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:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,535 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 airbag light is on and blinking. I did call the local Nissan dealer and they told me there was not a recall for this problem on the 2009 Nissan maxima. This seems very unfair because several recalls have been made on the airbags. Also I was told over 5 years ago that the struts on my car were defective when I had my brakes repaired. I did call the Nissan company and they told me my year was not included in the recall. My car was driving so badly I was having problems controlling it and I had to go ahead and get the front struts replaced and shocks replaced on the back and they had to put a stabilizer bar (sway Bar Link) on it also. I recently had this done. This airbag light had come on 4 years ago but I was thinking it was my seat belt light. When I would remove my purse to the floor it would go off. My brother took my manual out and told me it was the airbag and not the seat belt light. It blinks all the time now. I firmly believe the Nissan company know this 2009 Maxima has defects but they refuse to acknowledge it. Appears they could care less about our safety.
The contact owned 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while at a complete stop, another vehicle driving approximately 70 MPH, crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained hips and back pain. The contact was seen by emergency services and sought medical assistance later that day. The contact underwent physical therapy and hip replacement surgery. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 257,000.
Passenger front air bag defect. Since reading many post in this forum in relation to the same issue, manufacture should be held responsible to replace sensor. Vehicle have not been in a wreck as far as I know. The sensor light came on around June this year and haven-??t went off. I received a quote for approximately $2500 depending on available parts. If this issue is not rectified by the dealer, will make sure not to purchase another Nissan Maxima again. Just imagine if I have a family member in the front seat and a accident occur! Cannot even imagine the outcome.
The airbag warning light on the dash started blinking. The local dealer investigated and advised that the front passenger airbag occupancy sensor was defective. Repair would require complete replacement of the front passenger seat cushion at an estimated cost of about $2,000. The mechanic told me he has seen the exact same issue numerous times for the Maxima of multiple model years. This appears to be a persistent problem with these sensors as reflected in multiple Nissan user forum entries. This is a safety issue that has been detected on multiple Maxima model years over the past several years. It needs to be fully investigated and a safety recall needs issued to hold the manufacturer accountable. The customers should not have to bear the expensive repair.
- Canonsburg, PA, USA
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Passenger side air bag sensors keeps on resetting as no one is sitting on the seat. I have to tell the passenger to jump on the seat for the "air bag off" light to reset. The cvt transmission putter at low speed with a with lots of noise, I have to give it more gas for the noise to stop. The passenger front door lock and driver side rear door lock does not unlock. Fog light on the car is not working, I was told my a mechanic that the relay switch that is built into the steering column is no good and will need to be replaced.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated and flashed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall. The dealer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 87,925.
I own a 2009 Nissan Maxima. In the year 2016 the airbag light for the passenger seat began to continuously blink and the indicator light said 'airbag off' whether the seat was occupied or not. Thinking the light needed to be reset as my airbags have never deployed I tried this routes. It ultimately proved not to be the problem and the light continues to blink. The car was diagnosed by Nissan as am OCS sensor fail B1018 and the cost for the repair would be $2100. The weight sensor in the passenger seat failed. Without the repair the airbag system will not function for the entire car. Upon speaking to Nissan Consumer Affairs I learned the the part has been discontinued but offered no explanation as to why. Even with the failed part being a major safety concern Nissan refuses to offer any kind of assistance to fix the issue. This part is not exposed to elements as it is in the actual seat cushion. The product just failed and Nissan needs to be held accountable for faulty manufactured parts. This is a safety concern that could cause someone their life.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger air bag sensor was faulty. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 111,000.
The airbag light comes on when someone gets into the car on passenger side, then stays on sometimes. As long as the person is in the seat it stays on. When they get out it goes off. I wasn't in any accident. It was like it when I got
Driver airbag indicator light on dash flashing continuously, and front passenger airbag light on front console remaining on whether seat occupied or not. Indicates possible non-functioning of airbag. Condition is present whether vehicle stationary or moving. Investigated by dealer ( courtesy Nissan of richardson, Texas) and told that first stage repair ( replacement of front passenger seat cushion) costs ~ $ 2100 with no guarantee of solution, followed by further attempt to solve at additional cost. I believe this is a safety issue to be solved by Nissan. Also reported to Nissan North America but no response.
While on and moving, the passenger air bag on/off indicator light turns on and off, with an adult in the passenger seat. It will turn on (indicating bag off) for several minutes at a time. This occurs with a 150+ pound passenger sitting normally in the seat, with seatbelt fastened. This occurs throughout turns, on straight roads, and at varying speeds. This behavior has been ongoing for years, but I have only now done a search for it. Google searches indicate this is a problem with many 2009 Nissan Maximas. But Maximas prior to 2016 are not recalled.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. While driving 30 mph, a vehicle ran a stop sign and crashed into the front driver's door of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for the air bag failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 118,000.
Passenger occupancy sensor has failed. To replace you must replace the entire seat bottom which is over $1500. There are many other people experiencing the same issue. Seems to be a defect.
Passenger occupancy sensor fault light comes on and stays on causing a safety hazard when a passenger is occupying seat. Note the person is not a child is above limit to activate function of airbag? this needs to be put on recall list to be repaired by manufacture, light came on around 60,000 miles, currently has 68,000 miles
Air bag is blinking. Nissan dealership confirmed to be a B1022 code for osc sensor failure and quoted $3,000 for replacement of entire front passenger seat. Multiple complaints about this same problem. I have children I have to bring to school daily. Please add recall for Nissan Maxima 2009 models as well. This is a huge safety concern.
The passenger side airbag warning light came on and has stayed on, and the dealer will not repair for less than $2084., Nissan North America has refused assistance for the repair.
Driver airbag light continues to blink on the dashboard. Dealer states that it is the drivers airbag (diagnosis cost 119 ) which needs to be replaced at a cost of 1100 dollars. They replaced the airbag in 2010.. but now it comes on the car has 87000 miles on it and I have had it since 2009
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Memphis, TN, USA