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 2010 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the steering wheel began to violently shake without warning as his vehicle also began to wobble uncontrollably. The contact stated that the wobbling came to a stop once he released his foot off the accelerator pedal. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a cracked strut insulator. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V358000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the front wheels. The stabili-trak and ABS warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the tire pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed passenger's side CV axle, cracked struts on the front driver's side and front passenger's side. In addition, the axle on the front driver's side would need to be replaced soon. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.
Yes the tire sensor light is on and the suspension has gone out and I have been advised that it needs struts and sway bar links and that I can not drive it or it will cause a wreck/collision.. Nissan has a recall on Nissan maximas for suspension but said my model is not included and what is recalled on other maximas is exactly what's wrong with mine! My car sounds like it's about to fall apart.
My 2010 nisssan Maxima has 54,900 miles. In December 2017 I noticed a rattle in the car from the passenger side when ever going over bumps or rough road. Since the vehicle was due for a tire rotation I took the vehicle to my tire shop where they discovered that both suspension springs on the passenger side were broken. Both breaks occurred at the bottom portion of the spring. The broken parts look almost identical. Fortunately they caused no further damage although damage to the tires or suspension could have occurred with resulting loss of control. I took the vehicle to the local dealer's service department where they advised that this type of failure is typical and there is no recall or reimbursement for this component failure. …
I've had my car for a little over a year and only one owner before me, it has been maintained well. My car has been making a noise for months now so I finally took it to a dealership (on August 3, 2019) and was told nothing was wrong. Not even a week later it broke down almost 2 hours from my house. Other than the knocking noise (which including a popping noise), uneven tire wear (had a blow out on 65 3 hours from home), it started not accelerating when I was at a stop sign or light. It still runs, but I've spent over $500 within a months time trying to receive answers and haven't yet. I see recalls for other years as in the suspension/strut insulator cracking. Also, I've seen other complaints about transmissions slipping and Nissan not wanting to fix them. …
Bought my 2010 Maxima about 6 months ago. After driving it home I heard a horrible rattling in the steering wheel and a clattering in the front end. The dealership had given me a 3 month warranty so I contacted them the same day I got the car to report the problem. After calling the dealership 3 to 4 times a week for 5 months, they finally had me bring the car in. The first visit they replaced the steering joint. The problem persisted and seemed worse than before. The second time I was told that my car had a bad rack and that the part would be in in 4 days. 4 weeks later they finally changed the rack. I received the car back and to my surprise the rattling in the steering wheel was even worse and it felt as if my tires were gonna just fall off the car. Now almost a year later the problem still persists and Nissan refuses to fix it.
The shock insulators are falling apart and causing the vehicle to become hard to handle as well as causing a metal to metal sound when driving. Vehicle has vecome extremely hard to control driving highway speeds. I had to gave vegicle towed home because my wife was scared the vehicle was going tonlose control on highway. It went from slightly noticable to pretty much dangerous to drive overnight. This vehicle barely gas 100000 miles on it and the way the rubber insulator has deteriorated is worse than any 20 year old vehicle with 200000 miles. The insulator is listed as a recall however it does not shows my VIN number as having no unrepaired recalls. Carfax does not show this repaur has been done. Due to this being a recall it would be listed on car fax as a repair.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the strut insulator was fractured. The contact stated that the fracture caused a power steering fluid leak. Additionally, the set of tires were replaced along with the motor mounts due to the failure. The tire pressure warning was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referenced the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 09V358000 (suspension). The vehicle was taken to town north Nissan (9160 research blvd, austin, tx 78758) however, the dealer provided no assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. While driving over a bump in the road, a popping noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front struts were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer (downtown nashville Nissan, 25 vantage way, nashville tn) was notified and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V358000 (suspension). The contact indicated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
I began noticing an odd noise in the front of the vehicle when traveling over rough roads, potholes or bumps. The noise quickly became worse and more metallic sounding. I have another vehicle and this car was not driven all winter and little so far this year. So it has not been used much since a new CVT was installed under warranty. I took it to a local garage I trust and after test driving it heard the noise and put it on the lift. It was then both front springs were found to be broken in almost the exact same spot. A very odd occurrence for sure. This is not covered by warranty and is certainly a safety issue.
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 2010 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the suspension of the 2010 Nissan Maxima, 11% of the model year's 275 complaints. The component named most often is front (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Nissan Maxima suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-358 (suspension, Sep 16, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Nissan Maxima suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.