2012 Nissan Maxima: loss of power steering

Filed Dec 9, 2019 · Steering · 79,882 miles · VA

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 afraid at the next two lights. The steering wheel was tight, and after struggling I managed to turn and get the car to my husband to look at. He test drive it and said it was no power steering. We told the car back to the dealership and of course it is nothing they did, the power steering pump just went out. I thank god I was not driving fast or on the interstate when it went out, because I read about some crashing. It still was a scary experience. My car only has 79,882 miles on it. Why would the power steering go out at this mileage. Now the dealership wants $1,000. This should be covered by the manufacture it a safety issue that should be corrected and paid for by them.

Filed Jan 16, 2018 · Steering · 100,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan maxima. While driving 65 MPH and merging into traffic, the power steering failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. A local dealer was not contacted; however, the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Mar 20, 2015 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · AZ

When vehicle was approximately 1 1/2 years old the positive battery connector connecting the power cable from the automobile electrical system to the battery corroded and came apart. The nissan part description and part number is "battery terminal 243 - part # 24340-7f003). This was replaced with a factory part. Approximately 1 1/2 years later it corroded and came apart again. This failure causes the engine to loose any electricity from the battery, which would cause the engine to stop, causing a loss of power steering, power brakes and air bag protection or prevents the engine from starting due to no electricity feeding the starter and vehicle electrical system. Fortunately, the vehicle was not moving when this failure occurred on either occasion or serious injury or death could have occurred. I do not believe that the design of this connector or the type of material from which it s made is adequate. I have replaced the connector with a lead battery connector used for connecting rv batteries and do not believe that the vehicle will ever suffer this problem again with the aftermarket replacement connector. Fortunately for me the vehicle was stopped when these failures occurred. Other than the obvious danger, I believe this problem would cause most people to incur significant expense in towing and repair charges, just to replace the connector. Although I was able to repair the problems myself, I doubt that most people would be able to do so on their own. The parts sales person at the nissan dealership where I had bought a second connector (although it was not used) seemed to indicate that they sold an awful lot of these connectors, which suggests that a better design or material would be advisable and make it much less likely that a failure of this nature would occur.

Filed Mar 11, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 42,950 miles · NY

While driving my 2012 nissan maxima, I was slowing to a stop at an intersection. The car unexpectedly stalled due to a problem with the power steering pump. I was luckily able to push the brakes and emergency brake to get the vehicle to stop. After stopping, I restarted the car, and was without power steering after that. I have read online that there are many other 2012 nissan maxima owners who have had similar problems, others reporting the loss of power steering at highway speeds, which could lead to serious crashes or worse. My car is outside of nissan's factory warranty, but given the car is only 2 years old with 43k miles, it seems it is still far to new to be having a problem such as this. Based on the comments online, it would be in nissan's and the public's best interest for nissan to issue a recall on the power steering mechanisms.

Filed Feb 17, 2014 · Steering · 14,650 miles · OH

As I was exiting the freeway going to make a left turn onto an overpass, the steering became very hard to turn almost causing me to go straight ahead hitting the wall of the overpass. As I came to the next stoplight a few feet ahead to pull over into the gas station I could barely turn the corner. Fighting with the steering I manage to pull the car over and contacted my dealership where I purchased the car. They sent a tow truck to pick up the car on 1/30/2014 and was diagnosed with a failed power steering pump. It is now 2/18/2014 and not only did I not get my car back from repair, their is not even an eta on when the part that is needed is going to be in stock. Dealership service department informed me that it looks like it is going to take approx a month to get the part in stock. I find this very unacceptable.

Filed Feb 16, 2014 · Steering · 35,000 miles · PA

Total and abrupt failure and loss of steering while driving.