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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

What owners actually said

275 reports
137,000 miles · Dec 17, 2014
Steering

I HAVE A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. IT WAS PURCHASED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. AS I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE WORK LAST WEEK, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS A RED KEY LIGHT ON IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE DASH. I CALLED A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY KEY BATTERY WAS MORE THAN LIKELY JUST DEAD. AFTER I REPLACED THE BATTERY…

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I HAVE A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. IT WAS PURCHASED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. AS I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE WORK LAST WEEK, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS A RED KEY LIGHT ON IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE DASH. I CALLED A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY KEY BATTERY WAS MORE THAN LIKELY JUST DEAD. AFTER I REPLACED THE BATTERY, THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. I CALLED THE DEALER BACK AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY KEY MAY NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED AND I WOULD HAVE TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER BEING AT THE DEALER FOR AN HOUR I WAS INFORMED THAT THE KEY WAS FINE, AND THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY. THE CONSULTANT TOLD ME THE REPAIR WOULD COST $925.82. I WAS SHOCKED THAT A $5 ISSUE HAD JUMPED TO ALMOST $1000. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, AND WAS ABLE TO FIND A STATEMENT BY NISSAN NORTH AMERICA (WBI/13-009) THAT ADMITTED THE PART IN QUESTION HAD BEEN DEFECTIVE. NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE 2009 MODELS TO 6 YEARS/ UNLIMITED MILES, BUT WHY WOULD THEY NOT DO THE SAME FOR ALL MODELS WITH THE SAME ISSUE? THE CONSULTANT ADVISED ME TO CALL 1-800-NISSAN1 TO REQUEST COMPENSATION FOR THE REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF THE 3 YEAR/ 36,000 MILE WARRANTY AND DID NOT QUALIFY, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE SAME PART THAT MALFUNCTIONED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IF THEY DECIDED TO DO ANYTHING IN THE FUTURE I WOULD BE CONTACTED LATER. I FIND THIS TO BE UNACCEPTABLE. I DO NOT THINK CONSUMERS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTS THAT ARE KNOWN TO FAIL REPEATEDLY. I HAVE COME ACROSS NUMEROUS FORUMS, WEBSITES, AND VIDEOS THAT DISCUSS THIS SAME ISSUE. I FEEL THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ACTIONS TO HELP LOYAL CUSTOMERS RESOLVE THIS RECURRING MALFUNCTION THAT HAS LEFT MANY STRANDED ONSIDE OF THE ROAD. I HOPE THAT I WILL SOON BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS UNEXPECTED AND OUTRAGEOUS EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664854

88,500 miles · Dec 16, 2014
Steering

MY 2010 MAXIMA HAD A DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE AND I HAD TO TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS STRANDED ON A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE IN COLD WEATHER WITH NO HEAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS AS A RESULT. THE STEERING LOCK WAS REPLACED BY A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $1000+. THE 2009 …

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MY 2010 MAXIMA HAD A DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WHICH PREVENTED ME FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE AND I HAD TO TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS STRANDED ON A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE IN COLD WEATHER WITH NO HEAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS AS A RESULT. THE STEERING LOCK WAS REPLACED BY A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $1000+. THE 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA MODEL HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. NISSAN CURRENTLY HAS A CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE ON THE 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA BUT REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE ON MY 2010 MODEL AFTER I'VE CALLED THEM AND SUBMITTED A CASE WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I'VE INFORMED NISSAN THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO HAPPENING ON A LOT OF 2010 MODELS AS PER THE 100+ COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND VARIOUS OTHER INTERNET BLOGS BUT NEVERTHELESS AFTER A WEEK OF REVIEWING MY CASE, NISSAN REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE REPAIR NOR EXTEND THE EXISTING CAMPAIGN TO THE 2010 MAXIMA MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664730

42,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SPECIFICS OF THE REPAIR WERE NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SPECIFICS OF THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 2/24/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10664352

104,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Steering

I WENT TO TURN ON THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T COME ON. I REPLACED THE BATTERY ON THE KEY CHIP. I GOT THE CAR TOWED TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING LOCK. WARRANTY ONLY COVERS 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664306

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

68,000 miles · Dec 14, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

2010 NISSAN MAXIMA (ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK) ISSUE. AFTER STARTING MY CAR AND DRIVING 5 MINUTES TO THE GAS STATION, I TURNED OFF MY CAR AND WENT INSIDE THE GAS STATION. WHEN I CAME OUT TO START THE CAR, I SAW LITTLE INDICATOR ON THE DASH THAT LOOKS LIKE A KEY. I ALSO SEE AN INDICATION, INSTRUCTING ME TO REMOVE MY KEY FOM…

