Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
350–25K
4625–50K
6450–75K
5275–100K
54100–150K
21150K+
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
33,000 miles · Aug 6, 2012
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TELESCOPIC MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TELESCOPIC MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED LITTLE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33,000.
NHTSA ODI #10469401
33,500 miles · Jul 19, 2012
Steering
AFTER STARTING MY CAR I HEARD A LOUD GRINDING/WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AUTOMATIC TILT/TELESCOPIC STEERING WHEEL WAS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION AND FAILED TO LOWER TO THE MEMORY SET POSITION. THE LOUD AND DISTRACTING NOISE WOULD HAPPEN EVERY TIME I STARTED THE CAR AND ONLY STOPPED AFTER MANUALLY TRYING TO A…
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AFTER STARTING MY CAR I HEARD A LOUD GRINDING/WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AUTOMATIC TILT/TELESCOPIC STEERING WHEEL WAS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION AND FAILED TO LOWER TO THE MEMORY SET POSITION. THE LOUD AND DISTRACTING NOISE WOULD HAPPEN EVERY TIME I STARTED THE CAR AND ONLY STOPPED AFTER MANUALLY TRYING TO ADJUST THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH DID NOT WORK. THE STEERING WHEEL IS STUCK IN A POSITION THAT SO THAT I CANNOT SEE THE GAUGES OR SPEEDOMETER PROPERLY WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND NISSAN SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466668
36,000 miles · Jul 17, 2012
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IN A LOCKED POSITION AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE GEAR BOX MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IN A LOCKED POSITION AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE GEAR BOX MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
NHTSA ODI #10466034
45,000 miles · Jul 12, 2012
Steering
THE AUTOMATIC TILT STEERING WHEEL MOTOR MADE A GRINDING NOISE THEN FAILED TO MOVE THE WHEEL. THIS MODEL HAS AN AUTOMATIC ENTRY/EXIT SYSTEM THAT MOVES THE WHEEL UP AND DOWN EVERY TIME YOU ENTER/EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE TILT MECHANISM ATTEMPTS TO LOWER THE WHEEL WHENEVER I START THE CAR. THIS HAS PUT THE STEERING WHEEL IN A POSITI…
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THE AUTOMATIC TILT STEERING WHEEL MOTOR MADE A GRINDING NOISE THEN FAILED TO MOVE THE WHEEL. THIS MODEL HAS AN AUTOMATIC ENTRY/EXIT SYSTEM THAT MOVES THE WHEEL UP AND DOWN EVERY TIME YOU ENTER/EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE TILT MECHANISM ATTEMPTS TO LOWER THE WHEEL WHENEVER I START THE CAR. THIS HAS PUT THE STEERING WHEEL IN A POSITION THAT IS EXTREMELY LOW AND WILL NOT RAISE. THIS HAS MADE STEERING DIFFICULT AND BLOCKS THE VIEW OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465412
57,000 miles · Jun 18, 2012
Steering
STEERING WHEEL TILT MOTOR GRINDS AND REMAINS IN THE DOWN POSITION. UNDERSTAND SPECIAL BULLETIN NTB09-094 IS POSTED. THE CAR IS PRECARIOUSLY CHALLENGING TO DRIVE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL IN THIS POSITION WHICH ALSO MAKES IT DANGEROUS TO SEE THE DASHBOARD WITH THE WHEEL IN THE WAY. TOO MANY COMPLAINS ON THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN SH…
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STEERING WHEEL TILT MOTOR GRINDS AND REMAINS IN THE DOWN POSITION. UNDERSTAND SPECIAL BULLETIN NTB09-094 IS POSTED. THE CAR IS PRECARIOUSLY CHALLENGING TO DRIVE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL IN THIS POSITION WHICH ALSO MAKES IT DANGEROUS TO SEE THE DASHBOARD WITH THE WHEEL IN THE WAY. TOO MANY COMPLAINS ON THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THE TELESCOPIC MOTORS IN THIS CAR ASAP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462178
59,400 miles · May 3, 2012
Visibility
CAR WAS SITTING PARKED; HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS, WENT TO GET IN CAR AND REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS DANGLING. REAR VIEW MIRROR HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM WINDSHIELD, CHUNK OF WINDSHIELD BROKEN WHERE MIRROR HAD BEEN ATTACHED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457229
