The Lemon Index

All cars · Nissan Maxima · 2010

2010 Nissan Maxima. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index72100 = average car
Complaints48NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold60,569U.S. model year
Per 100K sold79complaints
Year rank#13 of 19#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 1

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.5L 6-cylAuto (AV-S6)FWD19 / 26 / 22Premium$3,500

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 45,000 and 89,000 miles. Median 65,000, from 237 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Steering66,50049,200–85,400144
Electrical67,50055,900–84,20074
Suspension70,00054,100–122,00023
Engine66,50042,000–71,80018
Airbags15,5003,000–72,50014

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Steering44%
Electrical27%
Airbags12%
Transmission & drivetrain8%
Speed control8%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
27572808

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 1

  • 09V358000 Sep 2009 Suspension

    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.

    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.

    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).

Manufacturer communications 117

Nissan filed 117 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Altima, maxima; power steering hose service part change
  • SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering…

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2007392052,574Engine
2008432047,072Tires
20091245353,351Steering
2010724860,569Steering
2011322358,737Airbags
2012473159,349Airbags
2013251753,896Airbags

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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