NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
859 reportsClear category filter61,000 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Steering
CAR WAS TURNED OFF (STATIONARY) WHILE I WAS IN DRIVE THRU ATM LANE. STEERING LOCK MECHANISM LOCKED AND CAR WOULD NOT START. WHILE I WAITED OVER AN HOUR TO BE TOWED TO DEALER, MANY BANK CUSTOMERS WERE UNABLE TO USE ATM - VERY EMBARRASSING! DEALER SAID WARRANTY EXPIRED 3.5 MONTHS AGO AND COST WILL BE $850! RESEARCH SHOWS NUMEROUS …
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CAR WAS TURNED OFF (STATIONARY) WHILE I WAS IN DRIVE THRU ATM LANE. STEERING LOCK MECHANISM LOCKED AND CAR WOULD NOT START. WHILE I WAITED OVER AN HOUR TO BE TOWED TO DEALER, MANY BANK CUSTOMERS WERE UNABLE TO USE ATM - VERY EMBARRASSING! DEALER SAID WARRANTY EXPIRED 3.5 MONTHS AGO AND COST WILL BE $850! RESEARCH SHOWS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS MECHANISM/MODEL REPORTED TO NISSAN BUT NO RECALL!
NHTSA ODI #10806567
72,000 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Steering
CAR WAS PARKED IN AN APARTMENT COMPLEX. IT WOULDN'T START, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED, AND YOU COULDN'T CHANGED IT TO NEUTRAL TO POSITION IT FOR JUMPER CABLES. FOUND IT IT WAS A STEERING LOCK FAILURE. HAD CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE, WHERE WE TOOK THE CAR APART TO TRY AND FIX IT OURSELVES. ENDED UP TAKING OUT A FUSE TO GET IT WORKI…
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CAR WAS PARKED IN AN APARTMENT COMPLEX. IT WOULDN'T START, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED, AND YOU COULDN'T CHANGED IT TO NEUTRAL TO POSITION IT FOR JUMPER CABLES. FOUND IT IT WAS A STEERING LOCK FAILURE. HAD CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE, WHERE WE TOOK THE CAR APART TO TRY AND FIX IT OURSELVES. ENDED UP TAKING OUT A FUSE TO GET IT WORKING. WHILE THIS ISN'T A DIRECT HAZARD (ACCIDENT, INJURY, OR DEATH), THIS HAS HAPPENED TO TOO MANY PEOPLE FOR IT TO NOT BE LOOKED INTO. NISSAN IS UNWILLING TO HELP. MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WILL BECOME DESPERATE AND JERRY-RIG THEIR CARS TO AVOID PAYING $800-$1000 FOR REPAIRS. THAT IS THE BIGGER HAZARD. YOU WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE UNLICENSED PEOPLE LOOKING AT YOUTUBE FOR WAYS TO "FIX" THEIR OWN CARS, PROBABLY CREATING MORE ISSUES. THEN YOU WILL GET THE ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, AND DEATHS YOU NEED TO INVESTIGATE NISSAN. PLEASE DON'T LET IT GET TO THAT POINT.
NHTSA ODI #10806488
63,000 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.
NHTSA ODI #10806452
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2015
Steering
THE STEERING LOCK COLUMM ACTUAUATOR GOES ABD CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT START AND LEAVING DRIVER AND PASSENGERS STRANDED. NISSAN REFUSES TO REPLACE OR RECALL THE PART. IT IS A DEALER ONLY PART THAT COSTS $1,000+ TO FIX. NISSAN CARES MORE ABOUT QUANTITY THAN QUALITY AT THEIR PLANTS AND FAIL TO QUALITY CONTROL CHECK THEIR VEHICLES. RE…
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THE STEERING LOCK COLUMM ACTUAUATOR GOES ABD CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT START AND LEAVING DRIVER AND PASSENGERS STRANDED. NISSAN REFUSES TO REPLACE OR RECALL THE PART. IT IS A DEALER ONLY PART THAT COSTS $1,000+ TO FIX. NISSAN CARES MORE ABOUT QUANTITY THAN QUALITY AT THEIR PLANTS AND FAIL TO QUALITY CONTROL CHECK THEIR VEHICLES. REFERENCE THIS FORUM: HTTP://WWW.ALTIMAFORUMS.NET/STEERING-COLUMN-LOCK-ESCL-T21569P2.HTML
NHTSA ODI #10806388
80,000 miles · Nov 19, 2015
Exterior LightingSteering
I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, ABOUT TO LEAVE FROM PLASMA CENTER. ENTERED VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO START UP. WOULD NOT START. LOOKED UP WARNINGS OF KEY SYMBOL AND CAR SYMBOL. REFERENCED TO STEERING LOCK FAILURE. WAS NEVER ABLE TO GET VEHICLE CRANKED. NUMBED VAR BATTERY AND CHANGED BATTERY IN FOB. STILL NOTHING. HAD VEHICLE TOWE…
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I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, ABOUT TO LEAVE FROM PLASMA CENTER. ENTERED VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO START UP. WOULD NOT START. LOOKED UP WARNINGS OF KEY SYMBOL AND CAR SYMBOL. REFERENCED TO STEERING LOCK FAILURE. WAS NEVER ABLE TO GET VEHICLE CRANKED. NUMBED VAR BATTERY AND CHANGED BATTERY IN FOB. STILL NOTHING. HAD VEHICLE TOWED HOME. CONTACT END NISSAN WHO STATED WARRANTY IS OUT. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA ODI #10794798
