Is the 2009 Nissan Maxima a bad year?
339 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Maxima years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2009 Nissan Maxima are in line with other Maxima years. Steering and electrical system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2009 Maxima owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 64,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 168 (50%) | 47k–92k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 79 (23%) | 48k–96k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 43 (13%) | 43k–118k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 36 (11%) | 47k–122k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Engine | 22 (6%) | 51k–91k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 11 (3%) | 58k–126k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structure | 8 (2%) | 49k–115k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seats | 15 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 11 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 64,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 339 complaints: 7 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 5 report an injury · 11 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jan 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2009 Nissan Maxima: 1
The upper front strut insulators may have been manufactured out of specification resulting in a potential for the strut insulator to crack. If the strut insulator is cracked, there is a potential for the strut rod to come out of its mounting position, which could affect vehicle stability and increase the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 66
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2009 Nissan Maxima. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
DTC P0456 caused by EVAP leak at vent control valve o-ring
The information in this bulletin is provided to help ensure correct diagnosis and repair of fluid leaks
When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues…
If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if…
Neighbouring years
2008 Maxima: 79 complaints, keep it · 2010 Maxima: 275 complaints, keep it.
Every Nissan Maxima year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · All Maxima years side by side
Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Altima · Nissan Armada · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Murano · Nissan Pathfinder · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note · Nissan Xterra. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2009 Nissan Maxima a bad year?
339 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Maxima years. At 64,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Maxima?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (168), electrical system (79), air bags (43), suspension (36), engine (22).
How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Maxima have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 09V-358). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.