CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2009-2010 Maxima has an expensive problem where the steering lock prevents the car from starting, & costs upwards of $1,000 to fix!

For more information, see this page on the Nissan Maxima Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) defect.

2.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,351 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.

2010 Nissan Maxima engine problems

engine problem

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2010 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments

problem #20

Sep 092022

Maxima

  • miles

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

While driving to work car stalled going 20MPH, no power brakes, no power steering, coasted to safe side of road. Waited ten minutes car pressed start car restarted. Five days later, going to store, driving 35 mph, car stalled while running, no power steering, no power brakes, coasted to safe side of road. Waited ten minutes car restarted. This is an on going safety problem. My father in law had this same vehicle and he was afraid to drive it because of the same issues.

- Paris, TN, USA

problem #19

Oct 012021

Maxima

  • miles
Motor mount is cracked causing engine to shudder

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #18

Mar 252020

Maxima

  • 21,523 miles
My transmission began making a winning noise, then it got louder and louder. Now my transmission is done. There have been lots of complaints about the make and model vehicle. I gave a cvt transmission. Also have issues with struts.had noise since 2019.

- Snellville Ga, GA, USA

problem #17

Jan 012020

Maxima

  • 145,000 miles

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

Unable to push start car ignition. A key signal shows on dash and car will not start after shutting down engine. The key is in the car at the time. My daughter has been stranded several times because she can't get push start ignition to start. I have read that other owners of this make and more have had same issue.

- Norlina, NC, USA

problem #16

Oct 192018

Maxima

  • 30,000 miles
Evap recall; severe rust; power steering is weakening; motor has extremely loud start; not safe to drive more than 2 miles - stopped driving today after the car's brakes and rotors were changed due to horrible rust issue

- Far Rockaway, NY, USA

problem #15

Jul 202016

Maxima

  • 70,000 miles
Torque motor mount cracked

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #14

Jul 122016

Maxima

  • 68,000 miles

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

Description: Nissan: Knocking noise coming from engine and oil not registering on the stick but oil is not leaking anywhere. Knocking occurs when car starts and sometime when driving.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #13

Nov 032015

Maxima

  • 68,431 miles
Unexpectedly the 2010 Nissan Maxima wouldn't start. I then check this website, and find a ton of complaints about the same issue! the electronic steering lock control! I don't understand how Nissan isn't held responsible for this faulty part. I paid almost $40,000 for a car that won't start. This can happen without any warning. My issue occured with my 4 month old son in the vehicle while everyone else I knew was at work. This is completely unacceptable! this same part number was recalled in previous years for the Maxima! the vehicle was stationary after stopping at the bank to make a deposit. Will someone please hold Nissan responsible for this ongoing issue!

- Drexel Hill, PA, USA

problem #12

Jun 222015

Maxima

  • 78,123 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. While driving at 15 mph, there was an abnormal noise under the front of the vehicle. The failure occurred when making a turn or going over a bump. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic where the technician stated that the failure could be from the motor mount. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,123.

- Albany, GA, USA

problem #11

May 112015

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
My engine light came on yesterday morning car was stalling a little was driving in my neighborhood when my car started slowing down once I put my foot on the accelerator it started to make noises like a motorcycle and wouldn't move fast. Car stop on my street and we had to push it into my driveway. Now when I crank my car it makes the motorcycle noise for a few seconds and then goes away. Can't drive it but can change the gears with ease. Took it to a shop and stated that it is the transmission.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #10

Feb 112015

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 67,000 miles

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

I have 2010 Nissan Maxima sv. Stopped by for gas and the start button did not respond. Read online and found potential steering lock issue. Called Nissan consumer service before contacting dealer. Say have to bring to dealer to diagnose. Nissan consumer totally useless. Confirm and did not help. Say there was a campaign for recall on steering wheel lock failure but does not applies to my vehicle. I asked at least help on the cost or discount on parts since it's manufacture defect. They say no. Have no choice. Paid 110 to tow to dealer and 900 bucks for part and labor to fix out of pocket. Not happy consumer. Hopefully if we get enough complaints in.. Nissan will do mandatory recall if we get government involvement. Please every one with similar issues file the complaint reports.!!!!

