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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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65,000 miles · Oct 3, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CRANK AND CAM SHAFT. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CRANK AND CAM SHAFT. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10641262

58,000 miles · Sep 19, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I OWN A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE WITH APPROXIMATELY 60K MILES. WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60MPH, THE CAR DECELERATES WITH NO WARNING. DURING THE FIRST INCIDENT, I WAS ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF A SEMI TRUCK CAUGHT IN THEIR BLINDSPOT WHILE THEY WERE TRYING TO SWITCH LANES. I ATTEMPTED TO PASS THIS TRUCK O…

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I OWN A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE WITH APPROXIMATELY 60K MILES. WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60MPH, THE CAR DECELERATES WITH NO WARNING. DURING THE FIRST INCIDENT, I WAS ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF A SEMI TRUCK CAUGHT IN THEIR BLINDSPOT WHILE THEY WERE TRYING TO SWITCH LANES. I ATTEMPTED TO PASS THIS TRUCK ONLY TO HAVE MY CAR SLOW DOWN COMPLETELY, EVEN WITH GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLES BEHIND ME HAD TO CHANGE LANES SUDDENLY TO AVOID REAR ENDING ME, AND I ALMOST BECAME THE VICTIM OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH THIS SEMI TRUCK. FEARING A SIMILAR INCIDENT ON THE TRIP BACK, I STAYED SAFELY IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE GOING JUST BELOW THE POSTED SPEED (70MPH). AS I APPROACHED AN INCLINE ON THE INTERSTATE, NOT ONLY WOULD MY CAR NOT SPEED UP, IT WOULD NOT EVEN MAINTAIN SPEED. IT QUICKLY WENT FROM 66MPH TO 55MPH. ONCE AGAIN, I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS COLLISION WITH THE UNSUSPECTING VEHICLES BEHIND ME. AFTER GETTING A DIAGNOSIS DONE AT MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHEATING. NISSAN HAS ADMITTED TO KNOWING THESE ISSUES, BY AUTOMATICALLY EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THESE CVT TRANSMISSIONS TO 10YR/120K. HOWEVER, THE WAY AROUND ACTUALLY PAYING TO FIX THESE DEATH TRAPS IS TO INFORM THE CONSUMER THAT THE "FIX" IS NOT A NEW TRANSMISSION, RATHER AN EXTERNAL COOLER THAT NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED. THESE ARE COMMONLY FOUND IN LARGER SUV'S AND TRUCKS TO HELP COMPENSATE FOR THE ADDITIONAL STRESS ON THE TRANSMISSION, DUE TO LARGER SIZE/WEIGHT. I DRIVE A 2-DOOR ALTIMA. I AM NOT TOWING BOATS OR PAVERS. IF MY TINY CAR NEEDS AN EXTERNAL COOLER TO HELP ITS FAULTY TRANSMISSION FUNCTION SAFELY AND PROPERLY, THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AT MANUFACTURING. THE OUT OF POCKET COST FOR THIS COOLER IS $1000+. NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE FAULTY PRODUCT THEY MANUFACTURED. THIS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637445

30,477 miles · Jul 18, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPOT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE ROLLING TO A STOP WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND BEFORE I COULD LIFT MY FOOT AND REAPPLY BRAKE I HAD GONE OVER THE CURB AND INTO A BUSH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10614614

36,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #10595902

60,412 miles · May 19, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

CAR DOORS UNLOCKED NORMALLY , THE DASH SHOWED A YELLOW KEY LIGHT BLINKING , NO RESPONSE TO PUSHING THE IGNITION BUTTON. CAR LOCKS AND UNLOCKS WITH THE REMOTE . HEADLIGHTS WORKED BATTERY WAS CHARGED FULL. EXITED THE DOOR , LOCKED THE CAR , UNLOCKED THE CAR , ENTERED IN - HELD THE REMOTE CLOSE TO THE IGNITION BUTTON. THE DASH…

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CAR DOORS UNLOCKED NORMALLY , THE DASH SHOWED A YELLOW KEY LIGHT BLINKING , NO RESPONSE TO PUSHING THE IGNITION BUTTON. CAR LOCKS AND UNLOCKS WITH THE REMOTE . HEADLIGHTS WORKED BATTERY WAS CHARGED FULL. EXITED THE DOOR , LOCKED THE CAR , UNLOCKED THE CAR , ENTERED IN - HELD THE REMOTE CLOSE TO THE IGNITION BUTTON. THE DASHBOARD STILL SHOWED YELLOW KEY LIGHT BLINKING . PUSHED IGNITION BUTTON NO RESPONSE. UPON GOOGLING THERE WAS A SUGGESTION TO REMOVED NEGATIVE FROM BATTERY WAIT FOR A 5 MINUTES , RECONNECT AND TRY . SAME RESULTS AFTER CONNECTING THE BATTERY. ONE ARTICLE SUGGESTED TO MOVE THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING UP AND DOWN VIGOROUSLY . I RELEASED THE STEERING BUTTON UNDERNEATH THE STEERING AND MOVED THE STEERING UP AND DOWN. PUSHED THE IGNITION BUTTON AND THE ENGINE STARTED. DROVE TO THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO DO CORRECT THE PROBLEM STATING THAT AT THE TIME THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE EVERYTHING WAS FINE. HE DID NOT WANT TO SEE THE VIDEO I CAPTURED SHOWING THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT BLINKING. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592490

1,400 miles · Feb 7, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE PARKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1400.

