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.

2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,868 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2009 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #34

Apr 012024

Maxima

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal knocking sound emanating from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the front-end mounting strut insulator. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V358000 (Suspension) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Pixley, CA, USA

problem #33

May 192023

Maxima

  • miles
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.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #32

Sep 122022

Maxima 6-cyl

  • miles
On 9/12/22, my son purchased a 2009 Nissan Maxima from Street Cars. My son was told that the car did not pass the state inspection, but all items on the list were taken care of. The salesman noted the Air Intake Tube would be ordered for the car and installed once received. My son paid $5299 in cash. My son wanted to pay with a cashier's check, but the salesperson requested cash. On the way home to Woodbridge from Fredericksburg, the vehicle began to slow down as if it were going to cut off. My son slowed down and proceeded home. On 9/13/22, my son went to Minnieville Exxon to have the vehicle emissions test completed, and the car was listed as "Not Ready." In addition, seven (7) additional issues must be addressed before the vehicle can pass. We began calling the salesman at 11:45 am, sent a text message at 12:17 pm, and called until 1:30 pm. Due to what we felt were deceptive practices, we traveled to Street Cars in Fredericksburg to speak with the salesman about returning the vehicle for a refund. The salesman stated the vehicle was sold "As Is-?? and is on the Bill of Sales. We asked about the sign on the front of his business which states "3-Day Return Policy". The salesman said it does not apply to cash cars or discounted cars. When asked about the items on the failed inspection report being taken care of, the salesperson refused to discuss it further. The salesperson stated my son should use the warranty, where he will be responsible for half the cost of all repairs. When the salesperson was asked about the Air Intake Tube order, he refused to provide a confirmation number for the order, a telephone number, or a location for the company. My son did not receive any title paperwork and was told to sign the vehicle delivery form when items had not been received. We contacted ASC Warranty company which was provided with the vehicle, and they told us to take the car to any automotive repair shop for an estimate. We took the vehicle to Sheehy Nissan in Manas

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #31

Aug 102021

Maxima

  • 120,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the suspension. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V358000 (Suspension) and he needed to pay out of pocket for the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and they stated that the vehicle warranty had expired and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- New Brunsweck, NJ, USA

problem #30

Jan 302021

Maxima

  • miles
I own a 2009 Maxima. I took the vehicle into a repair shop to diagnose a problem that i was experiencing with the suspension. The vehicle made a thumping noise on rough or bumpy road surfaces and felt as though the front end was going to break apart whenever I hit even a small pot-hole. I was told that the complete strut assembly as well as the lower control arms had to be replaced. I was also advised that my vehicle was unsafe to drive. The cost and labor to replace these parts is approx. $1,400. I can't afford to repair the vehicle at this time as I am unemployed due to Covid-19. I'm no mechanic but I will have to attempt to repair the vehicle myself.

- Las Vegas , NV, USA

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problem #29

Dec 102019

Maxima

  • 10,684 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to gastonia Nissan (2275 E franklin blvd, gastonia, nc 28054, (855) 274-8641) where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the electronic steering lock and the steering box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the VIN was not included in a manufacturer recall campaign regarding the electronic steering column lock. The dealer also stated that the struts were corroded and needed repair; however, the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V358000 (suspension). The manufacturer provided case number: 38170451. The failure mileage was approximately 10,684.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #28

Aug 212019

Maxima

  • 174,000 miles

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

Inti steering lock wouldnt allow me to turn engine off after parking in my driveway then not starting after I had to disconnect battery cable to stop engine which I am finding out to be widespread problem with this year model & others also have been informed of recall issue with both front struts same year & models

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #27

Apr 032019

Maxima

  • 133,358 miles
I have had to replace the axle on my car in 2013 and in 2019 which has been cracked each time. It was stationary and I was having my brakes done.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #26

Dec 012018

Maxima

  • 72,300 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. While the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change, it was discovered that the rear sway bar had snapped. The contact also heard a clicking metal sound while driving. The dealer (autonation Nissan las vegas, 5800 w sahara ave, las vegas, nv 89146, (702) 570-1013) stated that there was no recall and that there was no failure with the sway bars. The manufacturer was called and provided a case number. The manufacturer called back and stated that they could not assist since there was no recall or current warranty. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not under a warranty, which was not true. The failure mileage was 72,300.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #25

May 112018

Maxima

  • 87,000 miles
Control arms both need repair, repeated issues with tire inflation gauges, tire wear, struts, and steering. Needed repair costing $2700 to replace control arms.

