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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

Engine complaints

107 reports
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25,000 miles · Oct 21, 2016
EngineSuspensionWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE, WHICH FLATTENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A SPARE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE, WHICH FLATTENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A SPARE WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE, THE NOISE GREW LOUDER. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE ALLOY WHEEL, REAR DRIVER SIDE ALLOY WHEEL, LK2 ENGINE CRADLE 2.5, BOTH TOP CONTROL ARMS AND KNUCKLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #10917837

68,000 miles · Sep 16, 2016
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10907208

120,000 miles · Sep 14, 2016
EngineSteering

AFTER ROUTINE DRIVE, CAR "FROZE-UP" DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, CAR WOULD NOT START, WHEEL DID NOT TURN, CAR WOULD NOT START, CAR DEAD. AFTER SOME RESEARCH FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH "STEERING / ENGINE LOCKING-UP" AND CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME WITHOUT ANY WARNING. NISSAN AT ONE POINT HAD EXTEND…

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AFTER ROUTINE DRIVE, CAR "FROZE-UP" DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, CAR WOULD NOT START, WHEEL DID NOT TURN, CAR WOULD NOT START, CAR DEAD. AFTER SOME RESEARCH FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH "STEERING / ENGINE LOCKING-UP" AND CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME WITHOUT ANY WARNING. NISSAN AT ONE POINT HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS INDEFINITELY, THEN ARBITRARILY ENDED IT IN MID 2015. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS....CAN LEAVE YOU STRANDED ANYWHERE!!!

NHTSA ODI #10906431

90,000 miles · Aug 15, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUT INSULATOR WAS CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSTABLE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT THE MANUFACTURER S…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUT INSULATOR WAS CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSTABLE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #10895905

210,000 miles · Aug 5, 2016
EnginePower TrainService BrakesCrash

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA VIN NUMBER [XXX] HAS MANY SAFETY ISSUES THAT ARE NOT BEING REPORTED WITH MY VIN NUMBER. THE STRUTS, STEERING LOCK BOX{WHICH I PAID 900.00 TO REPAIR], ABS SPEED CONTROL SENSOR,ENGINE OIL COOLANT AND MOST OF ALL THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAVE WENT OUT ON MY CAR AND NISSAN WILL NOT HELP ME REPAIR. SO I AM FORCED TO…

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MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA VIN NUMBER [XXX] HAS MANY SAFETY ISSUES THAT ARE NOT BEING REPORTED WITH MY VIN NUMBER. THE STRUTS, STEERING LOCK BOX{WHICH I PAID 900.00 TO REPAIR], ABS SPEED CONTROL SENSOR,ENGINE OIL COOLANT AND MOST OF ALL THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAVE WENT OUT ON MY CAR AND NISSAN WILL NOT HELP ME REPAIR. SO I AM FORCED TO ATTEMPT THIS LAST TRY BEFORE JOINING A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 2 YEARS AND NOW I AM OUT 9000.00 AND THE REPAIRS ARE MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO GIVE DETAIL ABOUT ALL THE EVENTS SO I PRAY SOMEONE AT NISSAN IS DECENT ENOUGH TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND MAKE THIS RIGHT I AM A SINGLE MOM OF THREE AND RIDE LESS . I HAVE CONTACTED ATT. GENERAL [XXX] AND BBB. MY CAR IS AT [XXX] MY NUMBER IS [XXX] MY NAME IS [XXX] I HAVE OPENED 5 CASES AND BEEN DENIED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10893349

130,000 miles · Jul 31, 2016
EnginePower Train

FIRST PROBLEM IS STATIONARY WHILE PARKED. CAR WAS BUMPED BY ANOTHER WHILE PARKED AND STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WITHOUT BEING BUMPED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. HAD TO TOW TO GARAGE TO UNLOCK. HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW. EXPENSIVE TO FIX . SECOND PROBLEM IS WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAYS. ON HOT DAY, DURING LONGER TRIPS WHERE…

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FIRST PROBLEM IS STATIONARY WHILE PARKED. CAR WAS BUMPED BY ANOTHER WHILE PARKED AND STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WITHOUT BEING BUMPED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. HAD TO TOW TO GARAGE TO UNLOCK. HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW. EXPENSIVE TO FIX . SECOND PROBLEM IS WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAYS. ON HOT DAY, DURING LONGER TRIPS WHERE UPHILL CLIMBING IS PRESENT, THE ENGINE STARTS TO LOSE POWER GOING UP HILL AND MANUAL STATES IT IS A BUILT IN SAFETY FEATURE TO PROTECT ENGINE HOWEVER THIS IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN FOR A WHILE BEFORE DRIVING AGAIN. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY 3 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10891865

107,000 miles · Jul 14, 2016
Engine

ON JULY 11TH I WENT TO THE STORE TO PICK UP SOME ITEMS. WHEN I LEFT THE STORE TO GET IN MY CAR, IT WOULD NOT START. I DRIVE A TWO DOOR NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 2009. THE STEERING LOCK HAD MALFUNCTIONED LEAVING ME STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT WHILE IT WAS 95 DEGREES OUTSIDE. I HAD A LOCK SMITH COME AND USE HIS COMPUTER ON MY VEHICLE, UNF…

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ON JULY 11TH I WENT TO THE STORE TO PICK UP SOME ITEMS. WHEN I LEFT THE STORE TO GET IN MY CAR, IT WOULD NOT START. I DRIVE A TWO DOOR NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 2009. THE STEERING LOCK HAD MALFUNCTIONED LEAVING ME STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT WHILE IT WAS 95 DEGREES OUTSIDE. I HAD A LOCK SMITH COME AND USE HIS COMPUTER ON MY VEHICLE, UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR IS IN HIJACK MODE AND MY ENGINE WILL NOT ALLOW HIS COMPUTER TO TALK TO IT. ONLY NISSAN HAS A COMPUTER THAT CAN BYPASS THIS AND REPLACE MY STEERING LOCK. WITH THAT, NISSAN KNOWS THE 2009 MODEL HAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING LOCK BUT HAS YET TO RECALL IT. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. NISSAN ALSO WENT AS FAR AS REPLACING THE PART BUT WITH A DIFFERENT PART # AS THEY KNOW THE PART # IN THE 2009'S ARE DEFECTIVE. THE PART # THEY ARE NOW REPLACING IT WITH IS THE PART THEY PUT IN THE 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA'S. NISSAN SAYS IT'S GOING TO COST ME OVER $1200 TO GET THIS FIXED IN MY CAR. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR A PROBLEM THAT IS DEFECTIVE IN MY VEHICLE AND IS KNOWN BY THE COMPANY ITSELF. I AM NOW CARLESS AS I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I AM APPALLED THAT NISSAN WOULD KNOWINGLY NOT RECALL THE PART IN THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA'S. IT POSES A RISK TO PEOPLE'S SAFETY AS IT CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME AND ANYWHERE!

NHTSA ODI #10884766

92,000 miles · Jul 6, 2016
EngineSteering

2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WILL NOT START THEY SAID IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT THAT NEEDS REPLACED. $1,100. NISSAN KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ONLY UNTIL 2015. IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE WHY WAS I NEVER TOLD ABOUT IT. I WOULD HAVE HAD THEM REPLACE IT A LONG TIME AGO. WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD AND THEY SHOULD COVER T…

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2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WILL NOT START THEY SAID IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT THAT NEEDS REPLACED. $1,100. NISSAN KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ONLY UNTIL 2015. IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE WHY WAS I NEVER TOLD ABOUT IT. I WOULD HAVE HAD THEM REPLACE IT A LONG TIME AGO. WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD AND THEY SHOULD COVER THE COST!

NHTSA ODI #10883072

134,000 miles · Jun 21, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAD A DEFECTIVE STEERING LOCK THAT CAUSED ME TO BE STRANDED ALONE LATE AT NIGHT ON JUNE 10, 2016 - NOT ABLE TO START MY CAR. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN BECAUSE I HAD NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND THIS TIME IT WAS NOT TOO COLD. …

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MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAD A DEFECTIVE STEERING LOCK THAT CAUSED ME TO BE STRANDED ALONE LATE AT NIGHT ON JUNE 10, 2016 - NOT ABLE TO START MY CAR. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN BECAUSE I HAD NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND THIS TIME IT WAS NOT TOO COLD. I WAS ABLE TO USE MY CELLPHONE TO CALL A FRIEND TO HELP. I HAD TO GET A RIDE BACK TO MY CAR THE NEXT DAY AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. I WAS WITHOUT MY VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS WAITING FOR IT TO BE SERVICED. THIS COST ME $900 TO FIX. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART IN THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA AND THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW IF IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10875667

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2016
EngineSteering

CAR WOULD NOT START, TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, DIAGNOSED AS FAILED STEERING LOCK MECHANISM, A KNOWN ISSUE ON THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT NISSAN DID NOT RECALL. THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION AT THE TIME, HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING IT TOWED SINCE EVEN IN NEUTRAL THE STEERING WAS LOCKED DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10873467

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