Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Nissan Maxima problems

Owners filed 275 complaints about the 2010 Nissan Maxima with NHTSA between Feb 2010 and Mar 2024. The most-cited component is steering (158).

Complaints
275
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
11
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering158
  2. Electrical system79
  3. Suspension29
  4. Engine20
  5. Power train15
  6. Air bags15
  7. Structure11
  8. Vehicle speed control7
  9. Seats6
  10. Electronic stability control (esc)4
  11. Visibility/wiper4
  12. Visibility4
  13. Tires3
  14. Service brakes3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201010
20119
20126
201323
201471
201558
201636
201713
201812
20198
20208
202112
20223
20234
20242

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

158 reports
“While driving to work car stalled going 20MPH, no power brakes, no power steering, coasted to safe side of road. Waited ten minutes car pressed start car restarted. Five days later, going to store, driving 35 mph, car stalled while running, no power steering, no power brakes, coasted to safe side of road. Waited ten minutes car restarted. This is an on going safety problem. My father in law had this same vehicle and he was afraid to drive it because of the same issues.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2022Steering, Service brakes, EngineODI 11485332

Electrical system

79 reports1 crash1 fire
“MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKING ASSEMBLY WENT OUT AND I'M NOT ABLE TO CRANK MY CAR. APPARENTLY MY 2010 WASN'T AVAILABLE IN THE RECALL OR CAMPAIGN . IT QUIT WORKING IN MY DRIVEWAY”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 5, 2021Electrical systemODI 11406530

Suspension

29 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 19, 2024SuspensionODI 11578189

Engine

20 reports
“MY TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING A WINNING NOISE, THEN IT GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER. NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS DONE. THERE HAVE BEEN LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. I GAVE A CVT TRANSMISSION. ALSO HAVE ISSUES WITH STRUTS.HAD NOISE SINCE 2019.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2020Steering, Suspension, EngineODI 11319941

Power train

15 reports
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact then stated that the RPM’s failed to increase. Additionally, the contact stated that while shifted into reverse, he heard a whining sound then the vehicle half shifted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer and had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the Extended Warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2023Power trainODI 11543366

Air bags

15 reports5 crashes
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the air bag sensor light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer and the mechanic retrieved DTC: B10180CS (Passenger Side Air Bags sensor). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,247.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2023Air bagsODI 11524424
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.