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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
40,400 miles · Mar 14, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

THE STEERING LOCK MODULE STOPPED WORKING. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES WERE LOCKED. THE KEYFOB BATTERY WAS FINE, AS WAS THE CAR BATTERY. I HEAR THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2009 NISSANS. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 7 WEEKS AGO. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. HAVE…

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THE STEERING LOCK MODULE STOPPED WORKING. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES WERE LOCKED. THE KEYFOB BATTERY WAS FINE, AS WAS THE CAR BATTERY. I HEAR THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2009 NISSANS. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 7 WEEKS AGO. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. HAVE TO WAIT 3 DAYS FOR THE PART. TOTAL COST - APPROX $900. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503019

50,000 miles · Mar 2, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

I HAD JUST STOPPED BY ANOTHER OFFICE IN MINNEAPOLIS TO PICK UP A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. IT WAS MY LAST ORDER OF BUSINESS OF THE EVENING. I WAS ABOUT 30 MINUTES FROM HOME. I WENT BACK OUT TO MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. I SPENT ABOUT 2.5 VERY STRESSFUL HOURS TRYING TO GET IT STARTED. I HAD MY 17 YEAR-OLD BRING ME MY OTHER FOB, I R…

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I HAD JUST STOPPED BY ANOTHER OFFICE IN MINNEAPOLIS TO PICK UP A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. IT WAS MY LAST ORDER OF BUSINESS OF THE EVENING. I WAS ABOUT 30 MINUTES FROM HOME. I WENT BACK OUT TO MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. I SPENT ABOUT 2.5 VERY STRESSFUL HOURS TRYING TO GET IT STARTED. I HAD MY 17 YEAR-OLD BRING ME MY OTHER FOB, I REPLACED BATTERIES IN THE FOB, I LOOKED UP PROBLEMS IN THE MANUAL. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED BACK TO THE NISSAN DEALER. TO MY DISMAY, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A COMMON ISSUE AND IT COST $850 TO FIX. SINCE THAT DAY, I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THE INTERNET TO READ ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND IT TURNS OUT THEY ARE EVERYWHERE! NISSAN MAXIMA, ALTIMA, 370Z...ALL 2009 TO 2010 MODEL YEARS. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL AND GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501044

55,000 miles · Feb 25, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHUTTING HER VEHICLE OFF THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN. THE CONTACT THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING COLUMN DROPPED LOWER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE STEERING …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHUTTING HER VEHICLE OFF THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN. THE CONTACT THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING COLUMN DROPPED LOWER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10500025

50,177 miles · Feb 15, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

IN MY TRAVEL TO WORK I ARRIVED AT THE LOCAL GAS STATION TO FUEL UP. AFTERWARDS, I GOT BACK IN AND TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE "KEY INDICATOR" WAS THE ONLY LIGHT THAT WAS SHOWING ON THE DASH AND THE WORK "LOCK" WAS SHOWING ON THE PUSH TO START BUTTON. I END UP HAVING TO CALL A ROLL BACK TO TOW MY CAR TO THE …

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IN MY TRAVEL TO WORK I ARRIVED AT THE LOCAL GAS STATION TO FUEL UP. AFTERWARDS, I GOT BACK IN AND TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE "KEY INDICATOR" WAS THE ONLY LIGHT THAT WAS SHOWING ON THE DASH AND THE WORK "LOCK" WAS SHOWING ON THE PUSH TO START BUTTON. I END UP HAVING TO CALL A ROLL BACK TO TOW MY CAR TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHICH IS OUT OF STATE AND CAUSED ME $200. ONCE I ARRIVED, THE NISSAN EMPLOYEE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE CAR LOCK STEERING THAT WAS PREVENTING THE CAR TO START AND THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST $866 TO REPAIR. I HAD TO OPTION BUT TO PAY BECAUSE I NEED MY CAR TO GO TO WORK. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE THAT OWN NISSAN MAXIMA'S AND OTHER NISSAN MAKES. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE IT'S FREQUENTLY HAPPENED TO OTHERS RESULTING IN ALL BEING STRANDED. I HAD NO INDICATION THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. IT HAPPENED SUDDEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498282

