CarComplaints.com Notes: We don't recommend the 2009 Maxima nearly as highly as the 2007-2008 Maxima, because NHTSA complaints show a pattern of the electronic steering column lock module failing.
When the module fails it prevents the car from starting, & Nissan dealers charge over $1,000 (!!) to repair it. Nissan recalled the module on some other 2009 models with the same steering lock problem, but for some reason they left out the 2009 Maxima. See this page on the Nissan Maxima Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) defect.
If you're thinking about buying a 2009 Maxima, instead you might consider a 2007-2008 Maxima, or a newer model year.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,425 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Nissan intelligent key was not communicating with engine start function. Yellow key light was on, key would unlock and lock the car, but it will not start. Suspected issue from reading all other Nissan Maxima owner forums is that it is a steering lock failure. Had tow truck take our car to the nearest car max Nissan dealer where we purchased the vehicle back in September 2012.
Reaches a normal beverage center in my Nissan Maxima 2009 and went out in 4 hours when not lit it wanted to turn on my car, the screen showed two intelligent keys warning lights Nissan and security indicator, the key worked properly, the lights of the car too, the problem is just not turned on at all, I went to Nissan dealership and are charging me 1400 usd to fix my car and I see I'm not the only one with this problem in 2009 Nissan Maxima is very common to have some guarantee should the damaged piece, I need help with my car.
I have had several complaints with my 2009 Nissan Maxima, first I keep having to replace the battery which I received a new battery from the dealer in January of 2013 with an 84 month warranty, well today the battery died again. I have had issues with the steering column since I purchased the vehicle in August of 2008. The first time steering column locked and the vehicle had to be towed to dealer and was replaced under warranty. It was replaced again the next few months and I was told it was the battery and then several months later stopped working again the up and down function. Second the vehicle suspension was supposedly replaced due the recall...but I was told recently by dealer that it need to be replaced again and they were trying to charge me over $1200 for a recalled item. Which I refused to pay.
I have an automatic door lock that is malfunctioning. It is currently on the driver side door only but from what I have read online, I expect to begin happening on other doors as the actuator's begin failing. Normally this may be a simple annoyance but since this vehicle uses a key fob it is not possible to quickly unlock the driver side door and there is no way to quickly secure the vehicle. There are several instances where either of these situations could put the someone at risk and in harms way, especially if the driver is relying on the safety mechanism to ensure children do not accidentally open a door that has not been properly secured while traveling. The locking and unlocking of a vehicle is intended and designed to keep the vehicle, it's contents, and it's occupants safe and is heavily relied on in today's environment. I have seen estimates to repair this issue from over $500 to almost $2,000, a fairly expense repair for the vehicle owner but a fairly inexpensive cost for the manufacturer. Although this may seem like a stretch to call this a safety issue but for what other purpose are door locks intended? it is my request that the manufacturer issue a recall for faulty door lock actuator's.
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.
- Fort Wayne, IN, USA
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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.
I stopped at a store for about 5 minutes. When I returned to my car to leave, my car would not start. The anti theft and the yellow key symbol was blinking. The steering wheel would not lock so I could press the brake pedal to start the car. My car had to be towed to the dealer. They found that the steering lock assembly was faulty. The part was covered under the extended powertrain warranty. I am a female and I was along. This could become a dangerous situation and I think the 2009 Maxima should be a part of a recall that is for the 2009 Altima as well. The same problem!
On 3/3/14 my 2009 Nissan Maxima would not start. Symptoms of this issue - key recognized(unlocks and when inserted into key fob port there is a notification) - pressing start button does not work, locked remains illuminated(eg acc and on do not activate) - Nissan intelligent key warning light - all lights come on in the car - brake lights work - electronic seats still move I experienced a dead battery just 3 months earlier so I was sure this was not the issue. Plus I had a new battery. I googled a combination of the symptoms with my model/year and many links came up. Turned out to be the "steering lock failure" which was under a extended warranty. 5 years or 72 K miles. Worst part of the experience was dealing with the people at the midway Nissan on bell road dealership in phoenix. The experience left me knowing that they care more about making money today than earning return customers. Luckily they warranty paid for everything. But they were willing and ready to screw me over.
My 2009 Nissan Maxima does it seem to read my key anymore. It has a orange light on the top left corner of my dashboard. The car obviously recognizes the key for I am still able to lock and unlock my car. It will not turn over at all. When I press the push start button, the only light that comes on is the lock light. It all doesn't make any sense at all. I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. One second it was working, another second it wasn't. I find this highly inconvenient that Nissan service departments at the dealerships only provides aid mondays though saturdays as if people only have issues with their cars on Monday through Saturday. There should be a 24/7 help hotline at least. This is my second issue with this same exact problem. The first time I was told that it was a dead battery in my key fob. I went to get a new battery for it and it still didn't work. It's almost like it works when it feels like it.
I returned to my parked car after commuting on the train home from work and tried to start the vehicle. It was a bitter cold evening and the temperature was approximately 3 degrees. When I tried to start the car, the key icon showed up on the left hand side of the instrument panel and the steering was locked and push button ignition did not start the car. The brake pedal was very stiff and did not "give" when depressed. Also, I couldn't get the car to shift to neutral to move it when my husband arrived to see if he could determine the problem. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop and they said it is a Nissan problem and the part is on an extended warranty because of the well-known and ongoing issues. I am in the process of having the car towed to my Nissan dealer to have them inspect it and repair it. They are instructed to search for any recalls or warranty when entering the VIN number. I've searched the internet and it seems like a very common issue. Even the towing company driver said he tows about 3-5 Nissan a week with the same issue and it's very common, as it happens all of the time. I'm hoping they have this part on recall or have it listed on an extended warranty repair. My 2009 Maxima has 37,000 miles on it.
Warranty just expired after 5 years. Few months later, the telescoping steering wheel started making grinding noises and will not telescope back and forth unless I manually push or pull hard. Got quoted $850 for a repair, but I refused to pay that much to get it fixed as it is not my fault. I see many 2009 Nissan having this problem and I am extremely disappointed in the manufacturer to not recall this! this might be my last Nissan as I already had 3 Nissan batteries, my alternator replaced and my driver's seat frame replaced! I can't wait until my car loan is paid off!
My 2009 Nissan Maxima will not start. The yellow key light on the left comes on briefly. I had it towed to the dealership and was told it is the steering column lock module and that it will cost over $900 to repair, not to mention over $100 for the diagnostic exam. I don't feel consumers should have to pay for a problem that they have not caused. It's apparent that this is happening frequently according to the research I have done. I feel that Nissan should pay this cost.
I parked and went into local post office. Got back in my car and it wouldn't start. Tried to get a jump and was told nothing was wrong with battery, doors unlocked, lights came on and hazard lights worked. Called local Nissan dealership and explained to service gentleman what was going on and he immediately told me the steering lock release had gone out and I needed to have the car towed to the dealership. Three days later the service gentleman called me and told me it was indeed the steering lock release that'd gone out and it was $775 + tax to get it fixed. I'm baffled because my car is my only means of transportation and I can't believe that the end result is that I have to pay for this. The car will not work without this release switch being replace and I don't have the money to get it fix so what now am I to do. I began to read upon this issue and see it's an ongoing problem with '09 Maximas and it has been recalled on other such Nissan vehicles. I think Nissan should take the responsibility for this and recall this part for its customers. This is unbelievable and also not covered under warranty.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the power wheel lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was not available. The VIN was unavailable.
I am a single 34 year old white female. I have a 2009 Nissan Maxima and I was downtown cincinnati at 2:00 am. I walked to the car from a business nearby and got into my car and it would not start. There was a light on the top left of the dashboard that was yellow and said key. I attempted to start it again and nothing. I contacted a friend who helped me try to jump it; thinking it may be the battery and again nothing. I was very upset that I was stuck in downtown cincinnati, now with a friend trying to help. I ended up spending a $100 on a taxi to get home and now today I find out thus is going to cost me $900. This car only has 56,000 miles on it. I should be able to feel safe. I no longer do. I hope Nissan thinks about recalling this issue bc according to many online testimonies this is happening a lot to 2009 Nissan Maxima owners. I'll have to say I won't buy another. I had a Toyota before this and I'll go back go being a loyal Toyota customer. Thank you for your time.
The steering wheel lock issue is leaving Maximas stranded unable to start the car with these symptoms: What happens is when you try to start the car, without warning, the electric lock fails to unlock sending error message to the BCM. The car will not start in this case and will flash the intelligent key warning in the cluster.
I started my car just fine this morning but on my way to work I stopped at a store and the car did not want to start back up. I changed out the battery for the push start key and the car battery. This problem from what I have been reading is an issue with the 2009 Maxima 370Z and the gtr. They have the same parts for the ignition systems. Please fix this problem. I'm from Texas but work as a contractor in Pennsylvania. I love my Maxima and it's a shame that I have been stuck in the cold for 5 hours trying to get a tow truck and talking to my insurance. Thank you.
The vehicle was left parked at my job parking lot and when I went to leave home after work the car simply didn't want to start. The vehicle had to be towed to the nearby dealership which stated that the issue is related to the steering lock control unit. He was not able to state why it happened just that it just happens suddenly without reason and now it's going to cost approx. $1000 to fix. You can only imagine how much this may cost if this is a common issue with these cars and there is no real cause why it happens per the technician at Nissan's of burleson stated.
I parked my car and went to work. I got off of work got in my car and was unable to start my vehicle. My push start button was highlighted in a lock position and I was unable to start my car due to the problem. I researched the issue online and found some information that this has happened to many people with the same system. This vehicle is very new and has low miles. It does not seem fair that because of poor design that a working individual should have to cover the repair costs of the commonly occurring malfunction.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Baltimore, MD, USA