2010 Nissan Maxima: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Nov 28, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 100,000 miles · DE

Got in car leaving from gym the steering wheel was locked could not move it. Called dealer who told me to hold key fob over car ignition did not resolve situation. I had to have it towed . I got on line to research about this locking mechanism and have discovered that this is a known issue with millions of consumer complaints to this very issue this is a known issue with millions of complaints being filed against nissan for this situation. Apparently there should have been a recall on this internal steering wheel lock mechanism however nissan has passed the cost of the faulty component onto the unexpected consumer. This cost me $1000.00 . Shame on you nissan. Thank god I was not in motion.

Filed Feb 12, 2016 · 22,400 miles · FL

Both of these incidents happened in a parking lot and the car was stationary. Car wouldn't start as a result of a stoplight switch being faulty, resulting in push button start not working. Replaced for $166.07 on 01/13/16 and then car wouldn't start again a month later on 02/09/16 and had to replace the steering column lock which if defective wont let the car start with the push button, at a cost of $1.141.22. The battery also had to be replaced the same day as one core was bad as a result of the key light on the dash staying lite the whole time it was being towed and repaired. It stayed lite and wouldn't recognize my key fob in the car as a result of the steering column lock being faulty. On checking the internet on these problems, found nissan has had so many complaints with these two distinct problems and have not done a recall. However they had to know of these problems and corrected them as the 2012 nissan's haven't had any of these issues. I think we should be reimbursed for these bills.

Filed Jun 10, 2015 · Electrical · 32,500 miles · MA

When I tried to start the vehicle, it was unresponsive and the anit-theft button was illuminated on the instrument panel, though there was nothing that should have prompted this (I was doing yard and no one was near vehicle). The brake pedal was stiff and the wheel was not movable. Neither the actual key or the smart key fob would start the vehicle. I attempted to reset the smart key fob as per the owner's manual (see anit-theft section) numerous times and it did not work. Ultimately, the vehicle's battery died that night (unsure if there was a drain coming from somewhere as a result of this anti-theft light) and aaa came to jump start it the following morning. After jumping the car the tech ran a diagnostic on the battery and alternator which both came back acceptable (though the voltage was obviously low in the battery - just needed to be driven and recharged). The fact that I had my key and was unable to start my vehicle while following the guidance of my owner's manual was disconcerting and concerning. I have a wife and 2 young daughters and we are a one car family. Had there been an emergency, this could be a serious issue. This is my first day on the federal safety agency site and after researching similar year maxima's, the problem seems widespread and there is seemingly no action being taken by either the federal safety agency or nissan. Please advise on reasoning as to why, with numerous complaints across a number of model years and models, there has not been any action by the federal safety agency and/or nissan. Thanks very much.

Filed Mar 3, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 62,000 miles · IN

Got into my vehicle to leave for work, brake was hard to push, steering wheel locked in position that it was in, push button start would not work. Tried both keyfobs with no change in status. Light on the dash that I hadn't seen before (a key with a rectangular box around it) changed batteries in both fobs with still no change. Was late for work and had to have my vehicle towed out of my own garage. After researching found that the steering wheel lock would not disengage, which in turn triggered the anti-theft security system and my car would not recognize my own keyfobs. There's no other way to start the vehicle, no general override switch or button of any kind. I had a vehicle that I could not use.

Filed Feb 24, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 106,000 miles · KY

I went to start my 2010 maxima and it wouldn't start. I thought it was the battery, so I changed it. No difference. Then I saw that the key indicator was lit on my dashboard. So I checked my key fob, it was fine. Then I began to google the issue and saw that there was a recall on the 2009 altima/maxima's on the electronic steering column lock (escl). I read that owners of maxima's would remove the bottom dashboard and jiggle or tap the escl and the car would eventually start. I tried this remedy, and it worked...temporarily. The light went off but the very next day it came back on. I was hesitant to start my car after the incident. The car started but the light stayed on. I assumed that there was an electrical issue, but since the car started I went on about my daily routine. Then it happened, I was away from my home, on a date, in the snow, and it wouldn't start again. There I was trying to start my car without tools in the snow!! There are countless complaints about this issue on the internet. Many have gone unresolved, and there are many unsatisfied nissan owners out there. I love my maxima, but I am very unsatisfied with nissan and how they have handled this issue. Especially since they admitted fault with the 2009 model, yet new models still have the same issue. I contacted nissanassist.com and filed a complaint and was told that they we're sorry but that they would not assist me.

