2009 Nissan Maxima Steering Problems

The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that after the windshield was replaced by Safelite Auto Glass, the employee at Safelite attempted to start the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start, and the steering wheel had seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the electronic steering column lock had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. Upon further investigation, the contact found Manufacturer Recall Number: PC516, which involved the electronic steering column lock (ESCL). However, the VIN was not included. The contact stated that Safelite did not remove the rearview mirror. However, the rearview mirror was left hanging while the windshield was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the Service Campaign under PC516 for the same issue, and the Service Campaign had since expired. The failure persisted, and the vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11709781

Incident

Oct 17, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11639330

Incident

Jan 19, 2025

Mileage

170,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11580982

Incident

Mar 26, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11557187

Incident

Nov 27, 2023

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ID

11527551

Incident

Jun 17, 2023

I HAVE PARKED MY VECHICKLE AND AFTER 10 MIN. I COULDN'T START ENGINE. IN NISSAN SERVICE THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED REPLACE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK ($830.00). THEY TOLD ME TOO, THAT WAS RECALL ON THAT PART BUT UNFORTUNATELY HAS EXPIRED.

NHTSA ID

11351716

Incident

Aug 25, 2020

Mileage

170,000 mi

TWO DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FROM MY HOUSE BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, FIELD STEERING WAS SO OUT OF CONTROL I HAD A HARD TIME KEEPING IN MY LANE THE BRAKES WERE IF YOU WERE TO JUST TOUCH THE BRAKES THE SLIGHTEST YOU WOULD GO OUT THE WINDSHIELD PRACTICALLY. AFTER THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED THE STEERING ISSUES, I PICKED MY CAR UP FROM THE SHOP AND I WAS GOING DOWN THE CITY STREET AND IT JERKED SO HARD TO THE RIGHT THAT I JUMPED THE CURB ALMOST HIT A BUSH AND THREE PEOPLE WALKING IN THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS MY PROBLEM NOT THEIRS.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11341451

Incident

May 4, 2020

Mileage

99,500 mi

THE ELECTRONIC STREERING COLUMN LOCK WAS STUCK AND MY CAR WAS UNABLE TO START TWICE. IT HAPPENED ONCE WHEN I WAS AT HOME AND I GOT IT REPLACED. NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS AT WORK.

NHTSA ID

11310732

Incident

Feb 13, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID

11306674

Incident

Jan 22, 2020

Mileage

154,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11298261

Incident

Jan 5, 2020

Mileage

16,000 mi

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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V358000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 38170451. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,684.

NHTSA ID

11288720

Incident

Dec 10, 2019

Mileage

10,684 mi

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS COMPLETELY OUT AND HAVE TO REFILL EVERY TWO WEEKS. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE PARKWAY AND MY RPM KEPT JUMPING SLIGHTLY. GOT OFF MY EXIT TO MY UNIVERSITY AND STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THEN IT WOULDN'T MOVE. AFTER LETTING IT SIT FOR A WHILE I COULD GET IT TO MOVE ACROSS A PARKING LOT, BUT IT SHOOK THE WHOLE TIME AND WOULDN'T GO OVER 1200 RPM. IT EVENTUALLY WENT COMPLETELY OUT AND NOW IT DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL. IT IS ALSO SMOKING UPON STARTING IT NOW.

NHTSA ID

11288704

Incident

Sep 29, 2019

Mileage

220,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11245961

Incident

Aug 21, 2019

Mileage

174,000 mi

CONTROL ARMS BOTH NEED REPAIR, REPEATED ISSUES WITH TIRE INFLATION GAUGES, TIRE WEAR, STRUTS, AND STEERING. NEEDED REPAIR COSTING $2700 TO REPLACE CONTROL ARMS.

NHTSA ID

11096748

Incident

May 11, 2018

Mileage

87,000 mi

WHEN LOOKING UP MY MAKE MODEL AND YEAR OF CAR, YOUR SITE SEEMS TO INDICATE A "SUSPENSION/STRUT INSULATOR CRACKING" PROBLEM, HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACTED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP, THEY SAY FOR MY VIN # THERE IS ONLY ONE RECALL AND IT IS FOR A "STEERING COLUMN" PROBLEM . I JUST WANT TO KNOW ALL THE FACTS BEFORE I TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIRS THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2018.

NHTSA ID

11081367

Incident

Mar 26, 2018

Mileage

184,000 mi

NISSAN HAS A RECALL ON CERTAIN 2009 NISSAN MAXIMAS ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY. MY MAXIMA IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. HOWEVER, IN JULY OF 2014 DURING ROUTINE SERVICE AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK WAS REPLACED. A FEW DAYS AGO IT FAILED AGAIN, I HAD TO TOW IT TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT NISSAN WILL NOT COVER ANY PART OF THE COST OF $797.19. MY CASE NUMBER WITH NISSAN USA IS 29509408. I'M ASKING FOR THE REPLACEMENT COST AND $40.00 FOR TOWING COST FOR A PART THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A RECALL AND HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE.

NHTSA ID

11062896

Incident

Jan 10, 2018

CAR WOULD NOT START ON A BLISTERY COLD DAY. LUCKILY, IT HAPPENED INFRONT OF MY HOUSE, BUT I THEN HAD TO GET TOWED TO A GARAGE BECAUSE THE WINDOWS WENT DOWN WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. "KEY" LIGHT TURNS ON. ALL FUNCTIONS ON FOB STILL WORK AND THE CAR HAD A BRAND NEW BATTERY INSTALLED 3 MONTHS AGO. SEEMS TO BE THE STEERING LOCK MODULE WHICH HAS CAUSED THE CAR NOT TO START.

