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.
The steering lock module stopped working. I was unable to start the car, the steering wheel and brakes were locked. The keyfob battery was fine, as was the car battery. I hear that this is a known issue with 2009 Nissan. I just bought the car 7 weeks ago. Had to have it towed to a dealer. They diagnosed the problem. Have to wait 3 days for the part. Total cost - approx $900.
I had just stopped by another office in minneapolis to pick up a piece of equipment. It was my last order of business of the evening. I was about 30 minutes from home. I went back out to my car and it would not start. I spent about 2.5 very stressful hours trying to get it started. I had my 17 year-old bring me my other fob, I replaced batteries in the fob, I looked up problems in the manual. I had to have my car towed back to the Nissan dealer. To my dismay, they told me it was a common issue and it cost $850 to fix. Since that day, I have been researching the internet to read about similar problems and it turns out they are everywhere! Nissan Maxima, Altima, 370Z...all 2009 to 2010 model years. Nissan needs to recall and give me my money back!
In my travel to work I arrived at the local gas station to fuel up. Afterwards, I got back in and tried to start my car and it would not start. The "key indicator" was the only light that was showing on the dash and the work "lock" was showing on the push to start button. I end up having to call a roll back to tow my car to the nearest Nissan dealership which is out of state and caused me $200. Once I arrived, the Nissan employee told me that it was the car lock steering that was preventing the car to start and that it was going to cost $866 to repair. I had to option but to pay because I need my car to go to work. I have researched this problem and discovered this has happened to several other people that own Nissan Maxima's and other Nissan makes. This part should be recalled because it's frequently happened to others resulting in all being stranded. I had no indication that this was going to happen. It happened sudden.
Upon attempting to start the car, ignition would not change from "lock" to "acc" or "on". intelligent key warning lamp was lit steady on dash. Steering wheel column was not locked. All power and other functions worked (lights, door locks, etc). Battery is fine. Dealer found steering lock control module part 48700-9N00A faulty and replaced with steering lock control module part 48700-9N00B. Similar part on Nissan gtrs was recalled, part number 48700-jf00A or 48700-jf00B, being replaced by 48700-jf00C same part number is failing for Nissan 370zs as well, same years and same part number 48700-jf00A or 48700-jf00B, yet they are not being recalled. This problem is also occurring in Nissan Maximas and Nissan muranos in all models of Nissan this part was removed in mid 2010 due to consistent failure. The part costs approximately $500 from Nissan, is usually out of stock and back ordered, and costs another $400-$500 to be installed at a dealer. There should be a make-wide recall for all models for this part. Failure of this part strands the driver with no warning of impending failure. How can aelectronic part mounted inside the passengers compartment fail so often at less than three and a half years of service?
Car was turned off and parked in a parking lot for 3 min. While I went to the atm machine. When I returned to the car it would not start. Warning light would come on, so I checked the owner's manual to look up the signal and it was the steering lock. Had to call a tow truck to have car towed to dealers for repair.
- Huntington Beach, CA, USA
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I was stranded in a parking lot with freeezing temperature. Nissan had to replace the steering lock assembly to the tune of $800. It is a part that has been recalled on the gtr. It has been documented on the 370Z. They have done nothing on the Maxima or Altima. Owners of the 2009 are told to remove the fuse to take this part out of the equation and not get stranded. Nissan has replaced this part on 2010 vehicles and newer. They should reimburse anyone who has to make this repair. It is a part that is not necessary in this vehicle. Proven by Nissan having their techncians remove the fuse in 2009 Maximas, Altima, 370Z and gtr. The faulty part has been proven to exist in the 2009 gtr, 370Z and Maximas. Nissans changing of the part in 2010 and newer vehicles is a direct admssion of their guilt.
Wireless key failed to start car. Car completely dead. Couldn't move wheel or put into neutral to move vehicle. It was not parked safely (a quick stop) but no way to move it. No back up mechanism to allow car to be started or moved.
On the morning of 1/8/13 I drove my 2009 Nissan Maxima to my commuter parking lot, and realized that I didn't completely park in my space after turning the car off. I proceeded to start my car with the push stop/start but nothing happened. As soon as I realized my vehicle wouldn't start, I became very upset because I just purchased the vehicle last January and only had a powertrain warranty that was still active. I immediately contacted the service department of the Nissan dealership I purchased the vehicle from and complained, while crying lemon law. The service technician attempted to help me start the vehicle while over the phone and after realizing what the issue may be, he explained that there is a common issue with the 2009 Nissan Maxima's that he believes the computer module in the steering column had gone bad. I asked if Nissan had recalled that part since it was a common issue, his answer was no and informed me it's going to cost around $750 just to purchase the part, and with labor around $900-$1000 to repair. I said if this is a common issue with my model, then why didn't Nissan recall that part. The service technician had no explanation other than mentioning, it hasn't happened to enough people yet which I feel is completely absurd! this is a huge safety issue as my vehicle wouldn't start without any indication, or warning beforehand. Please help!
Steering/brake lock failed to disengage with attempted engine start up. Key indicator light and security lights flashing on dash. Steering lock required replacement after car was towed to nearest Nissan dealership. This repair was not covered under warranty which had expired 7 month earlier. On line research would suggest this is a fairly common occurrence; a Nissan service bulletin has apparently be published for this issue as it was referenced by the service department providing the repair.
On December 17, 2012 I had driven from my house to the gym. There was no issue with my car and when I went to leave my car would not start. My Nissan Maxima has a push start ignition and when I pushed the button nothing happened. In the display it kept indicating the yellow key light and the red key security light. I had the car towed to the local Nissan dealer who told me the steering lock assembly had failed. If I wanted this fixed it was going to cost me $800. I asked the service department if this was a common failure at the mileage the car was at and I was told it was not common. Researching the problem it seems that this issue occurs regularly for a 2009 Nissan Maxima around this mileage range. I was told the warranty does to cover this and it had expired a year earlier. I believe if this is a common problem then it should be a recall item.