Filed Jan 10, 2015 · Steering · 55,000 miles · NJ

I went to start my car and it would not start. The key fob worked and lights inside car would turn on. When I pushed on brake and start button, nothing happened. I took the car to dealer and was told the steering wheel lock mechanism was broken and needed to be replaced. I was told the exact same part on 2009 models had a recall, but not 2010 models. It seems to be that the units themselves are faulty and should be replaced by the manufacturer as defective since I have read multiple complaints regarding this issue.

Filed Jan 6, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 70,000 miles · AZ

Electronic steering column lock - (escl) failed. Car will not start. Key fob is operational. Known issue with 2009-2010 nissans. Units are defective, nissan not willing to take responsibility for 2010 parts. Failure will happen instantly, and will leave you stranded anytime anyplace. Vehicle has to be towed to dealership for repair. Repair cost is >$1,000.00

Filed Jan 4, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · NE

I went to turn on the car and it wouldn't come on but had a yellow key light on the dash. Key fob would work to lock and unlock the car, but the brake wouldn't depress ,and could not shift. Looked for possible solutions online and found numerous issues for the same problem with the steering lock. Warranty only covers 2009 nissan maxima.

Filed Dec 18, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 97,000 miles · MO

I own a 2010 nissan maxima on november 21, 2014 after leaving work. I notice a yellow indicator light on my dashboard. Initially I thought my key fob had a weak battery, so I called my brother to pick up my extra valet key. However that did not work, I was eventually towed to the nissan dealership where my car was diagnose for a failure in the electronic steering column lock (escl), as a result of consistently trying to start the car my battery failed too. Consequently, I had to pay for the escl part and a new battery, I was out of pocket $1286.00 due to the warranty do not cover the escl part in 2010 nissan maxima?s. I contacted nissan north america consumer affairs and was denied a reimbursement due to being out of the warranty protection 36 months/36,000 miles. After further research I see this is an ongoing issue with several consumers. I will be doing my due diligence to ensure that this matter is more than just identify by nissan but that a reimbursement plus extended warranty is awarded to all 2010 nissan maxima?s owners that can provide proof of this matter.

Filed Nov 15, 2014 · Steering · 69,959 miles · NY

On my 2010 maxima the steering wheel lock failed. The symptom was that I was able to unlock the door, but the push button start failed. After having my car towed to a dealership and the repair completed at a cost of $1059.57 I spoke with the service manager. He notified me that the problem has been repaired at his shop numerous times and that he thought there was an extension on the warranty for the failed part and labor. It turns out that this extension was only for the 2009 maxima for the same defective part. I filed a claim to nissan and I was rejected by them. I explained them this is the identical part and problem that the 2009 maxima's had, but there was no negotiating with them.

Filed Nov 2, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 48,000 miles · GA

Our 2010 nissan maxima would not start. This presented an unsafe situation in which my wife was virtually stranded late in the afternoon with inclement weather. The ignition switch would not start the car when depressed and the steering wheel was locked. We attempted to use two separate key fobs for our car but neither worked. We had our car towed to the nissan dealership and they stated that it had a defective steering lock and therefore would not start. The parts needed and part numbers are shown below: ** steering lock (some referenced parts sources online also refer to it as an ignition lock assembly) (1 ea) part #: 48700-9n00b ** lock bolt/screw (4 ea) part # 48703-06f0a we were quoted an astronomical price of $1,650 dollars to replace the steering lock. It just seems outrageous and unbelievable! I read several complaints about the same issue online for owners of this same type of nissan vehicle. Many had the same problem arise at roughly the same recorded mileage. This appears to be a mechanical defect that nissan has been aware of but has done nothing to remedy the problem. I know of absolutely no recalls for this problem. I believe that this problem constitutes an inherent mechanical defect in the design and construction of the steering and ignition system which presents a hazard for owners/operators, an unrealistic cost for an issue that actually should not occur, and leaves owners/operators stranded and because the system won't operate and turn on the vehicle. I see it as a major safety issue which should be examined closely for an immediate recall. I ask that you please take action with nissan to remedy this issue as quickly as possible. Thank you.

Filed Oct 21, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 82,000 miles · IL

I drove my 2010 nissan max to church...the vehicle was working perfectly and we had just recently had it serviced. When I got in vehicle to leave church the vehicle would not start. The key fob would lock and unlock the door but nothing else would come on. There was a light on the dash showing a key but nothing else worked. I had the vehicle towed to the nissan dealership the next day and was informed the electrical steering column lock switch was not working and needed to be replaced. Repair would cost $1100. I was informed no recalls for 2010 but 2009 altima and maxima had same issues and recall was done for that year only. I am so upset and disappointed with nissan especially after reading all the other complaints as well. We have always owned nissans but I am totally reconsidering my next vehicle purchase.