← 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

Steering complaints

859 reports
Clear category filter
120,000 miles · Jan 25, 2016
Steering

STEERING LOCK FAILURE, CAR WILL NOT START!

NHTSA ODI #10821972

44,050 miles · Jan 25, 2016
SteeringUnknown Or Other

PARKED MY CAR IN A STORE PARKING LOT. WHEN I RETURNED MY CAR FAILED TO START WITH A FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE MY KEY FOB. I REPLACED THE FOB BATTERY STILL WON'T START. IT WAS GETTING DARK I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT. RETURNED THE NEXT DAY. NOTHING WILL START MY CAR. WHEN ONLINE TO SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM W…

Read full complaint

PARKED MY CAR IN A STORE PARKING LOT. WHEN I RETURNED MY CAR FAILED TO START WITH A FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE MY KEY FOB. I REPLACED THE FOB BATTERY STILL WON'T START. IT WAS GETTING DARK I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT. RETURNED THE NEXT DAY. NOTHING WILL START MY CAR. WHEN ONLINE TO SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED 03/15. I ONLY HAVE 44500 MILES ON MY CAR. NISSAN NEVER NOTIFIED ME THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. IT COST ME $964.00 TO GET IT FIXED. AND OF COURSE THIS ALL HAPPEN WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS OUT OF TOWN. WHY WAS THIS NOT A RECALL?

NHTSA ODI #10821964

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2016
Steering

TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE TO RUN ERRANDS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I NOTICED THE THE KEY LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD WAS ON. (HAD NEVER HAPPEN BEFORE) AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL.

NHTSA ODI #10821797

62,000 miles · Jan 19, 2016
Steering

YESTERDAY, AFTER DRIVING TO LUNCH, MY CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER IT WAS PARKED FOR APPS. 1 HOUR. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THERE WAS ANY SORT OF MALFUNCTION ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IT WAS NOT RECOGNIZING MY KEY FOB INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE MANUAL SLOT. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THE BREAKS WOULDN'T DEPRESS, NOTHING HAD IT TOWED TO TH…

Read full complaint

YESTERDAY, AFTER DRIVING TO LUNCH, MY CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER IT WAS PARKED FOR APPS. 1 HOUR. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THERE WAS ANY SORT OF MALFUNCTION ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IT WAS NOT RECOGNIZING MY KEY FOB INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE MANUAL SLOT. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THE BREAKS WOULDN'T DEPRESS, NOTHING HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER TO THE TUNE OF $125. THEN HAD THE DEALER RUN DIAGNOSTICS AT $75. ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THIS WAS WHAT I HAD EXPECTED, THE STEERING LOCK. THIS MUST BE REPLACED AND WILL COST $946. AFTER CONTACTING NISSAN, I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT BE HELPING OUT IN ANY WAY, DESPITE THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED FLAW. WHEN ASKED WHY I WASN'T CONTACTED BY THEN SOONER, THEY SAID I SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUT HAD NO DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF CONTACTING ME. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AND THE AG. WILL NEVER PURCHASE FROM NISSAN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10821086

83,917 miles · Jan 13, 2016
Steering

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA STEERING LOCK HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE. NISSAN FAILED TO RECALL THIS PART SO NO INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED TO CONSUMERS OWNING THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHICH THEY OF COURSE DENIED, BUT AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF ME REQUESTING THEM TO LET ME KNOW WHEN I WAS NOTIFIED OF…

