Owners filed 275 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 1 time.
When it fails
06500065,000 milesMedian miles at failure
237 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Steering
117
0
0
0
Electrical System
52
1
1
2
Unknown or Other
15
0
1
0
Suspension
15
1
0
0
Air Bags
13
4
0
5
Engine
10
0
0
0
Structure › Body
9
0
0
0
Power Train
9
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
4
0
0
0
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
3
0
0
2
1 safety recall
Part 573 reports
Suspension09V358000
Filed Sep 16, 200926,398 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.
Defect. 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.
Remedy. 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).
What owners reported
Newest filings
Suspension
Filed Mar 19, 2024TN
Yes the tire sensor light is on and the suspension has gone out and I have been advised that it needs struts and sway bar links and that I can not drive it or it will cause a wreck/collision.. Nissan has a recall on Nissan maximas for suspension but said my model is not included and what is recalled on other maximas is exactly what’s wrong with mine! My car sounds like it’s about to fall apart.
Suspension › Multiple Axle
Filed Feb 8, 2024260,000 milesAL
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the front wheels. The stabili-trak and ABS warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the tire pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed passenger’s side CV axle, cracked struts on the front driver's side and front passenger's side. In addition, the axle on the front driver's side would need to be replaced soon. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.
Power Train
Filed Sep 8, 2023157,000 milesMD
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. The contact then stated that the RPM’s failed to increase. Additionally, the contact stated that while shifted into reverse, he heard a whining sound then the vehicle half shifted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer and had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the Extended Warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.
Unknown or Other
Filed May 31, 2023OH
Things keep getting into my air filter/ air filter box and airflow sensor such as leaves, sunflower seeds, cigarette butts, sticks. This has happened multiple times. Drive my car daily
Air Bags
Filed May 30, 20236,247 milesVA
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the air bag sensor light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer and the mechanic retrieved DTC: B10180CS (Passenger Side Air Bags sensor). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,247.
Structure › Body
Filed Mar 23, 2023TN
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. Can't see what is out there depending on direction sun hits dash. If sun is coming from straight ahead makes a glare that is very difficult to see anything in front of you. Makes it difficult to see traffic lights or pedestrians which could cause dangerous harm to pedestrians, other drivers, or myself and passengers. Went to local Nissan dealer and was told the only fix would be to replace dashboard at my expense even though it is a common problem because there are no recalls on this issue. I purchased the vehicle used from another owner and was not aware of the problem and just thought it was something sticky that could be wiped off but found out it is a known problem when I went to dealer with issue.
Engine
Filed Sep 19, 2022TN
While driving to work car stalled going 20MPH, no power brakes, no power steering, coasted to safe side of road. Waited ten minutes car pressed start car restarted. Five days later, going to store, driving 35 mph, car stalled while running, no power steering, no power brakes, coasted to safe side of road. Waited ten minutes car restarted. This is an on going safety problem. My father in law had this same vehicle and he was afraid to drive it because of the same issues.
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 18, 2022TN
Car shuts down while driving. Hard to get back started. It runs for 30 min and when you apply gas the car shuts down. Seems like this is an issue on several year models. Try replacing fuel pump and that didn’t happen. Has a new battery and there is still and issue
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 28, 2022149,000 milesGA
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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Dec 23, 202170,000 milesNY
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while attempting to open their front driver side door, but it would not open all the way locking in a place where there is a small space from the door and frame. The contact had to force and push the door back closed and attempt to reopen the door, but it would not open at all. The contact had to enter the vehicle from the front passenger side door. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed the failure latch assembly was disconnected and repaired the latch assembly, however, the failure occurred again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Suspension
Filed Dec 13, 2021VA
Passenger side strut insulator is cracked
Engine
Filed Dec 13, 2021VA
Motor mount is cracked causing engine to shudder
Suspension
Filed Nov 23, 2021148,000 milesPA
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the steering wheel began to violently shake without warning as his vehicle also began to wobble uncontrollably. The contact stated that the wobbling came to a stop once he released his foot off the accelerator pedal. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a cracked strut insulator. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V358000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
Power Train
Filed Oct 15, 2021OH
CVT torque converter codes p0774 leading to total transmission replacement.
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 17, 2021TX
I bought this vehicle used and with the dash being defective from the heat and humidity, it puts off a glare on the windshield which makes it extremely difficult to see through.
Electrical System
Filed Apr 5, 2021SC
MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKING ASSEMBLY WENT OUT AND I'M NOT ABLE TO CRANK MY CAR. APPARENTLY MY 2010 WASN'T AVAILABLE IN THE RECALL OR CAMPAIGN . IT QUIT WORKING IN MY DRIVEWAY
Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 10, 2021FL
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING A GLARE FROM THE WINDSHIELD! WHEN I CALLED NISSAN, I WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. HOWEVER THIS A DEFECTIVE PART FROM THEIR MANUFACTOR THATS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO NOT SEE!
Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 21, 2021SC
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.THIS BEGIN TO HAPPEN IN 2018.I CALLED TO DEALER AND THE NISSAN COMPANY,BUT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE DONE ABOUT MY PROBLEM .
Power Train
Filed Feb 3, 2021122,000 milesID
MY TRANSMISSION SOUNDS VERY LOUD WHEN I ACCELERATE UNTIL I GET TO ABOUT 55 MPH. IT SEEMS TO FEEL ROUGH AS WELL DURING THAT PERIOD. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE. MY PASSENGER SEAT DOESN'T BLOW COLD AIR
Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Sep 16, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.