2009 Nissan Maxima: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Jan 29, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · 170,000 miles · GA

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 vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the key fob and the steering lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Filed Dec 27, 2016 · Electrical · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan maxima. The contact stated that there was a progressing failure in which the push button start failed to function. The contact indicated that the ignition lock mechanism internally malfunctioned, which prevented the vehicle from starting on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for further diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Nov 3, 2016 · Steering · 140,000 miles · TX

I drove my car .5 of a mile to the store got down and came back to start my car. My gas pedal was hard and my push start button read lock. I saw a red blinking key sign. I inserted my key fob in the slot hoping that fixed it and nothing. I wiggled the wheel and pressed the start button and nothing. I tried everything in the book for 3 hours in the parking lot of heb until I got it towed to my apartment until I figured out what to do. I got online and saw so many complaints about the same issue. I called nissan dealership saturday and told them what happened. They said they needed to inspect the vehicle so I scheduled. I asked if they would cover the repairs since this has been going on to many vehicles, maybe a recall? They said no, unless I have warranty- I don't. Turns out I need a new steering control. $1,500 later my car is being worked on now. I have a few questions for the service advisors. Not a happy nissan owner right now.

Filed Aug 30, 2016 · Steering · 140,000 miles · TX

Escl disabled my push button start. Now I am unable to start let alone drive my vehicle. To add insult to injury I will have to have it towed to the dealer (additional cost to myself) and the dealer is going to charge close to $1200.00 to fix the problem. Apparently this was a recall but expired in 2015. Why won't nissan be responsible and pay for this instead of the consumer? This was obviously a defect in the production of the vehicle seeing how it is such a widespread problem against nissan vehicle owners

Filed Dec 17, 2015 · Steering · 57,000 miles · CT

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 steering lock module was found to have failed. On further online research, it was learned that this part is susceptible to failure and it is common to find many 2009 nissan owners of several models (altima, maxima, 370z) to have had this problem, within and outside of warranty.

Filed Apr 18, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 209,057 miles · GA

Came out to my car; car wouldn't start. Push start/stop button in "lock" mode; key light indicator flashed; anti-theft light in "steady" mode. Called niss. Roadside asst. To be told that it would be $82 for towing to the nearest dealership after only wanting help with battery testing. I put the towing on hold. Called the nearest niss. Dealership directly. Was told that it may be the key fob batteries. My daughter and I walked home for close asst. To drive to niss. For new key fob batteries. Returned back to my car to test the key fob with no luck. Doors lcked/unlcked, windows let down; didn't let back up; it was raining! Used my own jumper cables for battery testing. Not the battery! Lights worked. My battery was brand new and recently purchased. Contacted my ins. For overnight tow to nissan. Researched on the issue and came to the steering column unit failing often. Nissan ext. Warranty is 6 yrs/unl. Mileage; was relieved. Nissan worked on my car from 7:21a to 3:40p. Told me the steering column unit was out of warranty last yr. Only had the car for 5yrs! Took nissan 5hrs for a diagnostics on my car saying my battery was dead; need to swap it out with theirs to run the test. My battery was brand new! 1hr. Later, diagnosed as faulty steering column module. Contacted niss. Consumer affairs and escalated to regional. Niss. Gave me a price of $1071 to fix. Told nissan I would try to fix the module myself and have it towed to where I originally bought my battery due to existing warranty. However, towing was too expensive and fixing it myself would prb not work. Spoke with service mgr. Who said they could charge me for swapping out batteries but will only charge me $1027.98. Total ripoff and nissan lied about my battery results. Took it to my orig. Shop; ran the battery; was in good condition and fully charged! Want a full refund; should be a recall!!!! Lost a customer!!!!

Filed Apr 3, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 75,600 miles · CT

Car does not start. Difficult time getting into the car while using my key fob. When I push the ignition button there is no nose and no lights. Tried jumping the car for 15 minutes with no success. I was told by the nissan dealership mechanic that it is the steering lock system. This is going to cost me for towing and labor and parts. Money I do not have. Reading up on this problem tells me that there should have been a recall.

