Brakes Failed problems of the 2009 Nissan Maxima

Steering/brake lock failed to disengage with attempted engine start up. Key indicator light and security lights flashing on dash. Steering lock required replacement after car was towed to nearest Nissan dealership. This repair was not covered under warranty which had expired 7 month earlier. On line research would suggest this is a fairly common occurrence; a Nissan service bulletin has apparently be published for this issue as it was referenced by the service department providing the repair.

The brakes on my Nissan Maxima failed and I was almost hit by cars as I slid into a major intersection while braking for a red light. I was only driving at 5mph because I saw the light from about five car lengths away and I braked at 2 car lengths away from the light. I braked again twice but the brakes continued to fail as I slid into the intersection. Luckily for me, the oncoming traffic was able to stop in time for me to move the car to a safe position. The brakes then held again until I drove to the dealer. The brake problem occurred twice before though I did not recognize it as such , once on the same day and once within the same week. It was intermittent. It occurred at speeds less than 20mph and within 10 minutes of starting the car and driving. The outside temperature was 20 to 25 degrees f and the roads were clean. I immediately took the car to the dealer who said that Nissan engineers have to evaluate the car. Its been more than three weeks, neither the dealer nor I have heard from Nissan as to what they are doing about it. I even reported the incidents to the online Nissan consumers. They acknowledged receiving the complaint and that's all. I am still driving the rental car arranged by the dealer.

I bought a brand new Nissan Maxima in Nov. My sister borrowed the car for the weekend and the brakes failed causing her to hit the vehicle in front of her. The car had to be towed to a body shop, the mechanic on duty got the car running, while removing the car from the tow truck he drove the car about ten feet and the first thing he said was the brakes feel fluffy. The car was repaired and cleared by the body shop, it was there rough 5 weeks, I took the car to the dealer who then inspected the car and brakes, they said nothing was wrong and documented the incident. On July 25 I was driving home from the park with my daughter in the back seat when the brakes failed again, I was lucky nobody was in front of me. I got the car stopped and thankfully I was less then a mile away from home. On Monday I called the dealer and told them it happened again and said they can come pick it up, I wont drive it and no longer feel safe in it. They had it towed out that same day, they have had the car ever since. The car was inspected again on August 21 2009, and cleared again. I was told Monday that nothing was wrong with the car. To my knowledge nothing has ever been replaced or repaired on the braking system.