- Leander, TX, USA

problem #9

Feb 142015

Maxima

  • 77,000 miles
My wife went shopping before the blizzard, came out car wouldn't start, I hear this is a common on this year of car.

- Fall River, MI, USA

problem #8

Feb 052015

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. When the contact applied the brake pedal to shift the vehicle into drive, the engine stalled and an unknown warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering lock control unit failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,000. Updated 04/06/15 updated 9/21/2017

- Pawtucket, RI, USA

problem #7

Dec 152014

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 51,000 miles
My vehicle has been properly maintained, I have consistent service receipts. I pull into my driveway, cut my car off and walk into my home, as I always do. I come back approx 3 hours later, and my engine will not start. There is a "key" light on. My battery is not dead, all other electrical functions seem to be working fine. However my engine will not start at all. I must have it towed.

- Morrow, GA, USA

problem #6

Nov 302014

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 65,950 miles
I had driven my car to church, everything was fine. After chruch, I got in my car and it wouldn't start. Nothing would work. The keyless remote would unlock the doors but when pushing the start button nothing happened. The auxiliary didn't even work. I had to have the car towed to a mechanic. After running diagnostics on the car, I was told the car had to go to the Nissan dealership due to Nissan doesn't release all coding. Another tow bill to have the car taken to local Nissan dealership. Diagnostics ran on the car and it was the "electronic steerling wheel lock". this is part of the security/anti-theft mechanism that is located in the steering column. It had to be replaced at owner's expense. This is known defect in 2009-2010 Nissan Altima, Maxima and 370Z. The owners have no warning before this happens. You are total stranded at that spot. After googling this problem, I have found multiple complaints and that Nissan is not accepting responsibility. This part is now been "redesigned" so that this isn't happening.

- Wrightsville, GA, USA

problem #5

Aug 292014

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 22,000 miles
Ruptured fabric connection from radiator cap to radiator hosing caused entire contents of radiator fluid to rapidly evacuate under pressure while car was traveling at high speed. Engine heated up to unsafe maximum gauge temperature before car could be safely be brought to full stop.

- Venice, FL, USA

problem #4

Nov 112013

Maxima

  • 58,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 mph the engine stalled with the illumination of the warning indicators. The engine failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. The failure occurred twice. The failure was not diagnosed for the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Parker , CO, USA

problem #3

Dec 032013

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
I parked my car and went inside my inlaws with my 2 year old and 3 week old. When I went to leave my I-key warning light was on. The key opened the doors but the brake was locked and the vehicle wouldn't turn on. After looking online and checking the batteries in the key fobs I discovered this was a problem with the escl (electronic steering control lock). This is a known issue for Nissan produced in 2009. Nissan actually extended the 2009 models warranty for this part. My vehicle was produced in 2009 but is a 2010 model and not covered by the extended warranty. The repair for this is about $800 and should be covered under warranty. Nissan is ignoring this issue in 2010 models which is unacceptable. Had I been anywhere else this issue could have been much worse with me and my two kids stranded.

- Roanoke , VA, USA

problem #2

Nov 202013

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
I was on my way to work when I stopped at the bank to make a transaction, when I returned to my car it would not start. Mind you it was cold and dark. I spent 3 hours freezing me butt off trying to figure out what I did wrong not realizing it was Nissan that is actually at fault. So basically I'm out of a days pay at work, have to pay for a tow truck to take my car back to my home because it dealer I closed, then pay for another tow truck in the morning to take my car to the dealer then pay to fix a problem that should have been recalled the same time they recalled the GT-R for the same parts and same issues. As a loyal customer I am very disgusted, irritated, and tired of these avoidable inconveniences.

- Cambria Heights , NY, USA

problem #1

Oct 092013

Maxima

  • 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis but they were unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.

- Signal Mountain, TN, USA

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