAD BEEN HEA…

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OUR VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING LOUD SQUEAKING/RATTLING SOUNDS UNDER OUR HOOD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. WE NOTICED THE SOUNDS WERE GETTING LOUDER, SO MY HUSBAND DECIDED TO TAKE OUR VEHICLE INTO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR OBSERVATION ON DECEMBER 24, 2013. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, HE WAS TOLD VERY QUICKLY THAT THE SOUNDS WE HAD BEEN HEARING WERE THE RESULT OF THE CRACKING OF OUR SUSPENSION/STRUT INSULATOR. HE WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE SAME CRACKING SUSPENSION/STRUT INSULATOR PROBLEM THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING HAD AFFECTED MOSTLY ALL OF THE 2009-2010 MAXIMA MODEL VEHICLES THAT HAD BEEN MANUFACTURED, LAUNCHING A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V358000), EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 16, 2009. AFTER FINDING OUT THIS INFORMATION, WE CONTACTED NISSAN MOTOR ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION ON DECEMBER 24, 2013, BUT NMAC WAS CLOSED. ON DECEMBER 27, 2013, I CONTACTED A REPRESENTATIVE AT NMAC AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUES THAT WE ARE HAVING WITH OUR 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA, AND STATED THE ISSUES WE ARE EXPERIENCING ARE THE EXACT ISSUES THAT WERE DOCUMENTED AS A VEHICLE HAZARD UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V358000. I WAS TOLD BY THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT MY VIN # WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL; HOWEVER, I ASKED THE REPRESENTATIVE TO PLEASE EXTEND THE RECALL CAMPAIGN TO INCLUDE MY VIN #, SINCE OBVIOUSLY, MY NISSAN MAXIMA WAS ONE OF THE FIRST 2009 MODELS MANUFACTURED, AND IT IS CLEAR THAT WHATEVER PROBLEMS THE REST OF THE 2009 MODELS ARE EXPERIENCING, UNLESS THE FORMULA REGARDING HOW THE SUSPENSION/STRUT INSULATORS HAD BEEN MANUFACTURED WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE HAD CHANGED, THEN THERE IS NO WAY MY VEHICLE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF COMMUNICATION BACK AND FORTH WITH THE NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE, WE WERE TOLD TODAY THAT NISSAN WILL NOT EXTEND THE RECALL TO INCLUDED MY VIN # BUT WILL ONLY OFFER TO PAY 1/2 THE COST OF THE PARTS ONLY, NO LABOR COSTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558253

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE POWER WHEEL LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE POWER WHEEL LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10557883

89,000 miles · Dec 6, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

CANT START CAR.. SEEMS LIKE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTION. I HAVE LOOKED AND NOTICED THAT ALOT OF 2009 NISSANS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555130

78,000 miles · Nov 29, 2013
Power TrainService Brakes

I HAVE A 2006 MAXIMA WITH 78,000 MILES. ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING WHEN SHIFTING FROM GEAR 1 TO GEAR 2. ALSO JERKING FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE. AFTER STOPPING, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE AND THE RPMS SKY ROCKET UNTIL THE GEAR ENGAGES. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED BUT THE PROBLEM STI…

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I HAVE A 2006 MAXIMA WITH 78,000 MILES. ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING WHEN SHIFTING FROM GEAR 1 TO GEAR 2. ALSO JERKING FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE. AFTER STOPPING, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE AND THE RPMS SKY ROCKET UNTIL THE GEAR ENGAGES. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHERE STOPPING AND STARTING IS REQUIRED DUE TO STOP SIGNS AND LIGHTS. IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN ANOTHER CAR REAR-ENDING ME BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN ACCELERATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554130

56,000 miles · Nov 25, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

I AM A SINGLE 34 YEAR OLD WHITE FEMALE. I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA AND I WAS DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI AT 2:00 AM. I WALKED TO THE CAR FROM A BUSINESS NEARBY AND GOT INTO MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS A LIGHT ON THE TOP LEFT OF THE DASHBOARD THAT WAS YELLOW AND SAID KEY. I ATTEMPTED TO START IT AGAIN AND NOTHING. I CONTAC…

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I AM A SINGLE 34 YEAR OLD WHITE FEMALE. I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA AND I WAS DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI AT 2:00 AM. I WALKED TO THE CAR FROM A BUSINESS NEARBY AND GOT INTO MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS A LIGHT ON THE TOP LEFT OF THE DASHBOARD THAT WAS YELLOW AND SAID KEY. I ATTEMPTED TO START IT AGAIN AND NOTHING. I CONTACTED A FRIEND WHO HELPED ME TRY TO JUMP IT; THINKING IT MAY BE THE BATTERY AND AGAIN NOTHING. I WAS VERY UPSET THAT I WAS STUCK IN DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI, NOW WITH A FRIEND TRYING TO HELP. I ENDED UP SPENDING A $100 ON A TAXI TO GET HOME AND NOW TODAY I FIND OUT THUS IS GOING TO COST ME $900. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES ON IT. I SHOULD BE ABLE TO FEEL SAFE. I NO LONGER DO. I HOPE NISSAN THINKS ABOUT RECALLING THIS ISSUE BC ACCORDING TO MANY ONLINE TESTIMONIES THIS IS HAPPENING A LOT TO 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS. I'LL HAVE TO SAY I WON'T BUY ANOTHER. I HAD A TOYOTA BEFORE THIS AND I'LL GO BACK GO BEING A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553693

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.