Nissan Maxima key fob problems

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · CA

I am experiencing a severe safety defect regarding the door lock mechanisms on my 2017 Nissan Maxima. The electronic door lock actuators have failed, causing the doors to intermittently refuse to lock or unlock when using either the key fob or the internal door switches. This creates a critical safety hazard, as it leaves the vehicle vulnerable to theft when the doors fail to lock. More importantly, when the doors fail to unlock, it compromises passenger safety during an emergency, as occupants can become trapped inside the vehicle or unable to exit quickly. This is a known, widespread issue across multiple Nissan models from this era, and Nissan needs to be held accountable. I request that the federal safety agency investigate the 2017 Nissan Maxima door lock actuators and force a safety recall to prevent potential injuries or entrapment.

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 Oct 4, 2023 · IL

Car starts, but would not accelerate. Turned the car off, started 10 minutes later, car would not accelerate past 5 mph. Drove a 1/4 block turned around, car’s power steering locked up in drive way. 12 hours later car works fine, no acceleration issues. Brought to Nissan dealership, they found no issues. 2 weeks later, drove for 3-hour trip. Returned home and parked. Started car 30 minutes later, drove 10 minutes and car loses acceleration again in the middle of road/traffic. Able to park safely. Car engine would not restart, lights and hazards working. Error message on dash says incorrect key code. Called a tow, they jumped the car with a jumper pack and engine starts, car accelerates. 1 day later new battery installed, new battery in key fobs. Car is accelerating and starting now. My complaint, my belief that there is a serious design flaw with the keyless start option. Car is not detecting key while in drive every time. No indication given that batteries were low power. Safety issues - no detectable problems found by mechanics, losing acceleration while in traffic possibly due to key fob malfunction. Why is there no option for traditional key start? How can car be trusted to start/ accelerate when driving long distances, when there is no reasonable explanation for the loss of acceleration? This is not a unique issue, a number of complaints online for viewing. Videos on how to ‘fix’ by unplugging car battery. Consumers should not have to diy/disconnect car battery just to start a car.I believe this is a deeper issue with car design and is a safety issue for teen and adult drivers.

Filed Jul 10, 2023 · Steering · 170,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle in the morning, the vehicle would start after several attempts. The contact stated that he opened the hood and checked the battery and became aware that both battery terminals were corroded. The contact cleaned the terminals and still had issues with starting the vehicle. Additionally, the steering wheel had locked. The contact was unable to unlock the steering wheel. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that inserting the key in the ignition switch would not start the vehicle, and the key fob ignition option had also failed to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the steering wheel remained locked. The contact stated that the vehicle remained at the residence and was no longer drivable. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 06V402000 (Steering). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Filed Nov 4, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · 100,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated the vehicle was unable to recognize the key fob inside the vehicle while attempting to start the vehicle. The contact stated a warning message was illuminated to keep the key fob close to the push to start button. The contact called the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the key fob battery to be replaced. The key fob battery was changed but continued to experience the failure. The contact also stated that the vehicle was also stalling. The contact took the vehicle to Paul Miller Nissan (930 Kings Hwy E, Fairfield, CT 06825: (203) 335-3181) where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission and the crankshaft sensor to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Jun 8, 2020 · Electrical · 30,000 miles · AR

1) the front radar obstruction warning comes on randomly when there is no obstruction while vehicle is in motion. 2) driver side door lock stops working for days (this is the 5th time and I have reported it to orr nissan in searcy,ar) started messing up while there was still warranty but they couldn't find anything wrong due to it not messing up when they could get it in to look at. The key fob, outside button, and inside button works all other door locks except driver door- have to use the key to unlock/lock driver door. Can hear the part inside the door reacting in a slow manner prior to it not working. Very aggravating when has been reported many, many times and not being fixed due to it not messing up at appointments. Tried to get an appointment today while it's messing up but was told it would be next week before it can be looked at (probably won't be messed up then!)

Filed Nov 19, 2019 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · NY

Car will not start, steering wheel locks, key fob light is on, brake is stiff. This is not the first time nissan had this problem. My car only has 50,000 miles on it.

Filed Nov 26, 2018 · Electrical · 168,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan maxima. While the vehicle was stationary, all of the doors immediately locked without being prompted by the key fobik. The contact had to get the police to unlock the doors. The contact stated that the key fobik became inoperative on several occasions after exiting the vehicle. An independent mechanic was made aware of the failure and stated that the body control module was faulty and needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

Filed Jan 17, 2017 · Steering · 132,000 miles · MO

Steering column locking up key fob not being recognized by car. It wont let me start it.

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.