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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,418 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.

2010 Nissan Maxima engine problems

engine problem

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2010 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments

problem #7

Jun 212022

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 149,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima The contact stated that when attempting to park their vehicle and shifting into reverse while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward. The vehicle crashed into the side of the building in front and through the wall of the building causing the front end to be inside of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle had been towed. The decision to total the vehicle had not been finalized as of yet. The contact received injuries to their back and medical assistance was needed. The dealer was not made aware. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #6

Jul 132015

Maxima

  • miles
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the front passenger seat, steering wheel, and entire vehicle began to shake violently as the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #5

Dec 272013

Maxima

  • 40,123 miles
On December 27, 2013, I was driving about 60 mph. In the midst of passing a vehicle, the car stalled and would not accelerate. The vehicle had to slow down and allow me to get in front of it because by now an oncoming car was approaching. I pulled over. I talked to my trusted car repair persons and one mechanic. It was thought to be bad gas. After putting a gas treatment in the car, it ran two months just fine. Well, in the last two weeks beginning on March 8, 2014, my daughter was taking my vehicle to get an oil change to Nissan in bossier, la (closest dealership to my small hometown). She drove about 13 miles and in the midst of passing a vehicle the car began to lose power again. She pushed the gas pedal but to no avail. Only this time, not only did it decelerate but it quit altogether. The car did not have enough power to clear the highway completely, it had to be pushed. The car would crank but go dead immediately. After 5 tries, it would not start. Again, I added a gas treatment and after 5 to 10 minutes, the car started. I took it to Nissan to get an oil change. On the way home the check engine light came on. On Tuesday, March 11, 2014, I took the car back to bossier to Nissan. I got my tires rotated and the check engine light investigated. The technician told me that they did not find anything when they ran the diagnostic test. They told me everything was fine and to bring it back if the light comes on again. Well on Friday, I took it back because the check engine light came back on. Nissan technicians check the car and said everything was fine. Well, on Sunday, March 16, 2014, I was on my car home. When entering onto I-220, the car drove fine for a few miles then it began to lose acceleration. At this very moment my car is at the dealership. I am investigating this matter because I do not want my life or anyone else''s life altered or lost.

- Haynesville, LA, USA

problem #4

Aug 312011

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 35,000 miles

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

Nissan Maxima 2010 - sport edition. The cvt transmission exhibits severe lose of power on 75mph roadway driving between phoenix and flagstaff Arizona, up elevation. Lack of power is present in heavy traffic as well. On 75 mph highways 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. The vehicle will not give a code but once gave a P1778 code - faulty solenoid or step up motor. This issue occurs frequently within city driving as well, in addition to high speed highways on long drives over hilly roads climbing up elevation. In city driving the cvt will not respond when the gas pedal is depressed leaving the vehicle in the center of traffic when entering a busy highway. At other times the vehicle is able to accelerate dramatically (normal) to 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 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. Cvt fluid was changed at 44,000 miles prior to Nissan recommendation. This cvt transmission sucks and the dealerships are giving customers a hard time since the problem doesn't 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.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #3

Oct 142009

Maxima

  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3 mph, the vehicle began to accelerate without depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that there were no failures with the vehicle. The failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000 and the current mileage was 40,000.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #2

Aug 012010

Maxima

  • miles
2010 Nissan Maxima. Consumer states unintended acceleration the consumer stated as he approached a stop sign, the vehicle began to accelerate as he applied the brake. He experienced it two more times, before he took the vehicle for its initial check-up and maintenance. The dealer was unable to find a problem. On March 29, 2012, as the consumer was pulling into a parking space, the vehicle began to accelerate again. He immediately stepped on the brake and barely avoided a collision with a concrete wall. The engine started revving, so he put the car in neutral and the engine roared for a second or two before going back to normal. The dealer stated the vehicle was operating according to factory specifications. The dealer reported the vehicle was operating according to factory specifications. Updated 06/19/12 the consumer stated he has since experienced another episode with the engine racing, even as he applied the brakes. The consumer stated he could feel the tension of a tug of war between the engine and the brakes, until he put the vehicle in park. Updated 09/19/12

- Gurnee, IL, USA

problem #1

Jul 142011

Maxima

  • 6,800 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 to 30 mph, the vehicle suddenly started to slow down. After she tried to accelerate and increase speed, the vehicle did not respond; however, all of the warning lights illuminated on the instrumental panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised her that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After driving approximately 1,000 miles, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who advised her that the wire harness system failed and needed to replaced. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was waiting for a response. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 6800.

- Quincy, MA, USA

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