RoadVitals

2009 Nissan Maxima Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
36
Latest Jan 30, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
11%
of 339 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2009 Nissan Maxima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 36 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming suspension

The 25 most recent of 36, in the owner's own words

Suspension
Filed Jan 30, 2025

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the front end of the vehicle started shuddering uncontrollably. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact was able to continue driving to the residence at 20 MPH. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11639588
Incident
Jan 29, 2025
Mileage
200,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal knocking sound emanating from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the front-end mounting strut insulator. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V358000 (Suspension) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11580536
Incident
Apr 1, 2024
ElectricalEngineSuspension
Filed May 19, 2023

I recently had my father pass away and my mom gave me his car , the air conditioning stopped working then the serpentine belt broke so I had a mobile mechanic come out and replace serpentine belt and tensioner. Then the power steering wheel fell off on freeway luckily no one was hurt I had to have the power steering pump replaced and another new serpentine belt installed. Then I went to get tires and an alignment done on the vehicle because it was driving kinda weird to be informed that the struts need replaced when I know my father had the struts replaced less then a year ago . Now today I was driving came to a red light and lost all power i could not even use hazard lights because I had no power. I was stuck there.I had to get towed home and purchased a new battery then called a mobile mechanic and was informed I have an ecm failure.with that being said car is unsafe to drive oh and serpentine belt broke again.

NHTSA ID
11522966
Incident
May 19, 2023
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Dec 1, 2022

On 9/12/22, my son purchased a 2009 Nissan Maxima from Street Cars. My son was told that the car did not pass the state inspection, but all items on the list were taken care of. The salesman noted the Air Intake Tube would be ordered for the car and installed once received. My son paid $5299 in cash. My son wanted to pay with a cashier's check, but the salesperson requested cash. On the way home to Woodbridge from Fredericksburg, the vehicle began to slow down as if it were going to cut off. My son slowed down and proceeded home. On 9/13/22, my son went to Minnieville Exxon to have the vehicle emissions test completed, and the car was listed as "Not Ready." In addition, seven (7) additional issues must be addressed before the vehicle can pass. We began calling the salesman at 11:45 am, sent a text message at 12:17 pm, and called until 1:30 pm. Due to what we felt were deceptive practices, we traveled to Street Cars in Fredericksburg to speak with the salesman about returning the vehicle for a refund. The salesman stated the vehicle was sold "As Is” and is on the Bill of Sales. We asked about the sign on the front of his business which states "3-Day Return Policy". The salesman said it does not apply to cash cars or discounted cars. When asked about the items on the failed inspection report being taken care of, the salesperson refused to discuss it further. The salesperson stated my son should use the warranty, where he will be responsible for half the cost of all repairs. When the salesperson was asked about the Air Intake Tube order, he refused to provide a confirmation number for the order, a telephone number, or a location for the company. My son did not receive any title paperwork and was told to sign the vehicle delivery form when items had not been received. We contacted ASC Warranty company which was provided with the vehicle, and they told us to take the car to any automotive repair shop for an estimate. We took the vehicle to Sheehy Nissan in Manas

NHTSA ID
11495700
Incident
Sep 12, 2022
Suspension
Filed Aug 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the suspension. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V358000 (Suspension) and he needed to pay out of pocket for the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and they stated that the vehicle warranty had expired and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11478586
Incident
Aug 10, 2021
Mileage
120,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 12, 2021

I own a 2009 Maxima. I took the vehicle into a repair shop to diagnose a problem that i was experiencing with the suspension. The vehicle made a thumping noise on rough or bumpy road surfaces and felt as though the front end was going to break apart whenever I hit even a small pot-hole. I was told that the complete strut assembly as well as the lower control arms had to be replaced. I was also advised that my vehicle was unsafe to drive. The cost and labor to replace these parts is approx. $1,400. I can't afford to repair the vehicle at this time as I am unemployed due to Covid-19. I'm no mechanic but I will have to attempt to repair the vehicle myself.

NHTSA ID
11428771
Incident
Jan 30, 2021
SteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 12, 2019

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
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 23, 2019

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
Suspension
Filed Jul 2, 2019

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE AXLE ON MY CAR IN 2013 AND IN 2019 WHICH HAS BEEN CRACKED EACH TIME. IT WAS STATIONARY AND I WAS HAVING MY BRAKES DONE.

NHTSA ID
11228951
Incident
Apr 3, 2019
Mileage
133,358 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 30, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SWAY BAR HAD SNAPPED. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A CLICKING METAL SOUND WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER (AUTONATION NISSAN LAS VEGAS, 5800 W SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89146, (702) 570-1013) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE SWAY BARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER CALLED BACK AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL OR CURRENT WARRANTY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A WARRANTY, WHICH WAS NOT TRUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,300.

NHTSA ID
11173130
Incident
Dec 1, 2018
Mileage
72,300 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed May 18, 2018

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
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 26, 2018

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
Suspension
Filed Aug 14, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND HEARD A POP SOUND COMING FROM THE WHEELS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WIRES WERE EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA ID
11015225
Incident
Aug 11, 2017
Mileage
147,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 19, 2017

TAKATA INFLATORS WITH WHAT HAVING FRONT END STRUTS HAVE BEEN CRACKED VERY BADLY WHERE STEERING IS HARD TO MAINTAIN ON ANY PARTS OF DRIVING IS 100% BAD.