35,000 miles · May 2, 2012
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILRED. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. THE VIN …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILRED. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10457126
32,200 miles · Apr 12, 2012
Steering
PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE OCCURRENCE RATE OF MY COMPLAINT!!! THE AUTOMATIC TILT STEERING MOTOR BECAME INOPERABLE AND LOCKED IN THE LOWEST DOWN POSITION UPON STARTING THE IGNITION. THE CAR IS UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS IN THE LOWEST POSITION EVEN WHEN THE AUTOMATIC SEAT ADJUSTMENTS ARE SET TO THE LOWEST POS…
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PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE OCCURRENCE RATE OF MY COMPLAINT!!! THE AUTOMATIC TILT STEERING MOTOR BECAME INOPERABLE AND LOCKED IN THE LOWEST DOWN POSITION UPON STARTING THE IGNITION. THE CAR IS UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS IN THE LOWEST POSITION EVEN WHEN THE AUTOMATIC SEAT ADJUSTMENTS ARE SET TO THE LOWEST POSITION. I DO NOT HAVE FULL VIEW OF THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTS. NISSAN HAS A TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN) ON THE ISSUE AND THE DEALER TELLS ME IT IS SOMETHING THEY ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE IN THE MAXIMA AND MURANO MODELS. MY MAXIMA IS JUST 29 DAYS PAST THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION DATE. NISSAN MUST RECALL VEHICLE MODEL YEAR 2009 (NISSAN MAXIMA) TO REPAIR THE TILT STEERING MOTOR AT THEIR COST. THE REPAIR COSTS TO THE CONSUMER IS OVER $600. I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD RESULT IN IMPROPER STEERING BY THE DRIVER RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY/DEATH. THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10455015
16,123 miles · Mar 28, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering
MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING SOUTH BOUND ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AT 75 MPH AND THE CAR SHUTDOWN, IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND LOST POWER. LUCKILY WE WERE IN THE RIGHT LANE AND I ACTED QUICKLY TO TURN ON THE HAZARDS AND GET OFF THE HIGHWAY ON TO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS CAR ONLY HAS ~16000 MILES AS WELL …
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MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING SOUTH BOUND ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AT 75 MPH AND THE CAR SHUTDOWN, IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND LOST POWER. LUCKILY WE WERE IN THE RIGHT LANE AND I ACTED QUICKLY TO TURN ON THE HAZARDS AND GET OFF THE HIGHWAY ON TO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS CAR ONLY HAS ~16000 MILES AS WELL AS ALL OF ITS SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE IS UP TO DATE. AFTER GETTING IT TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED US THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND THAT EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT AS THEY FOUND A LEAF IN THE SENSOR. WE HAVE NO WAY TO VERIFY THAT THERE WAS A LEAF IN THE SENSOR AND THE CAR IS KEPT IN A GARAGE AND/OR DRIVEWAY NOWHERE NEAR A TREE. WE WANTED TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT SO THAT IF MORE INCIDENTS LIKE THIS OCCUR MAYBE A RECALL IS WARRANTED AS NISSAN'S ENGINEERING OF THE VEHICLES COULD BE AT FAULT. HOW COULD A LEAF IN GET IN THERE? IF A LEAF DOES GET IN WHY WOULD THAT CORRODE THE PART? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10453400
130,000 miles · Mar 19, 2012
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SPARKS BECAME VISIBLE ONCE THE HOOD WAS OPENED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR HAD MELT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SPARKS BECAME VISIBLE ONCE THE HOOD WAS OPENED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR HAD MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.
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.
2009 Nissan Maxima Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year