Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 275 safety complaints
about the 2010 Nissan Maxima with the US government. Of those, 7 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 11 people were injured and no death is recorded. One recall campaign is open against it, covering the suspension.
The most complained-about system is the steering,
named in 158 complaints, 57% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 65,000 miles,
the median across the 238
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers February 2010 to March 2024 · How this is counted
What is on file
275 complaints on file
275
Complaints
7
Describe a crash
2
Mention fire
11
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
STEERING 158 · 57%
158 57%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 79 · 29%
79 29%
SUSPENSION 29 · 11%
29 11%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 24 · 9%
24 9%
ENGINE 20 · 7%
20 7%
AIR BAGS 15 · 5%
15 5%
POWER TRAIN 15 · 5%
15 5%
STRUCTURE 11 · 4%
11 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 · 3%
7 3%
SEATS 6 · 2%
6 2%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 4 · 1%
4 1%
VISIBILITY 4 · 1%
4 1%
065131
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 275.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2014 at 71.
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2010 to 2024.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not crash tested the 2010 Nissan Maxima. Its New Car Assessment Program
tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach
motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so
an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It
is not a low score.
What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a
different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people
inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke
during ordinary use.
Recall campaigns
1 on file
SUSPENSION
09V358000 · September 16, 2009
The defect
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.
The risk
IF THE STRUT INSULATOR IS CRACKED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT ROD TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION, WHICH COULD AFFECT VEHICLE STABILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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).
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. · up to 26,398 vehicles across all model years covered
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AIR BAGS
2 injured · crash · towed · 70,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK TWICE BY ANOTHER MOTORIST ON THE FRONT AND REAR ENDS. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint 10894796. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 injured · crash · towed · 60,000 miles
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY HEADED TO NASHVILLE,TENNESSEE. I HAD BEEM DRIVING APROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES WHEN MY GAS PEDAL STOP WORKING ON ME. THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND I START PULLING OVER TO GET OUTBOF OTHER CARS WAYS. THE BREAKS WERE STILL WORKING BUT THE GAS WAS NOT WORKING. I TURNED THE CAR ON AND OFF AND STILL NO GAS BUT ALLL OF THE SUDDEN ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO CALL MY INSURANCE FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I HAVE NEVER HAD OR HEARD OF AN ISSUE LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint 10896118. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
2 injured · 16,000 miles
I WAS DRIVING AND THE HIGHWAY AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. NOTHING HIT IT NOR WAS IT DAMAGED PREVIOUSLY. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10401448. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 149,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima The contact stated that when attempting to park their vehicle and shifting into reverse while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward. The vehicle crashed into the side of the building in front and through the wall of the building causing the front end to be inside of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle had been towed. The decision to total the vehicle had not been finalized as of yet. The contact received injuries to their back and medical assistance was needed. The dealer was not made aware. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was …
NHTSA complaint 11471399, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint 11578189. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE
towed · 260,000 miles
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.
NHTSA complaint 11570830. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
towed · 157,000 miles
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 …
NHTSA complaint 11543366, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Things keep getting into my air filter/ air filter box and airflow sensor such as leaves, sunflower seeds, cigarette butts, sticks. This has happened multiple times. Drive my car daily
NHTSA complaint 11524727. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
6,247 miles
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.
NHTSA complaint 11524424. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Dash becomes very sticky from sun and heat shining on it and produces a glare that causes blind spots and makes difficult to see out front window. Can't see what is out there depending on direction sun hits dash. If sun is coming from straight ahead makes a glare that is very difficult to see anything in front of you. Makes it difficult to see traffic lights or pedestrians which could cause dangerous harm to pedestrians, other drivers, or myself and passengers. Went to local Nissan dealer and was told the only fix would be to replace dashboard at my expense even though it is a common problem because there are no recalls on this issue. I purchased the vehicle used from another owner and was …
NHTSA complaint 11513409, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed September 16, 2009.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst