Last year my uncle gave me his 2009 Maxima as he got a newer Murano. He took good care of the car and even though it’s higher mileage (266 km) it was in good condition to drive aside from a couple things it needed here and there like brakes, battery, etc. However, I can clearly hear a metal like rattling under load as I accelerate. The sound is coming more from the back passengers side around the exhaust, which is why I believe it is an exhaust issue, because my uncle had gotten that side replaced with a junkyard exhaust as he damaged the original one. Any help or advice as to what I should do next would be greatly appreciated!

 

Well, the only way to say for sure is to get under her and take a look! However, many have complained of a loose heat shield causing the very noise you have described. I recommend you either take it to a muffler shop or take a look yourself! Please do report back on what you find out!

 

I have had this issue for years with my 07. It turned out to be the emergency brake cables vibrating off the gas tank's heat-shield. The cable's connectors rusted from the heat-shield ages ago. So, I have to, in my case, replace the heat shied to stop the rattling.

 

Finally took the Maxima into a shop, was a loose heat shield rattling after all, no more rattling after tightening it down. Thanks for all the help.

 

I had similar noises coming from under my 2011 Maxima. I went underneath and checked it out. All four of the steel rings on the cats were loose and rattling around. Not sure if the welds broke from possibly hitting a speed bump or they just failed with time. Lots of ways to secure those rings. I used some steel hose clamps to keep those rings wedged in place. No more rattling for me. Hopefully something simple for you as well.