NHTSA ID

11060840

Incident

Jan 5, 2018

Mileage

106,000 mi

MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THE ESCL (ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK) FAILING. NISSAN IS OFFERING TO REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE FOR VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS (NHTSA #10119190, NISSAN CAMPAIGN ID PC516). HOWEVER, NISSAN HAS STATED THAT MY VIN# IS NOT PART OF THE PROGRAM. NISSAN HAS ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE NHTSA SET THE PARAMETERS FOR THE VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN, AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IT IS TRUE THE NHTSA SET THE VIN# PARAMETERS FOR THIS PROGRAM, AND IF SO WHY MY CAR, WHICH HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM MULTIPLE TIMES, IS NOT INCLUDED. IF IT IS NOT TRUE THAT THE NHTSA SET THE PARAMETERS, WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL LIABILITIES NISSAN FACES IN BLAMING THE PROBLEM ON THE NHTSA. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. .IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING, AND HAS POTENTIAL TO STRAND DRIVERS IN POTENTIALLY HARMFUL SITUATIONS.

NHTSA ID

11048773

Incident

Nov 23, 2017

Mileage

126,000 mi

OCT 9, 2017, DROVE THE CAR FOR 15 MINUTES, TO DESTINATION. WHEN READY TO LEAVE, CAR WOULD NOT START, AFTER PUSHING STARTER BUTTON. CHANGE FOB KEY BATTERY AND STILL WOULD NOT START. STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED IN UPRIGHT POSITION. CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER STATES THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK IS FAULTY. REPLACEMENT COST $1100+. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM, OBVIOUSLY, IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND BE AN ENDANGERMENT TO STRANDED OCCUPANTS.

NHTSA ID

11033107

Incident

Oct 9, 2017

Mileage

76,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11024565

Incident

Sep 19, 2017

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY AT HOME, A FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND STARTED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000.

NHTSA ID

10968588

Incident

Mar 25, 2017

Mileage

177,000 mi

MY MAXIMA WON'T START OR DO ANYTHING. I TOWED THE CAR TO MOSSY NISSAN AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE STEERING LOCKING MECHANISM.

NHTSA ID

10955191

Incident

Feb 15, 2017

Mileage

160,000 mi

I OWN A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA, NEVER HAD NAY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR EXCEPT FOR ROUTINE WORK DONE. I CLOCKED OUT OF WORK AND WENT TO START MY CAR AND THE CAR DID NOT START. THE WHEEL AND BRAKES WERE LOCKED ON ME AND I COULD NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK TO SHIFT IT. MY KEY LIGHT APPEARED ON MY DASH AND I LOOKED IT UP IN MY MANUAL AND SAW IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK.. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAD TO PAY TO TOW MY CAR FROM WORK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT COST ME 1113.00 TO FIX THE STEERING LOCK UNIT.. TO MY KNOWLEDGE I NEVER WAS NOTIFIED OR RECEIVED A LETTER TELLING ME ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ABPUT THE STEERING LOCK. I FEEL LIKE THE WARRANTY SHOULD BE FOREVER BECAUSE WHAT IF THIS STEERING LOCK UNIT I REPLACED GOES OUT ON ME AGAIN LEAVING ME STRANDED SOMEWHERE ELSE AND THEN I HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER 1113.00 TO FIX... WAY TO GO NISSAN!!!!!!!!

NHTSA ID

10955140

Incident

Feb 15, 2017

Mileage

105,000 mi

THE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM (AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE) FAILED. IT LOCKED MY STEERING WHEEL AND DISABLED THE START BUTTON ON THE CAR. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY; I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT AWAY FROM HOME WITH A CAR THAT WOULD NOT START. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAD ISSUED A TSB, BUT NO RECALL. NOR WAS I NOTIFIED OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM AS AN OWNER.

NHTSA ID

10954324

Incident

Feb 11, 2017

Mileage

72,000 mi

2009 MAXIMA WITH 87,000 MILES WAS OPERATIONAL THROUGHOUT THE DAY; WE PARKED AT A BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT FOR LUNCH FEBRUARY 4, 2017 (WINTER; CLOUDY NO RAIN OR SNOW) OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE 45 F. WHEN RETURNING TO VEHICLE, CAR WOULD NOT START: STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND INTELLIKEY SYSTEM WOULD NOT FUNCTION; BLINKING DASH LIGHT INDICATED CAR WAS IN LOCK-DOWN MODE. HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK - AFTER 75 MINUTES WAIT CAR WAS TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER FOR REPAIR (STILL WAITING). THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM & IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY LOCKED UP IN THIS VERY SAME CAR (THAT TIME WAS OCTOBER 2012 WITH 46,000 MILES ON THE CAR). THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM SINCE THIS APPEARS TO HAPPEN AT RANDOM; LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION OR VICIOUS WEATHER. PREVIOUS REPAIR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I SUSPECT THIS REPAIR WILL BE QUITE COSTLY. THE CAR SHOULD NOT LOCK UP LIKE THIS FOR NO REASON. THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISMS APPEARS TO BE EITHER A FAULTY DESIGN OR HAVE PROBLEMS FUNCTIONING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND HAVE THIS PART RECALLED OR REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

10949590

Incident

Feb 4, 2017

Mileage

87,000 mi