MYRModel Year Report

2009 Nissan Maxima

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2009 Nissan Maxima
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
339
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 2009

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Steering

50% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 63 complaints 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1997: 102 complaints 1998: 113 complaints 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2000 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 1,425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2009 339 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 104 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaint
1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1985 1986: 63 complaints 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1991 1992: 110 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1997: 102 complaints 1997 1998: 113 complaints 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2000 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2003 2004: 1,425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2009 339 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2015 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 104 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2021 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaint
1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1984 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 63 complaints 1986 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1990 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1992 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1996 1997: 102 complaints 1998: 113 complaints 1998 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2000 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2002 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 1,425 complaints 2004 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2009 339 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2014 2015: 1 complaint 2016: 142 complaints 2016 2017: 104 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2020 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2022 2023: 1 complaint

2009: 339 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19824
19835
198430
198554
198663
1987178
198860
198964
1990106
199177
1992110
199378
199489
1995152
199696
1997102
1998113
1999165
2000360
2001172
2002205
2003206
20041,425
2005948
2006576
2007129
200879
2009339
2010275
2011106
2012107
201362
201496
20151
2016142
2017104
201836
201918
202021
20213
20225
20231

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

50% · 170 reports

Most commonly citing anti-theft device and column.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-07-25

The steering wheel lock malfunctioned. The part is available for inspection. The car was parked on the street. It endangered others because it would not start and had to be towed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-03

In 2016 we had to replace the steering lock mechanism. Went to start the car and a security light came on and car would not start , and had to get the car towed from work. We paid to have the part replaced on 12/23/2016.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-28

Electrical system

23% · 79 reports

Most commonly citing key/sender.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that at engine startup, the check engine warning light illuminated and sparks became visible once the hood was opened. The fire department was contacted and a report was filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-19

Air bags

13% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and front passenger.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while at a complete stop, another vehicle driving approximately 70 MPH, crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained hips and back pain.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-02-09

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. While driving 30 MPH, a vehicle ran a stop sign and crashed into the front driver's door of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-02

Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact's vehicle was struck on the front driver side by another vehicle. The air bags deployed and the vehicle was destroyed. The contact was injured and a police report was filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-06-02

Suspension

11% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing front.

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal knocking sound emanating from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-01

Engine

5% · 18 reports

Safety timeline

1 recall · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2009Complaint volume 339 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2009-10-08Suspension09V358000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2009 Nissan Maxima — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 170 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 79 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 45 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 09V358000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2009 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Nissan Maxima is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Maxima?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Maxima have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.