2009 Nissan Maxima problems
Owners have filed 460 complaints about the 2009 Nissan Maxima with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 37% of them — the clear leader, ahead of electrical system at 17.2%.
Complaints460
Crashes7
Fires2
Injuries6
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Steering 37.0% · 170
Electrical system 17.2% · 79
Air bags 9.8% · 45
Suspension 7.8% · 36
Unknown or other 7.2% · 33
Engine 3.9% · 18
Seats 3.3% · 15
Power train 2.4% · 11
Severity
Of those complaints, 7 describe a crash, 2 describe a fire and 6 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 24 model years of the Nissan Maxima in this data, 2009 sits 5th by complaint volume. 2004 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 25 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 70,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, the steering wheel was in a locked position and would not unlock. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The dealer stated that they needed to replace the gear box motor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 47,000. Steering · reported at 36,000 miles
Car would not start on a blistery cold day. Luckily, it happened infront of my house, but I then had to get towed to a garage because the windows went down when I tried to start the car. Steering wheel is locked. "Key" light turns on. All functions on fob still work and the car had a brand new battery installed 3 months ago. Seems to be the steering lock module which has caused the car not to start. Steering · reported at 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. While parked, the contact attempted to adjust the steering wheel and was unable to because the steering column remained locked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician advised that the motors in the steering column would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000. Steering · reported at 46,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…