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!

For more information, see this page on the Nissan Maxima Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) defect.

8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
86,400 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
2010 Nissan Maxima transmission problems

transmission problem

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2010 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments

problem #5

May 102017

Maxima EXL V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 122,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car started slipping and RPM elevating to where eventually car would stay high RPM. Car would not go faster than 55 mph, it stalls at times. When taking off feels like its dying. Took to be diagnosed and the total repair quote is over $4000.00. Ridiculous. They need to fix their bad CVT transmission. Will never buy another Nissan vehicle. Beautiful car outside, not so good inside.

- Jason M., Bayard, US

problem #4

Mar 212016

Maxima SV 3.5L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 121,000 miles

My Maxima has had many issues throughout its 6 years of life and I'm really annoyed at the fact that Nissan will not recognize their issues. Furthermore, they will not offer to repair these issues at no charge even though the transmission is covered for 120K miles and my car has 122K!

- victor2581, Rialto, CA, US

problem #3

Sep 212015

Maxima SV 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

This is my 3rd Maxima and each one the failure was the TRANSMISSION!! Will report the other two previously owned Maximas.

- Latanya A., Ellenwood, GA, US

problem #2

Dec 012014

Maxima

  • CVT transmission
  • 56,000 miles

doesnt respond to acceleration until 35-40+ mph

its been happening but i ignored it cause it wasnt bad. but now it got worse. ill be going to take it in for a tune to see if it was that. but a solution ive seen that worked was replace the cvt valve assembly in the transmission. but i dont want to do that as its a EXPENSIVE fix almost 1k just for the part not counting what labor will cost. but hopefully a tune will solve the problem because im regretting getting this car.

- knucks7thgen, charlotte, NC, US

problem #1

Mar 022012

Maxima SV 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 44,000 miles

Nissan Maxima 2010 SV - Sport Edition, 300 horsepower. The CVT transmission exhibits severe lose of power on 75mph roadway driving between Phoenix and Flagstaff Arizona, up elevation. The Lack of power is also present in heavy city traffic as well. On 75 mph highways going up hills the CVT begins to whine, the engine has high RPM, loud whining noise from CVT, and car gets stuck in 6th gear in both manual shift mode and drive mode. The vehicle will not accelerate or maintain speed with other vehicles at the posted 75 mph speed limit going up hills.

The vehicle will not give an engine code but once gave a P1778 Code - faulty solenoid or step up motor. This lost of power also occurs frequently within city driving as well. In heavy city traffic driving the CVT will not respond when the Gas pedal is depressed leaving the vehicle in the center of traffic when entering or crossing a busy 3-4 lane main street. At other times the vehicle is able to accelerate dramatically, even with tires screeching (normal operation), to reach the speed of cars on a busy main street (55mph). And, then suddenly the car just lacks power when entering a busy 3-4 lane street (55 mph) and you find yourself in the middle of busy 3-4 lane street, gas pedal fully depressed and no acceleration, with approaching oncoming traffic. The vehicle is barely able to get itself out of the way at full throttle.

The problem has been getting progressively worst and did not occur when the car was purchased new. The CVT fluid was changed at 44,000 miles and at 94,000 miles both prior to Nissan maintenance recommendations. This CVT transmission sucks and the Nissan dealerships are giving customers a hard time since the problem does not give a engine trouble Code. The code P1778 eventually is cleared from the computer on its own when it does occur. The problem with this CVT transmission persists and is a major safety issue because the vehicle will suddenly fail to accelerate and maintain the posted speed limit during city driving and on high speed highways. Besides that I purchased this car brand new and it is a bad purchase with very poor support from Nissan corporation.

- Jeremy A., Phoenix, AZ, US

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