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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
52,000 miles · Jul 29, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

TILT AND TELESCOPIC MOTORS BOTH FAILED LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL IN AN AWKWARD AND UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION FOR DRIVING. MOTORS CONTINUE TO TRY AND RUN THUS DEPLETING THE BATTERY OF ENERGY WHILE THE CAR'S ENGINE IS OFF. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10617463

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2014
SteeringSuspension

THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE THE STRUTS I PURCHASED THE CARE FROM ALANTIC NISSAN SEPTEMBER 2009. I TOOK THE CARE TO GET CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ORIGANAL STRUTS WERE ON THE CARE YET ALANTIC NISSAN SAID THAT THEY PROFORMED THE RECALL DECEMBER 2009. MY SPOUSE AND I DID NOT TAKE THE CARE TO GET THIS DONE BECAUSE WE WE…

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THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE THE STRUTS I PURCHASED THE CARE FROM ALANTIC NISSAN SEPTEMBER 2009. I TOOK THE CARE TO GET CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ORIGANAL STRUTS WERE ON THE CARE YET ALANTIC NISSAN SAID THAT THEY PROFORMED THE RECALL DECEMBER 2009. MY SPOUSE AND I DID NOT TAKE THE CARE TO GET THIS DONE BECAUSE WE WERE NOT AWARE NEVER TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. THE CAMPAIGN #09V358000. I ONLY FOUND THIS OUT BECAUSE AT SERVICE IN NISSAN 112 I WAS TOLD. I WAS TOLD THE NISSAN IS NOT REQUIRED TO TELL CONSMERS ABOUT RECALL NHTSA IS REQUIRDED TO DO SO. IF SO WAS I NOT INFORMED THAT THE TRANMISSON COVERAGE WAS CHANGED TO 120,000 THE STEERING WAS RECALLED AND MOTORS IN THE SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10614466

16,844 miles · Jul 17, 2014
Air Bags

I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO FAIRFAX NISSAN FOR REPAIRS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. 12/23/2010 - PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS STAYING ON WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT - RESET SYSTEM. 07/30/2011 - PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS STAYING ON .......10/20/2011 PASSENG…

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I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO FAIRFAX NISSAN FOR REPAIRS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. 12/23/2010 - PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS STAYING ON WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT - RESET SYSTEM. 07/30/2011 - PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS STAYING ON .......10/20/2011 PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYING ON WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT- FOUND INTERNAL DEFECT WITH OCCUPANT SENSOR IN SEAT AND REPLACED. 05/01/2012- ETC 01/15/13 - PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS STAYING ON WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. VIDEOED THIS OCCURRING SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN AND WAS TOLD TO CHANGE CABIN FILTER. UNABLE USE OUTSIDE AIR FOR AC OR EXHAUST SMELL ENTERS THE CAR AND CREATES EXTREME HEADACHES. ONLY CAN USE RECIRCULATED AIR. THESE CONTINUED TRIPS WITHOUT RESOLUTION HAVE PUT A STRAIN ON MY EMPLOYMENT (WORK IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY). I JUST WANT THESE ISSUES RESOLVED SO THAT NO INJURY TO MY FAMILY OCCURS FROM THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10611349

80,000 miles · Jul 16, 2014
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH KUMHO ECSTA 4X TIRES, SIZE 245/40/19. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRE WALLS CRACKED AND WERE CRACKING ACROSS THE TREAD. THE TIRES WERE TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE DID NOT CONSTITUTE A HAZARD. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH KUMHO ECSTA 4X TIRES, SIZE 245/40/19. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRE WALLS CRACKED AND WERE CRACKING ACROSS THE TREAD. THE TIRES WERE TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE DID NOT CONSTITUTE A HAZARD. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN UPDATED 09/17/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10610987

11,000 miles · Jun 29, 2014
Air Bags

I PURCHASED THE 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA FROM THE DEALER, BRAND NEW, IN NOVEMBER, 2008. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, I NOTICED THAT AS I SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM 5'4" AND 140 POUNDS AND NOT A CHILD OR EVEN A SMALLER ADULT. THROUGHOUT THE PAST …

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I PURCHASED THE 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA FROM THE DEALER, BRAND NEW, IN NOVEMBER, 2008. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, I NOTICED THAT AS I SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM 5'4" AND 140 POUNDS AND NOT A CHILD OR EVEN A SMALLER ADULT. THROUGHOUT THE PAST 5 YEARS, THE SAME PROBLEM WOULD HAPPEN WHEN SOMEONE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE LIGHT WILL COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE I SAT THERE AND MY HUSBAND DROVE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON 2 OCCASIONS (FIRST TIME IN 2009 AND AGAIN IN 2010) AND EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND THAT I FELT UNSAFE SITTING IN THAT SEAT SHOULD WE HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND UNLESS THE COMPUTER SPITS OUT AN ERROR CODE, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO (EVEN THOUGH IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY). NOW THE CAR IS OVER 5 YEARS OLD AND HAS 85,000 MILES ON IT. MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY IS EXPIRED (AS IT ENDED AT 60,000 MILES). IT IS NOW THAT 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 STAYS ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY SAID IT'S THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT HAS FAILED. IT GAVE AN ERROR COD B1018. SINCE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, IT WILL COST ME $1,900 OUT OF POCKET. I CONTACTED NISSAN'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND ASKED THEM TO COVER IT?THEY DENIED THE CLAIM AND WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR. I WANT TO ALERT THE NHTSA THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM NOT ONLY ON NEWER NISSANS, BUT ALSO ON THE OLDER NISSANS, INCLUDING THE 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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606840

