CarComplaints.com Notes: We don't recommend the 2009 Maxima nearly as highly as the 2007-2008 Maxima, because NHTSA complaints show a pattern of the electronic steering column lock module failing.
When the module fails it prevents the car from starting, & Nissan dealers charge over $1,000 (!!) to repair it. Nissan recalled the module on some other 2009 models with the same steering lock problem, but for some reason they left out the 2009 Maxima. See this page on the Nissan Maxima Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) defect.
If you're thinking about buying a 2009 Maxima, instead you might consider a 2007-2008 Maxima, or a newer model year.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,197 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.
Not sure what is goiNg I have spent so Much money replaciNg parts on this car. And it is still not fixed. It-€™s one thing after Another. I cannot fight out why the engine light is on its like the whole care is malfunctioning. And no one knows what it is. And heavy smoke From tail pipe. While driving it feels Like It Wants to StAll like the gas gets stuck. I was told To buy a control module but it didn-€™t need that. And I can-€™t Afford To Keep trying to Fix it. It-€™s my only Car and I-€™m A non working single Mom trying my Best to fix it. But this car is Causing So Much depression I don-€™t know what else to do. Because it-€™s costing too much and times is already hard.
Electrical and ac failure, spent a lot of money and couldn't really afford to spend bc I was trying to get my ac repaired and no ine can figure out what the problem is. The warm weather is approaching and I cannot have my self and my child sweating bullets again this year. Purchased a new ac compressor, new ac condenser and had the ac charged still not fix to it. Have several people check for leaks ect and ac compressor doesn't even kick in at all and no one knows why.
The battery ran out, I sent it to a mechanic, a fault arrives and now the transmission fails, it does not accelerate when it does so, it gives me a code P0746 I do not know what to do see how they can help me thanks
My vehicle was driven to and parked at my place of employment in the am and by noon my vehicle would not start. I was leaving my job by noon to go to the hospital- sequentially I was I'll. I had to get a ride to handle my medical needs. I later had to have my car towed to nissian, where I was billed for a recalled item: The electronic steering column lock which has been part of recall since 2017.
Passenger side air bag sensors keeps on resetting as no one is sitting on the seat. I have to tell the passenger to jump on the seat for the "air bag off" light to reset. The cvt transmission putter at low speed with a with lots of noise, I have to give it more gas for the noise to stop. The passenger front door lock and driver side rear door lock does not unlock. Fog light on the car is not working, I was told my a mechanic that the relay switch that is built into the steering column is no good and will need to be replaced.
- Thomaston, CT, USA
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The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start when the remote start was depressed on the key. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The car loses power as I'm driving, I replaced alternator and fuel pump I'm at around $1100 in with repairs and labor. The problem still exist I turn car on and drive within 10 mins the car loses power and acceleration then eventually dies. This happened on the highway on one occasion, very frustrating and scary to say the least. It's not the battery cuz it's also new. This is getting scary and ridiculous.
2015 Hyundai genesis sedan. Radio, navigation, xm, tcd/dvd won't play. Screen comes in and out constantly. Battery drains. On my 2nd battery. Been back and forth to service. 50,000 miles. Hyundai now includes warranty for 2016 models because of these problems"?"
The car, while driving, reverts back to idle RPM and pressing the gas pedal does not propel the car. This happened after being repaired by Nissan. On another occasion it completely lost power while driving.
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.
Stopped at conveniance store and shut car off. Tried to restart car and it won't start. Had it towed to the dealer ship where I bought it. Found that it was the steering lock that had failed. Cost to replace was 1300 dollars. Found out this is a high failure part and should have been recalled.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that there was a progressing failure in which the push button start failed to function. The contact indicated that the ignition lock mechanism internally malfunctioned, which prevented the vehicle from starting on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for further diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
The electronic steering column lock went out and I was unable to start my car. I had to have the car towed to the dealership for which I had to pay $1,100 to get a problem fixed I never even heard of. There was an extended warranty on this part that "expired" a year and a half ago. Nissan never recalled this part that is clearly a problem.
Steering lock module failure causes car to lock ignition and prevents starting. No failure warning before car becomes disabled. Web search reveals this is a common problem and should be covered under recall. Nissan refuses to acknowledge this problem covers multiple years and models. No notification from Nissan warning this problem was occurring over several years. Over $1000 to repair. My vehicle left me stranded when I stopped at a overlook on afton mountain. Required towing to nearest dealer for repair.
I went outside to start my vehicle and it wouldn't start..the steering wheel is locked and I can't get it unlocked..the steering wheel symbol with 2 up and down arrows on both sides of it lights up on the dash and a red flash in car symbol with a key in the center of it is on along with the lock word on the push button..it won't go past the lock button when I try to start it.
My 2009 Nissan Maxima is no longer starting and the brake and steering wheel have locked. It does not recognize that I have a key even though I do. Any attempt to start the vehicle results in a sporadic tick tick or screeching type noise for lack of a better word.
Escl part is defective. Makes car completely inoperable. Manufacturer knows original part is defective but no recall. Extended warranty has expired and now part cost has doubled. Part was $380 but now is $680 with a slightly different part number. Cost doubled after warranty expired!
Steering lock box repair. Extended warranty was issued & needs to be extended indefinitely. This is a manufacturer defect. Consumers will experience this inconvenience at different lifecycles of the vehicle & should be given the same reimbursements/courtesy as other 2009 Nissan Maxima or Altima owners.
Electronic steering column lock. 41.4 K miles on car. Parked car, went to start, key light went on and the car was immobilized. Towed to dealership, filed a report with Nissan. Warranty extension specific to this issue no longer available by 6 months. $1,071 repair denied by Nissan because it was out of warranty. Could have been major safety issue if I was stuck in a remote location.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cameron, NC, USA