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moderate Owners of the 2010 Nissan Maxima have filed 21 NHTSA complaints about the suspension, typically surfacing around 89,000 miles at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Maxima | 18 |
| 2008 Maxima | 4 |
| 2009 Maxima | 28 |
| 2010 Maxima (this page) | 21 |
| 2011 Maxima | 3 |
| 2014 Maxima | 4 |
Among the 9 model years of Nissan Maxima in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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.
STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item listed, if any should occur. - Most brake incidents fall into the following categories: a. Brake Noise: A squeak, squeal, clunk, or groan that occurs when the brakes are applied or released. b. Brake Judder: A vibration that can be felt in the vehicle, steering wheel or brake pedal when the brakes are applied. c. Pedal Feel: The effort needed to operate the brakes is too high or too low. SERVICE PROCEDURE 1. Verify the condition by road testing the vehicle with the customer. 2. Determine the specific brake incident based
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗IF YOU CONFIRM: The front passenger seatback has a greater than normal vibration at highway speeds AND There are no other shake or vibrations with the vehicle. ACTION: Use the REPAIR FLOW CHART on page 3 to determine the repair(s) to be performed. NOTES: - The description under IF YOU CONFIRM must exist for this bulletin to apply. - If determined the passenger seatback frame will be replaced: - The headrest, seatback pad, seatback frame bolts, and side airbag nuts must also be replaced. - The seatback trim and seatback board will be reused. - Do not replace the seat cushion and frame assembly or complete seat assembly. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners of the 2010 Nissan Maxima consistently report premature suspension failures starting as early as 54,900 miles and continuing through 260,000 miles. The most frequently cited issue is cracked or fractured strut insulators, often discovered during routine maintenance or after abnormal noises develop. Owners describe a metallic clunking, popping, or rattling sound from the front end when driving over bumps, potholes, or rough roads. Some owners report the noise worsens rapidly, and several mention the vehicle becoming difficult to control or unstable at highway speeds.
Coil springs are also failing prematurely, with owners reporting both passenger-side and front springs breaking at the bottom section, often symmetrically. One owner noted both springs failed at nearly identical spots, which he found unusual.
Multiple owners reference NHTSA Campaign 09V358000 for suspension issues, noting their VINs are excluded from the recall despite experiencing identical failures. Dealers have reportedly told owners that spring failure is "typical" but not covered under recall or warranty. Some owners spent over $500 attempting diagnosis without resolution. One owner reported the vehicle became undrivable overnight as the rubber insulator deteriorated.
Associated symptoms include uneven tire wear, tire pressure warning lights illuminating, vibration, steering wheel shake, and loss of vehicle control concerns. One owner reported a power steering fluid leak resulting from the cracked strut insulator. Another noted rust on the rear cradle bar holding suspension components.
Same Nissan Maxima suspension reports on nearby years: 2009
Rubber strut insulators cracking or fracturing, causing metal-to-metal contact and severe handling problems. Owners report the deterioration occurring at unusually low mileage compared to typical vehicle longevity.
When: 54,900 to 148,000 miles; one owner reported discovery at 70,000 miles during routine maintenance
Symptoms owners cite: Metallic clunking or popping noise from front end; Abnormal noise when driving over bumps or rough roads; Vehicle becoming hard to control at highway speeds; Metal-to-metal sound during driving; Steering wheel vibration and violent shaking at 60 MPH; Vehicle wobbling uncontrollably
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 09V358000
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacing strut assemblies and insulators; one owner spent over $500 attempting diagnosis without resolution. One replaced both passenger-side strut and insulator, then discovered driver-side required replacement as well.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers stated VINs were not included in NHTSA Campaign 09V358000 despite owners experiencing identical failures. Manufacturer declined assistance. One dealer stated 'this type of failure is typical' but offered no recall or reimbursement.
Both front suspension springs breaking at the bottom portion. Failures occur symmetrically, suggesting a design or material defect rather than isolated wear.
When: 54,900 miles; another case at approximately 150,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rattle from vehicle when going over bumps or rough roads; Popping noise from front of vehicle; Abnormal noise on rough roads, potholes, or bumps; Loss of control concerns
Repairs/costs cited: Tire shop and independent mechanics diagnosed broken coil springs requiring replacement. Owner noted no further damage occurred, though potential existed for tire or suspension damage and loss of control.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised 'this type of failure is typical and there is no recall or reimbursement for this component failure.' No recall or warranty coverage available.
Front strut housings developing cracks or failing to function properly, causing instability and loud noise over minor road imperfections.
When: 70,000 to 260,000 miles; one case at 78,123 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking noise in front end that persists even after dealer strut replacement; Feeling like the wheel is about to fall off when hitting small dips; Suspension feeling stiff and loud over small bumps; Abnormal noise under front of vehicle at 15 MPH during turns or bumps; Vehicle feels unstable in motion
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers and independent mechanics have replaced strut assemblies. One owner replaced struts but noise persisted and required revisit to dealer. One owner required replacement of both passenger-side and driver-side struts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated failure could not be duplicated in one case. Generally, no warranty or recall coverage for these failures.
Cracked strut insulator causing power steering fluid to leak from the system.
When: Approximately 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fluid leak; Tire pressure warning light illuminated; Abnormal noise from front wheels
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 09V358000
Repairs/costs cited: Owner required tire replacement along with strut and motor mount replacement. Independent mechanic diagnosed the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Town North Nissan (Austin, TX) provided no assistance. Manufacturer contacted but offered no assistance.
Failed passenger-side CV axle combined with cracked struts on both front wheels and deteriorating driver-side axle.
When: Approximately 260,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal sound from front wheels; Stabilitrak warning light illuminated; ABS warning light illuminated; Tire pressure warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple components required replacement or service: passenger-side CV axle, front driver-side and passenger-side cracked struts, and driver-side axle replacement needed soon.
Rear cradle bar that holds suspension components developing rust with holes on both sides near rear tires.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Visible rust on rear cradle bar; Structural holes in cradle bar
Sway bar links requiring replacement as part of suspension degradation.
When: Unknown mileage; owner advised vehicle cannot be driven safely
Symptoms owners cite: Tire pressure warning light on; Vehicle unsafe to drive (collision/wreck risk); Vehicle sounds like it's about to fall apart
Repairs/costs cited: Owner advised struts and sway bar links needed replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan has a recall on Maximas for suspension, but owner's model excluded despite experiencing identical failures to recalled vehicles.
Back end swaying when driving over speed bumps or road damage.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Back end swaying over speed bumps; Back end swaying over road damage
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 21 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 65,000 and 148,000 miles, with the median around 89,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 65,000; a quarter make it past 148,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension 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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover suspension issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.