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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.

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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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

4 reports
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260,000 miles · Feb 8, 2024
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SuspensionTires

The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the front wheels. The stabili-trak and ABS warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the tire pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it …

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The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the front wheels. The stabili-trak and ABS warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the tire pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed passenger’s side CV axle, cracked struts on the front driver's side and front passenger's side. In addition, the axle on the front driver's side would need to be replaced soon. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.

NHTSA ODI #11570830

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

NISSAN HAS ON ITS SITE THAT THE NEWER MODEL NISSAN MAXIMA AFTER 2009 DOES NOT HAVE THE ESCL MALFUNCTION (ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK) BUT I JUST EXPERIENCED IT TWO WEEKS AGO AFTER DROPPING OFF MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. LUCKILY I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN IT OCCURRED. WHEN THE CAR GOES INTO THAT STATE, THE ENTIRE CAR IS ON LOCK DO…

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NISSAN HAS ON ITS SITE THAT THE NEWER MODEL NISSAN MAXIMA AFTER 2009 DOES NOT HAVE THE ESCL MALFUNCTION (ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK) BUT I JUST EXPERIENCED IT TWO WEEKS AGO AFTER DROPPING OFF MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. LUCKILY I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN IT OCCURRED. WHEN THE CAR GOES INTO THAT STATE, THE ENTIRE CAR IS ON LOCK DOWN IT WILL NOT MOVE. IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU ANYWHERE AND YOU CAN BE STRANDED.NISSAN KNOWS IT'S A MALFUNCTION AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO MAKE IT A RECALL, PLUS THEY PROMISED THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN TO THE NEWER MODELS AFTER 2009 BUT IT HAPPENED TO ME ON 11/1/16. IN THE SITE THEY TELL YOU WHAT THEY WILL DO BUT IT IS NOT HONORED.

NHTSA ODI #10925761

82,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK ON THE VEHICLE HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. THIS ULTIMATELY PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING DO TO THE PUSH TO START FEATURE. NISSAN RELEASED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THE 2009 MODEL MAXIMA WHICH IS IDENTICAL TO 2010 MODEL THAT I HAVE, BUT THE REPLACEMENT PART F…

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THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK ON THE VEHICLE HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. THIS ULTIMATELY PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING DO TO THE PUSH TO START FEATURE. NISSAN RELEASED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THE 2009 MODEL MAXIMA WHICH IS IDENTICAL TO 2010 MODEL THAT I HAVE, BUT THE REPLACEMENT PART FOR MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THERE ARE ALMOST 100 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS LISTED ON NHTSA WEBSITE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659168

250 miles · Feb 17, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

THE CAR HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN MY OPINION. THE CAR WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT ON ITS OWN AND WHEN YOU STEER IT BACK TO PREVENT RUNNING OFF THE PAVEMENT THE CAR VEERS TO YOUR LEFT AND WOULD RUN OFF THE ROAD TO YOUR LEFT IF YOU DO NOT CORRECT IT. ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL ST…

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THE CAR HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN MY OPINION. THE CAR WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT ON ITS OWN AND WHEN YOU STEER IT BACK TO PREVENT RUNNING OFF THE PAVEMENT THE CAR VEERS TO YOUR LEFT AND WOULD RUN OFF THE ROAD TO YOUR LEFT IF YOU DO NOT CORRECT IT. ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT THE CAR WILL DART TO THE LEFT AND THEN TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL. ON THE TEST DRIVE I RODE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND COULD FEEL THE CAR MOVING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT, THE SERVICE MGR SAID HE COULD FEEL IT ALSO BUT SAID THAT WAS BECAUSE OF THE CROWN IN THE ROAD. THIS PROBLEM BECOMES A SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN ON NARROW FOUR LANE ROADS, YOU MUST CONSTANTLY FIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD OR KEEP FROM RUNNING INTO THE CAR ON YOUR LEFT. I HAVE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD JUST HAVE TO GET USED TO THIS BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRONIC STEERING IS DIFFERENT FROM MY PREVIOUS CARS. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO ADJUSTMENT THAT COULD BE MADE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I AM 70 YEARS OLD AND HAVE DRIVEN A FEW CARS IN MY TIME AND CAN TELL YOU THIS CAR SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE WAY IT DOES, IT IS JUST AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. IT FEELS AS IF THE CAR IS TRYING TO DRIVE ITSELF WITHOUT TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE ELECTRONIC STEERING - IE: TOYOTA AND CHEVROLET AND JUST WONDERING IF THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME ELECTRONIC STEERING COMPONENTS.. I SENT NISSAN AN EMAIL OF MY CONCERN AND DISSATISFACTION BY THE DEALER SAYING NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY ARE BLAMING THEIR PROBLEM ON THE CROWN IN THE ROADS!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311531

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.