DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Nissan Maxima steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2010 Nissan Maxima have filed 157 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 67,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
157
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Maxima | 17 |
| 2007 Maxima | 7 |
| 2008 Maxima | 4 |
| 2009 Maxima | 168 |
| 2010 Maxima (this page) | 157 |
| 2011 Maxima | 9 |
| 2012 Maxima | 10 |
| 2014 Maxima | 4 |
When does it fail?
Of the 157 steering complaints filed for the 2010 Nissan Maxima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
How fast does it fail?
Cumulative share of the 14 mileage-bearing steering complaints filed against the 2010 Nissan Maxima by each odometer reading. Median failure: 87,192 mi.
10% have failed by51,000 mi
Half the fleet by87,192 mi
90% have failed by132,796 mi
Curve based on owner-reported odometer mileage at the time of complaint. Reflects when owners filed, not when symptoms first appeared. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve.
What stands out
Steering accounts for 57% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 9 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 157 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2009 â 2010 MAXIMA AND ALTIMA ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK Voluntary Service Campaign ID # PC516 is No Longer Active. ï· Repair orders opened after May 28, 2020 are no longer eligible for reimbursement under Campaign ID # PC516. ï· Discard previous versions of NTB17-018.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Expiration Notification â Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) Voluntary Service Campaign UPDATE May 14, 2020 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The original announcement from February 21, 2017 has been revised to include: ï· Service Comm will deactivate PC516 on any unremedied VINs on May 29, 2020. ï· Dealers may continue to schedule and repair vehicles eligible for this service campaign up to and including May 28, 2020. ï· Vehicles presented for repair after May 28, 2020 will not be covered by this service campaign and any repair will be performed at customer expense if no service contract exists. o Either of the following parts may be used for service repairs at cust
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) Voluntary Service Campaign UPDATE March 6, 2020 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The original announcement from February 21, 2017 has been revised to include: ï· - Service Comm will deactivate PC516 on any unremedied VINs on May 29, 2020. ï· - Dealers may continue to schedule and repair vehicles eligible for this service campaign up to and including May 29, 2020. ï· - Vehicles presented for repair after May 29, 2020 will not be covered by this service campaign and any repair will be performed at customer expense if no service contract exists.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2010 Nissan Maxima steering system generates two distinct complaint clusters: electronic steering lock failures that prevent vehicle start-up, and unstable steering behavior at highway speeds.
The electronic steering lock assembly (ESCL) repeatedly fails with no warning, leaving owners stranded. The car refuses to start, the brake pedal becomes hard to depress, and a "key" warning light appears on the dash. Owners report the intelligent key fob still locks and unlocks doors, but the push-button ignition won't respond—the car treats the owner like a thief attempting theft. Affected vehicles range from 40,000 to 82,700 miles, yet some fail as early as 52,000 miles. Towing and diagnosis are mandatory since only a dealership can clear the immobilizer lock-out. Repair costs consistently run $700 to $1,100, sometimes higher. Nissan extended warranty coverage only for 2009 models—identical part, same failure mode, but 2010 owners get no coverage. Multiple owners state the part is backordered nationwide, some waiting 40–60 days with no guarantee.
The second failure involves erratic steering feel: the car drifts right on straight road, lurches left when corrected, or bounces/clunks at low speeds and 60 mph. One owner spent on wheel alignment and new tires chasing the cause. Dealers claim nothing is wrong or blame road crown; independent shops cannot isolate a root cause after days of diagnosis.
Owners cite frustration that Nissan acknowledges the ESCL defect in recall paperwork yet refuses to extend that same campaign to the 2010 model year, despite the same part number failing identically across both years.
Same Nissan Maxima steering reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) Malfunction
Electronic steering lock assembly fails to disengage, preventing engine start and locking out the key recognition system. Vehicle becomes immobilized with no warning. Owners report the intelligent key fob continues to lock/unlock doors, but the push-button ignition will not respond and remains in 'LOCK' position. Hard brake pedal and yellow 'KEY' warning light on dash are concurrent symptoms.
When: Failures occur between 40,000 and 82,700 miles; one owner reported failure at 52,000 miles on CPO vehicle purchased 5 months prior. No predictable pattern; vehicle operates normally immediately before failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start despite key fob present and functional for door locks; Push-button ignition remains in LOCK position, will not transition to ACC or ON; Brake pedal becomes extremely hard to depress or locked in place; Yellow or red 'KEY' warning light illuminates on dashboard; Intelligent key fob functions for door lock/unlock but does not enable ignition; No engine cranking sound; complete electrical silence or no response from start button; Steering wheel may or may not physically lock
Codes mentioned: ESCL Unit Failure (Part #48700-9N00B / 487009N00B), Steering Lock Assembly Defect, Electronic Steering Control Unit Malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Requires complete replacement of ESCL unit (Part #48700-9N00B) and lock bolts/screws (Part #48703-06F0A). Labor cited as 15 minutes to 4 hours depending on dealer, though dealers charge for extensive diagnosis. Repair costs $700–$1,104; parts cost $500–$700, labor $200–$400 plus tax. Multiple owners report parts on national backorder, wait times 40–60 days with no guarantee. Towing cost $50–$200. One owner had $967.50 dealership bill, another $1,104 with military discount (originally $1,650 quoted).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued extended warranty (6 years/unlimited miles) for 2009 Maxima and Altima models with same ESCL defect (per WBI/13-009 warranty statement). Extended warranty NOT offered for 2010 models despite identical part number and failure mode. Nissan states 2010 VINs 'do not match' recall campaign even when manufactured in 2009. Nissan Customer Affairs denies reimbursement claims, citing 36-month/36,000-mile factory warranty expiration. Nissan advises owners out of warranty to call 1-800-NISSAN1 for possible future consideration but provides no commitment. One owner reports dealership saying 'nothing wrong' despite verified ESCL failure. Some owners report Nissan acknowledged the defect exists but refuses responsibility for 2010 model year.
