Is the 2010 Nissan MAXIMA reliable?

The 2010 Nissan MAXIMA has 399 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Nissan MAXIMA?

Top problems: STEERING (161 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (79 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (29 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Nissan MAXIMA?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): SUSPENSION. Contact any Nissan dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Nissan MAXIMA?

The 2010 Nissan MAXIMA gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Nissan MAXIMA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Nissan MAXIMA is approximately $1,366/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Nissan MAXIMA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2010 Nissan MAXIMA has 399 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.2x the segment average of 126. The most common issue is steering problems (40% of all complaints), specifically: the car has electronic steering and is a safety hazard in my opinion. the car will drift to the right on its own and when you steer it back to prevent running off the pavement the car veers to your left and would run off the road to your left if you do not correct it. on a straight stretch of road. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 8 crash reports 10 injuries

399

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

3.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

161 complaints

40%

• THE CAR HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN MY OPINION. THE CAR WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT ON ITS OWN AND WHEN YOU STEER IT BACK TO PREVENT RUNNING OFF THE PAVEMENT THE CAR VEERS TO YOUR LEFT AND WOULD RUN OFF THE ROAD TO YOUR LEFT IF YOU DO NOT CORRECT IT. ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD
• ACCELERATED VEHICLE TO 50 MILES UP TO 70 MILES ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT AS IF THE SUSPENSION HAD TO MUCH POWER FOR THAT MILEAGE. *TR
• I'M UNABLE TO TURN ON ACCESSORY IGNITION OR START CAR DUE TO DEFECTIVE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM. PART #48700-JK000. MANUFACTURE IS UNABLE TO SUPPLY ME WITH A NEW ONE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY NISSAN MOTORS, NOT JUST FOR MAXIMA, BUT ALL INTELLIGENT KEY MODELS. CURRENTLY CAN'T EVEN ROLL WINDOWS U

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE CAR HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN MY OPINION. THE CAR WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT ON ITS OWN AND WHEN YOU STEER IT BACK TO PREVENT RUNNING OFF THE PAVEMENT THE CAR VEERS TO YOUR LEFT AND WOULD RUN OFF THE ROAD TO YOUR LEFT IF YOU DO NOT CORRECT IT. ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Nissan MAXIMA

Based on 343 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 67K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

142

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 16K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Earlier than typicalmedian 60K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 35K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Reported earliermedian 47K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 67K mi · 147 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 68K mi · 74 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

SUSPENSION16/09/2009

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.

Fix: 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).

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Nissan MAXIMA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Nissan MAXIMA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,366

Full coverage / month

$114

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1366

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan MAXIMA Service Intervals

Oil change

5K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

105K mi

Spark plugs

105K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2010 MAXIMA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 399 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: THE CAR HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN MY OPINION. THE CAR WILL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT ON ITS OWN AND WHEN YOU STEER IT BACK TO PREVENT RUNNING OFF THE PAVEMENT THE CAR VEERS TO YOUR LEFT AND WOULD RUN OFF THE ROAD TO YOUR LEFT IF YOU DO NOT CORRECT IT. ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO LOCK HER VEHICLE WITH THE KEYLESS ALARM SYSTEM BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. SHE ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THERE WAS NO POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: ACCELERATED VEHICLE TO 50 MILES UP TO 70 MILES ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT AS IF THE SUSPENSION HAD TO MUCH POWER FOR THAT MILEAGE. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WENT TO START VEHICLE, AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE WONT EVEN TURN ON, THE KEY FOB BATTER WAS REPLACED AND SAME THING HAPPENED. THE ORANGE KEY LIGHT TURNED ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. AFTER TALKING WITH SEVERAL MECHANICS AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I WAS INFORMED IT WAS THE S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)