IllustrationSTEERING LOCK MALFUNCTION AND NOW I'M UNABLE TO START MY CAR. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND HASN'T RECALLED AND NOW MY WARRANTY IS OVER AND I HAVE TO PAY $900 TO GET IT FIXED
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
890–25K
17025–50K
30750–75K
29375–100K
306100–150K
74150K+
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 reportsTHE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED AFTER MY SON HAD PARKED HIS CAR AT A CONVENIENCE STORE. THIS LEFT MY SON IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH NO ACCESS TO A FUNCTIONING CAR IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I DO NOT CONSIDER TO BE SAFE. THE RESOLUTION WAS TO CALL AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BROUGHT TO THE DEALER WHER…
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THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED AFTER MY SON HAD PARKED HIS CAR AT A CONVENIENCE STORE. THIS LEFT MY SON IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH NO ACCESS TO A FUNCTIONING CAR IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I DO NOT CONSIDER TO BE SAFE. THE RESOLUTION WAS TO CALL AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BROUGHT TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ISSUES WAS REPAIRED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS ESCL ISSUE IS A KNOW PROBLEM FOR WHICH NISSAN INITIALLY ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN AND EXTENDED WARRANTEE FOR THAT THEY HAVE SINCE WITHDRAWN. I FEEL THIS ISSUE SHOULD RESULT N A RECALL FOR SAFETY REASONS AS IT CAN PLACE A PERSON IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO START THE CAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SENSOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
TAKATA RECALL. MY COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA STEERING LOCK FAILURE. MY LOCK FAILURE OCCURRED ON 05-22-16. I RETURNED HOME AFTER A DAY OF SPENDING TIME WITH SOME FRIENDS. I PARKED MY CAR AND LATER THAT EVENING, I DECIDED TO GO TO THE STORE. ONCE I GOT IN THE CAR, I COULDN'T START IT. THE BRAKE WAS REALLY HA…
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TAKATA RECALL. MY COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA STEERING LOCK FAILURE. MY LOCK FAILURE OCCURRED ON 05-22-16. I RETURNED HOME AFTER A DAY OF SPENDING TIME WITH SOME FRIENDS. I PARKED MY CAR AND LATER THAT EVENING, I DECIDED TO GO TO THE STORE. ONCE I GOT IN THE CAR, I COULDN'T START IT. THE BRAKE WAS REALLY HARD TO PUSH AND YELLOW KEY LIGHT ILLUMINATED FROM MY DASHBOARD. THE FOB WOULD ALLOW ME TO UNLOCK AND CLOSE DOORS. THE LIGHTS WORKED, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS SITUATION OCCUR IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY APARTMENT COMPLEX OTHERWISE THE CAR COULD HAVE BROKEN DOWN SOMEWHERE REALLY UNSAFE. MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS FIXED FOR $939.38
I OWN A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 16, 2016 I ARRIVED HOME AT 10:30 I PARKED THE CAR IN MY DRIVE WAY TURNED THE CAR OFF AN WENT INSIDE MY HOUSE. I PREPARED MY DAD'S LUNCH AND WENT BACK INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR IT WOULD NO LONGER START THE A RED CAR LIGHT WITH KEY WAS BLINKING AND A ORANGE KEY AS WELL M…
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I OWN A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 16, 2016 I ARRIVED HOME AT 10:30 I PARKED THE CAR IN MY DRIVE WAY TURNED THE CAR OFF AN WENT INSIDE MY HOUSE. I PREPARED MY DAD'S LUNCH AND WENT BACK INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR IT WOULD NO LONGER START THE A RED CAR LIGHT WITH KEY WAS BLINKING AND A ORANGE KEY AS WELL MY WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN AND WON'T ROLL UP AND ITS BEEN RAINING PLEASE HELP I CALLED NISSAN THEY ASKED IF WITHOUT HURTING MYSELF COULD I JERK THE BRAKE AND START THE CAR THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AT NISSAN THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY PEOPLE
STEERING LOCK FAILED STRANDING ME WITH A NON STARTING CAR 190 MILES FROM HOME WITH A TODDLER WITH NO HEAT OR AC.... IT IS A COMMON NISSAN FAILURE AND NISSAN WILL NOT ASSIST
STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED CAUSING MY WIFE TO BE STRANDED. THIS PROBLEM IS EFFECTING THOUSANDS OF OTHER OWNERS OF 2009 NISSAN ALTIMAS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS PART.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WAS UNABLE TO START. THE "PUSH TO START" DID NOT START THE ENGINE AND THE STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS INCLUDED IN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD STILL BE COVERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WAS UNABLE TO START. THE "PUSH TO START" DID NOT START THE ENGINE AND THE STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS INCLUDED IN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD STILL BE COVERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
THE CAR WILL NOT START. THERE IS A YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE DASH AND A RED CAR LIGHT THAT BLINKS. THE BATTERY IN THE KEY IS FINE AND OPENS THE CAR DOORS AND LOCKS THEM OK. I GOT INTO THE CAR THIS MORNING AND IT WILL NOT START.
APRIL 20 GOT OFF OF WORK WENT TO MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND HAD BATTERY REPLACED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT START. LOOKED ON LINE AND SEEMS IT IS THE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM FAILURE THAT IS DISABLING MY CAR. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PART BUT YET EVERY TIME I LOOK SOMET…
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APRIL 20 GOT OFF OF WORK WENT TO MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND HAD BATTERY REPLACED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT START. LOOKED ON LINE AND SEEMS IT IS THE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM FAILURE THAT IS DISABLING MY CAR. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PART BUT YET EVERY TIME I LOOK SOMETHING UP ONLINE I SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL.
Official recalls
410V401000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.