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2010 Nissan Maxima Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2010 Nissan Maxima carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering suspension. 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.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

SUSPENSION

Campaign #09V358000 · Sep 16, 2009

Issue: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS. THE UPPER FRONT STRUT INSULATORS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT INSULATOR TO CRACK.

Risk: IF THE STRUT INSULATOR IS CRACKED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT ROD TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION, WHICH COULD AFFECT VEHICLE STABILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT STRUT INSULATORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2010 Nissan Maxima.

Reported to NHTSA

Electronic steering column lock failure preventing start

STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

117 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2021-04

“VEHICLE WON'T START AT TIMES. HAS STRANDED MY WIFE MULTIPLE TIMES. EACH TIME REQUIRED A JUMP. THOUGHT WAS BATTERY, SO REPLACED. CONTINUED TO FAIL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10938022
“I'M THE SECOND OWNER & IT'S RUN FINE SINCE NOVEMBER 2011. YESTERDAY IT WOULDN'T START DUE TO THE FAULTY/BROKEN IGNITION SWITCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10935996
“I WENT TO PICK MY CHILD UP FROM WORK AT 1130 PM CAME BACK OUT AND CAR WOULDN'T START. IT REPEAT SAID LOCK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10667661

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front strut insulator cracking

SUSPENSION

13 NHTSA complaints · 2015-05 → 2024-02

“Passenger side strut insulator is cracked”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11443685
“STRUT INSULATOR ON PASENGER SIDE WAS CRACKED. I HAD IT REPLACED WITH NEW STRUT AND INSULATOR AND WAS IFORMED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11120969
“I BEGAN NOTICING AN ODD NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TRAVELING OVER ROUGH ROADS, POTHOLES OR BUMPS. THE NOISE QUICKLY BECAME WORSE AND MORE METALLIC SOUNDING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10717115

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Panoramic sunroof glass shattering while driving

VISIBILITY/WIPER

7 NHTSA complaints · 2015-02 → 2020-09

“PANAROMIC SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON 395”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11353062
“SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHATTERED ON HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11102577
“PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED OUTWARD FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON A STATE HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10901989

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Dashboard melting causing windshield glare

STRUCTURE

9 NHTSA complaints · 2016-05 → 2023-03

“Dash becomes very sticky from sun and heat shining on it and produces a glare that causes blind spots and makes difficult to see out front window”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11513409
“THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA BEGAN TO MELT AND IS VERY STICKY TO THE TO TOUCH AND THE GLARE MAKE IT HARD TO DRIVE IF THE SUN IS SHINING ON THE DASHBOARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11397251
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10896923

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

CVT transmission failure

POWER TRAIN

7 NHTSA complaints · 2015-05 → 2023-09

“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11543366
“CVT torque converter codes p0774 leading to total transmission replacement”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11436958
“CAR TOTALLY SLOWED TO 25MPH ON HIGHWAY WHILE TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO COLLEGE ORIENTATION. COULD'VE KILLED MY WHOLE FAMILY OR SOMEONE ELSE. CVT TRANSMISSIONS IS A FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11234449

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger airbag sensor and deployment fault

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2015-03 → 2023-05

“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the air bag sensor light illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11524424
“PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR REMAINS ON WHEN ADULT (~110 LBS) IS PRESENT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10701029
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK TWICE BY ANOTHER MOTORIST ON THE FRONT AND REAR ENDS. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10894796

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

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

Rogue AWD, Murano AWD, Pathfinder 4WD: 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)

106 crashes 2010–2024

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

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·Open recalls 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 2010 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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