8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$970
Average Mileage:
130,050 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace steering lock unit (4 reports)
  2. replaced steering column (3 reports)
  3. not sure (1 reports)
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problem #8

Nov 142017

Maxima SV 3.5L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 134,000 miles

This is ridiculous. Nissan knows about the problem and yet did not notify anyone about it. If you had a problem a couple of years ago they would quietly fix it and move on. Mine just happened and we as a family has 6 Nissan's right now and have had more than that before. My father-in-law has two right now.

I think that this should be fixed by Nissan at no cost to the customer. I want the whole world to know that they are not standing behind their cars when they have a known problem and yet refuse to fix it. I intend to tell everyone I know, personally, on Facebook, via email, in every chat room in the world that I can get into and I intend to keep pounding until they do something about it.

- ledmonson, Waxhaw, US

problem #7

Aug 192016

Maxima 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,355 miles

My steering column switch has gone out several times. I have had it repaired before, and now the problems has happened again. I think that you Nissan needs to complete a life recall on this issue, because it is very costly and not good for business. I could not take my son to school, because my car would not start, this is a disaster and I feel that I should not be at fault. I will never purchase another Nissan or any car for that matter that has a push start button. This causes headache and problems of being stranded when my issue should have been resolved the first time I had it replaced.

- shajuana7, Hueytown, AL, US

problem #6

Aug 272016

Maxima S 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

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.

Update from Mar 29, 2017: Nissan recently issued another recall on the ESCL. I filed a claim and got a total refund back!

- Austin D., San Antonio, TX, US

problem #5

Dec 262016

Maxima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,400 miles

How sad. I have bought multiple Nissan Maxima's including a new one a few months ago and now when I need help I get a cold shoulder. My 2009 Nissan Maxima would not start while I am out with the family doing after Christmas shopping. I end up having to get it towed to the closest dealership and am told the steering lock unit will not recognize my key fobs. Next thing I hear is it will cost me $1125 to get it fixed. After researching it I find out it was a known issue and they had a warranty extension until August of 2015 but were not required to notify owners unless something broke by then. I only have 63,400 miles on the car but they coldly refused to help with the repair. I have never filed a complaint in my life until now but my next step is the Ohio Attorney General's office. I couldn't even imagine how a person who isn't a loyal client gets treated if I get treated like this.

Look at the article I just read which infuriates me even more.

Nissan Problems

Steering Wheel Lock Failure

2009-2011 Nissan Owners With Push Button Ignitions Left Stranded

Nissan owners are fed up of not being able to start their cars. In fact, you probably don’t want to get them started on it. Share on Facebook Retweet this page. Defective Electronic Steering Column Lock. Widespread defects in the Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) can disable the push-button ignition in a wide range of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles. The ESCL’s primary job is to keep the steering wheel locked until you bring your key fob in range of the vehicle. It’s meant to prevent theft. Once the ESCL detects the your key fob, it unlocks the steering wheel and lets you go on your merry way. But it doesn’t always work. You might as well have one of these on (kids ask your parents) Even with the fob present and working[1], the ESCL won’t detect it and, therefore, won’t release it’s iron grip on the wheel. In essence, it thinks you’re a thief and it won’t let you leave. At least it doesn’t call the cops (save that for a future “Internet-connected” model).

- Michael J., North Royalton, OH, US

problem #4

Nov 272016

Maxima SV

  • Automatic transmission
  • 151,000 miles

To my understand the steering column lock is a problem that most 2009 Maxima Nissan has. Nissan extended the warranty on this until March of 2015. Nissan failed to let us car owners know this.

On Sun 11/27/2016 around 10pm I stopped at a gas station in like the middle of nowhere. I cut my car off to pump gas. All day I been driving my car and it did not give me not one darn warning. When I finish pumping gas and got back in my vehicle my car did not turn back on. It was dead. I am a female stuck in the middle of nowhere. Scary. I tried to turn it on. Open my hood to make sure battery wasn't lose. Nothing helped. On my dashboard a yellow sign saying key and a red car with a key in the middle. My car and my fobs were not responding to turn the car on.

I called my insurance company for towing. They towed me home. I called Nissan on Sunday, but they are closed Sunday. On Monday I called and they asked me whats going on and I told them. They said it sounds like the battery. I said not because my insurance company sent someone to check my battery and to jump me. It wasn't my battery. The tow company told me he has towed over 200 2009 Maximas with this same problem. I did my research and everyone said it was the steering column. I had my car towed to Nissan and they called me back stating it was the steering column and the price will be $946. This is something I feel should be on Nissan because they know this is a problem. The fact they failed to notify all of us is not good practice.

- Rebeca M., Boston, MA, US

problem #3

Oct 072016

Maxima SV V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 187,543 miles

I never got anything on this recall and I see I'm not the only one with this problem

- Willis R., Wedowee, AL, US

problem #2

Jan 292016

Maxima 3.2lV6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,090 miles

Should have been recalled. Could have been a much worse experience if i ddin't have family members to help.

- Nancy R., Riverside, IL, US

problem #1

Jun 082016

Maxima V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 173,000 miles

This occurred my third day on a new job. I have not had it fixed yet but after reviewing the online complaints about the same problem, I am hoping there will be a recall.

- Stacie S., Dothan, AL, US