84,000 miles · Feb 14, 2013
Steering

WENT INTO THE STORE, CAME OUT AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START. THE KEY SYMBOL KEPT SHOWING UP, STEERING COLUMN WAS IN THE LOCKED POSITION & THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED AS WELL. HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INFORMED ME AFTER SOME DIAGNOSTIC TESTS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. THIS IS A …

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WENT INTO THE STORE, CAME OUT AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START. THE KEY SYMBOL KEPT SHOWING UP, STEERING COLUMN WAS IN THE LOCKED POSITION & THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED AS WELL. HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INFORMED ME AFTER SOME DIAGNOSTIC TESTS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. THIS IS A PART RECALLED ON THE 2009 370Z & GTR NISSAN MODELS BUT NOT FOR THE MAXIMA OR ALTIMA. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN & LUCKILY I WAS SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO HOME OTHERWISE MY SON & I WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN FREEZING COLD WEATHER. NISSAN TOOK THIS PART OUT OF THEIR 2010 MODELS SO IT OBVIOUSLY IS A FAULTY PART. KIND OF SHADY THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED IT YET, ESPECIALLY WITH THIS BEING A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498165

50,532 miles · Feb 12, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR, IGNITION WOULD NOT CHANGE FROM "LOCK" TO "ACC" OR "ON". INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LAMP WAS LIT STEADY ON DASH. STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WAS NOT LOCKED. ALL POWER AND OTHER FUNCTIONS WORKED (LIGHTS, DOOR LOCKS, ETC). BATTERY IS FINE. DEALER FOUND STEERING LOCK CONTROL MODULE PART 48700-9N00A FAULTY AN…

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UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR, IGNITION WOULD NOT CHANGE FROM "LOCK" TO "ACC" OR "ON". INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LAMP WAS LIT STEADY ON DASH. STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WAS NOT LOCKED. ALL POWER AND OTHER FUNCTIONS WORKED (LIGHTS, DOOR LOCKS, ETC). BATTERY IS FINE. DEALER FOUND STEERING LOCK CONTROL MODULE PART 48700-9N00A FAULTY AND REPLACED WITH STEERING LOCK CONTROL MODULE PART 48700-9N00B. SIMILAR PART ON NISSAN GTRS WAS RECALLED, PART NUMBER 48700-JF00A OR 48700-JF00B, BEING REPLACED BY 48700-JF00C SAME PART NUMBER IS FAILING FOR NISSAN 370ZS AS WELL, SAME YEARS AND SAME PART NUMBER 48700-JF00A OR 48700-JF00B, YET THEY ARE NOT BEING RECALLED. THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO OCCURRING IN NISSAN MAXIMAS AND NISSAN MURANOS IN ALL MODELS OF NISSAN THIS PART WAS REMOVED IN MID 2010 DUE TO CONSISTENT FAILURE. THE PART COSTS APPROXIMATELY $500 FROM NISSAN, IS USUALLY OUT OF STOCK AND BACK ORDERED, AND COSTS ANOTHER $400-$500 TO BE INSTALLED AT A DEALER. THERE SHOULD BE A MAKE-WIDE RECALL FOR ALL MODELS FOR THIS PART. FAILURE OF THIS PART STRANDS THE DRIVER WITH NO WARNING OF IMPENDING FAILURE. HOW CAN AELECTRONIC PART MOUNTED INSIDE THE PASSENGERS COMPARTMENT FAIL SO OFTEN AT LESS THAN THREE AND A HALF YEARS OF SERVICE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497908

