The Lemon Index2009 Nissan Maxima.
The 2009 Nissan Maxima is worse than average by owner complaints: 53 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 124, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 1 recall, and it gets 22 mpg combined. The best Nissan Maxima year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 339 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Maxima year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 45K to 103K miles on the car (272 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 46K–92K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 46K–96K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 40K–118K miles
Recalls 1
- suspension 2009
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 100 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Altima, maxima; power steering hose service part change
- SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering…
- SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $3600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Power tilt started moving and grinding on it own and stopped when the gears stripped out in the down position. The tilt motor has failed.
2009 Nissan Maxima owner · NHTSA complaint 10480722
More owner reports
The collar will move up and down slow ... Report the motor is bad.
NHTSA complaint 10350011
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Nissan Maxima reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 124; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Maxima year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2009 Nissan Maxima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (49%), electrical (19%) and airbags (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Maxima have?
1 safety recall (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Nissan Maxima get?
22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Nissan Maxima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 45,000 and 103,800 miles. The middle report was at 70,500 miles, from 272 complaints.
Does the 2009 Nissan Maxima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 4% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Nissan Maxima cost in fuel a year?
About $3600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Nissan Maxima have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Maxima year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2019 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works