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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

Power Train complaints

95 reports
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107,000 miles · May 23, 2016
Power Train

FIRST TIME 2013 OCCURED ON FREEWAY ABOUT 3 HRS INTO DRIVE. WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH THE CAR BEGAN LOOSING POWER N SPEED QUICKLY. THOUGHT CARS WERE GOING TO SLAM INTO CAR. PULLED OVER TURNED OFF N PLACED KEY IN CHARGING COMPARTMENT. 15 MINS OR SO TURNED ON N RAN FINE AFTER THAT. 2015 ON BUSY FREEWAY BEGAN LOOSING POWER N …

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FIRST TIME 2013 OCCURED ON FREEWAY ABOUT 3 HRS INTO DRIVE. WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH THE CAR BEGAN LOOSING POWER N SPEED QUICKLY. THOUGHT CARS WERE GOING TO SLAM INTO CAR. PULLED OVER TURNED OFF N PLACED KEY IN CHARGING COMPARTMENT. 15 MINS OR SO TURNED ON N RAN FINE AFTER THAT. 2015 ON BUSY FREEWAY BEGAN LOOSING POWER N SPEED. PULLED OVER PLACED KEY AGAIN THEN WORKED FINE. 2016 ITS HAPPENED TWICE AGAIN ON FREEWAY GOING UPHILL SPEED DROPPED QUICKLY. I THOUGHT SEMI-TRUCK WAS GOING TO SLAM. SCARRED TO DEATH MANAGE TO PULL OUT AT 35 MPH FROM 75MPH. DISCONNECTED BATTERY LET SIT 15 MINS WORKED OKAY LOOSING POWER TO 60MPH. FOLLOWING DAY SAME THING BUT NOTHING HELPED TO RESET AND SPEED DROPPED AS LOW AS 20-25MPH AND HAD TO USE MANUAL FEATURE TO KEEP GOING. AUTO TRAN STOPPED FUNCTIONING. NOW TRAN WAS NOT SHIFTING. I'D HAVE TO EASE UP ON THROTTLE PUSH IT DOWN TO TRY N GET SOME POWER. VERY SCARRY WHEN ON FREWAY.

NHTSA ODI #10870431

78,479 miles · Apr 25, 2016
Power TrainSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK FRACTURED. THE COMPONENT WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY; TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK FRACTURED. THE COMPONENT WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY; THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,479.

NHTSA ODI #10861354

190,000 miles · Feb 22, 2016
EnginePower TrainSteeringCrash

TAKATA RECALL SERVICE BULLETINS. I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD WITH MY CHILDREN WE HAVE HAD IT A YEAR AMD ALREADY SPENT ALOT. CALL THIS DEPT AND NISSAN SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO RESULT I HAVE 13 OF THE SERVICE BULLETINS WRONG WITH THIS CAR AMD MANY LIVES AT STAKE I MAY HAVE TO GET AM ATTORNEY BEF…

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TAKATA RECALL SERVICE BULLETINS. I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD WITH MY CHILDREN WE HAVE HAD IT A YEAR AMD ALREADY SPENT ALOT. CALL THIS DEPT AND NISSAN SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO RESULT I HAVE 13 OF THE SERVICE BULLETINS WRONG WITH THIS CAR AMD MANY LIVES AT STAKE I MAY HAVE TO GET AM ATTORNEY BEFORE WE LOOSE A LIFE. I PAID 9000.00 FOR THIS ONE YEAR AGO AMD NO ONE CAN HELP THE STRUT, THE CVT THE ENGINE COOLER LEAKS, PUSH START, CRUISE CONTROL VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR ABS ECT PLEASE HELP IS FIGURE OUT WHAT T9 DO SO I CAN SLEEP AT NIGHT WITH ALL MY BABIES SAFE

NHTSA ODI #10837588

30,000 miles · Nov 13, 2015
Power Train

FLARE AND SLIP ON HIGHWAY MERGE. INTERMITTENTLY SHUDDER, SURGE AND VIBRATE WHEN ACCELERATE FROM 0-30 OR DECELERATE FROM 30-0 IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS BELT TYPE(CVT) TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT 'S LOGIC IS NOT SYNCHRONIZED WITH GAS THROTTLE INPUT. IT IS NOT AS PRECISE AND RESPONSIVE AS STEP AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION…

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FLARE AND SLIP ON HIGHWAY MERGE. INTERMITTENTLY SHUDDER, SURGE AND VIBRATE WHEN ACCELERATE FROM 0-30 OR DECELERATE FROM 30-0 IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS BELT TYPE(CVT) TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT 'S LOGIC IS NOT SYNCHRONIZED WITH GAS THROTTLE INPUT. IT IS NOT AS PRECISE AND RESPONSIVE AS STEP AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION USED BY NISSAN'S INFINITI OR GMC AND TOYOTA ETC. THEREFORE, IT WILL CREATE MANY DANGEROUS DELAYS IN HIGHWAY MERGE SCENARIO FROM 0-60, WITH POTENTIAL OF GETTING HIT AT 60 MPH SPEED.

