KnownCarProblems2009 Nissan Maxima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 339 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Nissan Maxima, most often about the steering (50% of complaints, typically around 63,500 miles). It is 5th of 24 Maxima model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2009 Nissan Maxima problems
Steering
168 complaints · 50%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles. Parts named most often: column locking, column.
Tl contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact started the ignition, and noticed that the automatic tilt steering wheel locked in the lowest downward position and would not maneuver out of the adjusted setting after several attempts. The steering wheel malfunction caused difficulty whenever driving. The vehicle had…
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. Here is lots of background…
Electrical
79 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
The steering wheel lock issue is leaving maximas stranded unable to start the car with these symptoms: what happens is when you try to start the car, without warning, the electric lock fails to unlock sending error message to the BCM. The car will not start in this case and will flash the intelligent key warning in…
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…
Air bags
43 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, sensor.
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…
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…
Suspension
36 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
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…
Control arms both need repair, repeated issues with tire inflation gauges, tire wear, struts, and steering. Needed repair costing $2700 to replace control arms.
Other or unspecified
33 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.
The car loses power as I'm driving, I replaced alternator and fuel pump I'm at around $1100 in with repairs and labor. The problem still exist I turn car on and drive within 10 mins the car loses power and acceleration then eventually dies. This happened on the highway on one occasion, very frustrating and scary to…
Steering wheel lock problem-I was not aware of this problem and was not able to benefit from the extended warranty. I was stranded late in the evening and was not able to get home and did not want to leave my car. My car was parked and would not start. The experience was traumatizing.
Engine
22 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles.
The steering lock control on the vehicle failed causing the car to become disabled. The steering wheel would not turn and was locked in place, additionally the vehicle was stalled and would not restart. Fortunately the incident occurred in a parking lot had the steering lock control failed while driving a significant…
The car has power. All electronics seem to work, however, when I depress the brake and push the ignition button the car will not start. The first time I try to start it, it will turn over very slowly. Then every time after that, it will give me a metallic clicking sound but will not turn over. I went through the cold…
Seats
15 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 15,000 miles.
Driver's seat is not securely anchored to floor - it rocks slightly as I operate the vehicle. The dealer has attempted on 4 occasions to remedy this problem, and has not been able to. I do not believe the seat is sufficiently secure to protect me in a serious collision.
I parked my car, to pick up something from the store, and when I came back to start my car, it would not start. I checked on forums.Maxima.org and saw that this is a common problem, because of the steering wheel lock. I had to get my car towed, because I was stranded, and now waiting for the diagnosis for the issue…
Transmission
11 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 116,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Steering wheel lock - ignition lock assembly failure. I purchased my 2009 Nissan ma xima in nov 2012 and my car has been running pretty good until the dreaded day when I was stranded because my car would not start. I had my car towed and I was told that thevsteeringbwheel lock assembly needed to be replaced $1189.00.…
Whining noise coming from engine compartment as soon as vehicle is turned on and continues while running. Many forums describe this as bad secondary timing chain tensioners due to complete wear-out of plastic material. Motor needs to be pulled to replace tensioners. 19 hours labor at dealer plus parts puts this repair…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 Nissan Maxima recalls
Suspension
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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).
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2009 Nissan Maxima
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Maxima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (168 complaints, typically around 63,500 miles); electrical (79 complaints, typically around 68,500 miles); air bags (43 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Maxima have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 16, 2009 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2009 a bad year for the Nissan Maxima?
- It is 5th of 24 Maxima model years by number of complaints, with 339 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.