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2009 Nissan Maxima Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Nissan Maxima has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Electronic steering column lock failure preventing start.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2009 Nissan Maxima.

Reported to NHTSA

Electronic steering column lock failure preventing start

STEERING

92 NHTSA complaints · 2015-01 → 2026-01

“MY CAR STARTED WITH NO PROBLEM EARLY MORNING TO GO TO WORK, BUT WHEN I GOT OFF IT WOULD NOT START. I SAW A KEY LIGHT ON, SO I ASSUMED THAT IT WAS MY INTELLIGENT KEY BATTERY. SO I GOT A NEW BATTERY. I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10930267
“MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THE ESCL (ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK) FAILING. NISSAN IS OFFERING TO REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE FOR VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS (NHTSA #10119190, NISSAN CAMPAIGN ID PC516). HOWEVER, NISSAN HAS STATED THAT MY VIN# IS NOT PART OF THE PROGRAM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11048773
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10935026

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power tilt/telescope steering column motor failure

STEERING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-12 → 2016-08

“I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR (FROM AN AUDI DEALERSHIP) ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AGO (AS IS) AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE STEERING PROBLEMS I'VE NOW RESEARCHED. THERE WAS THIS WEIRD GROWLING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WOULD EVENTUALLY STOP BUT IT WAS DISTURBING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10883789
“WHILE TRAVELING WEST ON THE PA TURNPIKE, MY STEERING WHEEL JUST DROPPED TO THE LOWEST POSITION!! SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME. I ENDED UP GETTING THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE STEERING POSITION UP AT LITTLE TO STAY AND LOCK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10810955
“NTB09-094 STEERING COLUMN COMFORT ADJUSTMENT THE STEERING COLUMN POWER ADJUSTMENT (TILT OR TELESCOPE) DOES NOT WORK OR MAKES ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN OPERATING THE SWITCH. ALTHOUGH IT IS KNOWN PROBLEM AND DEFECT IT IS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10683160

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front strut and suspension component failure

SUSPENSION

20 NHTSA complaints · 2015-02 → 2025-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V358000 (SUSPENSION)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10907293
“STRUT MOUNTS ARE CRACKED AND DISINTEGRATING POSING A DANGER OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS, BUT NISSAN CLAIMS THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10782381
“WEAK FRONT SPRINGS IN SUSPENSION! KNOWN DEFECT...NISSAN SHOULD ADDRESS THIS! THE NISSAN MAXIMA HAS PLENTY OF WEIGHT UP FRONT (TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE). MY 2009 MAXIMA S HAD THE LARGE FRONT COIL SPRING OF THE SUSPENSION SNAP IN HALF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TURNING A CORNER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10680855

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger-seat airbag occupant sensor fault

AIR BAGS

27 NHTSA complaints · 2015-03 → 2023-06

“The airbag warning light on the dash started blinking. The local dealer investigated and advised that the front passenger airbag occupancy sensor was defective. Repair would require complete replacement of the front passenger seat cushion at an estimated cost of about $2,000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11446224
“PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAULT LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN A PASSENGER IS OCCUPYING SEAT. NOTE THE PERSON IS NOT A CHILD IS ABOVE LIMIT TO ACTIVATE FUNCTION OF AIRBAG?”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11032787
“THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON, AND THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR FOR LESS THAN $2084., NISSAN NORTH AMERICA HAS REFUSED ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10972097

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Dashboard melting causing windshield glare

VISIBILITY/WIPER

14 NHTSA complaints · 2015-08 → 2023-04

“THE DASHBOARD HAS MELTED CAUSING SEVERE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. THIS DEFECT MAKES IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE CARS AND PEDESTRIANS. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED FOR OUR SON AND AT THIS POINT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT A NEW DASHBOARD OR AS WE HAVE IT TODAY, COVERED WITH A TOWEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11266585
“THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA MELTED AND BECAME STICKY. THE PATTERN IN THE SUBSTRATE IS NOW SMOOTH AND GLOSSY CAUSING A BLINDING GLARE WHEN DRIVING AS IT REFLECTS LIGHT DIRECTLY IN THE DRIVERS EYES, BOTH FROM THE DASH AND THE GLASS ABOVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10959696
“DASHBOARD MELTING VERY STICKY AND SHINY, VERY HARD TO SEE OUT OF WINDSHIELD WHEN SUN GLARES OFF DASHBOARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11033928

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

CVT transmission power loss

POWER TRAIN

6 NHTSA complaints · 2019-09 → 2022-03

“THE CVT TRANSMISSION ON 09- 2014 NISSAN GO OUT AND TAKE YOU TO PRACTICALLY A DEAD STOP FROM 60MPH. THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY UNDOCUMENTED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT NISSIAN HIDES/ DENIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11252810
“MY 2009 MAXIMA CURRENTLY HAS 128,00 MILES ON IT. SATURDAY 10/26 MY TRANSMISSION WENT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, HEADED TO WORK, MY CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN ALTHOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE GAS. IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11271810
“CVT transmission whinnying with loss of power when accelerating”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11456420

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD and 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

79 crashes 1990–2024

How the 79 occupant deaths break down

61

driver deaths

18

passenger deaths

79

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2009 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2009 Nissan Maxima reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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