NHTSA ID
10995876
Incident
Oct 1, 2016
Mileage
113,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 30, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS OR POTHOLES, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STRUT AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DUBLIN NISSAN (2046 VETERANS BLVD, DUBLIN, GA 31021 (478) 275-2660), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED OR DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10992155
Incident
Apr 25, 2017
Mileage
140,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 21, 2017

RATTLING, CRACKING, VIBRATION AND ROAD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED. NOISE WAS VERY NOTICEABLE IF ROAD WAS BUMPY. IN MY EMAILS WITH NISSAN THEY ONLY WOULD REFER ME TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, WHICH IS 1 HOUR AWAY. I FORWARD NISSAN DOCUMENTS FOUND ON THE INTERNET STATING THE THIS YEAR MODEL HAD STRUT AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. NISSAN COULD ONLY TELL ME TO SEE A LOCAL DEALER.

NHTSA ID
10979776
Incident
Apr 14, 2017
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 18, 2016

TIRES VIBRATED AS IF OUT OF BALANCE. TOOK BACK TO DEALER HE REBALANCED AND ROTATED TIRES. THIS DID NOT CHANGE VIBRATION. CONTINUED TO HAVE VIBRATION AND DEALER STATED HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH TIRES. DEALER STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN A BAD TIRE ONLY BAD DRIVERS. THESE WERE NEW TIRES WITH LESS THAN 3000 MILES. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITHN THESE TIRES BUT FINALLY CHANGED TO COOPER RADIALS. HAVE NO PROBLEM SINCE CHANGING. FEEL DEALER UNJUST IN EVALUATION AND COMPLAINT. BASICALLY TIRES BOUNCED AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS. OUT OF 4 TIRES ONE WORN DRASTICALLY WHILE OTHERS WORE FAIRLY EVEN BUT ALL CONTINUED TO BE OUT OF BALANCE. COST AT PURCHASE ABOUT $875.00.

NHTSA ID
10917170
Incident
Jul 4, 2015
Mileage
3,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 16, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V358000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,687.

NHTSA ID
10907293
Incident
Sep 16, 2016
Mileage
11,687 mi
AirbagsOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed May 23, 2016

RECALL 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS NOT STABLE FEEL LIKE THE CAR IS WOBBLING AND THE TIRE IS GOING TO COME OFF. AND I ALWAYS HEAR THIS LOUD CRACKING/POPPING SOUND WHEN BACKING UP AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND GO FORWARD, WHILE DRIVING I SOMETIMES CAN HER THIS CRACKING/SQUEAKING SOUND AND ALSO THE TIRE INDICATOR CONSTANTLY STAYS ON. I HAVE TAKE IT TO THE SHOP TO BE CHECKED, AND THEY HAVE CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE IN EACH TIRE ON MY CAR AND ALSO THE SPARE TIRE IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR SEVERAL TIMES. AND THE TIRE INDICATOR WILL NOT GO OFF. GOD FORBID IF WHEN I GO OVER A SPEED BUMP THE ENTIRE CAR MAKES THIS LOUD SQUEAKING SOUND. WHEN MY VEHICLE ENGINE IS ON PASSAGE AIRBAG INDICATOR KEEP BLANKING AND WILL NOT GO OFF, STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH PASSAGE IN MY CAR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT." GOD BLESSED"

NHTSA ID
10870351
Incident
Apr 1, 2016
Suspension
Filed Jan 29, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND MADE A LOUD RATTLING NOISE WHENEVER THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT AND/OR BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ID
10823153
Incident
Nov 1, 2015
Mileage
49,000 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 15, 2016

STEERING WHEEL LOCK - IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY FAILURE. I PURCHASED MY 2009 NISSAN MA XIMA IN NOV 2012 AND MY CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING PRETTY GOOD UNTIL THE DREADED DAY WHEN I WAS STRANDED BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD MY CAR TOWED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEVSTEERINGBWHEEL LOCK ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED $1189.00. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT IM NOT MADE OUT OF MONEY. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 09. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND NISSAN SHOULD HAVE OWNED UP AND FIXED THIS PROBLEM ALONG TIME AGO. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND NOT JUST A BULLETIN. THERE IS A PROBLEM AND NISSA NEEDS TO FIX THERE WRONG, INSTEAD SELLING CARS KNOWING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED AND NISSAN NEEDS TO DO THE REPAIRS IMMEDIATELY WITH NO CHARGE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ID
10820586
Incident
Jan 8, 2016
Mileage
114,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 15, 2015

STRUT MOUNTS ARE CRACKED AND DISINTEGRATING POSING A DANGER OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS, BUT NISSAN CLAIMS THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10782381
Incident
Sep 23, 2015
Mileage
69,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Oct 9, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE STRUT BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE RIM ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRACKED DUE TO A FAULTY STRUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A RECALL FOR THE STRUT WAS ISSUED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V358000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10781111
Incident
Oct 5, 2015
Suspension
Filed Aug 27, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STRUT INSULATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE BOTH FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V358000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,100.

NHTSA ID
10759679
Incident
Aug 20, 2015
Mileage
80,100 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 9, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER FRONT STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER NOT WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ID
10724382
Incident
May 8, 2015
Mileage
123,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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