NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
859 reportsClear category filter46,000 miles · Jan 21, 2013
Steering
I PARKED MY CAR AT WORK, AND WHEN I WENT OUT 8 HOURS LATER TO GO HOME IT WOULDN'T START. THEY KEY LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, AND WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR, IT KEPT SAYING LOCK. MY HUSBAND TRIED TESTING THE BATTERY, ETC. THE CAR ENDED UP HAVING TO BE TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP 50 MILES AWAY($200). ONCE THE CAR WAS LOOKED …
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I PARKED MY CAR AT WORK, AND WHEN I WENT OUT 8 HOURS LATER TO GO HOME IT WOULDN'T START. THEY KEY LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, AND WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR, IT KEPT SAYING LOCK. MY HUSBAND TRIED TESTING THE BATTERY, ETC. THE CAR ENDED UP HAVING TO BE TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP 50 MILES AWAY($200). ONCE THE CAR WAS LOOKED AT, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE TOTAL WITH LABOR WOULD BE APPROX $850. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT IT WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE FACT THAT THE ITEM IS ON BACK ORDER, AND THAT THERE ARE A TON OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE TELLS ME THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART!!! I AM WAITING FOR A CALL BACK FROM NISSAN REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493626
59,186 miles · Jan 21, 2013
Steering
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. KEY LIGHT ON DASH ILLUMINATED. HAD TOWED TO DEALER. INFORMED PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT. VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL, PART NOT IN STOCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493605
64,000 miles · Jan 20, 2013
Steering
2009 NISSAN ALTIMA - KEY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CAR FAILED TO START. CAR WAS TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED BY DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR WITH PARTS AND LABOR IS $1,100.00. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED D…
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2009 NISSAN ALTIMA - KEY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CAR FAILED TO START. CAR WAS TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED BY DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR WITH PARTS AND LABOR IS $1,100.00. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED DURING BUSINESS HOURS TOMORROW. TOTAL MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENT WAS 64,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493584
70,000 miles · Jan 20, 2013
Steering
VEHICLE WOULDN'T START, CALLED A MECHANIC FRIEND THINKING IT WAS THE BATTERY. HE REALIZED IT WASN'T THE BATTERY, IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK AND HE'D SEEN IT BEFORE IN NISSAN'S. WE FINALLY HAD TO CALL NISSAN AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. IT COST US $800. OUR MECHANIC FRIEND SAYS THAT IN…
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VEHICLE WOULDN'T START, CALLED A MECHANIC FRIEND THINKING IT WAS THE BATTERY. HE REALIZED IT WASN'T THE BATTERY, IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK AND HE'D SEEN IT BEFORE IN NISSAN'S. WE FINALLY HAD TO CALL NISSAN AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. IT COST US $800. OUR MECHANIC FRIEND SAYS THAT IN HIS EXPERIENCE NISSAN DOESN'T FIND THIS TO BE A "SAFETY ISSUE" SO THEY WON'T DO A FORMAL RECALL. THIS IS A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE, AND OUR WARRANTY IS ALREADY EXPIRED. OBVIOUSLY FROM THE OTHER POSTS, NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS ISN'T A BRAKE OR BATTERY ISSUE, THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS HAPPENING ON A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. WE HAVE TRIED CONTACTING NISSAN TO SEE IF THEY WOULD RECONSIDER AND PAY FOR THIS SINCE IT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. THEY CALLED BACK AND SAID NO, CLEARLY THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THIS IS JUST WRONG ON SO MANY LEVELS. THE DEALERSHIP KNOWS IT'S A PROBLEM TOO, AND TRIED TO WORK WITH US THE BEST THEY COULD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493582
102,000 miles · Jan 20, 2013
Service BrakesSteering
MY DAUGHTER STOPPED TO FILL UP WITH FUEL AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO START THE CAR THE BRAKE AND STEERING WHEEL REMAINED LOCKED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493577
64,000 miles · Jan 20, 2013
Steering
PARKED THE VEHICLE , IT WAS NOT PARKED STRAIGHT, GOT RIGHT BACK IN TO PARK STRAIGHT, CAR WOULD NOT STARTED, GOT TOWED TO HALL NISSAN CHESAPEAKE, TOLD I NEEDED A STEERING LOCK CONTROL AND COST WAS 620.00 GOT ON GOOGLE AND READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS, THERE SHOULD BE A DEFAULT, A RECALL, WE MUST STAND TOGETHER , PLEASE HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493547
40,906 miles · Jan 19, 2013
Steering
WE DROVE THE CAR TO DR.'S OFFICE. WHEN GOING TO LEAVE, THE PUSH START BUTTON FAILED TO START CAR. ENDED UP HAVING CAR TOWED TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO CALLED UP TO THE CLOSEST NISSAN DEALER AND THEY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE BRAKE SENSOR, THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THAN WE HAD IT TOWED AGAIN UP TO NISSAN DEALER 45 MILES AWAY, END…
