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2009 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Altima years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Nissan Altima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,239 reports with mileage · 308 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 859 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 466 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 107 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports8 fire reports19 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

466 reports
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106,000 miles · Nov 29, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

MY CAR WOULD NOT START AND I WAS FORCED TO SIT IN MY CAR FOR HOURS AS THE STORES HAD CLOSED AND IT TOOK OVER A HOUR TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED. THIS LEFT ME IN A SITUATION IN WHICH I COULD HAVE BEEN HARMED AS A YOUNG WOMAN IN VULNERABLE SITUATION. NISSAN STATES THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER IRREGULARITY WHICH MEANS THIS IS SOMETHING THA…

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MY CAR WOULD NOT START AND I WAS FORCED TO SIT IN MY CAR FOR HOURS AS THE STORES HAD CLOSED AND IT TOOK OVER A HOUR TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED. THIS LEFT ME IN A SITUATION IN WHICH I COULD HAVE BEEN HARMED AS A YOUNG WOMAN IN VULNERABLE SITUATION. NISSAN STATES THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER IRREGULARITY WHICH MEANS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING AND IS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE. AFTER GETTING IT DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED NISSAN DEALER, I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY ESCL. NISSAN SHOULD HONOR THEIR WORD AND FIX THE ISSUE AT NO COST SINCE IT'S A MANUFACTURE MALFUNCTIONING ISSUE IN WHICH THE CUSTOMER HAS NO CONTROL OVER.

NHTSA ODI #10928662

94,420 miles · Nov 28, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringWheels

LUCKILY THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WOULDN'T START FOR THIS INCIDENT. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. WE'RE GLAD IT WASN'T BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME IT FAILED AND POSSIBLY LOCKED UP THE STEERING COLUMN. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THIS PART IS OUTRAG…

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LUCKILY THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WOULDN'T START FOR THIS INCIDENT. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. WE'RE GLAD IT WASN'T BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME IT FAILED AND POSSIBLY LOCKED UP THE STEERING COLUMN. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THIS PART IS OUTRAGEOUS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED OR REPLACED BY NISSAN. THEY'VE HAD A HISTORY OF ISSUES WITH THIS AND SHOULD REFUND US THE $1000 IT COST JUST FOR THE REPAIR BILL. IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT PEOPLE KEEP GETTING TAKEN FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928417

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2016
Electrical SystemCrash

CAR WON'T START DO TO A DEFECTIVE ESCL ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK. THE CAR LEFT ME STRANDED AFTER WORK AT MIDNIGHT. THE CAR IS USELESS IT DOES NOT START. I WAS NEVER INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ESCL.

NHTSA ODI #10928172

119,000 miles · Nov 22, 2016
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN "INTELLIGENT KEY" WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON DASHBOARD. I CONTINUED TO MY WORK PLACE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, IGNITION SELF START WOULD NOT WORK AND I HAD TO CONTACT AAA TO BRING CAR TO DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THIS WARNING LIGHT IS ON, THE CA…

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I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN "INTELLIGENT KEY" WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON DASHBOARD. I CONTINUED TO MY WORK PLACE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, IGNITION SELF START WOULD NOT WORK AND I HAD TO CONTACT AAA TO BRING CAR TO DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THIS WARNING LIGHT IS ON, THE CAR MAY LOCK UP AT ANYTIME. I WAS TOLD THAT I OUGHT BE DRIVING SINCE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. ONE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES AT THE DEALER INDICATED THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, IN FACT THAT DAY THERE WERE THREE 2009 ALTIMAS IN THE SAME AREA GOING TO THE SAME DEALER WITH THE "SMART KEY" LOCKING THE CAR. NISSAN IS GOING TO REIMBURSE $800.00+ DOLLARS BECAUSE I BELIEVE THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM, YET THEY HAVE NOT ANNOUNCED AN OFFICIAL RECALL. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING FOR ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THE RISK OF HAVING THE CAR LOCK WHILE IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #10927582

66,000 miles · Nov 21, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONSISTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR FAILED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BOTTOM ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONSISTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR FAILED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BOTTOM ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ODI #10927309

56,000 miles · Nov 19, 2016
Electrical System

MY DAUGHTER WAS STRANDED IN A NOT SO GREAT AREA WHEN HER CAR WOULD NOT START DUE TO A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN ALTIMA'S ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL). NISSAN DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE, BUT INSTEAD OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IF THE PART FAILED, WITHOUT NOTIFYING CONSUMERS. THIS IS SHAMEFUL ON N…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS STRANDED IN A NOT SO GREAT AREA WHEN HER CAR WOULD NOT START DUE TO A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN ALTIMA'S ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL). NISSAN DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE, BUT INSTEAD OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IF THE PART FAILED, WITHOUT NOTIFYING CONSUMERS. THIS IS SHAMEFUL ON NISSAN'S PART TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO BE STRANDED IN POSSIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THE REPAIR WILL NOW COST HER BETWEEN $1000 AND $1200

NHTSA ODI #10927062

85,000 miles · Nov 16, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

VEHICLE WOULD NOT CRANK AFTER STEERING MECHANISM MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ODI #10926467

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2016
Electrical System

STEERING LOCK CONTROLER IS BROKEN AND ITS A COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL ALTIMA AND NISSAN DOESN'T TAKE RISPONSIBILITY

NHTSA ODI #10926084

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

CAR STALLED TWICE BOTH PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. BATTERY WORKS AND KEY FOB WORKS WITH DOORS. BUT ENGINE WONT START WITH PUSH BUTTON START. ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #10925908

160,000 miles · Nov 11, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CAR WOULD NOT START, LEAVING MYSELF AND TWO CHILDREN STRANDED.

NHTSA ODI #10925495

Official recalls

4

10V401000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

Sep 10, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

09V358000 · Suspension

Sep 16, 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.

Consequence & remedy

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).

09V006000 · Structure:body:door

Jan 9, 2009

NISSAN IS RECALLING 225 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION WELD ON THE DOOR ASSEMBLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIPS AND REMEDIED AT THE FACTORY. NO VEHICLES HAD BEEN RETAILED.

08V464000 · Wheels

Sep 15, 2008

NISSAN IS RECALLING 3,403 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 16-INCH ALLOY WHEELS. SOME THESE WHEELS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THIS COULD CAUSE ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE LUG NUTS ATTACHING THE WHEEL TO THE VEHICLE TO BECOME LOOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LUG NUTS BECOME LOOSE, IT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF IT IS EQUIPPED WITH ONE OF THE AFFECTED WHEELS. IF IT IS, THE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES THAT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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