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2010 NISSAN MAXIMA (ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK) ISSUE. AFTER STARTING MY CAR AND DRIVING 5 MINUTES TO THE GAS STATION, I TURNED OFF MY CAR AND WENT INSIDE THE GAS STATION. WHEN I CAME OUT TO START THE CAR, I SAW LITTLE INDICATOR ON THE DASH THAT LOOKS LIKE A KEY. I ALSO SEE AN INDICATION, INSTRUCTING ME TO REMOVE MY KEY FOM FROM THE DOCK. ALL AND ALL MY CAR WILL NOT START, AND AFTER RESEARCH I SEEING THAT LOADS OF OTHER ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.I'M EXPECTING NISSAN TO NOT COVER THIS. MY CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I STRONGLY AGREE THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL, SINCE IT'S THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THE 2009 MODELS ARE HAVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664128

119,000 miles · Dec 10, 2014
Steering

MY WIFE TRIED TO START THE CAR AND DISCOVERED THE KEY WOULD UNLOCK THE DOOR BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO JUMP THE CAR I HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY. WHEN THIS WOULDN'T WORK I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOW TELLING ME THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS BAD AND IT WILL COST $1200 TO FIX IT. AF…

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MY WIFE TRIED TO START THE CAR AND DISCOVERED THE KEY WOULD UNLOCK THE DOOR BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO JUMP THE CAR I HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY. WHEN THIS WOULDN'T WORK I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOW TELLING ME THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS BAD AND IT WILL COST $1200 TO FIX IT. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION IT TURNS OUT THIS IS HAPPENING TO EVERYONE WITH THIS YEAR AND MAKE VEHICLE. PITTY NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX A PART WHICH IS KNOWN TO BE FAULTY AND CONTINUES TO PUT ITS CUSTOMERS IN HARMS WAY. PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE A NISSAN THIS IS HAPPENING TO EVERYONE I KNOW WHO HAS NISSANS. VERY SCARY SITUATION IF IT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING SHE COULD HAVE DIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663444

61,000 miles · Dec 10, 2014
Electrical System

WE OWN A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA MANUFACTURED IN 2009. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN JANUARY 2010. ON MONDAY, MY CAR REFUSED TO START. AFTER CONDUCTING SOME RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED OUR VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE ESCL WHICH IS LEAVING PEOPLE STRANDED BECAUSE THEIR CAR WON'T TURN ON AND NEITHER WILL ANY ACCESSORY FUNCTION THERE ARE HUN…

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WE OWN A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA MANUFACTURED IN 2009. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN JANUARY 2010. ON MONDAY, MY CAR REFUSED TO START. AFTER CONDUCTING SOME RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED OUR VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE ESCL WHICH IS LEAVING PEOPLE STRANDED BECAUSE THEIR CAR WON'T TURN ON AND NEITHER WILL ANY ACCESSORY FUNCTION THERE ARE HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FROM LOYAL CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE SPENT $700 TO $1600 FIXING THIS PROBLEM. 2009 MODELS ARE NOW PART OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM TO REPLACE THIS PART. MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME EXACT PART. YESTERDAY, I CALLED NISSAN OF AMERICA TO REQUEST THAT MY VEHICLE BE ADDED TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM. THE EMPLOYEES INFORMED ME THAT I COULD TAKE MY VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, PAY THE BILL AND THEN SUBMIT FOR A "GOOD WILL" REIMBURSEMENT THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE GRANTED AFTER AN UNDEFINED EVALUATION PERIOD. LATER IN THE EVENING, I SPOKE TO A SUPERVISOR AFTER SHE CALLED. AGAIN, I RECEIVED THE SAME INFORMATION. AFTER 25 MINUTES, I FINALLY GOT IT BUMPED TO THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT FOR CONSIDERATION OF MY REQUEST FOR APPEAL. FRANKLY, I FULLY EXPECT TO HAVE THE SAME RESPONSE TOMORROW. I HAVE NOT BEEN ON THE PHONE DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR ALMOST AN HOUR AND A HALF. NISSAN WANT ME TO GET THE CAR FIXED FIRST AND THEN SUBMIT A REIMBURSEMENT THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE GRANTED. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. ADDING MY VIN TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM WILL SOLVE THIS ISSUE. THE BOTTOM LINE IS I AM RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT MY VEHICLE BE IMMEDIATELY ADDED TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM TO REPLACE THE ESCL AND FOR MY TOW BILL TO THE DEALERSHIP BE REIMBURSED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT IS LEAVING MOTORISTS STRANDED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T TURN THEIR CAR ON, CAN'T ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS, AND CAN'T TURN ON ANY ACCESSORIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663335

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

37,000 miles · Dec 3, 2014
Steering

I TURNED OFF MY CAR AT A GAS STATION AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN IT BACK ON. THE INTELLIGENT KEY LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE. THE KEY WOULD LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS BUT THE IGNITION WOULD STAY ON "LOCK" AND NOT PROVIDE ANY SORT OF POWER INCLUDING HEAT ON A COLD THANKSGIVING NIGHT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10662029

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.