2009 Nissan Maxima: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2009 Nissan Maxima? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 339 complaints, with Steering Defects as the top reported area.
2009 Nissan Maxima Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA official fuel economy rating for the 2009 Nissan Maxima.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.
2009 Nissan Maxima Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2009 Nissan Maxima has 339 owner complaints, 7 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign on record. The most frequently reported component is Steering Defects. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Maxima
- Model year
- 2009
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 339
- Crash-related complaints
- 7
- Safety recall campaigns
- 1
- Top reported component
- Steering Defects
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 22
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 19 / 26
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2009 Nissan Maxima Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Steering Defects
Electrical Faults
Airbag Malfunctions
Complaint patterns center on Steering Defects, Electrical Faults, Airbag Malfunctions. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2009 Nissan Maxima?
The 2009 Nissan Maxima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2009 Nissan Maxima
Inspection Focus
- Inspect steering system for any reported issues or unusual noises.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering, electrical, and airbag systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect steering system for any reported issues or unusual noises.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering, electrical, and airbag systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2009 Nissan Maxima, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2009 Nissan Maxima are heavily concentrated in steering defects, with 168 reports, followed by electrical faults and airbag malfunctions. The data suggests potential issues with steering components, though the low confidence level and limited model year range caution against broad conclusions.
- Steering defects account for the largest share of complaints (168 out of 339).
- Electrical faults are the second most reported issue (79 complaints).
- Airbag malfunctions are the third most common complaint (43 reports).
- Steering Defects
- Electrical Faults
- Airbag Malfunctions
All 2009 Nissan Maxima Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Nissan Maxima. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 168 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 79 | — | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 43 | 4 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 36 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 33 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 22 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 15 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Nissan Maxima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that after the windshield was replaced by Safelite Auto Glass, the employee at Safelite attempted to start the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start, and the steering wheel had seized. T…
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the front end of the vehicle started shuddering uncontrollably. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact was able to continue driving to the residence at 20 MPH. The deal…
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact received notification of an undisclosed recall. The contact stated that while the vehicle was off, the push-to-start button was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to start. The immobilizer warning light illuminated. The vehic…
The steering wheel lock malfunctioned. The part is available for inspection. The car was parked on the street. It endangered others because it would not start and had to be towed. This issue was confirmed and reproduced by the dealer with diagnostics. There were no symptoms pr…
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal knocking sound emanating from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagno…
In 2016 we had to replace the steering lock mechanism. Went to start the car and a security light came on and car would not start , and had to get the car towed from work. We paid to have the part replaced on 12/23/2016. Now, 11/27/2023 we had the same issue with the steering loc…
The airbag light is on and blinking. I did call the local Nissan dealer and they told me there was not a recall for this problem on the 2009 Nissan maxima. This seems very unfair because several recalls have been made on the airbags. Also I was told over 5 years ago that the …
UNKNOWN
I recently had my father pass away and my mom gave me his car , the air conditioning stopped working then the serpentine belt broke so I had a mobile mechanic come out and replace serpentine belt and tensioner. Then the power steering wheel fell off on freeway luckily no one wa…
I just purchased this vehicle. The dashboard gives a reflection on the windshield. It is a visibility hazard. The dashboard is very sticky, like it's melting in the sun.
The contact owned 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while at a complete stop, another vehicle driving approximately 70 MPH, crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained hips and back pain. The contact was seen by emergency servi…
On 9/12/22, my son purchased a 2009 Nissan Maxima from Street Cars. My son was told that the car did not pass the state inspection, but all items on the list were taken care of. The salesman noted the Air Intake Tube would be ordered for the car and installed once received. My s…
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the suspension. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V358000 (Suspension)…
Passenger front air bag defect. Since reading many post in this forum in relation to the same issue, manufacture should be held responsible to replace sensor. Vehicle have not been in a wreck as far as I know. The sensor light came on around June this year and haven’t went off. I…
CVT transmission whinnying with loss of power when accelerating
Not sure what is goiNg I have spent so Much money replaciNg parts on this car. And it is still not fixed. It’s one thing after Another . I cannot fight out why the engine light is on its like the whole care is malfunctioning. And no one knows what it is. And heavy smoke From tail…
The airbag warning light on the dash started blinking. The local dealer investigated and advised that the front passenger airbag occupancy sensor was defective. Repair would require complete replacement of the front passenger seat cushion at an estimated cost of about $2,000. The…
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the engine was running hot and there was thick white smoke coming from the exhaust tips. In addition, the vehicle stalled and was restarted however the vehicle shut off. The cont…
I own a 2009 Maxima. I took the vehicle into a repair shop to diagnose a problem that i was experiencing with the suspension. The vehicle made a thumping noise on rough or bumpy road surfaces and felt as though the front end was going to break apart whenever I hit even a small po…
ELECTRICAL AND AC FAILURE, SPENT A LOT OF MONEY AND COULDN'T REALLY AFFORD TO SPEND BC I WAS TRYING TO GET MY AC REPAIRED AND NO INE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THE WARM WEATHER IS APPROACHING AND I CANNOT HAVE MY SELF AND MY CHILD SWEATING BULLETS AGAIN THIS YEAR. PURCHA…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2009 Nissan Maxima.
2009 Nissan Maxima Recalls
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Nissan Maxima. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2009 Nissan Maxima Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2009 Nissan Maxima reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 339 owner complaints, 7 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign for this model year. The 2009 Nissan Maxima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Maxima?▾
#1: Steering Defects (168 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (79 complaints). #3: Airbag Malfunctions (43 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Nissan Maxima?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2009 Nissan Maxima?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2009 Nissan Maxima, NHTSA complaints include 7 crash-related reports and 2 fire reports out of 339 total complaints. 6 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2009 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?▾
Yes. 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2009 Nissan Maxima. A major recall area is SUSPENSION. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2009 Nissan Maxima?▾
The 2009 Nissan Maxima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Steering Defects during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Maxima reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2009 Nissan Maxima based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.