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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

Air Bags complaints

43 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2016
Air Bags

DRIVER AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO BLINK ON THE DASHBOARD. DEALER STATES THAT IT IS THE DRIVERS AIRBAG (DIAGNOSIS COST 119 ) WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 1100 DOLLARS. THEY REPLACED THE AIRBAG IN 2010.. BUT NOW IT COMES ON THE CAR HAS 87000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE HAD IT SINCE 2009

NHTSA ODI #10916809

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2016
Air BagsSuspensionWheels

RECALL 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS NOT STABLE FEEL LIKE THE CAR IS WOBBLING AND THE TIRE IS GOING TO COME OFF. AND I ALWAYS HEAR THIS LOUD CRACKING/POPPING SOUND WHEN BACKING UP AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND GO FORWARD, WHILE DRIVING I SOMETIMES CAN HER THIS CRACKING/SQUEAKING…

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RECALL 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS NOT STABLE FEEL LIKE THE CAR IS WOBBLING AND THE TIRE IS GOING TO COME OFF. AND I ALWAYS HEAR THIS LOUD CRACKING/POPPING SOUND WHEN BACKING UP AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND GO FORWARD, WHILE DRIVING I SOMETIMES CAN HER THIS CRACKING/SQUEAKING SOUND AND ALSO THE TIRE INDICATOR CONSTANTLY STAYS ON. I HAVE TAKE IT TO THE SHOP TO BE CHECKED, AND THEY HAVE CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE IN EACH TIRE ON MY CAR AND ALSO THE SPARE TIRE IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR SEVERAL TIMES. AND THE TIRE INDICATOR WILL NOT GO OFF. GOD FORBID IF WHEN I GO OVER A SPEED BUMP THE ENTIRE CAR MAKES THIS LOUD SQUEAKING SOUND. WHEN MY VEHICLE ENGINE IS ON PASSAGE AIRBAG INDICATOR KEEP BLANKING AND WILL NOT GO OFF, STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH PASSAGE IN MY CAR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT." GOD BLESSED"

NHTSA ODI #10870351

101,000 miles · May 20, 2016
Air Bags

I PURCHASED MY 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA FROM THE DEALER, BRAND NEW IN JUNE 2009. THE CAR IS NOW 7 YEARS OLD AND HAS 105,000 MILES ON IT. MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY IS EXPIRED (AS IT ENDED AT 100,000 MILES). WITHIN THE LAST 3 MONTHS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY EVEN WHEN NOBODY IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. ALSO, THE FLASH…

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I PURCHASED MY 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA FROM THE DEALER, BRAND NEW IN JUNE 2009. THE CAR IS NOW 7 YEARS OLD AND HAS 105,000 MILES ON IT. MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY IS EXPIRED (AS IT ENDED AT 100,000 MILES). WITHIN THE LAST 3 MONTHS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY EVEN WHEN NOBODY IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. ALSO, THE FLASHING AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD CONTINUES TO BLINK. SEARCHING THE WEB I FOUND HOW TO DIAGNOSE THE ERROR WHICH POINTED ME TO THE OCCUPANT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD FAILED AND THAT THE AIRBAG SRS SYSTEM WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND THAT I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR WITH AN INOPERATIVE SRS SYSTEM. THE DEALER CONFIRMED IT'S THE OCCUPANT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT HAS FAILED. SINCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, IT WILL COST ME $1,900 OUT OF POCKET. I CONTACTED NISSAN'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT NISSAN RECORDED MY COMPLAINT AND OPENED A CASE # FOR ANY FUTURE RECALL CAMPAIGNS. NISSAN DENIED THE CLAIM AND WILL NOT COVER ANY PORTION OF THE REPAIR COSTS. I WANT TO ALERT THE NHTSA THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM NOT ONLY ON NEWER NISSANS, BUT ALSO ON THE OLDER NISSANS, INCLUDING MY 2009 MAXIMA. MY HOPE IS THAT THIS YEAR AND MODEL WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR AN EXPANDED RECALL TO THE CURRENT RECALL. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND ONE THAT NISSAN SHOULD AGREE TO TAKE CARE OF FOR ALL CARS THAT SHOW THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10870113

54,000 miles · Nov 12, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS UNTIL IT WAS CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS UNTIL IT WAS CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ODI #10789911

153,200 miles · Jun 25, 2015
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT SAYING AIR BAG IS OFF

NHTSA ODI #10730499

81,000 miles · Jun 8, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

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 BACK DOOR.…

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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 BACK DOOR. CRACKED DRIVER SIDE CHROME RIM IN HALF AND PUSHED THE WHEEL WELL UP INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AT THE PLACE THAT YOU REST YOUR FOOT WHICH CAUSED JAMMED THE DRIVERS LEG UP INTO THE PELVIS. NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, WHICH LEFT WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUFFER FROM MAJOR HEAD TRAUMA AND PASSENGER'S NECK WAS FRACTURED. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT. THE DRIVER THAT HIT THE MAXIMA, HIS VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS ALL CAME OUT. STEERING WHEEL PASSENGER SIDE AND ALL OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SO MANY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHIN THAT CHRYSLER YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT A PRODUCTION WAS GOING ON ALL THE CURTAINS THAT WERE POPPING OUT. NISSAN, I DO NOT TRUST THEM AND NOT CONSIDER ANY OF THERE VEHICLES SAFE.

