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.
2.3
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,663 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.
I recently had my father pass away and my mom gave me his car, the air conditioning stopped working then the serpentine belt broke so I had a mobile mechanic come out and replace serpentine belt and tensioner. Then the power steering wheel fell off on freeway luckily no one was hurt I had to have the power steering pump replaced and another new serpentine belt installed. Then I went to get tires and an alignment done on the vehicle because it was driving kinda weird to be informed that the struts need replaced when I know my father had the struts replaced less then a year ago. Now today I was driving came to a red light and lost all power i could not even use hazard lights because I had no power. I was stuck there.I had to get towed home and purchased a new battery then called a mobile mechanic and was informed I have an ecm failure.with that being said car is unsafe to drive oh and serpentine belt broke again.
My husband bought this vehicle from crown mason in tampa andbthe car started smoking in one day, we found out the engine was no good. The owner claimed that the vehicle was in good shape. Since the day we bought it we had to put a new engine in along with a tune up and a wheel alignment
While I was driving on the highway I stopped to get gas at a rest stop and my car would not start thereafter. After much research this vehicle has a campaign for the electronic steering lock through Nissan. I contacted Nissan and was told due to the age and mileage of the vehicle they would not be able to reimburse ! due to malfunction my car should have the appropriate steering box identified in their campaign. The dealership and Nissan corporation refused to abide by their own campaign and denied any reimbursement for repairs.
The car loses power as I'm driving, I replaced alternator and fuel pump I'm at around $1100 in with repairs and labor. The problem still exist I turn car on and drive within 10 mins the car loses power and acceleration then eventually dies. This happened on the highway on one occasion, very frustrating and scary to say the least. It's not the battery cuz it's also new. This is getting scary and ridiculous.
- Shelby, NC, USA
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My car keeps losing power after driving it for awhile. I had a new alternator and battery installed. It continues to lose power and starts up after a few hours. This is unsafe and very scary.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the engine failed to start and the key warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel locked up. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
The car, while driving, reverts back to idle RPM and pressing the gas pedal does not propel the car. This happened after being repaired by Nissan. On another occasion it completely lost power while driving.
The steering lock system (an anti-theft device) failed. It locked my steering wheel and disabled the start button on the car. The car was stationary; I was stranded in a parking lot away from home with a car that would not start. Nissan is aware of the problem and had issued a tsb, but no recall. Nor was I notified of the potential problem as an owner.
The steering lock control on the vehicle failed causing the car to become disabled. The steering wheel would not turn and was locked in place, additionally the vehicle was stalled and would not restart. Fortunately the incident occurred in a parking lot had the steering lock control failed while driving a significant accident would have likely occurred as the driver would have lost steering control. The car had to be towed to the Nissan service shop for a repair costing nearly $1000. This was a known safety issue for Nissan as they extended the warranty for this part however my vehicle's control unit failed after the warranty expired. After online research I discovered many other Nissan owners have suffered the same safety failure on their vehicles. It is an obvious manufacturer safety defect that needs to be recalled.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that after the vehicle was serviced, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a part store, where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft, dtc, ABS sensor, and engine speed shift circuit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.
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 pulled out of my complex I had only driven 1/4 of a mile at a rate of 40 mph and my vehicle started running very rough the service engine soon light started flashing and all the sudden my vehicle lost power I was unable to control the steering and very hard to brake. I pulled the vehicle off the road. I was able to get the vehicle going again so I drove right back home. I referenced my owners manual and it stated when the check engine soon light is flashing to take the vehicle to the nearest service facility. I had my vehicle towed to the service department the next day. The service dept notified me that I need a new engine. They stated this is very unusual and that the problem was not my fault and when they took the top part of the engine off my motor is very clean and they can tell that I took great car of my vehicle. I contacted Nissan to see if they would cover the repair since the vehicle is just 3,000 miles out of warranty. Approx 48 hrs later Nissan called to advise me they can't help me with the cost of my repairs over $9,000. This is very dangerous and needless to say very unfair for the consumer.
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 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.
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?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Riverside, CA, USA