MY CVT TRANSMISSION BELT BROKE BUT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED MY SPEED SENSOR WAS FAILING AND ALSO MY STEP MOTOR I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS WITH VERY LITTLE PROBLEMS ALSO THE CAR IS STUCK IN NEUTRAL.
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
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.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
10 reportsI GOT MY CAR MAY 2020 FOR 3250 I GOT THE THROTTLE BODY FIXED AND ALSO THE FLEX PIPE THINKING THATS THE REASON THE CAR IS SLOWING DOWN OR WHEN IM STOPPED AT A LIGHT I CAN PUSH THE PADEL TO THE FLOOR I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRUCK I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP TO GET A TUNEUP HE TOLD ME NO WAY IM NOT TOUCHING IT ITS THE TRANSMISSION MY …
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I GOT MY CAR MAY 2020 FOR 3250 I GOT THE THROTTLE BODY FIXED AND ALSO THE FLEX PIPE THINKING THATS THE REASON THE CAR IS SLOWING DOWN OR WHEN IM STOPPED AT A LIGHT I CAN PUSH THE PADEL TO THE FLOOR I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRUCK I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP TO GET A TUNEUP HE TOLD ME NO WAY IM NOT TOUCHING IT ITS THE TRANSMISSION MY RMP GOES UP TO 3 OR 4 DEPENDING I CAN BE DRIVING AND THE CAR IS GOOD THEN IT JERKS EVEN WHEN IM STOPPING IT JERKS THEN I CANT PULL OFF ANYBODY HELP
FUEL READS EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. *TR
THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT OPERATE IF IT'S DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN 45 MINUTES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE POWER TRAIN GOES INTO A NEUTRAL MODE. IT THEN REQUIRES A PULL OVER ONTO A FREEWAY TO ALLOW IT TO COOL DOWN FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL WORK. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS OUTSIDE. WHEN DRIVING AT …
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THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT OPERATE IF IT'S DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN 45 MINUTES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE POWER TRAIN GOES INTO A NEUTRAL MODE. IT THEN REQUIRES A PULL OVER ONTO A FREEWAY TO ALLOW IT TO COOL DOWN FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL WORK. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS OUTSIDE. WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS LOWER THAN 50 MILES PER HOUR IT DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. PER THE NISSAN MECHANICS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CVT AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE CVT. WE HAVE TRIED A TRANSMISSION COOLER BUT THAT DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT REQUIRES THE VEHICLE TO BE STOPPED AND TURNED OFF FOR 20 MINUTES WHICH CAN BE A BIG SAFETY PROBLEM AS IT WOULD REQUIRE SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY OR, IF ABLE, SITTING IN THE VEHICLE IN AN UNSAFE NEIGHBORHOOD.
P0776 CODES POPULATES AFTER 02 SENSORS WERE CHANGED. IT'S THE SOLENOID B PRESSURE LINE LOCATED IN THE VALVE BODY. IT AFFECTS THE CAR TO THE POINT WE'RE IT'S UNDRIVEABLE AND LOSES POWER. CAR WILL NOT GO OVER 3000RPMS IF IT DOES IT CAUSES THE CAR TO GO INTO LYMP MODE. THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE ISSUE AND NISS…
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P0776 CODES POPULATES AFTER 02 SENSORS WERE CHANGED. IT'S THE SOLENOID B PRESSURE LINE LOCATED IN THE VALVE BODY. IT AFFECTS THE CAR TO THE POINT WE'RE IT'S UNDRIVEABLE AND LOSES POWER. CAR WILL NOT GO OVER 3000RPMS IF IT DOES IT CAUSES THE CAR TO GO INTO LYMP MODE. THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE ISSUE AND NISSAN HAS YET TO MAKE ANY EFFORT TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE. NOBODY HAS $3000 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION, WHEN IT'S ONLY A LITTLE COMPONENT THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND NOT THE ENTIRE TRANNY. RECTIFY THE ISSUE AND STOP SELLING LEMON CARS WITH HORRIBLE PARTS.
THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AND SPEEDS UP ON ITS OWN AND MAKES A WHINING SOUND WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY AND ON THE HIGHWAY.