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. This is a known common problem with this model and a $1000 repair. It is obviously a design flaw. This should be a recall.
My car was parked in my parking spot at my town home.I went to start it and the battery was completely dead.I went to release the trunk lid and the trunk would not open it operates on the battery.there is no ket slot to open the trunk.I contacted Consumer Affairs at Nissan and they agreed there is no key slot on the trunk.when asked them how to get in my trunk to get my battery cables and my emergency kit(which came with the car).I was told the only way to open the trunk was to release the back rest on the rear seat and crawl in the trunk and pull the release on the trunk lid.when asked is there a fix for this problem I was told no.I am a man of 70yrs.old with a bad back how am I supposed to crawl in a trunk.as I stated the car came wit an emergency kit what good is it if I can't get to it.to me this a very dangerous problem.if were on the side of a road when this happened when cars are doing 60 to 70 mph I could get hurt or killed I would appreciate some one looking into this dangerous problem.
We bought our Maxima brandnew in July of 2009. Loved everything about until this past June of 2012. Our first problem was some clitching electrical wiring. The outside mirrors wouldn't move up and down when we put the car in reverse. This would happen off and on while we took our trip out of town in June. After we came back my husband made a appointment to get it checked out, but because the outside mirrors were working again we just let it be and didn't follow up with the Nissan service department. In July of 2012 I was sitting in my parked car when I was ready to leave, I started my car only to hear this awful sort of grinding noise. I had a tow company come to tell that my battery was "dead". which I was surprised, because my car is just 3 years old and I only had 24577 miles on it. The towing company charged my battery for me to make it across the street to autozone, where I got a new battery. I remember the last time when I brought in the car for service, the lady was telling me that I needed to drive my car more often due to the battery being "low". which I thought was strange, I mean how inconvenient is that to have to drive you're car every day, because if you don't the battery just "dies" on you"! my last incident with my car happened this past Monday 09/17/2012 when I turn my car off, suddenly I hear again this awful grinding noise coming from the panel. Come to find out after I called the Nissan dealer that it was the steering column and that the motor need to be replaced and this is happening 2 months after my warranty ran out! I called Nissan dealer, they told me to bring it in. Seeing my car is 3 years old..to me it should be a recall factory issue! and I shouldn't have to pay for it! they say this is a common problem" I don't think so! Nissan need to make this steering column a recall issue! because it is a dangerous defect.
My family and I were driving South bound on the New Jersey turnpike at 75 mph and the car shutdown, it would not accelerate and lost power. Luckily we were in the right lane and I acted quickly to turn on the hazards and get off the highway on to the shoulder to avoid a serious accident. This car only has ~16000 miles as well as all of its scheduled maintenance is up to date. After getting it towed to the Nissan dealership they informed us that it was a problem with the mass air flow sensor and that even though the car was within the warranty period the warranty would not cover it as they found a leaf in the sensor. We have no way to verify that there was a leaf in the sensor and the car is kept in a garage and/or driveway nowhere near a tree. We wanted to report this incident so that if more incidents like this occur maybe a recall is warranted as Nissan's engineering of the vehicles could be at fault. How could a leaf in get in there" if a leaf does get in why would that corrode the part"
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that at engine startup, the check engine warning light illuminated and sparks became visible once the hood was opened. The fire department was contacted and a report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the alternator had melted and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 130,000.
While traveling in the number (2) lane of the us 405 N freeway at speeds of over 65 mph, I noticed that the battery light started flickering, and within 10 seconds the accelerator ceased to respond when pressure was applied. When the accelerator was pushed, the engine would rev, and the RPM gauge would show the gauge moving up, but the engine would not respond. I pushed the accelerator all the way inwards, but the engine would not respond. Approximately 15-20 seconds later, I noticed that the engine ceased operating, and the wheel locked. I was also unable to apply the brakes, as when I pushed the brakes nothing happened and the brake pedal felt very stiff and non-responsive. At the same time, lights on the dashboard cluster were illuminated. I started panicking as I had no control of a vehicle traveling over 60 mph on a freeway during evening hours los angeles traffic. I immediately activated my emergency indicators, and waited in complete panic until the vehicle came to a rolling stop on the side of the freeway. During the same evening, the vehicle started to exhibit the same malfunctions as experienced earlier that day and the vehicle died in the middle of the street. Diagnosis: Client states vehicle won't start. Brake and battery lights are on after charging the battery performed battery test with the battery tester center midtronics Nissan mcr620. GR8 battery tester was unable at this time. Test results good battery and charging system incident. Upon inspection terminal 1 connector F6 found terminal melting where connect to alternator and also part of the harness and alternator burnt due to terminal nut loose and has much play. Call Nissan tech line, and report the incident and also for help. The consumer also stated when he applied the brake, the steering wheel and the entire vehicle started to shake. The battery light would illuminate at times when the vehicle was in park and would start to flicker and flash. Updated 05/05/10.
I purchase my 2004 Nissan Maxima in July 2003. Since I have had the car I've had nothing but major problems. I perform the required maintenance on the car and still have numerous problems. I have had to replace things that should have lasted on the car the cd player has been replace and when out again twice. Tensor assembly and timing belt also 1500. And now I have the replace my transmission another $3100. This is ridiculous for a car that has a luxury price tag. Nissan has not be helpful at all and do not try to answer of help in any way. Nissan needs to recall all 2004 models.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Halifax, MA, USA