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KLUNK
KLUNK

2010 Nissan Maxima

The Verdict

46 Proceed with Caution

The 2010 Nissan Maxima has 275 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (152 complaints) and electrical (85 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 46/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Nissan Maxima, consider the 2023 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2023 has 99% fewer complaints

View the 2023 Nissan Maxima dashboard →

46

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200050291869119
2001482259448
20026921625711
2003295651006
20043225939126879
2005832124108711
200671512576353
20074622202912
20083132888
200919061092311
20101522852412
2011382331518
2012320431418
20137226522
2014212441315
20164617302920
2017491025108
2018208521
201992142
2020114222
202110110
202221110
202300100

By Category

Body
152
Electrical
85
Engine
24
Transmission
12
Brakes
2

By Severity

1
133
2
131
3
2
4
9

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 1

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.

28mo ago
Body 2

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.

29mo ago
Transmission 2

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.

34mo ago
Body 2

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

38mo ago
Electrical 2

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.

38mo ago
Body 1

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 not aware of the problem and just thought it was something sticky that could be wiped off but found out it is a known problem when I went to dealer with issue.

40mo ago
Engine 1

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.

46mo ago
Body 1

Car shuts down while driving. Hard to get back started. It runs for 30 min and when you apply gas the car shuts down. Seems like this is an issue on several year models. Try replacing fuel pump and that didn’t happen. Has a new battery and there is still and issue

46mo ago
Electrical 4

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 149,000.

49mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while attempting to open their front driver side door, but it would not open all the way locking in a place where there is a small space from the door and frame. The contact had to force and push the door back closed and attempt to reopen the door, but it would not open at all. The contact had to enter the vehicle from the front passenger side door. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed the failure latch assembly was disconnected and repaired the latch assembly, however, the failure occurred again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

55mo ago
Body 2

Passenger side strut insulator is cracked

55mo ago
Engine 1

Motor mount is cracked causing engine to shudder

55mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the steering wheel began to violently shake without warning as his vehicle also began to wobble uncontrollably. The contact stated that the wobbling came to a stop once he released his foot off the accelerator pedal. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a cracked strut insulator. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V358000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

56mo ago
Transmission 2

CVT torque converter codes p0774 leading to total transmission replacement.

57mo ago
Body 2

I bought this vehicle used and with the dash being defective from the heat and humidity, it puts off a glare on the windshield which makes it extremely difficult to see through.

59mo ago
Electrical 1

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

64mo ago
Body 2

MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING A GLARE FROM THE WINDSHIELD! WHEN I CALLED NISSAN, I WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. HOWEVER THIS A DEFECTIVE PART FROM THEIR MANUFACTOR THATS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO NOT SEE!

65mo ago
Body 2

THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA BEGAN TO MELT AND IS VERY STICKY TO THE TO TOUCH AND THE GLARE MAKE IT HARD TO DRIVE IF THE SUN IS SHINING ON THE DASHBOARD.THIS BEGIN TO HAPPEN IN 2018.I CALLED TO DEALER AND THE NISSAN COMPANY,BUT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE DONE ABOUT MY PROBLEM .

65mo ago
Transmission 1

MY TRANSMISSION SOUNDS VERY LOUD WHEN I ACCELERATE UNTIL I GET TO ABOUT 55 MPH. IT SEEMS TO FEEL ROUGH AS WELL DURING THAT PERIOD. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE. MY PASSENGER SEAT DOESN'T BLOW COLD AIR

66mo ago
Body 1

MY POWER STEERING PUMP HAS A SLOW LEAK IN IT.

66mo ago

275 total

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