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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
50 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.

2009 Nissan Maxima seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2009 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments

problem #3

Sep 262009

Maxima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We own a 2009 Nissan Maxima that was purchased new on September 25, 2009. When driving the vehicle with my wife in the passenger seat the air bag system turns of the airbag. My wife is 5'5" and 125lbs, well within normal adult size. Upon discovering the problem we have taken the vehicle into the dealerships mechanic 4 times over the last 11 months with every time other than the initial visit lasting almost a week each time. The last time we took it in I called the dealership manager and was told that they had no record of our vehicle being in there shop ever. Upon the completion of the final trip to the shop we discussed the issues at length with the service manager of the dealership and we replicated the issue in both the 2010 and 2011 model Maxima's. we have since called Nissan looking to have our car purchased back or have the problem repaired so that the airbag will work with her in the car. At that time we were told that Nissan's airbag system was designed to take into account all factors and make a decision at that time. As of August 20th 2010 we have been told that there is nothing wrong with our car and that the airbag is functioning normally. Let it be noted that there are several instances of this problem documented across the web.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #2

Mar 012009

Maxima

  • miles
Purchase car in 4/2009, took car into dealer for air bag light on 12/30/09 again 1/18/10, 6/7/2010, and 7/8/10 for air the bag light that comes on when my 150lb daughter sit in the passenger's seat, and the light is constantly on telling me the airbag is off. She is 26 years old, and she has to sit in the back. I had to take it back to the dealer 4 times. Two times was to show them with the passenger in the seat that the light was on signaling that the airbag is off. The manager had my grand's get in and out. Year and months. There were recalls for the 2008 Altima, why can I have the same problems. It's a recall and they don't want acknowledged it now. I went online looking for other people and there are some people experience the same thing. The Nissan forum said they told him the same thing, and this person complain about his wife sitting in the passenger seat the same thing with there 2009 Nissan. This is my 4th Nissan, my second from the same dealer. They took my car and gave me a free rental, my daughter got in and the same thing happen in the 2010 as soon as she sat in. I had her get out, over and over again. Fix the seat belt. They called me and told me that they were not fixing it. It is my daughter. I said for 1 year in a half she didn't sit right in that seat. I took my car to the dealer 2 times for them to witness my daughter in the seat. One time was the service manager; he saw the light on with her in the seat. I call the headquarter to file a complaint, they called back and said that it is my daughter. This light came on for my husband, me, but more so my daughter who weights 156 lbs 5'6'. I guess enough people have not called, they are on the internet complaining.

- Brookhaven, PA, USA

problem #1

Dec 232008

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. Immediately after purchasing the vehicle in December of 2008, the contact noticed that the air bag light would remain illuminated when the front passenger seat was occupied. In addition, the air bag sensor would not work whenever a passenger utilized the back rest. The dealer stated that the sensor was the cause of the failure. The manufacturer stated that the sensor was not designed to work with a back rest and they were not liable for the repairs. The current mileage was 750 and failure mileage was 150. Updated 03/12/09. Updated 03/13/09.

- Somerset, NJ, USA

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