57,285 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Steering

MOTOR IN STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO JERK AND MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN EVER THE STEERING COLUMN MOVED OR WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED. NISSAN HAD A SERVICE AND TECHNICAL BULLETIN (NTB09-094) ON THIS ITEM DATED SEPTEMBER 23, 2009. SO THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE ON THIS. I EVE…

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MOTOR IN STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO JERK AND MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN EVER THE STEERING COLUMN MOVED OR WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED. NISSAN HAD A SERVICE AND TECHNICAL BULLETIN (NTB09-094) ON THIS ITEM DATED SEPTEMBER 23, 2009. SO THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE ON THIS. I EVEN HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IN MY WARRANTY IT STATES IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY NISSAN AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10599221

89,000 miles · Jun 10, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

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 AND HOT…

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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 AND HOT START UP PROCEDURES TO NO AVAIL. THE CAR STILL HAS POWER, I.E. IF I PLACE THE BUTTON TO THE ON POSITION EVERYTHING WILL TURN ON ELECTRONICALLY, BUT THE CAR STILL WILL NOT START. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. THE BATTERY IS AN INTERSTATE BATTERY AND HAS BEEN TESTED AS GOOD. THE ONLY TIME THE CAR WILL START NOW IS IF I GET A JUMP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597302

63,000 miles · Jun 8, 2014
Engine

I PULLED OUT OF MY COMPLEX I HAD ONLY DRIVEN 1/4 OF A MILE AT A RATE OF 40 MPH AND MY VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY VEHICLE LOST POWER I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING AND VERY HARD TO BRAKE. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEH…

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I PULLED OUT OF MY COMPLEX I HAD ONLY DRIVEN 1/4 OF A MILE AT A RATE OF 40 MPH AND MY VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY VEHICLE LOST POWER I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING AND VERY HARD TO BRAKE. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE GOING AGAIN SO I DROVE RIGHT BACK HOME. I REFERENCED MY OWNERS MANUAL AND IT STATED WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS FLASHING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST SERVICE FACILITY. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THE NEXT DAY. THE SERVICE DEPT NOTIFIED ME THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE. THEY STATED THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT MY FAULT AND WHEN THEY TOOK THE TOP PART OF THE ENGINE OFF MY MOTOR IS VERY CLEAN AND THEY CAN TELL THAT I TOOK GREAT CAR OF MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED NISSAN TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR SINCE THE VEHICLE IS JUST 3,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. APPROX 48 HRS LATER NISSAN CALLED TO ADVISE ME THEY CAN'T HELP ME WITH THE COST OF MY REPAIRS OVER $9,000. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDLESS TO SAY VERY UNFAIR FOR THE CONSUMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596968

37,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE DROVE OVER A BUMP AND HEARD AIR BLOWING OUT FROM ALL FOUR WHEELS AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF A RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE DROVE OVER A BUMP AND HEARD AIR BLOWING OUT FROM ALL FOUR WHEELS AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF A RECALL NOTIFICATION UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V358000 (SUSPENSION) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA ODI #10595773

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2014
Air Bags

WHEN I AM DRIVING MY CAR, MY "FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND STATUS LIGHT" IS ON; WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF, WHEN THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN THE FRONT SEAT. IT WILL TURN OFF IS SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG IS ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO…

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WHEN I AM DRIVING MY CAR, MY "FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND STATUS LIGHT" IS ON; WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF, WHEN THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN THE FRONT SEAT. IT WILL TURN OFF IS SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG IS ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND THE SYSTEM IS OPERATING AS IT SHOULD. THEY EVEN CHECK FOR CODES. ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL PGS 1-44 AND 1-45, "UNOCCUPIED PASSENGER'S SEAT: THE LIGHT IS OFF AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF AND WILL NOT INFLATE IN A CRASH." "USING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS LIGHT, YOU CAN MONITOR WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF WITH THE SEAT OCCUPIED. THE LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED." I READ THE OWNERS MANUAL BEFORE AND AFTER I TOOK MY CAR THERE JUST SO I WOULD KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER THE INSPECTION. I QUESTIONED THEM ON WHAT THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAID AND THEY SAID THE LIGHT SHOULD BE ON IF THE SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED. THE TECH EVEN SAID THAT. IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE I NEED MY CAR'S SAFETY FEATURES TO WORK PROPERLY AS IT SHOULD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10592066

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.