Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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. …
We purchased a 2009 Nissan Maxima after driving the car home we noticed a popping sound that was coming from the front of the car. We had it checked by a mechanic and was told it was the front end. He replaced the struts, and a couple of the other parts. When we pick the car up it was making more noise the when we brought it in. The mechanic took a look underneath the car near the wheel. He had to take one of the parts off because it had malfunction. He stated it was a faulty malfunction part. He replaced it and the one side stop popping. While the passenger front wheel still makes a popping noise. I have owed a Toyota, Honda and I have never had such an on going problem. After reading the issues that everyone is having with the front end. I think I have made a mistake buying a Nissan. I have also replaced to rims because of cracking and warping.
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.
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, [phone]) 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.
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, [phone]) 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.
Related recalls
Suspension
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 altima and maxima passenger cars. The upper front strut insulators May have been manufactured out of specification resulting in a potential for the strut insulator to crack.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners and dealers will replace both left and right side front strut insulators free of charge. The safety recall began October 2009. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-nissan1 (1-800-647-7261).
Suspension complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2009 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the suspension of the 2009 Nissan Maxima, 11% of the model year's 339 complaints. The component named most often is front (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Nissan Maxima suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-358 (suspension, Sep 16, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Nissan Maxima suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.