28,600 miles · Feb 9, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED IN A PARKING LOT FOR 3 MIN. WHILE I WENT TO THE ATM MACHINE. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR IT WOULD NOT START. WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON, SO I CHECKED THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO LOOK UP THE SIGNAL AND IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERS FOR REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497606

71,000 miles · Feb 8, 2013
Steering

PARKED AT GROCERY STORE. ON RETURN KEY NOT RECOGNIZED BY KEYLESS PUSH STARTER. AFTER 2 HOURS OF TRYING TO START ENGINE IN MINUS 15 DEGREE CELSIUS, I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND WAITED FOR ANOTHER HOUR. TOWED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. LEFT ON LOT AS IT WAS AFTER HOURS. NEXT MORNING NISSAN TECHNICIAN ADVISED STEERING LOCK MODULE. $605.…

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PARKED AT GROCERY STORE. ON RETURN KEY NOT RECOGNIZED BY KEYLESS PUSH STARTER. AFTER 2 HOURS OF TRYING TO START ENGINE IN MINUS 15 DEGREE CELSIUS, I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND WAITED FOR ANOTHER HOUR. TOWED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. LEFT ON LOT AS IT WAS AFTER HOURS. NEXT MORNING NISSAN TECHNICIAN ADVISED STEERING LOCK MODULE. $605.00 TO REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496873

59,000 miles · Feb 5, 2013
Steering

CAR IS STRANDED BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS FAULTY. LOOKED IT UP AND NISSAN HAS A FAULTY PART THAT IS IN SEVERAL CARS AND THEY ARE LETTING PEOPLE GET STRANDED AND CHARGING THEM $1200 DOLLARS TO FIX THE ISSUE. SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. *TR HERE IS LOTS OF BACKGROUND HTTP://FORUMS.MAXIMA.ORG/7TH-GENERATION-MAXIMA-2009…

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CAR IS STRANDED BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS FAULTY. LOOKED IT UP AND NISSAN HAS A FAULTY PART THAT IS IN SEVERAL CARS AND THEY ARE LETTING PEOPLE GET STRANDED AND CHARGING THEM $1200 DOLLARS TO FIX THE ISSUE. SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. *TR HERE IS LOTS OF BACKGROUND HTTP://FORUMS.MAXIMA.ORG/7TH-GENERATION-MAXIMA-2009/658823-STEERING-WHEEL-LOCK-ISSUE.HTML

NHTSA ODI #10496525

54,671 miles · Feb 1, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT WITH FREEEZING TEMPERATURE. NISSAN HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY TO THE TUNE OF $800. IT IS A PART THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON THE GTR. IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED ON THE 370Z. THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING ON THE MAXIMA OR ALTIMA. OWNERS OF THE 2009 ARE TOLD TO REMOVE THE FUSE TO TAKE THIS PAR…

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I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT WITH FREEEZING TEMPERATURE. NISSAN HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY TO THE TUNE OF $800. IT IS A PART THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ON THE GTR. IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED ON THE 370Z. THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING ON THE MAXIMA OR ALTIMA. OWNERS OF THE 2009 ARE TOLD TO REMOVE THE FUSE TO TAKE THIS PART OUT OF THE EQUATION AND NOT GET STRANDED. NISSAN HAS REPLACED THIS PART ON 2010 VEHICLES AND NEWER. THEY SHOULD REIMBURSE ANYONE WHO HAS TO MAKE THIS REPAIR. IT IS A PART THAT IS NOT NECESSARY IN THIS VEHICLE. PROVEN BY NISSAN HAVING THEIR TECHNCIANS REMOVE THE FUSE IN 2009 MAXIMAS, ALTIMAS, 370Z AND GTR. THE FAULTY PART HAS BEEN PROVEN TO EXIST IN THE 2009 GTR, 370Z AND MAXIMAS. NISSANS CHANGING OF THE PART IN 2010 AND NEWER VEHICLES IS A DIRECT ADMSSION OF THEIR GUILT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496067

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.