Filed Feb 13, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 57,000 miles · PA

I get in my car by opening the doors with my intelligent key (in other words, the battery isn't dead). Once inside the car, the key light blinks on even though I had the key in my hand. I can't start the car or even press the brake in, the car won't go into acc mode because it doesn't detect the key (again, I'm able to lock, unlock doors, open hood and even sound off the alarm through the same intelligent key..?) .I put the fob into the slot and it flashes to eject it...now my car will not start and my windows are stuck down...I went to get my other key fob and still doesn't read the key...now my car is stuck and I can not drive it...soooo what I have tried to do was beating on the steering column, making it tilt and all over n over and nothing... Unplugging the battery for over 30 minutes in hopes of 'restarting' the alarm system putting in the intelligent key into the slot where the key goes (off the left side of the steering wheel) ..still key light blinks indicating I need a key....now looking this up there are alot others with this problem with a 09-10 nissan maxima and the gtr has same issue and a recall was done on that...so can we please get a recall on the 09 nissan maxima so this can be solved for myself and others?

Filed Jan 20, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 76,200 miles · DC

2009 nissan maxima, purchased new--key fob light indicator illuminated on dashboard, car won't start, brake lights work, key fob unlocks doors and trunk. Warranty expired about 1k miles ago. I was told that the steering lock part, which may repair/solve the matter is about $1200. I am repulsed and utterly disgusted. Prior to this matter, the tilt feature [for steering wheel) on the car ceased to work.

Filed Sep 14, 2014 · Electrical, Locks · 110,000 miles · KS

I have an automatic door lock that is malfunctioning. It is currently on the driver side door only but from what I have read online, I expect to begin happening on other doors as the actuator's begin failing. Normally this may be a simple annoyance but since this vehicle uses a key fob it is not possible to quickly unlock the driver side door and there is no way to quickly secure the vehicle. There are several instances where either of these situations could put the someone at risk and in harms way, especially if the driver is relying on the safety mechanism to ensure children do not accidentally open a door that has not been properly secured while traveling. The locking and unlocking of a vehicle is intended and designed to keep the vehicle, it's contents, and it's occupants safe and is heavily relied on in today's environment. I have seen estimates to repair this issue from over $500 to almost $2,000, a fairly expense repair for the vehicle owner but a fairly inexpensive cost for the manufacturer. Although this may seem like a stretch to call this a safety issue but for what other purpose are door locks intended? It is my request that the manufacturer issue a recall for faulty door lock actuator's.

Filed Mar 10, 2014 · Electrical · 34,000 miles · AZ

On 3/3/14 my 2009 nissan maxima would not start. Symptoms of this issue - key recognized(unlocks and when inserted into key fob port there is a notification) - pressing start button does not work, locked remains illuminated(eg acc and on do not activate) - nissan intelligent key warning light - all lights come on in the car - brake lights work - electronic seats still move I experienced a dead battery just 3 months earlier so I was sure this was not the issue. Plus I had a new battery. I googled a combination of the symptoms with my model/year and many links came up. Turned out to be the "steering lock failure" which was under a extended warranty. 5 years or 72 k miles. Worst part of the experience was dealing with the people at the midway nissan on bell road dealership in phoenix. The experience left me knowing that they care more about making money today than earning return customers. Luckily they warranty paid for everything. But they were willing and ready to screw me over.

Filed Feb 9, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 63,773 miles · VA

My 2009 nissan maxima does it seem to read my key anymore. It has a orange light on the top left corner of my dashboard. The car obviously recognizes the key for I am still able to lock and unlock my car. It will not turn over at all. When I press the push start button, the only light that comes on is the lock light. It all doesn't make any sense at all. I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. One second it was working, another second it wasn't. I find this highly inconvenient that nissan service departments at the dealerships only provides aid mondays though saturdays as if people only have issues with their cars on monday through saturday. There should be a 24/7 help hotline at least. This is my second issue with this same exact problem. The first time I was told that it was a dead battery in my key fob. I went to get a new battery for it and it still didn't work. It's almost like it works when it feels like it.