← New search

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
Clear category filter
685,000 miles · Jun 29, 2013
Power Train

WE WERE DRIVING ON I 40 AT A STEADY 75 MPH AND WE HAD TRAVELED ABOUT 50 MILES AT THIS SPEED WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN EVEN PRESSING THE GAS TO THE FLOOR DID NOT WORK. WE SLOWED TO 40 TO 45 MPH, THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. EVEN AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY THE CAR ACTED LIKE IT HAD A LOSE OF POWER AND ACCELERATED VERY SLOW. …

Read full complaint

WE WERE DRIVING ON I 40 AT A STEADY 75 MPH AND WE HAD TRAVELED ABOUT 50 MILES AT THIS SPEED WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN EVEN PRESSING THE GAS TO THE FLOOR DID NOT WORK. WE SLOWED TO 40 TO 45 MPH, THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. EVEN AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY THE CAR ACTED LIKE IT HAD A LOSE OF POWER AND ACCELERATED VERY SLOW. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH TIMES I WAS A PASSENGER AND THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. IT SEEMED TO SHIFT HARD AND THE ENGINE RAVED AS WELL. BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPENED ON I 40, THIS IS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS AND NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS I HAVE FOUND MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE ON THIS SAME MODEL YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522444

150,796 miles · May 30, 2013
Power Train

AROUND 11:30AM ON 05/15/2013 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED INTO RETAILERS PARKING FOR WHICH IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE. ONCE THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE THEY CAME BACK WITH CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THEY MENTIONE…

Read full complaint

AROUND 11:30AM ON 05/15/2013 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED INTO RETAILERS PARKING FOR WHICH IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE. ONCE THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE THEY CAME BACK WITH CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THEY MENTIONED THEY WERE HAVING ISSUES WITH CVT TRANSMISSION IN MY VERSION OF ALTIMA, BUT WOULD BE UNABLE TO COVER THE COST OF A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION OF $4,000. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO FILE A CLAIM AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER FOR REFERENCE. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK WITHIN 24-HOURS OF PLACING THE INITIAL CALL. HOWEVER THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT BASED OF THE REVIEW OF MY CASE THEY WOULD AGAIN BE UNABLE TO COVER ANY COST ASSOCIATED WITH REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. TO NOTE, NO REVIEW OF MY VEHICLE WAS CONDUCTED. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A USED TRANSMISSION, BUT AFTER RESEARCHING THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN NISSAN ALTIMA'S YET NISSAN IS NOT RECALLING AND REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH AND IS NOT SAFE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THESE FAILURES BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514401

35,000 miles · Feb 7, 2013
Power Train

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT CRANK. IT WAS FINE WHEN I DROVE IT TO WORK. WHEN I WENT TO GO HOME, IT WOULD NOT CRANK AND A YELLOW LIGHT WITH A KEY CAME ON. I HAVE TO GET MY CAR TOWED TOMORROW BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING LOCK WENT OUT. I'VE NOTICED THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, THERE NEEDS TO …

Read full complaint

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT CRANK. IT WAS FINE WHEN I DROVE IT TO WORK. WHEN I WENT TO GO HOME, IT WOULD NOT CRANK AND A YELLOW LIGHT WITH A KEY CAME ON. I HAVE TO GET MY CAR TOWED TOMORROW BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING LOCK WENT OUT. I'VE NOTICED THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. I'VE READ OVER 50 INCIDENTS JUST LIKE MINE THIS MONTH ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496682

140,000 miles · Jan 4, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE D…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10491464

51,000 miles · Nov 26, 2012
Power TrainSteering

I TURN OFF MY CAR TO GET GAS AND WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY CAR IT WOULD NOT TURN ON I TRY TO HAVE A JUMP AND THAT DIDN'T WORK SO I HAD MY CAR TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP, I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR. THE DEALER SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW STEERING UNIT THAT WILL COST ME 1300.00. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME FOR THESE NISSAN TO HAVE THIS ISS…

Read full complaint

I TURN OFF MY CAR TO GET GAS AND WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY CAR IT WOULD NOT TURN ON I TRY TO HAVE A JUMP AND THAT DIDN'T WORK SO I HAD MY CAR TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP, I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR. THE DEALER SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW STEERING UNIT THAT WILL COST ME 1300.00. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME FOR THESE NISSAN TO HAVE THIS ISSUE AND I FEEL A RECALL IS NEEDED. I FEEL LIKE I BEEN RIP OFF BY NISSAN AND MY DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486077

