← New search

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
Clear category filter
96,000 miles · Oct 3, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

THE ELECTRICAL STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) FAILURE WHICH WOULDN'T ALLOW THE CAR TO START IS THE MOST STUPID THING I'VE EVER HEARD. AND THAT NISSAN WOULDN'T RECALL IT IS A BIG SHAME ON THE MANUFACTURER. ON TOP OF THAT, THEY CHARGE RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED ($600+LABOR)??!! THIS IS SUPER UNSAFE FOR DRIVERS …

Read full complaint

THE ELECTRICAL STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) FAILURE WHICH WOULDN'T ALLOW THE CAR TO START IS THE MOST STUPID THING I'VE EVER HEARD. AND THAT NISSAN WOULDN'T RECALL IT IS A BIG SHAME ON THE MANUFACTURER. ON TOP OF THAT, THEY CHARGE RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED ($600+LABOR)??!! THIS IS SUPER UNSAFE FOR DRIVERS IN THE NORTHEAST AS WE MAY GET STUCK IN A COLD WINTER FREEZING TO DEATH FOR WHAT? THERE IS EVEN NO MECHANIC PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. JUST A LITTLE WEDGE-LIKE THING THAT WOULDN'T DROP TO WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE???? RIDICULOUS!!

NHTSA ODI #10911080

90,000 miles · Sep 27, 2016
Electrical System

WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING WHAT SO MANY NISSAN OWNERS HAVE NOTED ONLINE... THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM HAS MALFUNCTIONED. (THE KEY LIGHT IS ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WON'T LOCK, DOORS STILL LOCK/ UNLOCK). THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION ONLINE. IT IS ELECTRICAL, S…

Read full complaint

WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING WHAT SO MANY NISSAN OWNERS HAVE NOTED ONLINE... THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM HAS MALFUNCTIONED. (THE KEY LIGHT IS ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WON'T LOCK, DOORS STILL LOCK/ UNLOCK). THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION ONLINE. IT IS ELECTRICAL, SO ALL OUR PROPER MAINTENANCE PERFORMED MEANS NOTHING. OUR SITUATION WAS THE 90 YEAR OLD GRANDFATHER STRANDED AT THE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT FOR 2.5 HOURS. ONCE HE RETURNED TO THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT CRANK. THE CAR IS JUST NOW TO 90,000 MILES, AND NOW WE LEARN THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR A TIME, AND NOW IT HAS EXPIRED. THERE WAS NO NOTICE SENT OUT NOR WAS THERE AN OFFICIAL RECALL. OUR $1000 REPAIR BILL FOR A COMMON PROBLEM SPANNING SEVERAL YEARS AND SEVERAL MODELS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. PLEASE FORCE THEM TO DO A RECALL!!! IT'S A WIDESPREAD, KNOWN ISSUE THAT THEY ARE ALREADY AWARE OF.

NHTSA ODI #10910106

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

ECSL WENT OUT AND MY HIGH SCHOOL DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME AS WE WERE OUT OF TOWN, THIS COULD REALLY BE A HAZARD AND DEFINITELY WAS COSTLY AS FAR AS TOWING, THANK GOD WE HAVE AN EXTRA VEHICLE BUT SHE HAD TO FIND TRANSPORTATION, HAD THE STRESS BEING 17 AND NOT REALLY KNOWING WHAT TO DO, THE CAR SAT UNTIL WE GOT HOM…

Read full complaint

ECSL WENT OUT AND MY HIGH SCHOOL DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME AS WE WERE OUT OF TOWN, THIS COULD REALLY BE A HAZARD AND DEFINITELY WAS COSTLY AS FAR AS TOWING, THANK GOD WE HAVE AN EXTRA VEHICLE BUT SHE HAD TO FIND TRANSPORTATION, HAD THE STRESS BEING 17 AND NOT REALLY KNOWING WHAT TO DO, THE CAR SAT UNTIL WE GOT HOME TO HAVE TO TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, MISSED SOME OF SCHOOL. THIS PART DEFINITELY SHOULD BE RECALLED AND PUT BACK OUT THERE INDEFINITELY TO BE WARRANTIED. I HAD HEARD NOTHING PRIOR BUT GOOD THINGS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND THEN AFTER READING ABOUT THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF VEHICLE I AM PRAYING AFTER THE FIX THIS WILL BE THE ONLY TIME IT HAPPENS!

