Nissan · NHTSA safety record

2010 Nissan Maxima

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

275

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Owners of the 2010 Nissan Maxima have filed 275 safety complaints with NHTSA between February 2010 and March 2024. The most complained-about system is the steering, named in 158 of them (57%). The typical failure was reported at 65,000 miles, the median across the 238 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 1 recall covering this vehicle.

Recalls (1)

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

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 275.

STEERING 158 57%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 79 29%

SUSPENSION 29 11%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 24 9%

ENGINE 20 7%

AIR BAGS 15 5%

POWER TRAIN 15 5%

STRUCTURE 11 4%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 3%

SEATS 6 2%

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 4 1%

VISIBILITY 4 1%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2014 at 71.

2010 to 2024

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS Filed August 10, 2016

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 Filed August 15, 2016

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 Filed May 18, 2011

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 Filed June 28, 2022

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 Filed March 19, 2024

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 Filed February 8, 2024

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 Filed September 8, 2023

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 Filed May 31, 2023

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 Filed May 30, 2023

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 Filed March 23, 2023

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.

Compare

Other years of the Nissan Maxima

Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Deaths
2020	21	1	—
2019	18	1	—
2018	36	2	—
2017	103	4	—
2016	142	8	—
2014	95	0	—
2013	62	0	—
2012	107	0	—
2011	106	0	—

Other 2010 Nissan models

Altima 380 Rogue 282 Versa 267 Murano 189 Sentra 144 370Z 110 Frontier 59 Cube 55

Every Nissan on this site — 200 vehicles, 319 recall campaigns and 5 open investigation s.

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. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

Complaints: NHTSA's ODI complaint file , published August 20, 2026. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall campaign API , most recent campaign filed August 12, 2026.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI investigation file , published 2026-08-19.

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.

Compiled and maintained by guarledes
Independent developer and analyst