NHTSA ODI #10563445

63,200 miles · Feb 4, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE WITH 63,200 MILES WOULD NOT START LAST SATURDAY, 2/1. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED, THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED, AND THE PUSH TO START BUTTON WOULD NOT LIGHT UP OR START THE CAR. THE RED LIGHT FOR THE KEY WAS FLASHING AND THE CAR COULD NEVER BE STARTED. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LEITH NISSAN IN CARY, NC WH…

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MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE WITH 63,200 MILES WOULD NOT START LAST SATURDAY, 2/1. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED, THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED, AND THE PUSH TO START BUTTON WOULD NOT LIGHT UP OR START THE CAR. THE RED LIGHT FOR THE KEY WAS FLASHING AND THE CAR COULD NEVER BE STARTED. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LEITH NISSAN IN CARY, NC WHERE SERVICE MEMBERS THERE SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND CURRENTLY HAVE TWO OTHER VEHICLES IN LINE FOR THE SAME PART. THE ELECTRICAL PART FOR THE START BUTTON IS ON SERIOUS BACKORDER AND THE COMPANY HAS SUCH A HIGH DEMAND FOR IT THAT EVEN NISSAN CORPORATE IS SAYING IT WILL BE A FEW WEEKS TO GET THE PART IN. THE SERVICE STAFF AT LEITH NISSAN IN CARY, NC SAID THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN COMMON AND THAT NISSAN WAS NOT RECALLING THIS PART THOUGH THEY HAVE KNOWLEDGE THIS A SERIOUS ISSUE AFFECTING MANY NISSAN CAR OWNERS FOR A SOME TIME NOW. LEITH NISSAN TOLD ME TO CALL CORPORATE AND ANYONE ELSE I COULD TO RAISE THIS CONCERN AND THAT MAYBE SOMETHING WOULD BE DONE. HUNDREDS OF OTHER NISSAN OWNERS HAVE POSTED THIS EXACT PROBLEM ONLINE AND FILED CLAIMS AS WELL. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THE PART AND REIMBURSE THOSE AFFECTED FOR RENTAL CARS AND OTHER EXPENSES. I CALLED THE NISSAN CORPORATE OFFICE DEMANDING REIMBURSEMENT FOR RENTAL CAR FEES. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO PUT A STOP TO THIS AND ENFORCE NISSAN TO RECALL THIS PART ON ALL ALTIMA'S. APPARENTLY THIS EXACT PART HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10562918

37,000 miles · Feb 3, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA ODI #10562649

62,500 miles · Jan 25, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

CAR WOULD NOT START DUE TO FAILURE OF THE STEERING LOCK DEVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561437

14,500 miles · Nov 29, 2013
Engine

ON MONDAY NIGHT 11/25/13 I DROVE TO MY LOCAL SUPERMARKET AND WHEN I WENT BACK TO MY CAR, IT WOULDN'T START AFTER PUSHING THE START BUTTON. SEVERAL LIGHTS LIT UP; SERVICE ENGINE SOON, BATTERY, OIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT ETC. I TRIED IT A FEW TIMES WITH NO LUCK. I THEN TRIED SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND BACK TO PARK. TRIED TO S…

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ON MONDAY NIGHT 11/25/13 I DROVE TO MY LOCAL SUPERMARKET AND WHEN I WENT BACK TO MY CAR, IT WOULDN'T START AFTER PUSHING THE START BUTTON. SEVERAL LIGHTS LIT UP; SERVICE ENGINE SOON, BATTERY, OIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT ETC. I TRIED IT A FEW TIMES WITH NO LUCK. I THEN TRIED SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND BACK TO PARK. TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND NO LUCK. AFTER WAITING ABOUT A MINUTE I TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT FINALLY STARTED. IT HAS BEEN STARTING SINCE THEN (TODAY IS 11/29/13) BUT NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM VERY NERVOUS AND CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND I WON'T BE NEAR HOME. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BY NISSAN AND A RECALL ISSUED SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO MANY OWNERS.. MY BROTHER ALSO OWNS A 2009 ALTIMA AND THIS HAPPENED TO HIM LAST YEAR AND HE HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554137

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