The 2009 Nissan Maxima has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 26,398 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 460 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION09V3580002009-09-1626,398 affected
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.
Consequence
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).
Complaints by component
STEERING
165
1crashes1fires1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
78
1fires
AIR BAGS
40
4crashes4injuries
SUSPENSION
35
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
33
ENGINE
18
SEATS
15
POWER TRAIN
10
VISIBILITY/WIPER
7
WHEELS
5
Total complaints460
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2009 nissan maxima. The contact stated that after the windshield was replaced by safelite auto glass, the employee at safelite attempted to start the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start, and the steering wheel had seized. The vehicle was…”
“The contact owns a 2009 nissan maxima. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the front end of the vehicle started shuddering uncontrollably. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact was able to continue driving to the residence at 20 mph. The dealer and the…”
“The contact owns a 2009 nissan maxima. The contact received notification of an undisclosed recall. The contact stated that while the vehicle was off, the push-to-start button was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to start. The immobilizer warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a…”
“The contact owns a 2009 nissan maxima. The contact received notification of an undisclosed recall. The contact stated that while the vehicle was off, the push-to-start button was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to start. The immobilizer warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a…”
“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. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with…”
“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. This issue was confirmed and reproduced by the dealer with diagnostics. There were no symptoms prior to this issue and…”
“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. Now, 11/27/2023 we had the same issue with the steering lock mechanism where…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2009 Nissan Maxima as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.