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WE DROVE THE CAR TO DR.'S OFFICE. WHEN GOING TO LEAVE, THE PUSH START BUTTON FAILED TO START CAR. ENDED UP HAVING CAR TOWED TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO CALLED UP TO THE CLOSEST NISSAN DEALER AND THEY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE BRAKE SENSOR, THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THAN WE HAD IT TOWED AGAIN UP TO NISSAN DEALER 45 MILES AWAY, ENDED UP BEING THE STEERING LOCK UNIT FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY ORDERED THE PART WHICH WAS ON BACK ORDER. FINALLY CAR WAS READY 13 DAYS AFTER INCIDENT. FINAL COST WAS $848. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THIS DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493511
55,000 miles · Jan 18, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering
I WENT TO THE VALERO IN CABOT, AR TO GET GAS THIS PAST WEDNESDAY MORNING BEFORE I WAS TO GO TO WORK, AND WHEN I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE INTELLIGENT KEY INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON, AND WOULD NOT START. I COULD NOT PRESS THE BRAKE IT WAS VERY STIFF AND THE START BUTTON WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE LOCK POSITION I …
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I WENT TO THE VALERO IN CABOT, AR TO GET GAS THIS PAST WEDNESDAY MORNING BEFORE I WAS TO GO TO WORK, AND WHEN I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE INTELLIGENT KEY INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON, AND WOULD NOT START. I COULD NOT PRESS THE BRAKE IT WAS VERY STIFF AND THE START BUTTON WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE LOCK POSITION I READ THE OWNERS MANUAL, CALLED THE NORTH LITTLE ROCK NISSAN DEALER, AND REALIZED THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO EXCEPT HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A 2009 MODEL WITH 55,000 MILES, AND I TAKE GREAT CARE OF IT. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME LATER AND SAID I NEED A NEW STEERING LOCK UNIT. HE SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $1200.00 TO REPAIR, AND HE SAID IT ISN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THERE WAS NO RECALL, AND TO LET HIM KNOW WHAT I WANTED TO DO. THIS IS FAULTY EQUIPMENT FROM NISSAN AND THIS ISSUE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY ANYTHING I COULD HAVE DONE OR NOT DONE. NOT ONLY DO I NOT HAVE 1200.00, BUT I HAVE 3 KIDS AND A JOB I THAT I NEED TO GET BACK & FORTH TO. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED FOR 3 DAYS NOW, I HAVE MISSED WORK BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANOTHER MODE OF TRANSPORTATION, MY INSURANCE COVERS NOTHING EXCEPT $75 FOR THE TOW, AND I HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS ON MY PHONE WITH NISSAN. I'M WITHOUT CAR, NO WAY TO GET TO WORK TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY, AND DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH GROCERIES TO SURVIVE THE W/E !!! THERE SHOULD ALREADY BE A RECALL ON THIS, AS I HAVE READ & BEEN TOLD BY NISSAN THIS HAS HAPPENED TO 08,09,10 MODELS. THERE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE A FORMAL RECALL ON THIS PART BECAUSE IT HAS AFFECTED TOO MANY PEOPLE AND IT COULD EASILY RESULT IN DEATH IF THE LOCK OUT TAKES PLACE IN TRAFFIC.. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE DEALER TO WORK WITH ME, MUCH LESS RETURN MY CALLS OR EMAILS. I MAY VERY WELL LOSE MY JOB IF I HAVE TO TAKE OFF WORK ANYMORE, BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION... PATHETIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493433
70,000 miles · Jan 18, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START WHEN ENGAGING THE PUSH-TO-START SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE REQUIRED PART WAS ORDERED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START WHEN ENGAGING THE PUSH-TO-START SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE REQUIRED PART WAS ORDERED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10493385
63,000 miles · Jan 17, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering
MY WIFE WAS ABOUT TO HEAD HOME FROM WORK IN THE AFTERNOON. THE KEY FOB UNLOCKED THE CAR LIKE USUAL BUT THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE IN HER ATTEMPT TO START IT. THE KEY LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. WE TRIED A NUMBER OF THINGS BUT THE PUSH-TO-START BUTTON WOULDN'T CHANGE OUT OF THE 'LOCK' POSITION - EVEN TO GO TO 'ACCESSORY' …
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MY WIFE WAS ABOUT TO HEAD HOME FROM WORK IN THE AFTERNOON. THE KEY FOB UNLOCKED THE CAR LIKE USUAL BUT THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE IN HER ATTEMPT TO START IT. THE KEY LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. WE TRIED A NUMBER OF THINGS BUT THE PUSH-TO-START BUTTON WOULDN'T CHANGE OUT OF THE 'LOCK' POSITION - EVEN TO GO TO 'ACCESSORY' MODE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER WHICH INFORMED US THAT THE STEERING LOCK UNIT MALFUNCTIONED AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO START UP UNTIL IT IS FIXED. THE PART IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND COSTS CLOSE TO $500. MY FINAL QUOTE WAS $864 FROM THE DEALER. THE CAR WILL HAVE TO BE REPROGRAMMED, SO THERE IS NO WAY TO CIRCUMVENT THE DEALER'S COST. NISSAN NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THEIR MISTAKE AND RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493301