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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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Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine

CAR WILL NOT START. THE IKEY LIGHT AND THE "RED KEY" SECURITY LIGHT COME ON. THE IKEY OPENS THE DOOR LOCKS, TRUNK. HOLDING THE UNLOCK KEY DOWN RESULTED IN THE WINDOWS ROLLING DOWN. COULD NOT GET THE WIDOWS TO GO BACK UP. DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY FOR 10 MINUTES, REPLACING THE BATTERY IN THE KEY FOB, USING EITHER KEY DID NOT…

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CAR WILL NOT START. THE IKEY LIGHT AND THE "RED KEY" SECURITY LIGHT COME ON. THE IKEY OPENS THE DOOR LOCKS, TRUNK. HOLDING THE UNLOCK KEY DOWN RESULTED IN THE WINDOWS ROLLING DOWN. COULD NOT GET THE WIDOWS TO GO BACK UP. DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY FOR 10 MINUTES, REPLACING THE BATTERY IN THE KEY FOB, USING EITHER KEY DID NOT WORK. TOWED CAR TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10483987

53,000 miles · Nov 6, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering

THIS MORNING WAS VERY COLD. I WARMED MY CAR UP, WENT TO VOTE. WHEN I LEFT THE POLL, I GET TO MY CAR AND IT WON'T START, SAYS THAT THERE IS NO FOB IN THE CAR. THE RED SECURITY LIGHT IS FLASHING. SO I PUT THE FOB IN THE "DOGHOUSE" THAT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK AS A BACK UP METHOD.. NOTHING.. STILL WON'T START.. DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY…

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THIS MORNING WAS VERY COLD. I WARMED MY CAR UP, WENT TO VOTE. WHEN I LEFT THE POLL, I GET TO MY CAR AND IT WON'T START, SAYS THAT THERE IS NO FOB IN THE CAR. THE RED SECURITY LIGHT IS FLASHING. SO I PUT THE FOB IN THE "DOGHOUSE" THAT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK AS A BACK UP METHOD.. NOTHING.. STILL WON'T START.. DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, RECONNECTED AND TRIED AGAIN.. NOTHING. DID ALL MY RESEARCH TO FIND MANY MANY PAGE SO COMPLAINS ABOUT IT.. IT'S THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. SEEMS THEY DID AWAY WITH THAT FEATURE IN LATE 2010 MODELS.. GUESS THEY KNOW WHY.. SO NOW I'M STUCK WITH A $700 BILL FOR AN ISSUE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING. AS A MATTER OF FACT, MY CAR WAS THE SECOND 09 OF THE DAY WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. COINCIDENCE?? I THINK NOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10483532

51,000 miles · Oct 31, 2012
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilitySteering

MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ACTIVATION OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM. AFTER FOLLOWING ALL TROUBLE SHOOTING ADVICE IN THE CAR'S MANUAL, I TOWED THE CAR TO DEALER WHERE THEY STATED AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN STEERING CONTROL UNIT IS NOT TELLING THE CONTROL UNIT THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS UNLOCKED AND READY TO START. THE…

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MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ACTIVATION OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM. AFTER FOLLOWING ALL TROUBLE SHOOTING ADVICE IN THE CAR'S MANUAL, I TOWED THE CAR TO DEALER WHERE THEY STATED AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN STEERING CONTROL UNIT IS NOT TELLING THE CONTROL UNIT THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS UNLOCKED AND READY TO START. THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART# 487009N00B) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS ALL PART OF THE VEHICLE ANTI-THEFT IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS UNIT WAS $1,062.90. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW IN THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. 1. THIS WAS A FULLY FUNCTIONING CAR (EXCEPT FOR ANTI-THEFT GLITCH) THAT LEFT ME AND MY DAUGHTER STRANDED IN A VERY REMOTE AREA. 2. NISSAN PROMOTES HOW SAFE, RELIABLE AND ECONOMICAL THEIR CARS ARE, BUT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM CAN DISABLE THE VEHICLE LEAVING DRIVER STRANDED WITH ONLY ONE OPTION, WHICH IS, TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER BECAUSE OF ANT-THEFT SYSTEM GLITCHES. 3. THE CAR, BEING ECONOMICAL, SHOULD NOT REQUIRE AN OVER $1,000 REPAIR BECAUSE OF AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. 4. THERE ARE SEVERAL CONDITIONS THAT CAN OCCUR THAT WILL RESULT IN THE NISSAN ALTIMA BECOMING IMMOBILIZED STRANDING DRIVERS. I AM STATING ONLY ONE. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY TO FEMALE DRIVERS. 5. I FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD COME UP WITH AN OVERRIDE CODE OR DEVICE THAT WILL ALLOW A DRIVER TO ESCAPE FROM POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS THAT WERE CREATED BY NISSAN'S VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS FULLY FUNCTIONAL EXCEPT FOR AN ANTI-THEFT IMMOBILIZING CIRCUIT FALSELY TELLING THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT READY TO START. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW IN THEIR VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482796