Read full complaint

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA STEERING LOCK HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE. NISSAN FAILED TO RECALL THIS PART SO NO INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED TO CONSUMERS OWNING THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHICH THEY OF COURSE DENIED, BUT AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF ME REQUESTING THEM TO LET ME KNOW WHEN I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY REGARDING THIS PART, I WAS TOLD NO LETTER WAS SENT TO ME. I PURCHASED MY 2009 NISSAN BRAND NEW IN 2010, SO UNLESS THE NISSAN PART WENT BAD EARLY IN OWNERSHIP I WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE COVERED UNDER THIS SO CALLED EXTENDED WARRANTY. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THIS IS A BAD NISSAN PART, THEY ARE CHARGING $700 JUST FOR THE PART ALONE TO BE REPAIRED, AND ONLY GUARANTEEING THE PART FOR 12 MONTHS, CAN'T MAKE THIS UP. IT APPEARS THAT NISSAN MADE THE ADJUSTMENTS IN LATER MODELS AND THAT 2009 OWNERS ARE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG. I UNDERSTAND PARTS GOING BAD, AND IN SOME CASES PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE STRANDED (AS I WAS IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION) DUE TO UNFORESEEN ISSUES. BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR SOMEONE TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY ALL OF THESE PEOPLE POSTING THE SAME COMPLAINT (AND THERE ARE TONS) ARE BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BY NISSAN THAT THIS (THE PART THEY BUILT INTO THE CAR) PART IS SOMEHOW DIFFERENT THAN MOST PARTS BEING RECALLED EVEN AT THIS VERY MOMENT. SHAME ON YOU NHTSA FOR NOT HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS HORRIBLE BUSINESS AND SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR WILL NOT START WITHOUT THIS PART, BECAUSE IT IS SO EXPENSIVE IT IS REQUIRING PEOPLE TO TRY AND REPAIR THIS THEMSELVES, WHICH IS GOING TO CAUSE EVEN FURTHER SAFETY ISSUES IN MY MIND. WE OWN 2 NISSAN'S IN MY HOUSE, DO ALL OF OUR SERVICING THERE, WE WILL NEVER PURCHASE NISSAN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10819985

89,000 miles · Jan 13, 2016
Steering

DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WIDESPREAD DEFECTS IN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) CAN DISABLE THE PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION. THE ESCL'S PRIMARY JOB IS TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UNTIL YOU BRING YOUR KEY FOB IN RANGE OF THE VEHICLE. IT'S MEANT TO PREVENT THEFT. ONCE THE ESCL DETECTS THE YOUR KEY FOB, I…

Read full complaint

DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WIDESPREAD DEFECTS IN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) CAN DISABLE THE PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION. THE ESCL'S PRIMARY JOB IS TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UNTIL YOU BRING YOUR KEY FOB IN RANGE OF THE VEHICLE. IT'S MEANT TO PREVENT THEFT. ONCE THE ESCL DETECTS THE YOUR KEY FOB, IT UNLOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL AND LETS YOU GO. EVEN WITH THE FOB PRESENT AND WORKING, THE ESCL WON'T DETECT IT AND, THEREFORE, WON'T RELEASE IT'S IRON GRIP ON THE WHEEL. THIS DEFECT CAN AFFECT OWNERS OF THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT CAUSE. WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE IS TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE FAULTY STEERING LOCK REPLACED. THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED AT ALL. THE PROBLEM CAN BE QUITE EXPENSIVE TO FIX. A NEW ESCL WILL SET YOU BACK ABOUT $1100 AND IT TAKES A COUPLE HOURS OF EXPENSIVE-MECHANIC-WORK TO REPLACE. THAT'S NOT TO MENTION THE COST OF A TOW TRUCK, OR THE SAFETY ISSUE OF BEING COMPLETELY STRANDED WHERE YOUR CARS TO STOP WORKING. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR DRIVERS WHO ARE IN REMOTE OR DANGEROUS AREAS. I PERSONALLY WAS ATTENDING A PRENATAL DOCTORS APPOINTMENT WHEN I LEFT TO FIND MY CAR WOULD NOT START NOR GO IN NEUTRAL, I WAS STUCK FOR 4 HOURS WAITING ON A TOW TRUCK 30 20 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME SO THIS WAS VERY SCARY FOR ME. I HAD TO PAY $50 THANKS TO TRIPLE A TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED- I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR TWO WEEKS WHILE I TRIED WORKING WITH NISSAN TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS ONLY TO BE TOLD MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED FEB. 2015 (THIS OCCURRED JANUARY 2016). THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $1100 TO REPAIR ONLY A FEW WEEKS AFTER CHRISTMAS. WHY THE DECISION FOR A EXTENDED WARRANTY VERSES A RECALL I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ONE FOR THE SIMPLE FACT IT COMES WITH NO WARNING, SO HOPEFULLY YOUR NOT IN A BAD AREA OF TOWN. ...UPDATED 01/25/16 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10819962

100,000 miles · Jan 12, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

MY CAR WAS STATIONARY IN A GROCERY PARKING LOT AND PUSH BUTTON STARTER WOULD NOT START. IT WAS THE DEAD OF WINTER WITH SUB ZERO TEMPERATURES. THE DASH DISPLAYED AN ILLUMINATED KEY INDICATING THERE MAY BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE INTELLIGENT KEY, SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY IN BOTH KEYS AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. I THEN TRI…

Read full complaint

MY CAR WAS STATIONARY IN A GROCERY PARKING LOT AND PUSH BUTTON STARTER WOULD NOT START. IT WAS THE DEAD OF WINTER WITH SUB ZERO TEMPERATURES. THE DASH DISPLAYED AN ILLUMINATED KEY INDICATING THERE MAY BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE INTELLIGENT KEY, SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY IN BOTH KEYS AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. I THEN TRIED TO JUMP THE CAR WITH NO SUCCESS. SO I GOOGLED "CAR WON'T START, 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA" AND THAT OPENED THE FLOOD GATES. I READ TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PART MALFUNCTIONING ON THE 2009 TO 2011 NISSAN. WHEN I FINALLY TOWED MY CAR TO THE DEALER, GUESS WHAT--I HAD THAT VERY ISSUE, SOMETHING CALLED THE "STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTION". DURING MY RESEARCH, I EVEN READ AN ARTICLE THAT INDICATED NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND HAD EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY TO HELP, BUT THAT EXTENSION ENDED IN MARCH 2015 AND NISSAN WOULD NOT COMPLETE A RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I SAY IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. AGAIN, MY CAR STOPPED ON ME IN THE DEAD OF WINTER IN THE MIDDLE OF A COLD SNAP. WHAT I ALSO READ WAS THAT NISSAN KNEW THAT AT LEAST 50% OF THESE CARS MANUFACTURED WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED AND DECIDED TO LEAVE THE CONSUMER ON THEIR OWN TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I VIEWED YOUTUBE VIDEOS WHERE TONS OF CONSUMERS WERE DOING DESPERATE THINGS TO AVOID SPENDING THE $1000 FOR THIS REPAIR. THEY WERE PULLING THEIR FUSES FOR THE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM. THEY WERE PULLING OUT THE PART AND BANGING ON IT. THEY WERE STICKING A SCREW DRIVER IN THE PART TO RELEASE THE STUCK MECHANISM TO GET THE CAR TO START. IT'S A SHAME THAT NISSAN IS AWARE THAT THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS THE TENDENCY TO GET STUCK, RESULTING IN DISABLING THE PUSH BUTTON STARTER AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WILL NEVER, EVER, EVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN CAR, ESPECIALLY NOT A 2009 THROUGH 2011. I WOULDN'T OWN ANOTHER NISSAN IF THEY WERE GIVING THEM AWAY. THIS COMPANY IS UNETHICAL.

NHTSA ODI #10819873

84,000 miles · Jan 12, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE FUEL STATION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER BOX IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE FUEL STATION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER BOX IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 02/18/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10819626

120,000 miles · Jan 11, 2016
Steering

DAUGHTER USED CAR TO GO TO WORK, PICK MY SON AND FOURTUNATELY DID NOT HAVE EVENING CLASSES. WHEN SHE WENT TO VISIT FRIEND THE CAR WOULD NOT START,AND IT IS FREEZING OUTSIDE. LUCKY SHE WAS HOME. 3 NISSIANS WE HAVE PURCHASED OVER 10 YEARS. VERY DISSAPOINTED ABOUT NO RECALL, CONSIDERING ALL THE COMPLAINTS I SEE POSTED..NO MORE NIS…

Read full complaint

DAUGHTER USED CAR TO GO TO WORK, PICK MY SON AND FOURTUNATELY DID NOT HAVE EVENING CLASSES. WHEN SHE WENT TO VISIT FRIEND THE CAR WOULD NOT START,AND IT IS FREEZING OUTSIDE. LUCKY SHE WAS HOME. 3 NISSIANS WE HAVE PURCHASED OVER 10 YEARS. VERY DISSAPOINTED ABOUT NO RECALL, CONSIDERING ALL THE COMPLAINTS I SEE POSTED..NO MORE NISSIANS FOR ME..

NHTSA ODI #10819552

57,000 miles · Jan 11, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10819417

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