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2009 Nissan Maxima steering complaints

Page 3 of 7: complaints 41 to 70 of 168, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2009 Nissan Maxima steering problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

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 Aug 21, 2016 · Steering · FL

My steering wheel completely locked up. I was unable to start my car and had to have it towed. It cost me almost $1300 to fix. I see multiple complaints about this. Why is there not a recall??

Filed Aug 21, 2016 · Steering · 88,984 miles · TN

Turned car off to go into post office. Returned and it wouldn't do anything. Went had new battery put in key pad. Still nothing. Called nissan for suggestions. None given. Had to have towed to nissan. After they checked was told steering lock unit had internal failure. Never heard of this problem before after owning several cars. A very expensive repair and one that shouldn't be occurring on a 2009 model car. I 'm very disappointed with this car since I had heard so many good things about it. I gave up on cadillac's to get a nissan. Sure believe I made a big mistake. There are other little quirks that have bothered me. I'm on my third car battery. Bought the last one in april 2014.the key pad locks have to be changed every year. The original paint job is very shallow. The most important is the replacement of this steering lock unit.

Filed Aug 20, 2016 · Steering · 87,500 miles · PA

When we purchased the car last year,the steering wheel would go up. It made a grinding noise. The dealership fixed it under warranty for no charge. It started doing the same thing in august of 2016. Car is not under warranty now. There are so many folks having the same issue with the same year and model car. Nissan should recall these cars and fix the problem for free. The steering wheel will not move up. It is stuck in the down position and makes a grinding noise.

Filed Aug 19, 2016 · Steering · LA

Park car. Got back in steering wheel lock, left car over to friend house.

Filed Aug 4, 2016 · Steering · 87,000 miles · CA

My 18 old sons car just hit 87000 miles and the steering lock mechanism has failed. Not only is this a $900 repair but it is a reoccurring problem with nissan vehicles. My son was stranded in a parking lot at 12am. This has occurred 3 times while his car is off. He is unable to start it. Had to have it towed 3 times with the dealer saying it was a battery problem. Had the battery replaced. Nissan admits there is a steering lock problem and that the recall period ended in jan 3016. My son is 18 and just bought the car from a reputable major car dealership in town. Anytime a driver is at risk in a parking garage or lot or freeway with a car that had this notable problem it is a safety concern.

Filed Jul 29, 2016 · Steering · 60,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the "indicator key not being recognized" message appeared. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering lock module failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2016 · Steering · 130,000 miles · KY

Steering lock malfunctions stranding the driver in possibly dangerous locations or hours. Had to tow to dealer and pay $1094 for repairs

Filed Jul 15, 2016 · Steering · 110,000 miles · FL

Steering wheel lock problem-I was not aware of this problem and was not able to benefit from the extended warranty. I was stranded late in the evening and was not able to get home and did not want to leave my car. My car was parked and would not start. The experience was traumatizing.

Filed Jul 12, 2016 · Steering · 92,000 miles · MD

The escl module went out on my maxima. From what I have been reading in many, many maxima forums, this is a common problem with the 2009 maximas'. In fact, many forums discourage buying the 2009 and suggest earlier models. Currently, my automobile is disabled at the mechanic's shop with a repair fee of $1070.

Filed Jul 9, 2016 · Steering · 65,357 miles · VA

I just purchased the car (from an audi dealership) about a week and a half ago (as is) and was not aware of the steering problems I've now researched. There was this weird growling noise coming from the steering wheel, it would eventually stop but it was disturbing. My sister and I took the car to the dealership and learn of that it was the telescopic steering column and two motors needed to be replaced. The dealership quoted about $900 to fix it. As a college student who just spent the money to purchase the car... I just can't afford it. However, I understand just how serious and dangerous the problem is. The possibility of the wheel locking is not only a safety issue to me and my passengers... But to others on the road as well. I'm not sure why a recall hasn't been issued by nissan as they are aware of the problem. It also seems like a reoccurring issue with 09 maxima owners across the board. Nissan evan issued a memo, but nothing more? This is too dangerous of a situation to ignore. There are lives at risk.

Filed Jun 27, 2016 · Steering · 98,000 miles · MA

Steering wheel locked, shift wont work, brakes wont engage...never notified regarding nissan alert which is posted on their site...how doi get my car fixed...carwont start and cant get towed out of garage

Filed Jun 13, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · IL

My 2009 nissan maxima is no longer starting and the brake and steering wheel have locked. It does not recognize that I have a key even though I do. Any attempt to start the vehicle results in a sporadic tick tick or screeching type noise for lack of a better word.

Filed Jun 12, 2016 · Steering · AL

My car was parked and wouldn't start when I went to crank it. I thought it was the battery but upon installing a new ine, the car still wouldn't start. I had it towed to the nissan dealership and was told it's the steering wheel column and it would be $1000 to repair.

Filed May 23, 2016 · Steering · 123,300 miles · MO

Steering lock malfunction

Filed Apr 3, 2016 · Steering · 94,800 miles · TN

Shut the car off went in the store for a short time came back out tried to start the car and nothing happened steering wheel was locked and would not move . Had it towed to one garage they couldn't fix it so had to have it towed to a nissan dealer they told they had fixed four in the past couple days at harbor nissan seems to be a big problem that nissan should take care !!!! Could have been stuck in the middle of nowhere nissan owner's need help with issue !!! Because they aren't helping !!

Filed Mar 21, 2016 · Steering · 24,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan maxima. When the contact arrived home and turned off the vehicle, the steering wheel did not lock into position. The contact stated that the steering wheel would not move. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.

