Nissan Maxima problems
339 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The passenger seat airbag deactivates when an adult is seated properly in the seat. It will work sometimes and not work others. There is no reasoning between the ability for the airbag to stay active or not. After researching this issue, it seems that there are numerous…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the power wheel lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the…
Steering/brake lock failed to disengage with attempted engine start up. Key indicator light and security lights flashing on dash. Steering lock required replacement after car was towed to nearest Nissan dealership. This repair was not covered under warranty which had expired…
In august of 2014 I got in my car, 2009 Nissan maxima, started it. Memory is set for my drivers seat. Seat set as normal. Steering/tilt did not move as it is set to my position. Did not move in, out, up nor down tried to set it, did not work manually either. Took my car to…
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Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 339 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Nissan Maxima is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Nissan Maxima?
The 2009 Nissan Maxima is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Nissan Maxima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 168 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 73,273 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 73,273 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Maxima has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Nissan Maxima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 339 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.