NHTSA ODI #10790143

185,110 miles · Nov 5, 2015
Power Train

VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO WHINE AND LOSES POWER WITHIN A HOUR OF HIGHWAY DRIVING ON A HOT DAY. VEHICLE CANNOT ACCELERATE AFTER, THUS CREATING A HAZARD TOWARDS OTHER VEHICLES. NISSAN WONT COVER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM IF IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. MOST ALTIMA MODELS FROM 2007 - 2009 ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM…

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VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO WHINE AND LOSES POWER WITHIN A HOUR OF HIGHWAY DRIVING ON A HOT DAY. VEHICLE CANNOT ACCELERATE AFTER, THUS CREATING A HAZARD TOWARDS OTHER VEHICLES. NISSAN WONT COVER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM IF IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. MOST ALTIMA MODELS FROM 2007 - 2009 ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM SURPRISED THEIR ISNT A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10788566

84,000 miles · Oct 14, 2015
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING UPHILL FROM PHOENIX TO FLAGSTAFF, THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND WENT INTO "FAIL-SAFE" MODE, WHICH IMMEDIATELY CAUSES THE CAR TO LOSE POWER AND SLOW TO ABOUT 20 MPH. THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH I WAS FORCED TO QUICKLY PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE 2-LANE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #10781878

71,000 miles · Oct 2, 2015
Power TrainSteering

THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AT 60,000 MILES FROM A NISSAN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE PUSH BUTTON DOES NOT START THE CAR. SOMETIMES IT DOES START AND WILL GO OFF BY ITSELF. THE SHIFT TICK IS LOCKED AND WON'T CHANGE GEARS. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN AND THEY BOTH SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE. SO I AM PAYING FOR A CAR THAT DOES…

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THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AT 60,000 MILES FROM A NISSAN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE PUSH BUTTON DOES NOT START THE CAR. SOMETIMES IT DOES START AND WILL GO OFF BY ITSELF. THE SHIFT TICK IS LOCKED AND WON'T CHANGE GEARS. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN AND THEY BOTH SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE. SO I AM PAYING FOR A CAR THAT DOES NOT WORK. WHEN IT DOES TURN ON I HAVE TO PRESS THE LOCK RELEASE ON THE SHIFTER FOR IT TO ENGAGE INTO DRIVE. DANGEROUS REALLY. NO ACCOUNTABILITY

NHTSA ODI #10779266

50,100 miles · Jul 14, 2015
Power Train

WHEN DRIVING UP A GRADE THE ENGINE RPM GOES UP TO ALMOST 4500 AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN. CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE ON INTERSTATE CONSISTENTLY WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. THIS MAKES THE CAR DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN LOSING ACCELERATION I WAS NEARLY STRUCK FROM BEHIND. I HAD JUST TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEY CHA…

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WHEN DRIVING UP A GRADE THE ENGINE RPM GOES UP TO ALMOST 4500 AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN. CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE ON INTERSTATE CONSISTENTLY WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. THIS MAKES THE CAR DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN LOSING ACCELERATION I WAS NEARLY STRUCK FROM BEHIND. I HAD JUST TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEY CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID 10000 MILES BEFORE IT WAS DUE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FLUID WOULD DEGRADE FROM THE CAR SITTING AND AGEING. IF THAT IS THE CASE THE FLUID IN THE NEW CARS ON THE LOT IS DEGRADING WHILE WAITING TO BE SOLD. I RESEARCHING PROBLEMS FOR THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA CVT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS I AM NOT ALONE WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND LACK OF DEALERSHIP REMEDY TO THE PROBLEM. I TALKED TO A NISSAN FACTORY TRAINED TECH. AND ASK HIM IF THIS PROBLEM IS WHY NISSAN TIGHTENED UP THE TRANSMISSIONS STARTING IN 2013 AND HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT WAS THE REASON. SLIPPAGE IS THE ONLY REASON THAT THE EPA MPG ESTIMATES FOR 2013-2015 VEHICLES ARE 7 MPG GREATER THAN PREVIOUS MODELS. NISSANS ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM IS TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION FROM 60000 MILES TO 120000 MILES. THAT IS FINE AND DANDY, BUT THAT DOES NOT REMOVE THE DANGER OF A REAR END COLLISION THAT CAN KILL OR SEVERELY INJURE FAMILIES WHEN THE CAR DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY ACCELERATE WHEN THE DRIVER HAS A REASONABLE EXPECTATION IT WILL. THE CAR HAS ALSO FAILED TO MAINTAIN A STEADY SPEED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING. PLEASE HELP WITH A RECALL BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED IF THAT HAS NOT ALREADY HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #10733822

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2015
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

AS MY FAMILY AND I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN, THE CAR'S ACCELERATION APPEARED TO DECLINE OUT OF NO WHERE. EVEN WITH THE GAS PEDAL PRESSED COMPLETELY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN SPEED. IT MADE A WHINING NOISE AS WELL. SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT IT HAS HAPPENED 8 TIMES THAT I CAN COUNT OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF. I …

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AS MY FAMILY AND I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN, THE CAR'S ACCELERATION APPEARED TO DECLINE OUT OF NO WHERE. EVEN WITH THE GAS PEDAL PRESSED COMPLETELY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN SPEED. IT MADE A WHINING NOISE AS WELL. SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT IT HAS HAPPENED 8 TIMES THAT I CAN COUNT OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE NOR GET A CODE. SO MY ISSUE STILL EXISTS. IT ONLY HAPPENS ON LONG DISTANCE TRIPS WHERE I DRIVE MORE THAN 40 MILES OR SO AT 75 MPH OR MORE, USUALLY 80MPH. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT HAPPENED THIS PAST WEEKEND AND MY YOUNG DAUGHTER AND I WERE ALMOST KILLED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER SO I ONCE AGAIN TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE NISSAN DEALER AND ONCE AGAIN THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE ISSUE. IT'S PRETTY FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU KNOW THERE'S AN ISSUE BUT YOU CAN'T GET A RESOLUTION. LIKE I WOULD MAKE UP AN ISSUE TO PAY FOR, THAT'S DUMB! THEY WANT YOU TO TAKE IT TO AN AUTHORIZE NISSAN DEALER BUT WHAT GOOD DOES THAT DO WHEN THEY CAN'T FIND OR FIX THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10715910

170,000 miles · Feb 14, 2015
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 170,000 MILES ON MY NISSAN ALTIMA WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IT ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683507

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