Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2017 | 7 | 7% | 11,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 3% | 95,000 miles |
| 2014 | 6 | 6% | 112,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2011 | 3 | 3% | 82,000 miles |
| 2010 | 29 | 11% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 36 | 11% | 80,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 5% | 49,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% | 35,000 miles |
| 2006 | 19 | 3% | 69,000 miles |
| 2005 | 13 | 1% | 73,000 miles |
| 2004 | 102 | 7% | 13,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% | 15,000 miles |
| 2002 | 13 | 6% | 59,000 miles |
| 2001 | 24 | 14% | 97,000 miles |
| 2000 | 17 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 1999 | 6 | 4% | 71,000 miles |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% | 71,000 miles |
| 1997 | 7 | 7% | 32,000 miles |
| 1996 | 8 | 8% | — |
| 1995 | 9 | 6% | 90,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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. …
Driver side rear lower suspension broke while driving which caused a wheel misalignment and tire worn within few weeks. Nissan is not recalling any cars but instead they extended the warranty but only fixing the cars when the arms corrode. https://www.nissanassist.com/campaigns/certain-my-2013-2018-nissan-altima-and-certain-my-2016-2018-nissan-maxima-rear-lower-suspension-link
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and driving over a bump in the roadway, there was an abnormal squeaking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the sway bar bracket was fractured, and the bushing needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
I was driving at 25 MPH when I heard and felt a clunk. The car drove strangely and each small bump in the road was noisy. I pulled over and did not see anything obvious. I put on my flashers and drove the car to my mechanic. He discovered a broken rear wheel control arm. He said I was lucky this happened at a low speed rate. Nissan has refused and coverage. I was told by my mechanic that this is not a part that should fail on a 2016 car and could have resulted is a serious accident at a higher rate of speed.
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while the vehicle was being inspected by an independent mechanic, she was informed the vehicle was pulling to the left and the transmission fluid needed to be replaced. The contact was informed to contact the Toyota dealer where she bought the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle back to the Toyota dealer, to have the maintenance work completed and had an alignment performed on the vehicle. The Toyota dealer referred her to the Nissan dealer for the transmission service. The contact took the vehicle to Lokey Nissan (27758 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater, FL 33761: [phone]) and was informed that the front suspension and control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V146000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included. …
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.
Takata recall. At 80K miles my vehicle is idling while in park and also while accelerating its doing a jerk and feels as if it doesn't want to go into gear to reach higher speed. I checked the code and it read as a air mass flow sensor, catalyst converter, and o2 sensor. The car turned off on me while on, jump started it and turned back on. I changed the mass air flow sensor and its still doing the same thing. I took it to the mechanic and the mechanic said the code says battery and other things. Reccommended we start cheap by changing the battery and going from there. I changed the battery and the computer now says o2 sensor. I keep dumping alot of money into this vehicle and to me it seems that this issue is also happening many others including my close friend who owns the same vehicle.
TSB ntb12-071- factory bearing problems 2009 ? 2012 Maxima; engine knock from #1 main bearing 2009 ? 2012 Maxima (a35) no.1 main bearing knock noise confirmation use the following criteria and symptoms to confirm the knock noise is coming from the no. 1 crankshaft main bearing. Knock noise from no.1 main bearing is confirmed if all of the following symptoms exist: ? Not heard at cold start. ? Can be heard at warm idle (not a cold start condition). ? Heard best from under the engine with the vehicle lifted. ? Using stethoscope, the knock can be isolated to the lower front of the engine (near the # 1 or # 2 main bearing). ? Cannot be heard driving at highway speeds. ? Cannot be heard sitting in the vehicle with the radio on. Planet Nissan -5850 centennial center blcd- las vegas nv 89149- refused to resolved or fix this problems [redacted]
Related recalls (3)
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 › Rear
On certain vehicles, the rear subframe May have been manufactured incorrectly, which could result in a crack in a bracket which holds part of the rear suspension.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe to determine if it was manufactured incorrectly and replace it, if necessary. The recall began on February 27, 2006. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
On certain passenger vehicles, the pin at the end of the front suspension transverse link (lower control arm) could break where it is mounted to the frame.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transverse links on the left and right sides with new ones. Owner notification began July 29, 2002.
NHTSA investigations
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
On July 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened EA19002 to investigate instances of alleged rear lower control arm failures in 2013-2018 Nissan Altima and 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima vehicles. At the time the investigation was opened ODI had 91 consumer complaints alleging rear lower control arm failures in the subject vehicles.ODI was concerned about these complaints because many of them alleged an…
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Maxima years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (102), 2009 (36), 2010 (29), 2001 (24) and 2006 (19) model years. Suspension complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Nissan Maxima suspension problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 09V-358 (suspension, Sep 16, 2009); 06V-046 (rear, Feb 13, 2006); 02V-146 (lower arm, May 30, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Maxima suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles; 49% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front (54 mentions), followed by the front › macpherson strut (29).
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.