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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

Engine complaints

20 reports
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67,000 miles · Feb 16, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

I HAVE 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA SV . STOPPED BY FOR GAS AND THE START BUTTON DID NOT RESPOND. READ ONLINE AND FOUND POTENTIAL STEERING LOCK ISSUE. CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER SERVICE BEFORE CONTACTING DEALER. SAY HAVE TO BRING TO DEALER TO DIAGNOSE. NISSAN CONSUMER TOTALLY USELESS. CONFIRM AND DID NOT HELP. SAY THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN …

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I HAVE 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA SV . STOPPED BY FOR GAS AND THE START BUTTON DID NOT RESPOND. READ ONLINE AND FOUND POTENTIAL STEERING LOCK ISSUE. CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER SERVICE BEFORE CONTACTING DEALER. SAY HAVE TO BRING TO DEALER TO DIAGNOSE. NISSAN CONSUMER TOTALLY USELESS. CONFIRM AND DID NOT HELP. SAY THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN FOR RECALL ON STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE BUT DOES NOT APPLIES TO MY VEHICLE. I ASKED AT LEAST HELP ON THE COST OR DISCOUNT ON PARTS SINCE IT'S MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THEY SAY NO. HAVE NO CHOICE. PAID 110 TO TOW TO DEALER AND 900 BUCKS FOR PART AND LABOR TO FIX OUT OF POCKET. NOT HAPPY CONSUMER. HOPEFULLY IF WE GET ENOUGH COMPLAINTS IN.. NISSAN WILL DO MANDATORY RECALL IF WE GET GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT. PLEASE EVERY ONE WITH SIMILAR ISSUES FILE THE COMPLAINT REPORTS.!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683631

77,000 miles · Feb 14, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

MY WIFE WENT SHOPPING BEFORE THE BLIZZARD, CAME OUT CAR WOULDN'T START, I HEAR THIS IS A COMMON ON THIS YEAR OF CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683444

39,000 miles · Feb 13, 2015
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, THE ENGINE STALLED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, THE ENGINE STALLED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. UPDATED 04/06/15*LJ UPDATED 9/21/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10683171

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

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

22,000 miles · Sep 1, 2014
Engine

RUPTURED FABRIC CONNECTION FROM RADIATOR CAP TO RADIATOR HOSING CAUSED ENTIRE CONTENTS OF RADIATOR FLUID TO RAPIDLY EVACUATE UNDER PRESSURE WHILE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED. ENGINE HEATED UP TO UNSAFE MAXIMUM GAUGE TEMPERATURE BEFORE CAR COULD BE SAFELY BE BROUGHT TO FULL STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629935

58,000 miles · Dec 23, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATORS. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATORS. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10557045

43,000 miles · Dec 4, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

I PARKED MY CAR AND WENT INSIDE MY INLAWS WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD AND 3 WEEK OLD. WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE MY I-KEY WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. THE KEY OPENED THE DOORS BUT THE BRAKE WAS LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T TURN ON. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE AND CHECKING THE BATTERIES IN THE KEY FOBS I DISCOVERED THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ESCL (ELECTR…

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I PARKED MY CAR AND WENT INSIDE MY INLAWS WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD AND 3 WEEK OLD. WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE MY I-KEY WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. THE KEY OPENED THE DOORS BUT THE BRAKE WAS LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T TURN ON. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE AND CHECKING THE BATTERIES IN THE KEY FOBS I DISCOVERED THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ESCL (ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL LOCK). THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR NISSANS PRODUCED IN 2009. NISSAN ACTUALLY EXTENDED THE 2009 MODELS WARRANTY FOR THIS PART. MY VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED IN 2009 BUT IS A 2010 MODEL AND NOT COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE REPAIR FOR THIS IS ABOUT $800 AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. NISSAN IS IGNORING THIS ISSUE IN 2010 MODELS WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE. HAD I BEEN ANYWHERE ELSE THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE WITH ME AND MY TWO KIDS STRANDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554760

67,000 miles · Nov 21, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN I STOPPED AT THE BANK TO MAKE A TRANSACTION, WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START. MIND YOU IT WAS COLD AND DARK. I SPENT 3 HOURS FREEZING ME BUTT OFF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT I DID WRONG NOT REALIZING IT WAS NISSAN THAT IS ACTUALLY AT FAULT. SO BASICALLY I'M OUT OF A DAYS PAY AT WORK, HAVE …

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I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN I STOPPED AT THE BANK TO MAKE A TRANSACTION, WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START. MIND YOU IT WAS COLD AND DARK. I SPENT 3 HOURS FREEZING ME BUTT OFF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT I DID WRONG NOT REALIZING IT WAS NISSAN THAT IS ACTUALLY AT FAULT. SO BASICALLY I'M OUT OF A DAYS PAY AT WORK, HAVE TO PAY FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE MY CAR BACK TO MY HOME BECAUSE IT DEALER I CLOSED, THEN PAY FOR ANOTHER TOW TRUCK IN THE MORNING TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER THEN PAY TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED THE SAME TIME THEY RECALLED THE GT-R FOR THE SAME PARTS AND SAME ISSUES. AS A LOYAL CUSTOMER I AM VERY DISGUSTED, IRRITATED, AND TIRED OF THESE AVOIDABLE INCONVENIENCES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553149

52,000 miles · Oct 9, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #10547446

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.