NHTSA ODI #10723902

81,000 miles · Jun 2, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* 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 AND BRUI…

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TL* 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 AND BRUISES TO THE CONTACT, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT ASKED THE POLICE IF THE BLACK MARKINGS WERE NORMAL AND THE POLICE SAID NO. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000..... UPDATED 06/30/15 *BF MA 08/17/15 THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG BURSTS. ONE OCCUPANT HAD CUT TOES FROM BLACK SHARDS THAT LOOK LIKE ROCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED UPDATED 9/15/2015*JS UPDATED 12/3/15 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10722934

500 miles · May 20, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR, WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, AIR BAG NOT ON SIGN WILL ILLUMINATE. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. I NEVER TOOK IT IN AND IT STILL HAPPENS NOW. IT BECAME OBLIVIOUS TO ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T MAKE TIME TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, SEAT BELTS ARE FASTENED AND THE LIGHT STILL COMES ON. TH…

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WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR, WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, AIR BAG NOT ON SIGN WILL ILLUMINATE. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. I NEVER TOOK IT IN AND IT STILL HAPPENS NOW. IT BECAME OBLIVIOUS TO ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T MAKE TIME TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, SEAT BELTS ARE FASTENED AND THE LIGHT STILL COMES ON. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE RADIO COMPLETELY DIES AND IN A HURRICANE SITUATIONS WE RELY ON THE RADIO FOR WEATHER AND HIGHWAY CONDITION UPDATES. THIS IS A CURRENT PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10717433

109,000 miles · Apr 18, 2015
Air Bags

LAST WEEK, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA STARTED FLASHING. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DON DAVIS NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY RAN THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL TO FIND THE FAILURE. THEY TOLD ME THE OCCUPANT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD FAILED, AND THEY QUOTED $1476.30 FOR THE REPAIR. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO SEE IF T…

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LAST WEEK, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA STARTED FLASHING. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DON DAVIS NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY RAN THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL TO FIND THE FAILURE. THEY TOLD ME THE OCCUPANT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD FAILED, AND THEY QUOTED $1476.30 FOR THE REPAIR. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO SEE IF THE FAILURE WAS COVERED BY MY WARRANTY OR IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE PART, BUT WAS TOLD NO. NISSAN RECORDED MY COMPLAINT AND OPENED A CASE # FOR ANY FUTURE RECALL CAMPAIGNS. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS CALLED ME, AND TOLD ON 04/14/2015 THEY WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY NISSAN WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER A FAILURE TO A MAJOR SAFETY COMPONENT IN THEIR CAR. THEIR WARRANTY DOES COVER THE SEAT BELTS, BUT NOT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706407

74,000 miles · Apr 1, 2015
Air Bags

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA STARTED FLASHING. I TOOK MY CAR INTO MY MECHANIC AND HE RAN THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL TO FIND THE FAILURE. HE TOLD ME THE OCCUPANT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD FAILED, DISABLING THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM. HE QUOTED ME $1,243.00 FOR THE REPAIR ($895 ? PARTS, $348 ? LABOR…

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EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA STARTED FLASHING. I TOOK MY CAR INTO MY MECHANIC AND HE RAN THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL TO FIND THE FAILURE. HE TOLD ME THE OCCUPANT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD FAILED, DISABLING THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM. HE QUOTED ME $1,243.00 FOR THE REPAIR ($895 ? PARTS, $348 ? LABOR). I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO SEE IF THE FAILURE WAS COVERED BY MY WARRANTY OR IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE PART, BUT WAS TOLD NO. NISSAN RECORDED MY COMPLAINT AND OPENED A CASE # FOR ANY FUTURE RECALL CAMPAIGNS. NISSAN THEN INSTRUCTED ME TO TAKE MY CAR INTO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER, SO THEY COULD RUN THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL AND PROVIDE AN OFFICIAL FAILURE REPORT. AFTER I RECEIVED THE REPORT, I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO SEE IF THEY COULD ASSIST IN PAYING FOR THE REPAIR. ON 12/15, I DROPPED MY CAR OFF AT EXECUTIVE JEEP/NISSAN IN NORTH HAVEN. THEY RAN THE DIAGNOSTIC AND SENT ME A COPY OF THE REPORT. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AGAIN, AND TOLD THEM EXECUTIVE HAD THE REPORT INFORMATION THEY REQUIRED. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS CONTACTED EXECUTIVE, REVIEWED MY CASE, AND INFORMED ME ON 12/19 THEY WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. EXECUTIVE JEEP/NISSAN QUOTED $1476.30 FOR THE REPAIR. MY CAR HAD 74K MILES ON IT AT THE TIME THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED A FEW TIMES A MONTH AT BEST. SINCE THIS IS AN INTERNAL PART, IT IS NOT EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS, NOR IS IT SUBJECT TO MAJOR WEAR AND TEAR. THE FAILURE HAS DISABLED THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN MY CAR, WHICH IS QUITE ALARMING. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY NISSAN WOULD ENGINEER THEIR CAR?S AIR BAG SYSTEM TO COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHEN ONE COMPONENT FAILS. ALSO, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY NISSAN'S WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER A FAILURE TO A MAJOR SAFETY COMPONENT IN THEIR CAR. THEIR WARRANTY DOES COVER THE SEAT BELTS, BUT NOT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703168

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.