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!
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.
Went to start my 2010 Nissan Maxima this morning for work and it would not start. The yellow key light indicator was lit on the dash, brake was hard to press. The car would not change from "lock" mode to "acc" or "on" position. The car would not start, doors would unlock with the fob but the car would do nothing else. Reading the manual, I was able to tell what the indicator light meant. While waiting for the tow truck to arrive I searched the result and was shocked to see all the complaints on the same malfunction and how this has not been labeled as a recall due to the high volume of complaints. Basically the steering wheel control lock will not disengage leaving you stranded. There has been a recall on the 2009 Altima and Maxima but not the 2010 which uses the same part. From what I have read the repair cost run around $800-$1000. Waiting now for the Nissan dealership to call me back.
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.
Stopped at grocery store, went in for around 5 minutes, came back out and car wouldn't start. The key fob would lock and unlock doors, head lights would come on but when pressing start button, nothing. Paid $50 to have it towed to nearest Nissan dealership and it sat until Monday. After the dealership looked at it, they have notified me that it is the electronic steering control lock module. Labor and part would be $653.58. This is extremely common in the Altima and Nissan even extended the warranty on this part only and are currently covering costs for this part to be replaced in Altima. It's a shame to pay this much for a vehicle and can't even get it to run due to Nissan's faulty parts. And why would Nissan cover the part on an Altima but not on a Maxima even though it is the same exact part?
Electronic steering column lock failure of my 2010 Nissan Maxima. The car would not start and I was unable to drive it. This is a known problem for the 2009 Maxima and Altima and is now happening in the 2010 Maxima, however Nissan refuses to extend the warranty to the faulty 2010 models as well.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
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After parking the car, I left the car parked approximately 1 hour. The car would not crank, completely locked up. There was no warning prior to at all. As you can see this car only has 38,000 miles, not many at all. I question what would have happened if I were driving?? I searched the internet and see there are numerous complaints concerning this part on the 2009 and 2010 Maxima and Altima's. it also states the problem has been fixed with the 2011 up. In the meantime Nissan is making a fortune off their mistake. My cost, a tow bill and almost $800 service bill. I hope you can research the problem to see if it could possibly be a recalled item, as well as a safety issue. Thank you
My car was parked briefly while I went into a store to buy groceries..upon returning to my vehicle, I depressed the brake and proceeded to turn on the vehicle with the push button start. A yellow "key" symbol flashed in the dashboard and the car would not turn...I tried multiple attempts in trying to turn on the vehicle but the vehicle would not start...the car had to be towed to the dealership and my service advisor called me to let me know how much the repairs would be...she called me later on and told me that the steering wheel lock unit had to be replaced and would cost me $878.62...I find this to be highly unacceptable as this vehicle is only 4 years old and I am disappointed that I had to spend over 800 dollars to get this issue fixed....this is apparently a known issue and Nissan needs to refund my money and issue a recall.
The car would not start. A light suggesting the battery in the key was dead came on. I replaced the battery of the key and the car still wouldn't start. Others have suggested it is a steering wheel lock issue that is happening on other Nissan manufactured around the same time. I was stranded.
I was at the store went in came out car wouldn't start had to call tow truck Nissan said steering column was locked and if part is not covered under warranty the part will cost $800 I haven't had this car six months. This is a Maxima 2010.
My car won't start because the steering control lock will not disengage thus making the car inoperable. Even with a new key fob, the car does not recognize this and will not change from "lock" mode to "acc" or "on" position. Basically, my car thinks I'm a thief. I have researched this and numerous people have had this issue with 2009 and 2010 Nissan that have a push start with this steering control lock. I called Nissan to discuss the issue and see if they would extend my warranty but they declined and forced me to make a claim after getting the car towed and serviced which could be anywhere from $700-1000. I am very skeptical about getting any money back from them and am interested in taking legal action should they not take care of this matter as it is a manufacturer malfunction and has nothing to do with wear and tear of vehicle. Which, btw, the vehicle is in great shape and has had regular maintenance checks so makes this even more frustrating.
I came out to my car and the steering was locked. I was unable to start my car which left me stranded in a parking deck. After spending $140 to have it towed to the dealer because they told me they could not help me unless it was brought in, they said that it was the steering lock control unit. They also said that the part was back order until sometime in February, but they didn't know when, and that it would cost $700+. after doing some research, I have discovered that this is a known issue for Maximas 2009+, 370Z, and GT-R models that all use the same faulty part. They are charging over $500 for the part and 4 hours of labor when it actually takes only 15 min to repair. This part needs to be recalled by Nissan. My service guy said that I am the 3rd person to have this issue just this week. Absolutely ridiculous!!!
My vehicle would not start after I stopped at the store. My key light on the dash was on so I referred to the manual and it indicated a malfunction in the steering lock solenoid. After researching this I notice thousands of Nissan owners have had this same problem causing the vehicle to be stranded where ever you shut it off at. Then I had to get the vehicle towed where it cost me over $1000 to get it fixed. This should be a recall asap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I purchased my Maxima 2010 that came with the sports package, used back in September of 2011. From the day I purchased the vehicle, the steering wheel was always shaken when I break on the highway from driving 60 miles or over. On November of 2012, my Nissan Maxima 2010 push start button would not start. I had to get it towed to a nearest Nissan dealer. They wanted to replace the whole steering wheel ($700) because their defense is due to wear and tear. Is this really possible on a fairly new car because my Honda, since 2004, had never had to have the steering wheel replaced. I have researched and found that there are many complaints about this issue on different websites. I would really like to know if this possible issue is due to manufacturer's side.
I'm unable to turn on accessory ignition or start car due to defective steering wheel lock mechanism. Part #48700-JK000. Manufacture is unable to supply me with a new one. This is a known issue by Nissan motors, not just for Maxima, but all intelligent key models. Currently can't even roll windows up.
Accelerated vehicle to 50 miles up to 70 miles on highway. Vehicles steering wheel pulled to the right as if the suspension had to much power for that mileage.
The car has electronic steering and is a safety hazard in my opinion. The car will drift to the right on its own and when you steer it back to prevent running off the pavement the car veers to your left and would run off the road to your left if you do not correct it. On a straight stretch of road holding the steering wheel straight the car will dart to the left and then to the right without moving the steering wheel. On the test drive I rode in the passenger seat and could feel the car moving to the left and right, the service mgr said he could feel it also but said that was because of the crown in the road. This problem becomes a safety problem when on narrow four lane roads, you must constantly fight the steering wheel to keep the car on the road or keep from running into the car on your left. I have took the car to the dealer and was told that I would just have to get used to this because of the electronic steering is different from my previous cars. I was told there was no adjustment that could be made to correct this problem. I am 70 years old and have driven a few cars in my time and can tell you this car should not drive the way it does, it is just an accident waiting to happen. It feels as if the car is trying to drive itself without turning the steering wheel, there seems to be a problem with other vehicles with the electronic steering - ie: Toyota and Chevrolet and just wondering if they all have the same electronic steering components.. I sent Nissan an email of my concern and dissatisfaction by the dealer saying nothing could be done to correct this problem. I can't believe they are blaming their problem on the crown in the roads!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hope Mills, NC, USA