Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

2009 nissan Maxima steering problems

moderate 168 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700

Complaints
168
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$700

What owners are reporting 8 most recent

steering · filed 12/30/2012

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 7 MONTH EARLIER. ON LINE RESEARCH WOULD SUGGEST THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE; A NISSAN SERVICE BULLETIN HAS APPARE…

steering · filed 12/29/2014

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 DEALER, THEY SAID THE MOTOR HAS GONE OUT IN STEER/TILT AND IT WILL COST CLOSE TO $500.00 TO GET FIXED. *TR

steering · filed 12/29/2012

STEERING COMPONENT - TELESCOPE AND TILT FUNCTION: 1. THE STEERING COLUMN TELESCOPING FUNCTION STOPPED WORKING AND CAN NO LONGER BE ADJUSTED LEAVING THE STEERING WHEEL IN A LOCKED POSITION. POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IF THE STEERING WHEEL CANNOT BE MOVED FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM THE DRIVER IF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYS DURING A FRONTAL CRASH. 2. STEERING WHEEL TILT FUNCTION STOPPED WORKING AND CAN NO LONGER BE AD…

steering · filed 12/27/2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING LOCK UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE NECESSARY PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BECOM…

steering · filed 12/18/2012

ON DECEMBER 17, 2012 I HAD DRIVEN FROM MY HOUSE TO THE GYM. THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH MY CAR AND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE MY CAR WOULD NOT START. MY NISSAN MAXIMA HAS A PUSH START IGNITION AND WHEN I PUSHED THE BUTTON NOTHING HAPPENED. IN THE DISPLAY IT KEPT INDICATING THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT AND THE RED KEY SECURITY LIGHT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER WHO TOLD ME THE STEERING LOCK ASSE…

steering · filed 12/17/2015

WHILE TRAVELING WEST ON THE PA TURNPIKE, MY STEERING WHEEL JUST DROPPED TO THE LOWEST POSITION!! SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME. I ENDED UP GETTING THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE STEERING POSITION UP AT LITTLE TO STAY AND LOCK. DROVE THE CAR BACK TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO TELL ME THAT THE MOTOR FOR THE STEERING WHEEL TILT AND/OR TELESCOPIC NEEDS REPLACED!! WHAT A…

steering · filed 12/17/2015

UPON SUCCESSFULLY UNLOCKING THE CAR, THE PUSH IGNITION FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE KEYFOB WAS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR, EVEN SET OFF THE PANIC ALARM BUT PRESSING THE IGNITION BUTTON WOULD NOT MOVE THE CAR OUT OF "LOCK" POSITION. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 1.5 HRS BEFORE HAVING BEEN DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES. UPON DIAGNOSIS BY A LICENSED MECHANIC, THE ELECTRONIC S…

steering · filed 12/15/2016

CAR WILL NOT START WITH THE ELECTRIC PUSH BUTTON. IT SEEMS TO BE THE ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK MECHANISM ACTUATOR. NISSAN WANTS TO CHARGE $1000 FOR THE PART AND $400 LABOR. IT TOOK US 15 MINS TO TAKE THE PART OUT OURSELVES AND UNPLUGGED IT AND PLUGGED IT BACK IN. IT DID WORK A FEW TIMES BUT NOW IT WONT WORK AGAIN. LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO BUY THE PART WHICH IS ON AMAZON FOR AROUND $400.00. THIS IS A…

Common questions

How serious is the steering problem on the 2009 nissan Maxima?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 168 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the steering typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to steering?

No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.

Other problem areas on this vehicle

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
Get a free warranty quote →