2010 Nissan MAXIMA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
275 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 238 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 156 of 275 complaints (56.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 156 | 56.7% |
| Braking behavior | 33 | 12.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 31 | 11.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 4.7% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 156 |
| Electrical System | 79 |
| Suspension | 27 |
| Unknown Or Other | 24 |
| Engine | 20 |
| Air Bags | 13 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Structure:Body | 10 |
Steering: 156; Electrical System: 79; Suspension: 27; Unknown Or Other: 24; Engine: 20; Air Bags: 13; Power Train: 12; Structure:Body: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 29 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 41 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 77 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 45 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 35 |
| 150,000 and above | 11 |
Under 25,000: 29; 25,000 to 49,999: 41; 50,000 to 74,999: 77; 75,000 to 99,999: 45; 100,000 to 149,999: 35; 150,000 and above: 11
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (77). 37 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 23 |
| 2014 | 71 |
| 2015 | 58 |
| 2016 | 36 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2010: 10; 2011: 9; 2012: 6; 2013: 23; 2014: 71; 2015: 58; 2016: 36; 2017: 13; 2018: 12; 2019: 8; 2020: 8; 2021: 12; 2022: 3; 2023: 4; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 156 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 33 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 31 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10311531 · 2010-02-17 (February 17, 2010)
THE CAR HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN MY OPINION. THE CAR WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT ON ITS OWN AND WHEN YOU STEER IT BACK TO PREVENT RUNNING OFF THE PAVEMENT THE CAR VEERS TO YOUR LEFT AND WOULD RUN OFF THE ROAD TO YOUR LEFT IF YOU DO NOT CORRECT IT. ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT THE CAR WILL DART TO THE LEFT AND THEN TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL. ON THE TEST DRIVE I RODE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND COULD FEEL THE CAR MOVING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT, THE SERVICE MGR SAID HE C…
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10311531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10357137 · 2010-09-23 (September 23, 2010)
ACCELERATED VEHICLE TO 50 MILES UP TO 70 MILES ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT AS IF THE SUSPENSION HAD TO MUCH POWER FOR THAT MILEAGE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10357137 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10317855 · 2010-03-08 (March 8, 2010)
WHILE DOING NORMAL DRIVING, ON TWO OCCASIONS, ONE COMING DOWN A SLIGHT HILL AND PLANNING TO STOP AT A CORNER, AND ONCE WHEN PULLING INTO MY CARPORT, WITH FOOT LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE, I NOTICED THE ENGINE RACING AT 2000 RPM OR SO, TRYING TO ACCELERATE. WAS ABLE TO HOLD CAR WITH FOOTBRAKE, AND, AFTER STOPPING, PROBLEM DID NOT SEEM TO REPEAT IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,975 miles reported. Look up ODI 10317855 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10458368 · 2012-05-16 (May 16, 2012)
2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AS HE APPLIED THE BRAKE. HE EXPERIENCED IT TWO MORE TIMES, BEFORE HE TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR ITS INITIAL CHECK-UP AND MAINTENANCE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. ON MARCH 29, 2012, AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. HE IMMEDIATELY STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND BARELY AVOIDED A COLLISION WITH A CONCRETE WALL. THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING, SO HE P…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10458368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10549413 · 2013-10-24 (October 24, 2013)
THE CAR WOULD NOT START. A LIGHT SUGGESTING THE BATTERY IN THE KEY WAS DEAD CAME ON. I REPLACED THE BATTERY OF THE KEY AND THE CAR STILL WOULDN'T START. OTHERS HAVE SUGGESTED IT IS A STEERING WHEEL LOCK ISSUE THAT IS HAPPENING ON OTHER NISSANS MANUFACTURED AROUND THE SAME TIME. I WAS STRANDED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10549413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10554918 · 2013-12-05 (December 5, 2013)
I BOUGHT A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA 2 MONTHS AGO. I DROVE IT TO WORK THIS PARTICULAR DAY AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE BUT WHEN I TRIED TO LEAVE TO GO OUT FOR LUNCH, MY CAR WOULDN'T START. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT ALL LIGHTS WORKED PERFECTLY AND HORN WAS STILL BLOWING. CALLED THREE NISSAN DEALERSHIPS IN MY AREA TO GET ADVICE ON WHAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE, THEY ALL SUGGESTED THAT I MAY NEED A NEW BATTERY IN THE FOB. THE FOB WAS STILL WORKING TO UNLOCK AND LOCK THE CAR SO OBVIOUSLY THIS WASN'T THE PROBLEM. STILL I TRIED FOR HOURS TO GET T…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,842 miles reported. Look up ODI 10554918 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10395261 · 2011-04-08 (April 8, 2011)
PURCHASED A NEW 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THIS PAST WEEKEND, 4-3-11 WHILE TRAVELING ENGINE DEVELOPED A LOUD SOUND LIKE METAL TO METAL GRINDING OR LOUD MUFFLER. CAR TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE CHECKED, HAS BEEN THERE FOR 4 DAYS AND YESTERDAY WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED. EXTREMELY LOW MILEAGE ON THIS MODEL & NO EXCUSE FOR THIS TRANSMISSION TO BE BAD ALREADY! IT APPEARS THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER REPORTS OF TRANSMISSIONS GOING BAD IN THE NISSAN MAXIMA, CAN THIS BE INVESTIGATED?? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 17,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395261 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10546581 · 2013-10-03 (October 3, 2013)
NISSAN MAXIMA 2010 - SPORT EDITION. THE CVT TRANSMISSION EXHIBITS SEVERE LOSE OF POWER ON 75MPH ROADWAY DRIVING BETWEEN PHOENIX AND FLAGSTAFF ARIZONA, UP ELEVATION. LACK OF POWER IS PRESENT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AS WELL. ON 75 MPH HIGHWAYS THE CVT BEGINS TO WHINE, THE ENGINE HAS HIGH RPM, LOUD WHINING NOISE FROM CVT, AND CAR GETS STUCK IN 6TH GEAR IN BOTH MANUAL SHIFT MODE AND DRIVE MODE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE OR MAINTAIN SPEED WITH OTHER VEHICLES AT THE POSTED 75 MPH SPEED LIMIT. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GIVE A CODE BUT ONCE GAVE A P1778…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10546581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10547446 · 2013-10-09 (October 9, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10547446 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10557045 · 2013-12-23 (December 23, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATORS. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10557045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11485064 · 2022-09-18 (September 18, 2022)
Car shuts down while driving. Hard to get back started. It runs for 30 min and when you apply gas the car shuts down. Seems like this is an issue on several year models. Try replacing fuel pump and that didn’t happen. Has a new battery and there is still and issue
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11485064 at NHTSA ↗