FUEL PUMP WENT OUT MILEAGE #135828 ON MY ALTIMA 2009 2.5S. INITIALLY THE CAR WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WAS GOING TOTALLY USUALLY AFTER EXCITING THE FREEWAY. IT TOTALLY WENT OUT WHILE PARKED. IT WOULD TRY TO TURN OVER WITH NO LOCK.MODELS 2.5L 4 CYLINDER AND 3.5L V6 YEARS 1993 / 2002-2013 MILEAGE 136212 HAVE BEEN RECALLED. IS IT POSSIBL…
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FUEL PUMP WENT OUT MILEAGE #135828 ON MY ALTIMA 2009 2.5S. INITIALLY THE CAR WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WAS GOING TOTALLY USUALLY AFTER EXCITING THE FREEWAY. IT TOTALLY WENT OUT WHILE PARKED. IT WOULD TRY TO TURN OVER WITH NO LOCK.MODELS 2.5L 4 CYLINDER AND 3.5L V6 YEARS 1993 / 2002-2013 MILEAGE 136212 HAVE BEEN RECALLED. IS IT POSSIBLE TO INVESTIGATE THE 2009 2.5S?
TWO INCIDENTS ON SAME DAY: FIRST INCIDENT AT 7:15AM: ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV WITHOUT ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING PUSHED. BRAKING DISTANCE MUCH LONGER THAN NORMAL. WHEN CAR DID STOP, ENGINE SPEED RETURNED TO NORMAL. SECOND INCIDENCE AT 10:45AM (HAD STOPPED/STARTED CAR 5 TIMES, AND DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES SINCE FIRST OCCURR…
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TWO INCIDENTS ON SAME DAY: FIRST INCIDENT AT 7:15AM: ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV WITHOUT ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING PUSHED. BRAKING DISTANCE MUCH LONGER THAN NORMAL. WHEN CAR DID STOP, ENGINE SPEED RETURNED TO NORMAL. SECOND INCIDENCE AT 10:45AM (HAD STOPPED/STARTED CAR 5 TIMES, AND DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES SINCE FIRST OCCURRENCE): SAME ENGINE OVER-REV ISSUE WHILE BRAKING (ACCELERATOR PEDAL NOT PUSHED). AFTER STOPPING (DISTANCE REQUIRED MUCH LONGER THAN NORMAL), ENGINE SPEED DID NOT RETURN TO NORMAL. WHEN TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, THEN PARK, TO KEEP ENGINE FROM PROPELLING CAR, ENGINE SPEED WENT TO 6000RPM, WITHOUT ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING PUSHED. HAD TO TURN ENGINE OFF, THEN START AGAIN TO GET ENGINE TO RESPOND NORMALLY. *TR
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO STUTTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY THE CAR BEGIN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND GOT OUT THE CAR. FLAMES BEGIN TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WE SPOKE TO THE FIRE MARSHALL ([XXX]) WHO STATED THE FIRE STARTED FROM MID ENGINE…
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DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO STUTTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY THE CAR BEGIN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND GOT OUT THE CAR. FLAMES BEGIN TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WE SPOKE TO THE FIRE MARSHALL ([XXX]) WHO STATED THE FIRE STARTED FROM MID ENGINE LINE. AND MORE THAN LIKELY THE CAR WAS ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
CAR FAILED TO START, INTELLIGENT KEY WOULD NOT WORK. AFTERMARKET REMOTE START SYSTEM WAS USED TO START CAR AND DRIVE HOME, PERHAPS 15 MILES. NEXT DAY, REMOTE START SYSTEM WAS USED TO START CAR AND DRIVE TO DEALER, 40 MILES AWAY. AFTER ABOUT 15 MILES, EVERYTHING DIED WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE AND HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. C…
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CAR FAILED TO START, INTELLIGENT KEY WOULD NOT WORK. AFTERMARKET REMOTE START SYSTEM WAS USED TO START CAR AND DRIVE HOME, PERHAPS 15 MILES. NEXT DAY, REMOTE START SYSTEM WAS USED TO START CAR AND DRIVE TO DEALER, 40 MILES AWAY. AFTER ABOUT 15 MILES, EVERYTHING DIED WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE AND HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. CAR WAS THEN TOWED REMAINDER OF WAY TO DEALER. DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE STEERING LOCK AND REPLACED. DEALER SAID AFTERMARKET REMOTE START SYSTEM PROBABLY TIMED OUT, WHICH IS WHY IT DIED ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR
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.
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