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:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,139 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2009 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments (Page 9 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #4

Aug 152011

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 22,500 miles

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

The steering wheel tilt and telescope motor stop working. I took it to the Nissan dealership to have repaired under warranty. Only to be told that I was one month out of factory warranty 3 years or 36,000 miles. The service advisor showed me that it was a bulletin dated in 2009, at the dealership service department showing there was an issue with the tilt and telescope motor. I'm out of warranty so I have to pay out almost 1,500 dollars to get it repaired. Its not fair to consumers when paying almost 40,000 dollars for a vehicle that has issues. It's not fair when the dealerships are aware of problems and not informing the owners until it's discovered after the warranty has expired. There should have been a recall on this vehicle or at least notified the owner to have done at their leisure.

- Windsor Mill, MD, USA

problem #3

Aug 152010

Maxima

  • 82,000 miles
The collar will move up and down slow... report the motor is bad.

- Flora, MS, USA

problem #2

Nov 222009

Maxima

  • 2,585 miles
In Nov. 2009, approx 3 months after purchasing new car, it started intermittently having heavier vibration in the steering wheel. Since then, there is a constant minor pulsing/vibration, with intermittent vibration that has more intensity. When I have more instances of the "heavier" vibration during my commute it causes my hands to tingle. I have been to the dealer 4 times with this complaint - the last time with a regional rep present. To date, the dealer and Nissan corporate consumer assistance has not identified any solution nor any other compensation. I feel there is a defect or design flaw that is producing the vibration, which I can only assume will get worse over time. I am afraid it will eventually put my hands to sleep on a longer trip.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #1

Apr 142009

Maxima

  • 6,500 miles
In January 2009 I purchased a brand new 2009 Nissan Maxima. In April my interior lights, steering wheel and seat and the heat on my drivers side seat stopped working. I took my car in to the Nissan dealer for repairs, I was told that there was and electrical problem and that they had repaired it. Two weeks later the same thing happened to me when I went to Georgia, when I got back to Maryland I took my car into the Nissan dealer for repairs again and was told that they could not find anything wrong with my car. On May 19th my steering wheel stuck in the highest upward position again and also my seat was not working, and the locks on the doors kept locking and unlocking while my car was turned on but not being driven, on May 20th I took my car in for repairs again, the service writer at the Nissan dealer looked at it and also noticed the problem ( my steering wheel was still stuck in the upward position and the seat was not working), after he played around with several buttons he told me that everything seemed to be doing fine and he didn't know if they could do anything for me. I told him that I would leave my car for repairs because I knew something was wrong still with my car. I received a phone call from the dealer and was told that they could not find anything wrong. I know something is wrong, so where do I go from here. This has been three times that they have tried to fix my car and I am getting nowhere.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

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