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 ↗2012 Nissan Maxima steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Nissan Maxima have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 42,950 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
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Maxima | 4 |
| 2009 Maxima | 168 |
| 2010 Maxima | 157 |
| 2011 Maxima | 9 |
| 2012 Maxima (this page) | 10 |
| 2014 Maxima | 4 |
| 2016 Maxima | 9 |
When does it fail?
Of the 10 steering complaints filed for the 2012 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.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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 ↗SERVICE INFORMATION When servicing run flat tires or low profile tires: - Special equipment and procedures are required to avoid damage. - Specifically, Tire Pressure Monitor transmitters (TPMS sensors) can be damaged when improperly dismounting and mounting tires. - TPMS sensors becoming damaged during mounting or dismounting tires are not covered under warranty. - To avoid such damage, ensure that the tire changer being used and the operator of the tire changer is capable of servicing run flat and low profile tires. - Operator?s manuals for such tire changers must be followed. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when actually, it?s not. Use this service bulletin to help make a more accurate diagnosis of the steering rack. See this bulletin for further detail.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Power steering pump failure is the dominant complaint across this cluster. Owners describe the steering wheel suddenly becoming tight or completely losing power assist while driving—on city streets, exit ramps, and highway lanes at speeds of 55–65 mph. One owner lost power steering during a lane merge and nearly hit a concrete barrier; another had the pump fail mid-turn at an intersection and had to wrestle the car to a stop. A third owner's pump quit as he exited a freeway attempting a left turn.
Pump failures were reported between 43,000 and 122,000 miles, well before reasonable wear-out age for a hydraulic component on a 2012 vehicle. One owner with only 79,882 miles faced a $1,000 repair bill outside factory warranty, with dealerships blaming the owner despite recent service visits. Multiple owners report pump parts on extended backorder in early 2014, with dealers quoting one- to two-month wait times.
A secondary failure mode appears in one report: the adjustable steering column motor fails, causing grinding noise and jamming the column in its raised position, blocking instrument panel visibility. The owner notes this is reportedly common enough to warrant investigation.
One report describes simultaneous braking, ABS, and warning light issues alongside steering problems, though details are sparse.
Same Nissan Maxima steering reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering pump failure
Power steering pump fails, resulting in complete loss of power steering assist. Owners report the steering wheel becoming hard to turn or completely seized, creating a safety hazard especially during highway driving or lane changes.
When: Varies; reported between 43,000 and 122,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes tight or hard to turn; Complete loss of power steering; Steering becomes locked or seized during driving; Vehicle stalls when power steering pump fails; Warning lights illuminate (oil, ABS, ESP, coolant temperature)
Codes mentioned: Power steering pump failure
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replacement required; dealership estimate $1,000. Multiple owners report extended parts availability delays—backorder wait times of one to two months reported in early 2014.
Steering wheel column adjustment motor failure
Motor for the adjustable steering wheel column fails, causing grinding noise and jamming the steering column in the highest position. This restricts driver adjustability and blocks visibility to the instrument panel.
When: Not specified; appears to affect multiple model years (2009 noted)
Symptoms owners cite: Repetitive grinding sound from steering column; Steering column stuck in highest position; Loss of steering column adjustment functionality; Blocked vision to instrument panel
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I picked my car up from the dealership after getting a state inspection, oil change and tire rotation. They said they topped off all the fluids. As I backed out of the parking space and pulled forward I noticed the steering wheel was tight. I tried adjusting it a few times, but as I approached the light and tried to turn right I had to go out wide because the steering wheel was tight. I was…
The car streering wheel wont move and the car wont start.
Had steering trouble with your 2012 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 2012 Nissan Maxima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 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 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 20,117 and 79,882 miles, with the median around 42,950. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,117; a quarter make it past 79,882. 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/2012/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.