55,000 miles · Nov 17, 2015
Steering
OUT OF NO WHERE, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, MY STEERING LOCK BROKE, TO THE POINT WHERE I COULD NOT START THE CAR. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP (ONE THAT I AM UNFAMILIAR WITH). THEN I WAS TOLD I HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART WHICH WOULD COST $1200.00. IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT MY WARRANTY EXPIRED O…
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OUT OF NO WHERE, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, MY STEERING LOCK BROKE, TO THE POINT WHERE I COULD NOT START THE CAR. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP (ONE THAT I AM UNFAMILIAR WITH). THEN I WAS TOLD I HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART WHICH WOULD COST $1200.00. IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT MY WARRANTY EXPIRED ON AUGUST 25, 2015. THIS OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 11, 2015. NISSAN WAS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ON NOTICE THAT THIS PIECE WAS MALFUNCTIONING IN THE 2009 NISSAN.
NHTSA ODI #10794510
72,000 miles · Nov 17, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH TO START BUTTON FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO MANEUVER THE PUSH BUTTON START AND AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH TO START BUTTON FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO MANEUVER THE PUSH BUTTON START AND AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
NHTSA ODI #10794445
120,000 miles · Nov 17, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering
CAR WOULDN'T START, LEFT ME STRANDED I WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME IN THE SNOW WITH MY KIDS.
NHTSA ODI #10794339
80,000 miles · Nov 17, 2015
Steering
NISSAN KNOWN STEERING LOCK FAILURE ISSUES. I WAS STRANDED AT GAS STATION AT 1AM BECAUSE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN AFTER GETTING GAS. NISSAN IS AWARE OF ISSUE, EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BUT DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF POTENTIAL PROBLEM. NOW IT IS OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY BY 4 MONTHS AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY 1K FOR BEING STRANDED IN DARK A…
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NISSAN KNOWN STEERING LOCK FAILURE ISSUES. I WAS STRANDED AT GAS STATION AT 1AM BECAUSE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN AFTER GETTING GAS. NISSAN IS AWARE OF ISSUE, EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BUT DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF POTENTIAL PROBLEM. NOW IT IS OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY BY 4 MONTHS AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY 1K FOR BEING STRANDED IN DARK AT 1 AM FOR KNOWN FAILURE ISSUE THEY DID NOT NOTIFY ME ABOUT.
NHTSA ODI #10794325
68,000 miles · Nov 11, 2015
Steering
WHEN PURCHASING SUCH VEHICLE SALES REP AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE ADDED EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE PART(STEERING LOCK ) NEEDED, HOWEVER ON 11-10-15 NISSAN REGIONAL OFFICE SAID OUT OF COURTESY ADDED TO WARRANTY DUE TO THE FACT OF KNOWING THIS WAS A FAULTY PART. STEERING COLUMN LOCK, LOCK UP ON SAID VEHICLE WITH…
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WHEN PURCHASING SUCH VEHICLE SALES REP AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE ADDED EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE PART(STEERING LOCK ) NEEDED, HOWEVER ON 11-10-15 NISSAN REGIONAL OFFICE SAID OUT OF COURTESY ADDED TO WARRANTY DUE TO THE FACT OF KNOWING THIS WAS A FAULTY PART. STEERING COLUMN LOCK, LOCK UP ON SAID VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFER OF EXTENDED WARRANTY ON SAID PART. DUE TO THE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE THERE SHOULD OF BE A RECALL, RATHER THAN EXPECTING CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT. SAID VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY
NHTSA ODI #10789770
Official recalls
4Sep 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.
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).
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.
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 ↗