general problems of the 2009 Nissan Maxima - part 1

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.

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.

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.

Unknown.

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.

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, who stated that there was an unknown recall �escl�. The contact called the hilltop Nissan dealer, located at 258 state route 10, east hanover, NJ 07936 and was told that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and told the contact to complaint to 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. Fe.

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.

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.

Control arms both need repair, repeated issues with tire inflation gauges, tire wear, struts, and steering. Needed repair costing $2700 to replace control arms.

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.

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.

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.

My Maxima won't start or do anything. I towed the car to mossy Nissan and they said it was the steering locking mechanism.

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!!!!!!!!.

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.

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.

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. . .

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.

I went outside to start my vehicle and it wouldn't start. . The steering wheel is locked and I can't get it unlocked. . The steering wheel symbol with 2 up and down arrows on both sides of it lights up on the dash and a red flash in car symbol with a key in the center of it is on along with the lock word on the push button. . It won't go past the lock button when I try to start it.

I drove my car . 5 of a mile to the store got down and came back to start my car. My gas pedal was hard and my push start button read lock. I saw a red blinking key sign. I inserted my key fob in the slot hoping that fixed it and nothing. I wiggled the wheel and pressed the start button and nothing. I tried everything in the book for 3 hours in the parking lot of heb until I got it towed to my apartment until I figured out what to do. I got online and saw so many complaints about the same issue. I called Nissan dealership Saturday and told them what happened. They said they needed to inspect the vehicle so I scheduled. I asked if they would cover the repairs since this has been going on to many vehicles, maybe a recall? they said no, unless I have warranty- I don't. Turns out I need a new steering control. $1,500 later my car is being worked on now. I have a few questions for the service advisors. Not a happy Nissan owner right now.

Car wouldn't start, steering wheel lock would not disengage. Also windows went down with auto-down feature on key but no way to put them back up.

Takata recall - I was at the barbershop getting my haircut and afterwards when leaving I was attending to crank up and drive off but my car wouldn't crank and it was in lock mode (steering wheel lock module )and took me almost a hour or two before it cranked up, so I was very frustrated because this happened and there was a lock indicator light on in the dash and today on September 18th, 2016 it happened again and now it won't say anything so I cant even drive my 09 Maxima someone please get a recall for this.

Me and my family were out of town of a weekend getaway, not knowing this steering wheel lock situation was about to leave us stranded out of town and ruin a planned out weekend. Basically we arrived to our destination as perfect as can be, park the car and me and my family left my 2009 Nissan Maxima parked for a few hours as we enjoyed ourselves. When returning to the car is when the problem began and sense of worry hit my fiance and kids faces. The steering wheel locked and we had no control of the car no more. Stranded and trying to figure out what was exactly going on with the help of google and you tube. A lovely memorable weekend away became a nightmare in a matter of hours. Very disappointed in Nissan after reading all the similar complaints and malfunctions individuals have been dealing with and no support or recall from Nissan. Me and my family were stranded in a city were we had no family relations for support in an emergency situation. My Nissan steering lock situation really opened my eyes to the dangers of this. Definitely reconsidering what to do with my car and my next purchase. Thank god with the support of a you tube video I was able to follow instructions to get the car started after a few hours of trying for who knows how many more times. I drove straight home and now the car sits there non running, steeling wheel locked. My family was my priority and getting them home was a necessity. This steering wheel lock really put us as parents in a dangerous and scared situation for ourselves and children.

The steeringwheel will not unlock and car wont start. 2009 Nissan Maxima.

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.

Turned car off to go into post office. Returned and it wouldn't do anything. Went had new battery put in key pad. Still nothing. Called Nissan for suggestions. None given. Had to have towed to Nissan. After they checked was told steering lock unit had internal failure. Never heard of this problem before after owning several cars. A very expensive repair and one that shouldn't be occurring on a 2009 model car. I 'm very disappointed with this car since I had heard so many good things about it. I gave up on Cadillac's to get a Nissan. Sure believe I made a big mistake. There are other little quirks that have bothered me. I'm on my third car battery. Bought the last one in April 2014. The key pad locks have to be changed every year. The original paint job is very shallow. The most important is the replacement of this steering lock unit.

When we purchased the car last year,the steering wheel would go up. It made a grinding noise. The dealership fixed it under warranty for no charge. It started doing the same thing in August of 2016. Car is not under warranty now. There are so many folks having the same issue with the same year and model car. Nissan should recall these cars and fix the problem for free. The steering wheel will not move up. It is stuck in the down position and makes a grinding noise.

My 18 old sons car just hit 87000 miles and the steering lock mechanism has failed. Not only is this a $900 repair but it is a reoccurring problem with Nissan vehicles. My son was stranded in a parking lot at 12am. This has occurred 3 times while his car is off. He is unable to start it. Had to have it towed 3 times with the dealer saying it was a battery problem. Had the battery replaced. Nissan admits there is a steering lock problem and that the recall period ended in Jan 3016. My son is 18 and just bought the car from a reputable major car dealership in town. Anytime a driver is at risk in a parking garage or lot or freeway with a car that had this notable problem it is a safety concern.

My steering wheel completely locked up. I was unable to start my car and had to have it towed. It cost me almost $1300 to fix. I see multiple complaints about this. Why is there not a recall??.

Steering wheel lock problem-I was not aware of this problem and was not able to benefit from the extended warranty. I was stranded late in the evening and was not able to get home and did not want to leave my car. My car was parked and would not start. The experience was traumatizing.

The escl module went out on my Maxima. From what I have been reading in many, many Maxima forums, this is a common problem with the 2009 Maximas'. In fact, many forums discourage buying the 2009 and suggest earlier models. Currently, my automobile is disabled at the mechanic's shop with a repair fee of $1070.

Steering wheel locked, shift wont work, brakes wont engage. . . Never notified regarding Nissan alert which is posted on their site. . . How doi get my car fixed. . . Carwont start and cant get towed out of garage.

Park car. Got back in steering wheel lock, left car over to friend house.

My 2009 Nissan Maxima is no longer starting and the brake and steering wheel have locked. It does not recognize that I have a key even though I do. Any attempt to start the vehicle results in a sporadic tick tick or screeching type noise for lack of a better word.

Steering lock malfunction.