77,320 miles · Oct 30, 2012
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2009 ALTIMA BEGAN TO MAKE A WHINING NOISE. IT BEGAN TO SHUTTER AND MADE THE WHOLE VEHICLE RESPOND ERRATICALLY. WHEN STOPPED, THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD. NISSAN APPARENTLY KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND EXTENDED THE TRANSMISSION WARRANTY TO 120,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM IS NISSAN IS REPLACING THE FAULTY …

Read full complaint

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2009 ALTIMA BEGAN TO MAKE A WHINING NOISE. IT BEGAN TO SHUTTER AND MADE THE WHOLE VEHICLE RESPOND ERRATICALLY. WHEN STOPPED, THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD. NISSAN APPARENTLY KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND EXTENDED THE TRANSMISSION WARRANTY TO 120,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM IS NISSAN IS REPLACING THE FAULTY CVT TRANSMISSION WITH A "NEW" REPLACEMENT FAULTY TRANSMISSION. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE EVEN VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE DOCUMENTING PROBLEMS WITH THE 2009 ALTIMA TRANSMISSIONS. EVEN AFTER AN INITIAL REPLACEMENT, MANY VEHICLES ARE NEEDING MULTIPLE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, NO ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE BY NISSAN TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, THEY JUST REPLACE TRANSMISSIONS. A RECALL NEEDS TO OCCUR, AND NISSAN NEEDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF REPLACING IT. ONCE AGAIN, THERE IS NO RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482681

82,239 miles · Feb 12, 2012
Power Train

I PURCHASED A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2 YEARS AGO AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEING NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE THE BEGINNING, ON TOP OF THAT THE MAINTENANCE IS VERY COSTLY IF YOU TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I TAKE MY CAR TO ASE CERTIFIED MECHANICS AT PEP-BOYS AND THE LABOR IS ALLOT CHEAPER THAN DEALER PRICING, MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEING MAINTAINED B…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2 YEARS AGO AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEING NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE THE BEGINNING, ON TOP OF THAT THE MAINTENANCE IS VERY COSTLY IF YOU TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I TAKE MY CAR TO ASE CERTIFIED MECHANICS AT PEP-BOYS AND THE LABOR IS ALLOT CHEAPER THAN DEALER PRICING, MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEING MAINTAINED BY THE SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL AND RECENTLY I HAD MY TRANSMISSION SERVICE BY THE PEP-BOYS AND THEY SELL BY MY STANDARDS BETTER QUALITY OIL LIKE VALVOLINE CVT OIL BEING THAT I SAVED SOME MONEY THROUGH PEP-BOYS THEY DID THE SERVICE AND EVERYTHING WENT WELL TILL RECENTLY MY TRANNY, WENT OUT AND HEY BLAMED THE OIL WASN'T THE RIGHT COLOR ACCORDING TO THE NISSAN TECH, NOW I WANT TO KNOW HOW CAN VALVOLINE SELL A CERTIFIED NISSAN PRODUCT TO MILLIONS OF CONSUMERS AND THEY SAY IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER THE MFG, WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447701

30,000 miles · Nov 5, 2011
Power Train

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE BINDING AT ALL SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP EXAMINED IT AND ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY STATED A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN 3 DAYS. AS OF THIS POINT THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE IS "OK TO DRIVE" P…

Read full complaint

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE BINDING AT ALL SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP EXAMINED IT AND ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY STATED A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN 3 DAYS. AS OF THIS POINT THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE IS "OK TO DRIVE" PER THE DEALER. BUT GIVEN THE POTENTIAL FOR VEHICLE FAILURE A 2 MONTH WAIT FOR A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434329

41,550 miles · Aug 30, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 88 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL WHINING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE THEN DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED SEVERAL FAILURES, UNKNOWN T…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 88 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL WHINING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE THEN DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED SEVERAL FAILURES, UNKNOWN TO THE CONTACT. THE DEALER THEN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE DEALER THAT THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE TRANSMISSION HAD RECENTLY CHANGED AND THERE WAS AN EXCESS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REMOVED ONE HALF QUART OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,550 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,800.

NHTSA ODI #10422633

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- COPY OF A LETTER TO NISSAN RE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH HIS 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE MERGED ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY, SHE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND SOON DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS DECREASING IN SPEED, INSTEAD OF INCREASING. THE CONSUMER STOPPED TO A REPAIR SHOP…

Read full complaint

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- COPY OF A LETTER TO NISSAN RE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH HIS 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE MERGED ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY, SHE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND SOON DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS DECREASING IN SPEED, INSTEAD OF INCREASING. THE CONSUMER STOPPED TO A REPAIR SHOP, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS. AFTER APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR AND A HALF OF DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED OF 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM RETURNED. GOING UP HILLS, WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND THE TOP SPEED OF GOING UP A HILL WAS 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE NEXT DAY THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HER LOCAL DEALER, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM AS WELL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10417530

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