Unstable Steering Feel and Directional Drift
Steering column exhibits erratic behavior: vehicle drifts or veers to the right on straight roads without driver input, lurches violently to the left when corrected, bounces or clunks at low speed turning and initial acceleration, and bounces/wobbles at highway speeds (approx. 60 mph). One owner reports feeling the steering 'trying to drive itself.' Dealer response is dismissal ('get used to it' or blames road crown).
When: Issues reported at low speeds (parking lot maneuvers, slow turns, slow braking), high speeds (60+ mph), and during initial acceleration. One owner experienced symptoms since purchase in 2013 and continuing; another since delivery of used 2010 in 2015. No specific mileage trigger identified.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle drifts to the right on straight road without steering wheel input; Sudden veer to left when driver corrects rightward drift; Clunk or thud sound in front passenger side at low speed/slow turns/slow braking; Steering column jolts or bounces erratically at approximately 60 mph; Steering wheel feels as if car is driving itself without driver input; Car pulls/veers to right at low and high speeds; Difficulty maintaining lane on narrow four-lane roads; must constantly fight steering wheel
Codes mentioned: Electronic steering system malfunction (unconfirmed root cause)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner purchased lifetime wheel alignment and balancing package ($cost unspecified), new wheels and tires ($cost unspecified) attempting to isolate issue. Four independent mechanics unable to diagnose root cause without unrealistic diagnosis time. Nissan dealership and Hyundai dealer (where car was purchased) both stated 'nothing is wrong.' One owner reports new wheels/tires, alignment service, and balancing did not resolve issue. Steering joint replacement and rack replacement attempted at dealer with no resolution; rattling in steering wheel and clunking sensations persisted and worsened after repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan dealership stated there is 'no adjustment that could be made to correct this problem' and attributed symptoms to electronic steering being 'different from previous cars' or road crown. Service manager acknowledged feeling the drift during test drive but blamed road conditions. No recall, no service campaign, no acknowledgment of defect.
Synthesized from 157 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 15 most recent
The car doesn't start, the steering wheel is not locked and it shows a red light with a key in the dashboard, I was in a parking lot doing grocery and when I went to the car to go back home it didn't start, showing that red light with a key on it.
The steering lock assembly is faulty in many 2009 and 2010 maximas, as well as other nissans. An extended warranty for 6 years/ unlimited miles was issued for 2009 maximas only, even though Nissan knows that the same issue affects 2010 maximas. Nissan has worked with other customers and reimbursed them for the faulty part they installed, but they were not interested in helping me because of the…
I went to pick my child up from work at 1130 pm came back out and car wouldn't start. It repeat said lock.. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan maxima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the start button was depressed and the key warning light illuminated. As a result, the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…
Today when I into my car and the car wouldn't start. I noticed the yellow "key" indicator is on, and the intelligent key will only lock and unlock the doors. I tried to start the car by placing the intelligent key in the manual start port, but the push button ignition stays ("reads") in the locked position, and the lcd shows an image that appears to be telling me to pull the key out of the…
I own a 2010 Nissan maxima on november 21, 2014 after leaving work. I notice a yellow indicator light on my dashboard. Initially I thought my key fob had a weak battery, so I called my brother to pick up my extra valet key. However that did not work, I was eventually towed to the Nissan dealership where my car was diagnose for a failure in the electronic steering column lock (escl), as a result…
I'm the second owner & it's run fine since november 2011. Yesterday it wouldn't start due to the faulty/broken ignition switch. Towed it to dealer & it's going to be $910 to replace the faulty electronic ignition. VIN contains a's (not b's), indicating it was from first half of 2010. It probably has the same defect as the 2009 maximas that were recalled. Dealer 'correctly' states the 2010 doesn't…
I have a 2010 Nissan maxima. It was purchased about 3 months ago. As I was trying to leave work last week, the car would not start. There was a red key light on in the upper left corner of the dash. I called a local Nissan dealer and they told me that my key battery was more than likely just dead. After I replaced the battery, the car still would not start. I called the dealer back and they…
Steering lock failed causing me to be stranded. Car would not start, but lights and door locks worked fine. Had to have the car towed to dealer and repaired. This is a known issue with Nissan. They refund 2009 maxima owners but refuse to refund the 2010 even though it's the same part. *tr
My 2010 maxima had a defective electronic steering column lock which prevented me from starting the vehicle and I had to tow it to the dealership. I was stranded on a major thoroughfare in cold weather with no heat for several hours as a result. The steering lock was replaced by a local dealership at a cost of $1000+. The 2009 Nissan maxima model had the same exact problem. Nissan currently has…
Had steering trouble with your 2010 Nissan Maxima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2010 Nissan Maxima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 157 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?
Across the 142 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 50,000 and 85,880 miles, with the median around 67,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 85,880. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Nissan/Maxima.
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.