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Engine coolingPart report

2009 Nissan Maxima Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
1%of 339 total for the year
Median mileage
70,750miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2009 Nissan Maxima, 1% of the 339 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,750 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My family and I were driving south bound on the new jersey turnpike at 75 MPH and the car shutdown, it would not accelerate and lost power. Luckily we were in the right lane and I acted quickly to turn on the hazards and get off the highway on to the shoulder to avoid a serious accident. This car only has ~16000 miles as well as all of its scheduled maintenance is up to date. …”

NHTSA complaint #10453400, filed 2012-03, 16,123 miles

“The engine would not turn over or start and the steering wheel is locked. A small yellow key appears on the left side of the left instrument dial. The intelligent key does not engage. Web research indicates probable steering lock failure. The car was towed to nearest Nissan dealer today feb. 5 who confirmed that steering lock has failed. The dealer service personnel tells me the replacement part is on back order, none of the other dealers in the washington dc area have one. …”

NHTSA complaint #10563171, filed 2014-02, 59,500 miles

“The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the engine was running hot and there was thick white smoke coming from the exhaust tips. In addition, the vehicle stalled and was restarted however the vehicle shut off. The contact mentioned that the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 178,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11441250, filed 2021-11, 178,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201813%
201621%
201222%
201122%
201031%
200941%
200823%
200765%
2006244%
2005404%
2004705%
20035426%
20023015%
20012816%
20007220%
19993823%
199854%
19971212%
19961718%
19952214%
19941820%
19931013%
19922220%
1991811%
199077%
198923%
19881220%
19872112%
1986915%
19851324%
1984310%
1983240%

Other parts of the 2009 Nissan Maxima

Steering
168 complaints
Electrical system
79 complaints
Air bags
43 complaints
Suspension
36 complaints
Other or unknown
33 complaints
Engine
18 complaints
Seats
15 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
11 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints
Body and structure
8 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Wheels
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Nissan Maxima

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology