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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

Steering complaints

859 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2016
Steering

THE KEY ICON DISPLAYS AND THE CAR DOES NOT START WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY. DEALER SAID STEERING LOCK UNIT (NISSAN PART #: 48700-9N00B) IS SHORT CIRCUITED. NISSAN DEALER IS ASKING FOR $1,100 TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #10924515

92,000 miles · Nov 3, 2016
Steering

I WAS AT A FRIENDS HOUSE IN DOWNTOWN ALBANY DOING SOME WORK, BUT WHEN IT CAME TIME TO LEAVE I GOT IN MY CAR WHICH WAS PARKED ON THE STREET AND MY CAR JUST WOULDN'T START. I TOWED IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP NEARBY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ISSUE WITH MY CAR IS THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE…

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I WAS AT A FRIENDS HOUSE IN DOWNTOWN ALBANY DOING SOME WORK, BUT WHEN IT CAME TIME TO LEAVE I GOT IN MY CAR WHICH WAS PARKED ON THE STREET AND MY CAR JUST WOULDN'T START. I TOWED IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP NEARBY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ISSUE WITH MY CAR IS THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT NEITHER MY PARENTS OR I WERE NOTIFIED BY NISSAN THAT THE CAR WAS HAVING THIS ISSUE AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT . THE EXTENSION ENDED LAST YEAR AND NOW I'M HERE HAVING TO PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM OUT OF MY POCKET. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS CLEARLY THEIR MANUFACTURERS FAULT. THE PART IS NOT CHEAP AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR NISSAN ALTIMA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10924168

42,000 miles · Nov 2, 2016
Steering

I HAVE NISSAN ALTIMA 2009. MY CAR WAS PARKED AT HOME AND JUST WOULD NOT START. ABLE TO OPEN DOORS WITH KEY FOB BUT NOT START WITH THE PUSH BUTTON. FOUND THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WAS THE PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST ME $1100 TO FIX IT. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS P…

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I HAVE NISSAN ALTIMA 2009. MY CAR WAS PARKED AT HOME AND JUST WOULD NOT START. ABLE TO OPEN DOORS WITH KEY FOB BUT NOT START WITH THE PUSH BUTTON. FOUND THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WAS THE PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST ME $1100 TO FIX IT. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS PART TO 6 YEARS, WITHOUT INFORMING THE CUSTOMERS. I REALIZED THIS WHEN THE PART HAD A PROBLEM IN THE 7TH YEAR AND NISSAN DENIED TO COVER THE COSTS. THANK FULLY THIS HAPPENED AT MY HOME. WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF I WAS TRAVELLING WITH MY FAMILY HAD THE PROBLEM AT AN ISOLATED PLACE.

NHTSA ODI #10923820

46,000 miles · Nov 2, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

THE CAR WILL NOT START WHEN I PUSH ON THE BRAKE AND PUSH THE BUTTON FOR IT TO START. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULE. IT WAS IN A STATIONARY POSITION BUT WE WERE STRANDED AND HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED.

NHTSA ODI #10923779

91,000 miles · Nov 1, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN EMAIL THAT INFORMED HER OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN EMAIL THAT INFORMED HER OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE PUSH TO START BUTTON FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #10920553

81,000 miles · Nov 1, 2016
Steering

STEERING COLUMN LOCK

NHTSA ODI #10920532

111,000 miles · Oct 31, 2016
Steering

MY STATIONARY CAR WOULD NOT START WHEN I INSERTED THE KEY. I WAS STRANDED. NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY 1000 FOR MY ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK TO BE REPLACED. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT THE COMPANY I…

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MY STATIONARY CAR WOULD NOT START WHEN I INSERTED THE KEY. I WAS STRANDED. NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY 1000 FOR MY ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK TO BE REPLACED. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT THE COMPANY IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR.

NHTSA ODI #10920354

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2016
Steering

STEERING WHEEL WON'T LOCK THERE FOR IM NOT ABLE TO TURN ON MY CAR

NHTSA ODI #10920312

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START, BOTH WITH THE PUSH TO START BUTTON AND THE EMERGENCY KEY SLOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START, BOTH WITH THE PUSH TO START BUTTON AND THE EMERGENCY KEY SLOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10920270

105,000 miles · Oct 28, 2016
Steering

CAR WILL NOT START BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRONIS STEERING COLUMN LOCK UNIT (ESCL) THIS IS VERY UNSAFE I COULD HAVE BEEN WITH MY CHILDREN AT A UNSAFE AREA FOR NISSAN TO TELL ME WARRANTY IS NOT AVAIABLE ANYMORE. THE PRICE TO GET THIS FIX IS 1200 THIS IS SO UNFAIR IF ITS A NISSAN ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #10919797

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