The 2010 Maxima with the VQ35DE V6 is generally reliable, but the CVT transmission is the Achilles' heel of this generation. Engine wear issues show up on high-mileage or abused examples, particularly oil consumption leading to catastrophic internal damage.
CVT Transmission Failure (RE0F10A)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Whining or grinding noise during acceleration, Shuddering or hesitation when accelerating from stop, Transmission overheating warnings, Sudden loss of power or slipping between gears, Check engine light with P0868 or P17F0 codes
Fix: Nissan's CVTs of this era are notorious for premature failure. Transmission oil cooler failures contaminate the CVT fluid, accelerating wear. Replacement requires complete CVT assembly swap (8-12 hours labor), often with upgraded external cooler. Rebuilds rarely last.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Excessive Oil Consumption Leading to Engine Damage
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 120,000+ mi
Symptoms: Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Needing to add 1+ quart between oil changes, Rattling or knocking sounds from engine (bearing failure), Check engine light with misfire codes, Catastrophic engine failure if oil level runs critically low
Fix: VQ35DE engines develop piston ring wear, burning oil. Many owners ignore low oil levels until rod bearings seize. Repair means engine rebuild with new pistons, rings, bearings (30-40 hours), or used/remanufactured engine swap (18-25 hours). Always check oil level weekly on these.
Estimated cost: $4,500-8,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid in coolant reservoir (strawberry milkshake appearance), Coolant in transmission pan, Transmission slipping or harsh shifting after coolant cross-contamination, Engine overheating in severe cases
Fix: The internal radiator transmission cooler develops leaks, mixing coolant and CVT fluid. Once contaminated, the CVT is damaged beyond repair. Fix requires radiator replacement (3-4 hours), complete CVT fluid flush if caught early, or full CVT replacement if contamination occurred. Install external bypass cooler during repair.
Symptoms: Excessive vibration at idle, especially in Drive, Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Engine rocking visible under hood during acceleration, Transmission tunnel vibration felt through floor
Fix: Hydraulic engine mounts and transmission mount wear out from the V6's torque. Front engine mount is worst. Replacement requires supporting engine/trans (2-3 hours for all mounts). Improves refinement dramatically.
Estimated cost: $400-750
Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start condition, engine cranks but won't fire, Intermittent stalling while driving, Check engine light with P0335 or P0340 codes, Engine starts then immediately dies
Fix: Sensor mounted behind timing cover fails from heat cycles. Replacement requires removing accessory belts and timing cover access (2-3 hours). Keep a spare in the glovebox on high-mileage examples.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Rear Subframe and Control Arm Bushing Deterioration
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from rear suspension, Wandering or darty steering feel at highway speeds, Uneven rear tire wear, Rear end feels loose or unstable in corners
Fix: Rear control arm bushings and subframe bushings wear, creating slop. Bushings can be pressed individually (4-6 hours) or replace complete arms (3-4 hours). Alignment required after. Common issue on front-heavy FWD platforms.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Owner tips
Change CVT fluid every 30,000 miles with Nissan NS-2 or NS-3 fluid only—aftermarket fluids destroy these transmissions
Check engine oil level weekly; add oil immediately if low to prevent bearing damage
Inspect coolant reservoir for transmission fluid contamination every oil change
Install aftermarket external transmission cooler if towing or driving in hot climates
Budget $500/year for deferred maintenance on 100k+ mile examples
Buy only with full service records showing religious CVT fluid changes and no oil consumption history; otherwise the CVT is a ticking time bomb that makes this a risky used purchase despite the comfortable interior and strong V6.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Battery located in engine compartment
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Every control module on the 2008-2014 Nissan Maxima — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Not a separate physical module; NATS immobilizer function integrated in BCM. Key programming requires security PIN from Nissan server.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
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.
Consequence: 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).
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
19mpg
Highway
26mpg
Combined
22mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
Capability & size
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Wiper blades
7th generation (A35). Sedan body style has no rear wiper.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2010 Nissan Maxima 3.5L V6 VQ35DE and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.