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:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,278 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.
I have parked my vechickle and after 10 min. I couldn't start engine. In Nissan service they told me that I need replace electric steering column lock ($830). They told me too, that was recall on that part but unfortunately has expired.
Two days after I bought my car from the dealership I had to have it towed from my house because it was unsafe to drive, field steering was so out of control I had a hard time keeping in my lane the brakes were if you were to just touch the brakes the slightest you would go out the windshield practically. After they claimed to have fixed the steering issues, I picked my car up from the shop and I was going down the city street and it jerked so hard to the right that I jumped the curb almost hit a bush and three people walking in the dealership told me it was my problem not theirs.
The electronic streering column lock was stuck and my car was unable to start twice. It happened once when I was at home and I got it replaced. Now it has happened again while I was at work.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle did not start. The steering locked without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called (hilltop Nissan located at 258 state route 10, East hanover, NJ 07936) and was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed to file a complaint with the manufacturer's Consumer Affairs. The contact did so and was told there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.
While I was driving on the highway I stopped to get gas at a rest stop and my car would not start thereafter. After much research this vehicle has a campaign for the electronic steering lock through Nissan. I contacted Nissan and was told due to the age and mileage of the vehicle they would not be able to reimburse ! due to malfunction my car should have the appropriate steering box identified in their campaign. The dealership and Nissan corporation refused to abide by their own campaign and denied any reimbursement for repairs.
- Gloucester, MA, USA
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The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to gastonia Nissan (2275 E franklin blvd, gastonia, nc 28054, (855) 274-8641) where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the electronic steering lock and the steering box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the VIN was not included in a manufacturer recall campaign regarding the electronic steering column lock. The dealer also stated that the struts were corroded and needed repair; however, the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V358000 (suspension). The manufacturer provided case number: 38170451. The failure mileage was approximately 10,684.
Power steering fluid leaks completely out and have to refill every two weeks. I was driving down the parkway and my RPM kept jumping slightly. Got off my exit to my university and stopped at a light, then it wouldn't move. After letting it sit for a while I could get it to move across a parking lot, but it shook the whole time and wouldn't go over 1200 RPM. It eventually went completely out and now it doesn't move at all. It is also smoking upon starting it now.
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
Control arms both need repair, repeated issues with tire inflation gauges, tire wear, struts, and steering. Needed repair costing $2700 to replace control arms.
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.
Nissan has a recall on certain 2009 Nissan Maximas electronic steering lock assembly. My Maxima is not part of the recall. However, in July of 2014 during routine service at a Nissan dealership the electronic steering lock was replaced. A few days ago it failed again, I had to tow it to the same dealership, I was informed that Nissan will not cover any part of the cost of $797.19. My case number with Nissan usa is 29509408. I'm asking for the replacement cost and $40 for towing cost for a part that was involved in a recall and had to be replaced twice.
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.
Oct 9, 2017, drove the car for 15 minutes, to destination. When ready to leave, car would not start, after pushing starter button. Change fob key battery and still would not start. Steering wheel was locked in upright position. Car towed to dealer. Dealer states the steering column lock is faulty. Replacement cost $1100+. this should be a recall item, obviously, it can happen at any given time and be an endangerment to stranded occupants.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the engine failed to start and the key warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel locked up. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. While the vehicle was idling in the driveway at home, a fire erupted from the front of the vehicle and underneath the vehicle. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The dealer diagnosed that the high pressure power steering hose leaked power steering fluid onto the exhaust manifold and started the fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 177,000.
I own a 2009 Nissan Maxima, never had nay problems with the car except for routine work done. I clocked out of work and went to start my car and the car did not start. The wheel and brakes were locked on me and I could not take the vehicle out of park to shift it. My key light appeared on my dash and I looked it up in my manual and saw it was the steering lock.. needless to say I had to pay to tow my car from work to the dealership and it cost me $1113 to fix the steering lock unit.. to my knowledge I never was notified or received a letter telling me about the extended warranty abput the steering lock. I feel like the warranty should be forever because what if this steering lock unit I replaced goes out on me again leaving me stranded somewhere else and then I have to pay another $1113 to fix... way to go Nissan!!!!!!!!
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.
2009 Maxima with 87,000 miles was operational throughout the day; we parked at a business establishment for lunch February 4, 2017 (winter; cloudy no rain or snow) outdoor temperature 45 F. when returning to vehicle, car would not start: Steering wheel locked and intellikey system would not function; blinking dash light indicated car was in lock-down mode. Had to call tow truck - after 75 minutes wait car was towed to Nissan dealer for repair (still waiting). This is the second time the steering lock mechanism & ignition switch assembly locked up in this very same car (that time was October 2012 with 46,000 miles on the car). This is a serious problem since this appears to happen at random; luckily no one was hurt and it didn't happen in a dangerous situation or vicious weather. Previous repair was still under warranty, but I suspect this repair will be quite costly. The car should not lock up like this for no reason. The steering lock mechanisms appears to be either a faulty design or have problems functioning. Please investigate and have this part recalled or repaired.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Milton, GA, USA