Filed Mar 21, 2016 · Engine, Steering · 83,000 miles · CA

The steering lock control on the vehicle failed causing the car to become disabled. The steering wheel would not turn and was locked in place, additionally the vehicle was stalled and would not restart. Fortunately the incident occurred in a parking lot had the steering lock control failed while driving a significant accident would have likely occurred as the driver would have lost steering control. The car had to be towed to the nissan service shop for a repair costing nearly $1000. This was a known safety issue for nissan as they extended the warranty for this part however my vehicle's control unit failed after the warranty expired. After online research I discovered many other nissan owners have suffered the same safety failure on their vehicles. It is an obvious manufacturer safety defect that needs to be recalled.

Filed Mar 18, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 109,600 miles · CA

Steering lock box repair. Extended warranty was issued & needs to be extended indefinitely. This is a manufacturer defect. Consumers will experience this inconvenience at different lifecycles of the vehicle & should be given the same reimbursements/courtesy as other 2009 nissan maxima or altima owners.

Filed Feb 12, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 53,000 miles · KY

Stranded twice car will not start because of steering lock module not releasing allowing the car to start.

Filed Feb 12, 2016 · Steering · 94,000 miles · MA

The steering control module has failed, and will not allow the vehicle to start. Seems to be very common issue, and the same part and part number has been recalled on there other model cars, but not with this vehicle, when this part fail it will leave you stranded and not be able to start the car with the steering wheel possibly locked in place.

Filed Feb 3, 2016 · Steering · 71,162 miles · OH

Steering lock actuator failure. The car would not start. Had to have it towed to a nissan dealership and the part replaced for $1,330.00

Filed Jan 31, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 75,000 miles · PA

Luckily in the driveway after loading car for food bank delivery, I tried to start but no light asking to press foot on brake to start came on was my first clue something was wrong. Key locks/unlocks/open trunk/alarm works but will not start engine. "key warning light" comes on. Tried both keys but nothing. Disconnected/reconnected battery without success. Steering wheel is unlocked. Insert fob to try & start manually but nothing. My neighbor is a local mechanic & came over to help. Stumped him so I guess I will be calling to get a tow to dealership in the morning after unloading food bank donations! After reading several hundred complaints about this issue in just a matter of few minutes, I am sure there are hundreds of thousand nissan unsatisfied customers who have had to deal with this. Step up nissan & do the right thing. I do not have $1000 to fix this problem. We also have an altima so wondering when that will go too. No more nissans for us!

Filed Jan 15, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 114,000 miles · MD

Steering wheel lock - ignition lock assembly failure. I purchased my 2009 nissan ma xima in nov 2012 and my car has been running pretty good until the dreaded day when I was stranded because my car would not start. I had my car towed and I was told that thevsteeringbwheel lock assembly needed to be replaced $1189.00. I don't know about you, but im not made out of money. After a little research I discovered that this problem has been happening since 09. This is outrageous and nissan should have owned up and fixed this problem along time ago. This is unacceptable and there should be a recall and not just a bulletin. There is a problem and nissa needs to fix there wrong, instead selling cars knowing that there is a problem. A recall needs to be issued and nissan needs to do the repairs immediately with no charge to their customers.

Filed Jan 14, 2016 · Steering · 84,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan maxima. The contact stated that the security warning light illuminated intermittently causing the vehicle not to start. The vehicle was towed numerous times due to the vehicle being unable to start. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering lock control unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 107,000 miles · MI

When trying to start the car, it fails to start. Steering has failed, not allowing the car to start. This issue has appeared twice on my car in 7 days. Thanks to youtube.com I have been able to limp my way. I took the car to my local nissan dealer, and the diagnosis was determined that steering lock has failed. They told me that that with parts and labor it would be $1,500. I researched this issue online and found pages and pages of online forums with people complaining about this issue. I called 1-800-nissan they reviewed the case and offered me nothing in return. Nissan knows this is an issue; it should be a recall; however, they are doing nothing to rectify the problem. Nissan please fix this problem.

Filed Jan 5, 2016 · Steering · 121,000 miles · CO

Key indicator lock light came on. Car would not start completely disabled. Did research to see if others have had same problem on youtube and this site to find that multiple people have had same issue. Had vehicle towed to dealership $1,100 estimate!!!

Filed Jan 4, 2016 · Steering · KY

I pulled into my mother's driveway stopped the car to run into the house for about an hour. Went back to start the car and it wouldn't start. The yellow key indicator light came on as if it wasn't recognizing my I-key. Was told by nissan dealer this was steering lock malfunction common in the vehicles. Was given a quote of $900 not including towing. Contacted consumer affairs upon seeing that this was a common issue to insure I wasn't covered by any warranty etc. No was the answer to that. I find it disturbing that nissan is aware of this issue and is ok with leaving consumers stranded in possibly undesirable or unsafe situations. I am a 2nd time nissan owner but after how this is being handled this will be my last nissan vehicle. I was told to take the vehicle to nissan for diagnostic because a case could be opened by consumer affairs to possible assist with the payment but they only assist more reliable customers, which they didn't feel I was since I hadn't been going to nissan for my services. I purchased this car second hand and was not under warranty. I went more cost efficient routes for servicing as the one time I tried to contact them for assistance in the past staff was rude. I just can't believe I am left int his position for a know issue with no assistance from the company.

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 Dec 17, 2015 · Steering · 74,000 miles · PA

While traveling west on the pa turnpike, my steering wheel just dropped to the lowest position!! Scared the hell out of me. I ended up getting the car to the shoulder of the road. I was able to get the steering position up at little to stay and lock. Drove the car back to my local nissan dealership to tell me that the motor for the steering wheel tilt and/or telescopic needs replaced!! What a freaking nightmare...$800 plus dollars for repairs plus tax!! What a crock of bull!! I see that this is happening to a lot of nissan owners!! Why isnt the government doing anything!! Not until somebody has a fatality accident!!

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