2009 Nissan Maxima steering problems

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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 complaint #11709781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

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 complaint #11639330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #11580982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #11557187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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UNKNOWN

NHTSA complaint #11527551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #11351716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #11310732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #11306674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #11298261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #11288704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #11288720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #11245961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #11096748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #11081367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #11062896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #11060840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

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 complaint #11048773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #11033107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #11024565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #10955191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #10955140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #10954324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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 complaint #10949590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK LOCKS AND DOESN'T ALLOW YOU TO START YOUR VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I LIVE IN MINNESOTA AND HAD THE STERRRING LOCK TRIGGER WHICH LEFT ME STRANDED IN FRIDGED TEMPERATURES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT HAPPEN WITH OUT NOTICE AND COULD CAUSE HARM OR DEATH BY NOT BEING ABLE TO START YOUR VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED IN PARK AND THE IGNITION IS DISENGAGED.

NHTSA complaint #10939492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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CAR WILL NOT START WITH THE ELECTRIC PUSH BUTTON. IT SEEMS TO BE THE ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK MECHANISM ACTUATOR. NISSAN WANTS TO CHARGE $1000 FOR THE PART AND $400 LABOR. IT TOOK US 15 MINS TO TAKE THE PART OUT OURSELVES AND UNPLUGGED IT AND PLUGGED IT BACK IN. IT DID WORK A FEW TIMES BUT NOW IT WONT WORK AGAIN. LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE TO BUY THE PART WHICH IS ON AMAZON FOR AROUND $400.00. THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH THIS PART AND NISSAN SHOULD HONOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT! I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TWICE BEFORE FIGURING THIS OUT! NOT SURE WHY THEY HAVE CHARGE SO MUCH FOR SUCH A SIMPLE FIX. THE DEALER SHIP IS A RIP OFF...

NHTSA complaint #10935390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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MY CAR STARTED WITH NO PROBLEM EARLY MORNING TO GO TO WORK, BUT WHEN I GOT OFF IT WOULD NOT START. I SAW A KEY LIGHT ON, SO I ASSUMED THAT IT WAS MY INTELLIGENT KEY BATTERY. SO I GOT A NEW BATTERY. I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE NEXT MORNING THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC. THEY TOLD ME MY STEERING LOCK UNIT IS BAD AND IT WOULD BE 1,020.00 TO REPLACE IT. I ASKED HOW DOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING AND THEY COULD NOT ANSWER. I WAS TOLD IT JUST HAPPENS.THIS UNIT REALLY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10930267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10928382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10928382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.