69,500 miles · Oct 13, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering

CAR WILL NOT START. THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND PREVENTING ME FROM STARTING THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480023

44,150 miles · Oct 8, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering

09 NISSAN ALTIMA JUST OVER 44K MILES THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. NO LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD, BRAKE PEDAL VERY STIFF, THE VEHICLE WILL RECOGNIZE THAT THE KEY IS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AND IS INSERTED AT THE LOCATION ON THE LEFT SIDE ON DRIVER AND IS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK BUT IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. TOWED TO DEALER AND AS I…

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09 NISSAN ALTIMA JUST OVER 44K MILES THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. NO LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD, BRAKE PEDAL VERY STIFF, THE VEHICLE WILL RECOGNIZE THAT THE KEY IS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AND IS INSERTED AT THE LOCATION ON THE LEFT SIDE ON DRIVER AND IS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK BUT IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. TOWED TO DEALER AND AS I AM OVER MY 36K WARRANTY BUT NOT OVER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY I HAD TO PAY OVER $800 TO FIX FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT EVEN OVER 3 YEARS OLD. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479283

18,730 miles · Sep 29, 2012
Electrical System

FAILURE OF CAR BATTERY 18,730 MILES I NOTED A STRONG SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS A FEW MONTHS AGO AND FOUND THAT THE POSITIVE POST ON THE BATTERY HAD CONSIDERABLE CORROSION. I CLEANED IT OFF AS BEST I COULD AND HOPED THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS HAS CONTINUED AND THE CORROSION RETURNED AND EVEN MORE. IT W…

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FAILURE OF CAR BATTERY 18,730 MILES I NOTED A STRONG SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS A FEW MONTHS AGO AND FOUND THAT THE POSITIVE POST ON THE BATTERY HAD CONSIDERABLE CORROSION. I CLEANED IT OFF AS BEST I COULD AND HOPED THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS HAS CONTINUED AND THE CORROSION RETURNED AND EVEN MORE. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE POSITIVE POST IS NO LONGER SEALED INTO THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY IS NO LONGER A SEALED MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY AND THUS IS ALLOWING SULFURIC ACID FUMES TO LEAK OUT AROUND THE POST AND CORRODE THE TERMINAL AND ALL CONNECTING CABLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477475

40,971 miles · Sep 25, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

BRAKE LIGHTS NOT LIGHTING & PUSH TO START NOT WORKING AT TIMES. NISSAN SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH & SUB HARNESS. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE ON THE INTERNET I FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE SWITCH FAILS YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476959

62,203 miles · May 11, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering

I DROVE MY 09 ALTIMA TO THE MALL PARKED IT, AN HOUR LATER I TRIED TURNING IT ON AND IT WOULDN'T START. NO CRANK, AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN GO TO ACC. I TRIED JUMP STARTING IT AND EVEN CHANGE OUT THE BATTERY BUT NO LUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458094

44,193 miles · Feb 24, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INTELLIGENT KEY STARTING SYSTEM ,AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON THE DASH.HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALER. A FAULTY STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART #48700-9N00B) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON ISSUE WITH 200…

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MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INTELLIGENT KEY STARTING SYSTEM ,AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON THE DASH.HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALER. A FAULTY STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART #48700-9N00B) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2008-2009 NISSAN ALTIMA'S AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES PRODUCED IN THOSE YEARS. A RECALL SHOULD BE STARTED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449224

43,400 miles · Jul 15, 2011
Electrical System

2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S WAS BACKED INTO IN A PARKING LOT, LOW SPEED COLLISION, MINOR DAMAGE TO REAR BUMPER. A FEW DAYS AFTER THIS INCIDENT, WHEN TRYING TO START CAR WITH KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEM, IT TOOK NEARLY 30 MINUTES TO START. IT IS REQUIRED THAT THE BRAKES BE DEPRESSED TO START CAR, BUT WHEN PUSHING ON BRAKES, THE BRAKE L…

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2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S WAS BACKED INTO IN A PARKING LOT, LOW SPEED COLLISION, MINOR DAMAGE TO REAR BUMPER. A FEW DAYS AFTER THIS INCIDENT, WHEN TRYING TO START CAR WITH KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEM, IT TOOK NEARLY 30 MINUTES TO START. IT IS REQUIRED THAT THE BRAKES BE DEPRESSED TO START CAR, BUT WHEN PUSHING ON BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON, AND WHEN IGNITION BUTTON IS PUSHED IT ONLY TURNS ON THE ACCESSORIES, WHICH IS THE NORMAL ACTION EXPECTED IF BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT BEING PRESSED. IT IS NOT CLEAR IF THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE COLLISION OR JUST HIGHLY COINCIDENTAL. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH. THIS IS NOW AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, BUT HAS MADE THE CAR UNRELIABLE WITH THE POSSIBILITY TO LEAVE A DRIVER STRANDED. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10413064

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