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2010 Nissan Maxima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Maxima years

Owner complaints for the 2010 Nissan Maxima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 99.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

238 reports with mileage · 37 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 158 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 →
  • Suspension. Review the 29 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 reports8 injury reports

Steering complaints

158 reports
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88,500 miles · Dec 16, 2014
Steering

MY 2010 MAXIMA HAD A DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE AND I HAD TO TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS STRANDED ON A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE IN COLD WEATHER WITH NO HEAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS AS A RESULT. THE STEERING LOCK WAS REPLACED BY A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $1000+. THE 2009 …

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MY 2010 MAXIMA HAD A DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE AND I HAD TO TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS STRANDED ON A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE IN COLD WEATHER WITH NO HEAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS AS A RESULT. THE STEERING LOCK WAS REPLACED BY A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $1000+. THE 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA MODEL HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. NISSAN CURRENTLY HAS A CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE ON THE 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA BUT REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE ON MY 2010 MODEL AFTER I'VE CALLED THEM AND SUBMITTED A CASE WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I'VE INFORMED NISSAN THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO HAPPENING ON A LOT OF 2010 MODELS AS PER THE 100+ COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND VARIOUS OTHER INTERNET BLOGS BUT NEVERTHELESS AFTER A WEEK OF REVIEWING MY CASE, NISSAN REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE REPAIR NOR EXTEND THE EXISTING CAMPAIGN TO THE 2010 MAXIMA MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664730

42,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SPECIFICS OF THE REPAIR WERE NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SPECIFICS OF THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 2/24/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10664352

104,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Steering

I WENT TO TURN ON THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T COME ON. I REPLACED THE BATTERY ON THE KEY CHIP. I GOT THE CAR TOWED TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING LOCK. WARRANTY ONLY COVERS 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664306

51,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED, I HAVE CONSISTENT SERVICE RECEIPTS. I PULL INTO MY DRIVEWAY, CUT MY CAR OFF AND WALK INTO MY HOME, AS I ALWAYS DO. I COME BACK APPROX 3 HOURS LATER, AND MY ENGINE WILL NOT START. THERE IS A "KEY" LIGHT ON. MY BATTERY IS NOT DEAD, ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS SEEM TO BE WORKING FINE. HOW…

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MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED, I HAVE CONSISTENT SERVICE RECEIPTS. I PULL INTO MY DRIVEWAY, CUT MY CAR OFF AND WALK INTO MY HOME, AS I ALWAYS DO. I COME BACK APPROX 3 HOURS LATER, AND MY ENGINE WILL NOT START. THERE IS A "KEY" LIGHT ON. MY BATTERY IS NOT DEAD, ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS SEEM TO BE WORKING FINE. HOWEVER MY ENGINE WILL NOT START AT ALL. I MUST HAVE IT TOWED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664302

68,000 miles · Dec 14, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

2010 NISSAN MAXIMA (ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK) ISSUE. AFTER STARTING MY CAR AND DRIVING 5 MINUTES TO THE GAS STATION, I TURNED OFF MY CAR AND WENT INSIDE THE GAS STATION. WHEN I CAME OUT TO START THE CAR, I SAW LITTLE INDICATOR ON THE DASH THAT LOOKS LIKE A KEY. I ALSO SEE AN INDICATION, INSTRUCTING ME TO REMOVE MY KEY FOM…

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2010 NISSAN MAXIMA (ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK) ISSUE. AFTER STARTING MY CAR AND DRIVING 5 MINUTES TO THE GAS STATION, I TURNED OFF MY CAR AND WENT INSIDE THE GAS STATION. WHEN I CAME OUT TO START THE CAR, I SAW LITTLE INDICATOR ON THE DASH THAT LOOKS LIKE A KEY. I ALSO SEE AN INDICATION, INSTRUCTING ME TO REMOVE MY KEY FOM FROM THE DOCK. ALL AND ALL MY CAR WILL NOT START, AND AFTER RESEARCH I SEEING THAT LOADS OF OTHER ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.I'M EXPECTING NISSAN TO NOT COVER THIS. MY CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I STRONGLY AGREE THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL, SINCE IT'S THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THE 2009 MODELS ARE HAVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664128

119,000 miles · Dec 10, 2014
Steering

MY WIFE TRIED TO START THE CAR AND DISCOVERED THE KEY WOULD UNLOCK THE DOOR BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO JUMP THE CAR I HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY. WHEN THIS WOULDN'T WORK I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOW TELLING ME THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS BAD AND IT WILL COST $1200 TO FIX IT. AF…

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MY WIFE TRIED TO START THE CAR AND DISCOVERED THE KEY WOULD UNLOCK THE DOOR BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO JUMP THE CAR I HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY. WHEN THIS WOULDN'T WORK I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOW TELLING ME THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS BAD AND IT WILL COST $1200 TO FIX IT. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION IT TURNS OUT THIS IS HAPPENING TO EVERYONE WITH THIS YEAR AND MAKE VEHICLE. PITTY NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX A PART WHICH IS KNOWN TO BE FAULTY AND CONTINUES TO PUT ITS CUSTOMERS IN HARMS WAY. PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE A NISSAN THIS IS HAPPENING TO EVERYONE I KNOW WHO HAS NISSANS. VERY SCARY SITUATION IF IT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING SHE COULD HAVE DIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663444

65,950 miles · Dec 9, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

I HAD DRIVEN MY CAR TO CHURCH, EVERYTHING WAS FINE. AFTER CHRUCH, I GOT IN MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. NOTHING WOULD WORK. THE KEYLESS REMOTE WOULD UNLOCK THE DOORS BUT WHEN PUSHING THE START BUTTON NOTHING HAPPENED. THE AUXILIARY DIDN'T EVEN WORK. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC. AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS ON THE CAR…

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I HAD DRIVEN MY CAR TO CHURCH, EVERYTHING WAS FINE. AFTER CHRUCH, I GOT IN MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. NOTHING WOULD WORK. THE KEYLESS REMOTE WOULD UNLOCK THE DOORS BUT WHEN PUSHING THE START BUTTON NOTHING HAPPENED. THE AUXILIARY DIDN'T EVEN WORK. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC. AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS ON THE CAR, I WAS TOLD THE CAR HAD TO GO TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP DUE TO NISSAN DOESN'T RELEASE ALL CODING. ANOTHER TOW BILL TO HAVE THE CAR TAKEN TO LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSTICS RAN ON THE CAR AND IT WAS THE "ELECTRONIC STEERLING WHEEL LOCK". THIS IS PART OF THE SECURITY/ANTI-THEFT MECHANISM THAT IS LOCATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS KNOWN DEFECT IN 2009-2010 NISSAN ALTIMA, MAXIMA AND 370Z. THE OWNERS HAVE NO WARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENS. YOU ARE TOTAL STRANDED AT THAT SPOT. AFTER GOOGLING THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS AND THAT NISSAN IS NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY. THIS PART IS NOW BEEN "REDESIGNED" SO THAT THIS ISN'T HAPPENING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663044

37,000 miles · Dec 3, 2014
Steering

I TURNED OFF MY CAR AT A GAS STATION AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN IT BACK ON. THE INTELLIGENT KEY LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE. THE KEY WOULD LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS BUT THE IGNITION WOULD STAY ON "LOCK" AND NOT PROVIDE ANY SORT OF POWER INCLUDING HEAT ON A COLD THANKSGIVING NIGHT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10662029

35,162 miles · Nov 28, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND OFTEN FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BATTERY AND TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND OFTEN FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ESCL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 1/23/15*CN THE STEERING LOCK MODULE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/02/15

NHTSA ODI #10661199

42,000 miles · Nov 26, 2014
SteeringUnknown Or Other

I WENT INTO MY CAR AND TRIED TO TURN IT ON ONLY TO SEE THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT UP ON THE DASH ALONG WITH MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP ON ME. SO I CALL NISSAN THEY TRY TO GIVE ME A COUPLE TRICKS TO MAYBE GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK AND NOTHING WORKED, SO I HAD TO GET IT TOWED IN. THERE THEY SAID THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL L…

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I WENT INTO MY CAR AND TRIED TO TURN IT ON ONLY TO SEE THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT UP ON THE DASH ALONG WITH MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP ON ME. SO I CALL NISSAN THEY TRY TO GIVE ME A COUPLE TRICKS TO MAYBE GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK AND NOTHING WORKED, SO I HAD TO GET IT TOWED IN. THERE THEY SAID THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON ME AND THERE WAS "NO SPECIFIC CAUSE" AS TO WHY THIS OCCURRED. AND THE REAL KICKER IS THAT MY CAR IS STILL COVERED UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY BUT THIS ISSUE ISN'T INCLUDED IN THAT WARRANTY SO I HAD TO PAY OVER $900 TO REPLACE IT. THE PART THAT BAFFLED ME IS THAT THIS ISSUE IS COVERED UNDER THE 09 MAXIMA AND 2010 370Z'S WARRANTY BUT THE 2010 MAXIMA EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE SAME ISSUE IS SKIPPED OVER FOR SOME REASON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10661018

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.