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.
Nissan Maxima steering lock-up problems
193 of the 6,504 owner complaints about the Nissan Maxima describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2009 model year.
- owner complaints
- 193
- worst model year
- 2009
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 71,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Won't start 83Key fob 20Stalling 8Engine failure 8Warning lights 4Loss of power 2Headlights 2Door locks 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P3040 1P0345 1B2612 1
What owners say
The steering wheel lock malfunctioned. The part is available for inspection. The car was parked on the street. It endangered others because it would not start and had to be towed. This issue was confirmed and reproduced by the dealer with diagnostics. There were no symptoms prior to this issue and the warning light only came on after the part malfunctioned.
In 2016 we had to replace the steering lock mechanism. Went to start the car and a security light came on and car would not start , and had to get the car towed from work. We paid to have the part replaced on 12/23/2016. Now, 11/27/2023 we had the same issue with the steering lock mechanism where we tried to start the vehicle and it won’t due to this same issue. Now having to get the car towed again to have the part replaced. I saw there was a voluntary safety recall on this issue in 2017. We did not receive any letter stating our car was affected, yet we replaced the part in 2016 with no reimbursement and now again in 2023 with the part doubling in cost.
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.
My steering wheel locking assembly went out and I'm not able to crank my car. Apparently my 2010 wasn't available in the recall or campaign . It quit working in my driveway
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan maxima. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle did not start. The steering locked without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called (hilltop nissan located at 258 state route 10, east hanover, nj 07936) and was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed to file a complaint with the manufacturer's consumer affairs. The contact did so and was told there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.
While I was driving on the highway I stopped to get gas at a rest stop and my car would not start thereafter. After much research this vehicle has a campaign for the electronic steering lock through nissan . I contacted nissan and was told due to the age and mileage of the vehicle they would not be able to reimburse ! Due to malfunction my car should have the appropriate steering box identified in their campaign. The dealership and nissan corporation refused to abide by their own campaign and denied any reimbursement for repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to gastonia nissan (2275 e franklin blvd, gastonia, nc 28054, (855) 274-8641) where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the electronic steering lock and the steering box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the VIN was not included in a manufacturer recall campaign regarding the electronic steering column lock. The dealer also stated that the struts were corroded and needed repair; however, the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v358000 (suspension). The manufacturer provided case number: 38170451. The failure mileage was approximately 10,684.
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.
Inti steering lock wouldnt allow me to turn engine off after parking in my driveway then not starting after I had to disconnect battery cable to stop engine which I am finding out to be widespread problem with this year model & others also have been informed of recall issue with both front struts same year & models
Related recalls
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles equipped with an 'intelligent key' fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." during an inspection of some vehicles at the assembly plant, it was found that the steering wheel was locked with the ignition knob in the "off" position but the vehicle transmission not being in the "park" position.
- Risk
- If the key is turned to the "off" position without the transmission being in the "park" position, it is possible that the steering wheel can lock when turned to the right.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the steering wheel lock assembly free of charge. The recall began on december 18, 2006. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 06V402000 · Recall details
Questions about the Nissan Maxima steering lock-up
Which Nissan Maxima years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2009 (88 complaints), 2010 (85 complaints) and 2004 (4 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix steering wheel locks up on the Nissan Maxima?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 70 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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