Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was on the highway headed to nashville,tennessee. I had beem driving aproximately 45 minutes when my gas pedal stop working on me. The car started slowing down and I start pulling over to get outbof other cars ways. The breaks were still working but the gas was not working. I turned the car on and off and still no gas but alll of the sudden all the lights came on so I had no choice but to call my insurance for roadside assistance. I have never had or heard of an issue like this.
I arrive home at approximately 3:00 pm (pacific) and park my vehicle (I dont move it at all). At approximately 4:00 am (pacific) about 13 hours later... The vehicle is completely engulfed in flames!! The fire dept. Says it could be - it is more than likely an electrical fire.
My car would not start was able to open the doors to the car but could not start the car. Car was towed to Nissan service station was told the steering lock had to be replaced for internal failure and it was no longer under warranty. $899.67 dollars later and as I'm leaving the service station I'm told my warranty was up by a few days and also Nissan had extended the warranty for 2009 models but not 2010 models this is a copy taken from nissanassist.com released in 2013 (q1.what is the reason for warranty extension? A. To ensure customer satisfaction. Model year 2009 altima and Maxima vehicles are equipped with an electronic steering column lock (escl) unit that locks the steering wheel when the vehicle is parked and the ignition is turned off to help prevent theft. …
I went to start my 2010 Maxima and it wouldn't start. I thought it was the battery, so I changed it. No difference. Then I saw that the key indicator was lit on my dashboard. So I checked my key fob, it was fine. Then I began to google the issue and saw that there was a recall on the 2009 altima/Maxima's on the electronic steering column lock (escl). I read that owners of Maxima's would remove the bottom dashboard and jiggle or tap the escl and the car would eventually start. I tried this remedy, and it worked...temporarily. The light went off but the very next day it came back on. I was hesitant to start my car after the incident. The car started but the light stayed on. I assumed that there was an electrical issue, but since the car started I went on about my daily routine. Then it happened, I was away from my home, on a date, in the snow, and it wouldn't start again. …
When I tried to start the vehicle, it was unresponsive and the anit-theft button was illuminated on the instrument panel, though there was nothing that should have prompted this (I was doing yard and no one was near vehicle). The brake pedal was stiff and the wheel was not movable. Neither the actual key or the Smart key fob would start the vehicle. I attempted to reset the Smart key fob as per the owner's manual (see anit-theft section) numerous times and it did not work. Ultimately, the vehicle's battery died that night (unsure if there was a drain coming from somewhere as a result of this anti-theft light) and aaa came to jump start it the following morning. After jumping the car the tech ran a diagnostic on the battery and alternator which both came back acceptable (though the voltage was obviously low in the battery - just needed to be driven and recharged). …
I went to start my vehicle and an orange light that read "key" popped up on the dashboard. On my ignition button the "lock" word was luminated. My vehicle would not start, nor turn on electrical systems. I was stranded from picking up my daughter, which caused chaos and unnecessary obstacles that could have been a safety issue. My vehicle was in the off position, parked after only 2 hours after last use. Schools can call child protective services if you do not pick up your kid by a certain time. That proves that if I didn't find a way to get my daughter picked up in a timely manner she would've been in danger. Thank god I was in front of my home when this happened because I could've been in a hostile neighborhood, in the cold, with no heat. The piece in question that was the problem... …
Attempting to leave after work, my car would not start. I noticed that there was a flashing yellow light and I plugged that into google. It appeared that it was the steering lock control mechanism and it was common for this to fail. I had to get my car towed from work to the nearest dealership where the charge was $900 for the part and $250 for the service. Doing research, I noticed that this part was recalled for 2009 altimas. I bought my car in 2009, but it was a 2010 model, so it is my assumption that this was made with these 2009 parts. This part is vital apparently, as it causes all of the electrical components with the starter to disable. I feel fortunate that I was not traveling as I would have been stranded. It feels that Nissan is aware of this issue, however, they are not fixing it and charging a large amount of money for the part alone. …
Steering wheel lock system works with fab turning on vehicle disengaged and the wiring was determined to be the culprit and without the repair of $950 the car will not turn on. The vehicle was running just fine 1 hour prior to locking me out and causing many of hours with aaa diagnostics, then towing to 2 separate locations and I asked the dealer if this is a routine issue it seems extreme and a manufacturing defect that could have caused serious injury or death resulting if it happened when on the road and not in my garage to quote their response was no it wouldn't of done it while driving but it could of deserted you in a location other than your home causing you even further inconvenience. …
Unexpectedly, after driving one kid to school this morning, vehicle (stationary) would not start to drive my other kid to middle school. The electronic steering column lock (escl) unit that locks the steering wheel when the vehicle is parked and the ignition is turned off to help prevent theft prevents the vehicle from recognizing my key (fob), no regular key is issued, just button start. In my vehicle the escl May malfunction after the vehicle is locked and could prevent the engine from starting. Still waiting to hear the dreadful call from the dealer (have to be towed and I am not even done making payments for my 2010 Maxima) to see what the damage will be or if covered under an extended warranty. Not because the vehicle is in park, means it is not a safety issue. …
The electric steering wheel lock mechanism failed. Nissan knows this is a faulty part issue. They issued a recall for 2009 maximas. They changed the part out in late 2010 models. However, those of us with early 2010 models are out of luck. We do not fall inside recall and we did not get the new part so all of us with failure have to pay to have vehicles towed to a dealership and pay $1,000 ($700.00 parts & $300.00 labor) for the repair. The vehicle literally will not even start. You cannot even get it into neutral so not sure how it can be towed. I am second owner and have less than 40,000 miles on car. I love the car and was thinking about getting a second one for wife to drive. Will not buy another Nissan nor recommend that anyone else do so if this is how they treat the consumer! I want this faulty part fixed free of charge!
Electrical complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2010 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 79 complaints about the electrical system of the 2010 Nissan Maxima, 29% of the model year's 275 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Nissan Maxima electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2010 Nissan Maxima, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Nissan Maxima electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.