2009 Nissan Maxima Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 168about this part
- Share
- 50%of 339 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 168 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Nissan Maxima, 50% of the 339 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11081367, filed 2018-03, 184,000 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #11245961, filed 2019-08, 174,000 miles“The steering lock system (an anti-theft device) failed. It locked my steering wheel and disabled the start button on the car. The car was stationary; I was stranded in a parking lot away from home with a car that would not start. Nissan is aware of the problem and had issued a TSB, but no recall. Nor was I notified of the potential problem as an owner.”
NHTSA complaint #10954324, filed 2017-02, 72,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11060840, filed 2018-01, 106,000 miles“The steering wheel lock locks and doesn't allow you to start your vehicle. This is very dangerous as I live in minnesota and had the sterrring lock trigger which left me stranded in fridged temperatures. This is a safety issue as it happen with out notice and could cause harm or death by not being able to start your vehicle. This happens when the car is placed in park and the ignition is disengaged.”
NHTSA complaint #10939492, filed 2017-01, 113,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10232652Feb 22, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10176227May 28, 2020VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2009 â 2010 MAXIMA AND ALTIMA ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK Voluntary Service Campaign ID # PC516 is No Longer Active. ï· Repair orders opened…
- 10176207May 14, 2020Expiration Notification â Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) Voluntary Service Campaign UPDATE May 14, 2020 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The original…
- 10173584Mar 6, 2020Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) Voluntary Service Campaign UPDATE March 6, 2020 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The original announcement from February…
- 10192855Feb 21, 2017Nissan is conducting a voluntary service campaign on specific MY2009-10 Nissan Altima (L32), Altima Coupe (CL32), Altima Hybrid (L32H), and Maxima (A35) vehicles to replace the…
- 10119195Feb 21, 2017Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) Voluntary Service Campaign ***** Campaign Summary***** Nissan is conducting a voluntary service campaign on specific MY2009-10 Nissan…
- 10119190Feb 20, 2017VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2009 ? 2010 MAXIMA AND ALTIMA ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the Electronic…
- 10192597Jul 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When servicing run flat tires or low profile tires: - Special equipment and procedures are required to avoid damage. - Specifically, Tire Pressure Monitor…
- 10192524Feb 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 5% |
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2017 | 4 | 4% |
| 2016 | 9 | 6% |
| 2014 | 4 | 4% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 10 | 9% |
| 2011 | 9 | 8% |
| 2010 | 158 | 57% |
| 2009 | 168 | 50% |
| 2008 | 4 | 5% |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% |
| 2006 | 17 | 3% |
| 2005 | 17 | 2% |
| 2004 | 37 | 3% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 11 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 4 | 4% |
| 1997 | 6 | 6% |
| 1996 | 7 | 7% |
| 1995 | 8 | 5% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 2% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
| 1990 | 3 | 3% |
| 1989 | 4 | 6% |
| 1988 | 3 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 1% |
| 1986 | 2 | 3% |
| 1985 | 1 | 2% |
| 1983 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2009 Nissan Maxima
79 complaintsAir bags
43 complaintsSuspension
36 complaintsOther or unknown
33 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsSeats
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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