NHTSA ODI #10908459

68,000 miles · Sep 20, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND LOCKED IT WITH THE FOB, IT FAILED TO START UPON HER RETURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ESC NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAIL…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND LOCKED IT WITH THE FOB, IT FAILED TO START UPON HER RETURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ESC NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 12/23/16*LJ UPDATED 02/07/17.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10908244

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2016
Electrical System

WHILE I WAS AT WORK AND DONE WITH MY SHIFT I WENT OUT TO MY CAR AND PRESS THE BREAK AND PUSH THE PUSH START BUTTON IT DID NOT START IT TURNS OUT THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL LOCK IS DEFECTIVE I COULD'VE BEEN HURT OR KILLED OR PUT IT IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I HAD NO ONE AROUND ME TO HELP ME OUT. MY LIFE WAS PUT AT RIS…

Read full complaint

WHILE I WAS AT WORK AND DONE WITH MY SHIFT I WENT OUT TO MY CAR AND PRESS THE BREAK AND PUSH THE PUSH START BUTTON IT DID NOT START IT TURNS OUT THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL LOCK IS DEFECTIVE I COULD'VE BEEN HURT OR KILLED OR PUT IT IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I HAD NO ONE AROUND ME TO HELP ME OUT. MY LIFE WAS PUT AT RISK WITH A CAR THAT WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND IT HAPPENED IN A RULE AREA OF CALIFORNIA WHICH IS THE SEARNE VALLEY WHICH IS ALMOST ALL DESERT. I WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE VALLEYHIGH NISSAN IN VICTORVILLE CALIFORNIA AND THEY ARE QUOTING ME $947 TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10907047

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO RECALL THEIR FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK UNIT THAT IS NEEDED TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON. IF IT DOES NOT LOCK THE WHEEL IN PLACE IT WILL NOT ALLOW THE PUSH START IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE, THUS LEAVING THEIR OCCUPANTS STRANDED WITH NO OPTION OTHER THAN TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP …

Read full complaint

NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO RECALL THEIR FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK UNIT THAT IS NEEDED TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON. IF IT DOES NOT LOCK THE WHEEL IN PLACE IT WILL NOT ALLOW THE PUSH START IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE, THUS LEAVING THEIR OCCUPANTS STRANDED WITH NO OPTION OTHER THAN TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND FORCED TO PAY UPWARDS OF $1200 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A DEFECTIVE FACTORY PART. THEY OFFERED A EXTENDED WARRANTY TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, BUT NEGLECTED TO INFORM CONSUMERS OF THIS. THEY ARE CLEARLY TRYING TO GET OUT OF PAYING FOR THEIR MISTAKES AND ARE PASSING THE COST ON TO THEIR UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ODI #10906720

135,000 miles · Sep 9, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE KEY FOBS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE KEY FOBS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

NHTSA ODI #10904907

78,634 miles · Sep 3, 2016
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT I PURCHASED AS A PRE OWNED IN 2012. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR OIL CHANGES AND REPAIRS ON MANY OCCASIONS. AT NO TIMES WHILE THE CAR WAS GETTING SERVICED WAS I INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK SENSOR AND THE CAR WOULD OT START A…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT I PURCHASED AS A PRE OWNED IN 2012. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR OIL CHANGES AND REPAIRS ON MANY OCCASIONS. AT NO TIMES WHILE THE CAR WAS GETTING SERVICED WAS I INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK SENSOR AND THE CAR WOULD OT START AND BECAUSE OF THAT NISSAN HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO COVER THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE PART, EARLIER THIS WEEK MY CAR WOULD NOT START AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 35 MILES TO MY MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A STEERING LOCK SENSOR FAILURE. THE COST TO REPAIR THE CAR WAS 725.00. I CONDUCTED SOME RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND FOUND SEVERAL ARTICLES ON LINE CONCERNING THE PROBLEM AND THAT NISSAN HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY. AGAIN, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED IN PERSON WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING SERVICED OR BY MAIL BY THE DEALER OR NISSAN. BASED ON MY RESEARCH I BELIEVE THAT THE DEALER OR NISSAN HAD THE OBLIGATION TO NOTIFY ME OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM. AT THE TIME THAT THE SENSOR FAILED I WAS APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES FROM HOME AND HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. AT TIMES I HAVE MY GRANDCHILDREN WITH ME AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MORE SERIOUS SITUATION IF THEY WERE WITH ME.

NHTSA ODI #10903429

82,377 miles · Sep 2, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

CAR WILL NOT START. STEERING LOCK MECHANISM MALFUNCTION. CAR PARKED ON STREET IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE. AT LEAST I'M NOT ON A TRIP. NISSAN WON'T FIX UNDER A RECALL. THEY HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT EXPIRED. OWNERS OF PRE-OWNED CARS WERE NEVER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ODI #10903331

146,000 miles · Sep 2, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

NOTICE A KEY INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASH... VEHICLE WOULDN'T START! I WAS IN A VERY DARK AREA BY MYSELF AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO! I WAS SCARED FOR MY LIFE BECAUSE I WAS ALONE AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN!!

NHTSA ODI #10903198

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.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems