Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2019 | 1 | 6% | 19,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 4% | 2,000 miles |
| 2016 | 9 | 6% | 11,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 4% | 1,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% | 94,000 miles |
| 2012 | 10 | 9% | 43,000 miles |
| 2011 | 9 | 8% | 55,000 miles |
| 2010 | 158 | 57% | 67,000 miles |
| 2009 | 168 | 50% | 65,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 5% | 49,000 miles |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% | 69,000 miles |
| 2006 | 17 | 3% | 39,000 miles |
| 2005 | 17 | 2% | 101,000 miles |
| 2004 | 37 | 3% | 16,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% | 85,000 miles |
| 2002 | 11 | 5% | 140,000 miles |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% | 98,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% | 150,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% | 132,000 miles |
| 1998 | 4 | 4% | — |
| 1997 | 6 | 6% | 76,000 miles |
| 1996 | 7 | 7% | 75,000 miles |
| 1995 | 8 | 5% | 144,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My son was driving my car to work and this is his account of the incident On 1/17/2026 on I95 n, the steering wheel abruptly stopped controlling the wheels. It was as if it completely disconnected and he lost control and crashed into the median. It was a terrifying incident for my son. No other cars were involved. This accident has been reported to my insurance company. This car has been a smooth ride since I've had it. It has UNDER 70,000 miles even though it's a 2017 Nissan Maxima. There were no warning or messages on the dash. I have been ill so the process of getting the car appraised or considered for repairs has just begun. I incurred towing charges and rental fees. My son is having headaches and back pain since this incident. What made it extremely scary is that it happened suddenly.
My main issue that has caused major concern is while I was driving down the road.The steering all of a sudden jerked and I was almost in an accident. I immediately took it down to my mechanic and he stated that the control arm of the vehicle was bad. I did replace all four tires and got an alignment prior to this happening. Now,this was the most serious incident. I purchased this vehicle in 2022. I have had nothing but problems with it. The first two months I had it. I had to replace the mass airflow sensor not only once but twice. Then a couple months later the serpentine belt went out, replaced that, then of course it goes out again 6th months later. Replaced again!. In addition to that I have had several electrical issues, I think I replaced more tail lights, fog lights, and headlights on this vehicle than all my previous vehicles put together and I have owned many. …
2016 nissan, noticed while stuck in traffic on highway on rainy day the vehicle seemed to want to loose power and battery light was coming on. I was able to exit highway an make it home. Later that night while at laundry mat headed to get food the car wouldn't accelerate eventually died an wouldn't start. Next day go to get it towed yet started no problem acceleration was fine alternator voltage was normal range. Few weeks later battery was dead which I have replaced. Alternator voltage still reads normal. I get about 20 minutes driving and battery light pops on eventually soon power steering and traction control goes out then car will die. If leave it few hrs 2-4hr an come back is fine. But can't drive 20min before it is a problem again. …
October 25, 2021 At 4:30 PM. After waiting for the light to turn green, I enter the Clear Lake Park making a left a right and left turn into the park. While turning left that's when I notice a decreased in power, and an exclamation symbo, but the car kept advancing very smooth!! But when I tried to park the vehicle it started shaking, vibrating with a roaring sound, it felt like even the tires ware going to get off the rims!! Making a lot of noice!! I had difficulty steering and parking between two spaces hit the concrete barrier twice or tree times, at that time the steering wheel was to hard to control. I turn the car off on parked I was puzzled, for what happened. After five or ten minutes I start the car again place it on reverse then on drive the car was moving very, very, slow with the gas paddle to the floor. …
Failure of multiple systems upon impact with a pothole causing the vehicle to light up brake warning light, traction control system warning light, and spin out with no steering capability, resulting in a total loss of the car, including the rear passenger tire and wheel to sheer off, snapped the tie rod, ripped off the rear bumper, and bent the vehicle rims. I suffered a closed head injury and whiplash, as well as soft tissue damage to right shoulder and knee. Airbags did deploy.
I was approaching a red light going between 5-15mph when I heard a 1-2 second deep screeching noise from the passenger side of the vehicle. I had fully made my stop at the red light, and I noticed when accelerating to make a left turn the steering had become stiff like I was driving without power steering. I found a place to pull over to check my power steering levels, and the fluid was at the correct level. I turned the car back on, and everything starts fine, but the vehicle continues to have steering issues. I'm questioning if the pump failed and the fluids not moving throughout the system. My 2014 Nissan Maxima is only at 33K miles, and I find it very concerning if a steering component failed this quickly in its lifetime. Im planning on having Nissan inspect this as I own a 5 year certified preowned warranty.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately and started shuddering. The oil warning light, ABS, coolant temperature, and the ESP warning light were illuminated. Additionally, the driver's side window failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
I picked my car up from the dealership after getting a state inspection, oil change and tire rotation. They said they topped off all the fluids. As I backed out of the parking space and pulled forward I noticed the steering wheel was tight. I tried adjusting it a few times, but as I approached the light and tried to turn right I had to go out wide because the steering wheel was tight. I was afraid at the next two lights. The steering wheel was tight, and after struggling I managed to turn and get the car to my husband to look at. He test drive it and said it was no power steering. We told the car back to the dealership and of course it is nothing they did, the power steering pump just went out. I thank god I was not driving fast or on the interstate when it went out, because I read about some crashing. It still was a scary experience. My car only has 79,882 miles on it. …
Related recalls (1)
Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft device
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with an 'intelligent key' fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." during an inspection of some vehicles at the assembly plant, it was found that the steering wheel was locked with the ignition knob in the "off" position but the…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering wheel lock assembly free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2006. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Maxima years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (168), 2010 (158), 2004 (37), 2005 (17) and 2006 (17) model years. Steering complaints make up 50% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Nissan Maxima steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 06V-402 (anti-theft device, Oct 23, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Maxima steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the column locking › anti-theft device (11 mentions), followed by the rack and pinion (10).
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.