IllustrationMY ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND IT'S VERY STICKY.. THE GLARE IS A MAJOR CONCERN THAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S DAY OR NIGHT IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD.
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
890–25K
17025–50K
30750–75K
29375–100K
306100–150K
74150K+
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
Steering complaints
859 reportsCAR WILL NOT START AND KEY LOCK IS ON AS WELL AS THE RED LIGHT WITH THE CAR FLASHING INSIDE OF THE CAR. I LOOKED THE PROBLEM UP AND IT STATED SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEING A STEERING MECHANISM. I WAS PARKED IN A RESTAURANT GOT OUT TO GET MY FOOD AND CAME BACK TO THE CAR AND CAR WOULDN'T START.
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING SHUT DOWN IN PARKING LOT. DASH DISPLAY SHOWED A KEY LIGHT BUT INFORMATION CONSOLE DID NOT STATE THE PROBLEM. OCCUPANTS IN VEHICLE WERE MOTHER AND 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN 90+ DEGREE HEAT. COULD NOT OPERATE AIR CONDITIONING AND HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO RESIDENCE. UPON INSPECTION, FOUND STEERING …
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VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING SHUT DOWN IN PARKING LOT. DASH DISPLAY SHOWED A KEY LIGHT BUT INFORMATION CONSOLE DID NOT STATE THE PROBLEM. OCCUPANTS IN VEHICLE WERE MOTHER AND 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN 90+ DEGREE HEAT. COULD NOT OPERATE AIR CONDITIONING AND HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO RESIDENCE. UPON INSPECTION, FOUND STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. SOLUTION: DISABLE MALFUNCTIONING UNIT COMPROMISING SECURITY SYSTEM WITH POSSIBILITY OF STEERING WHEEL LOCK ACTIVATING WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS VEHICLE MAY BE USED ON HIWAY OR IN LESS THAN OPTIMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. NISSAN SHOULD RECOGNIZE THAT THIS HAZARD WAS NOT COMPLETELY COMMUNICATED TO ALL 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS WHEN THE INITIAL RECALL WAS ISSUED THAT ENDED IN JANUARY OF 2017. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO ALL CURRENT OWNERS OF 2009 NISSAN ALTIMAS AND CORRECTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM. I WAS FIXED ONCE BY DEALERSHIP UNDER EXTENDED WARRENTY THEY SAY. THEY TOLD ME RECALLED. NOW ONLY "CERTAIN 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA" ARE RECALLED AGAIN. MINE IS BROKE AGAIN AND COST IS APPROX $900. THEY SAID I GET NO ASSISTANCE EVEN PAYING FOR IT BECAUSE OF THE MILES ON MY CAR. IT IS STILL THEIR MISTA…
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THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM. I WAS FIXED ONCE BY DEALERSHIP UNDER EXTENDED WARRENTY THEY SAY. THEY TOLD ME RECALLED. NOW ONLY "CERTAIN 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA" ARE RECALLED AGAIN. MINE IS BROKE AGAIN AND COST IS APPROX $900. THEY SAID I GET NO ASSISTANCE EVEN PAYING FOR IT BECAUSE OF THE MILES ON MY CAR. IT IS STILL THEIR MISTAKE AND FAULTY PART. CAR IS NIT DRIVEABLE
MY CAR LEFT ME STRANDED AS I WENT TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTERS FROM DAYCARE. I HAD TO PAY TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, MY KEY FOB WOULD ALLOW ME TO LOCK MY DOORS AND TURN ON THE ALARM BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING IN THE COMPLAINTS COMMENTARY AND THE MAJORITY OF YOUR COMPLAINTS ARE FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. N…
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MY CAR LEFT ME STRANDED AS I WENT TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTERS FROM DAYCARE. I HAD TO PAY TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, MY KEY FOB WOULD ALLOW ME TO LOCK MY DOORS AND TURN ON THE ALARM BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING IN THE COMPLAINTS COMMENTARY AND THE MAJORITY OF YOUR COMPLAINTS ARE FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FAILURE. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WAY THIS MODEL WAS BUILT. THE CUSTOMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR MANUFACTURE MISTAKES.
I PURCHASED A NISSAN ALTIMA 09 AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES UNTIL 8/03/17. AS I WENT TO TURN THE CAR ON A LIGHT CAME UP ON THE DASH BOARD INDICATING THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING LOCK. I FIGURED IT WAS A QUICK FIX SO I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT'S A FAULTY STEERING LOCK AND ASKED FOR ME TO BRING MY …
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I PURCHASED A NISSAN ALTIMA 09 AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES UNTIL 8/03/17. AS I WENT TO TURN THE CAR ON A LIGHT CAME UP ON THE DASH BOARD INDICATING THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING LOCK. I FIGURED IT WAS A QUICK FIX SO I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT'S A FAULTY STEERING LOCK AND ASKED FOR ME TO BRING MY CAR IN. I HAD TO CALL OUT OF WORK TO TRY AND RESOLVE THIS ONGOING ISSUE. I LOOKED ON ONLINE FOR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND COULDN'T FIND ANY BUT I DID FIND THAT MANY NISSAN ALTIMA 09 OWNERS WERE DEALING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NO WARRANTY ON MY CAR BUT THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO FIX MY CAR SO I WON'T BE STRANDED AND WON'T HAVE TO PAY 600$ FOR A SMALL PART...
THE WON'T START DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL WON'T LOCK SO THE CAR WON'T START
THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE DASH LIGHTS AND RADIO COME ON AND THE "ON" INDICATOR IS LIT WHERE THE PUSH BUTTON IS. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DOES NOT START.
I CHANGE MY RADIATOR 2 TIMES - AND THEY CHANGE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK AND THEY CHARGE ME 1,200 . I HAVE CHANGE THE PRESSURE SENSORS COUPLE TIMES . THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING
STEERING WHEEL LOCK UNIT FAILURE. MY CAR WAS ALL OF THE SUDDEN DEAD AT HOME DEPOT THE OTHER DAY AND THIS WAS THE SECOND TIMES IT HAPPENED. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED BUT I WAS ABLED TO START MY CAR THE NEXT DAY SO I THOUGHT IT WAS OK. UNTIL COUPLE DAYS AGO IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THIS TIME I HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO THE SHOP TO HAVE IT…
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STEERING WHEEL LOCK UNIT FAILURE. MY CAR WAS ALL OF THE SUDDEN DEAD AT HOME DEPOT THE OTHER DAY AND THIS WAS THE SECOND TIMES IT HAPPENED. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED BUT I WAS ABLED TO START MY CAR THE NEXT DAY SO I THOUGHT IT WAS OK. UNTIL COUPLE DAYS AGO IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THIS TIME I HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO THE SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECK. THE SHOP CHECKED IT AND TOLD ME IT WAS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK BOX PROBLEM. I HAVE SEARCHING ONLINE AND HERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAD THIS PROBLEM HAPPENING TO THEIR 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE SND HAVE NISSAN TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM.
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.