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #24

Mar 262018

Maxima

  • 184,000 miles

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

When looking up my make model and year of car, your site seems to indicate a "suspension/strut insulator cracking" problem, however, when I contacted the Nissan dealership, they say for my VIN # there is only one recall and it is for a "steering column" problem. I just want to know all the facts before I take it in for repairs this Thursday, March 29, 2018.

- Desoto, TX, USA

problem #23

Aug 112017

Maxima

  • 147,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. While driving 45 mph over a bump in the road, the contact's husband heard a pop sound coming from the wheels. The contact stated that the front driver's side tire exploded without warning and the passenger side tire wires were exposed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the strut assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.

- Hattiesburg, MS, USA

problem #22

Oct 012016

Maxima

  • 113,000 miles
Takata inflators with what having front end struts have been cracked very badly where steering is hard to maintain on any parts of driving is 100% bad.

- Cedar Hill, TX, USA

problem #21

Apr 252017

Maxima

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. On several occasions, while driving over bumps or potholes, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the strut area of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to dublin Nissan (2046 veterans blvd, dublin, ga 31021 (478) 275-2660), but the failure could not be diagnosed or duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Wrightsville, GA, USA

problem #20

Apr 142017

Maxima

  • miles
Rattling, cracking, vibration and road noise coming from the front while driving on the road at any speed. Noise was very noticeable if road was bumpy. In my emails with Nissan they only would refer me to a local dealership, which is 1 hour away. I forward Nissan documents found on the internet stating the this year model had strut and suspension problems. Nissan could only tell me to see a local dealer.

- Demopolis, AL, USA

problem #19

Jul 042015

Maxima

  • 3,000 miles
Tires vibrated as if out of balance. Took back to dealer he rebalanced and rotated tires. This did not change vibration. Continued to have vibration and dealer stated he could find nothing wrong with tires. Dealer stated he had never seen a bad tire only bad drivers. These were new tires with less than 3000 miles. I continued to drive withn these tires but finally changed to cooper radials. Have no problem since changing. Feel dealer unjust in evaluation and complaint. Basically tires bounced at interstate speeds. Out of 4 tires one worn drastically while others wore fairly even but all continued to be out of balance. Cost at purchase about $875.

- Abingdon, VA, USA

problem #18

Sep 162016

Maxima

  • 11,687 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The stated that the vehicle was taken to a mechanic where it was diagnosed that the struts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V358000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,687.

- Prescott, AZ, USA

problem #17

Apr 012016

Maxima

  • miles
Recall 2009 Nissan Maxima when driving this vehicle the front end of the car is not stable feel like the car is wobbling and the tire is going to come off. And I always hear this loud cracking/popping sound when backing up and when I put the car in drive and go forward, while driving I sometimes can her this cracking/squeaking sound and also the tire indicator constantly stays on. I have take it to the shop to be checked, and they have check the air pressure in each tire on my car and also the spare tire in the trunk of my car several times. And the tire indicator will not go off. God forbid if when I go over a speed bump the entire car makes this loud squeaking sound. When my vehicle engine is on passage airbag indicator keep blanking and will not go off, stays on constantly. Something is wrong with this. I do not feel safe with passage in my car because of this problem. By the grace of god I have not had an accident." God blessed"

- Sparta, GA, USA

problem #16

Nov 012015

Maxima

  • 49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the shock absorbers needed to be replaced and made a loud rattling noise whenever the vehicle drove over uneven pavement and/or bumps in the road. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 49,000.

- Parkville, MD, USA

problem #15

Jan 082016

Maxima

  • 114,000 miles
Steering wheel lock - ignition lock assembly failure. I purchased my 2009 Nissan MA xima in Nov 2012 and my car has been running pretty good until the dreaded day when I was stranded because my car would not start. I had my car towed and I was told that thevsteeringbwheel lock assembly needed to be replaced $1189. I don't know about you, but im not made out of money. After a little research I discovered that this problem has been happening since 09. This is outrageous and Nissan should have owned up and fixed this problem along time ago. This is unacceptable and there should be a recall and not just a bulletin. There is a problem and nissa needs to fix there wrong, instead selling cars knowing that there is a problem. A recall needs to be issued and Nissan needs to do the repairs immediately with no charge to their customers.

- Randallstown, MD, USA

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