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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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35,000 miles · Jan 16, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10493252

64,980 miles · Jan 16, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING LOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED HER THE COMPONENT AT A LOWER PR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING LOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED HER THE COMPONENT AT A LOWER PRICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,980. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,900. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10493234

59,000 miles · Jan 16, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INTELLIGENCE KEY MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INTELLIGENCE KEY MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ODI #10493204

42,000 miles · Jan 15, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BY ENGAGING THE PUSH-TO-START BUTTON BUT TO NO AVAIL. IN ADDITION, THE INTELLIGENT KEY MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BY ENGAGING THE PUSH-TO-START BUTTON BUT TO NO AVAIL. IN ADDITION, THE INTELLIGENT KEY MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10493068

40,000 miles · Jan 15, 2013
Steering

I WENT TO WORK ON THE 7TH FOR 11-7 SHIFT. WHEN I TRY STARTING MY CAR TO LEAVE ON THE 8TH @ 7:07, IT WOULD NOT START. THE YELLOW WARNING KEY CAME UP ON THE DASH. THE LIGHTS, LOCKING THE CAR WORKS, THE HORN WORKS. I CALL AAA THEY COULD GET IT STARTED. I CALLED NISSAN AFTER I TOOK THE CAR HOME AS I HAVE STUFF IN IT THAT I COULDN'T …

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I WENT TO WORK ON THE 7TH FOR 11-7 SHIFT. WHEN I TRY STARTING MY CAR TO LEAVE ON THE 8TH @ 7:07, IT WOULD NOT START. THE YELLOW WARNING KEY CAME UP ON THE DASH. THE LIGHTS, LOCKING THE CAR WORKS, THE HORN WORKS. I CALL AAA THEY COULD GET IT STARTED. I CALLED NISSAN AFTER I TOOK THE CAR HOME AS I HAVE STUFF IN IT THAT I COULDN'T LEAVE AT A SHOP. THEY SAID I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A NISSAN DEALER AND LET THEM KNOW THE COST AND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I WENT ON LINE AND SEARCH IT UP ONLY TO FIND SO MANY WITH THIS SAME OR VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM. I CALL BACK NISSAN AND LET THEM KNOW IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AM HAVING. THE DEALER KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN LESS THAN 30MIN. IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN NEED TO REPLACE. NOW I SPEND $910 AND NISSAN TELLING ME THEY CAN NOT FINANCE IT AS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE PART. PLEASE, EVERYONE, LET US JOIN TOGETHER AND CLAIM WHAT IS OURS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493032

58,910 miles · Jan 15, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

CAR WOULD NOT START. YELLOW KEY LIGHT AND FLASHING RED KEY LIGHT ON PANEL. SEEMED LIKE A SECURITY ANTI-THEFT PROBLEM BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A FAULTY STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. A $700 REPAIR. AND, WHAT'S WORSE IS, THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS ITEM EVEN WITH MANY COMPLAINTS REPORTED. THIS WAS RECALLED ON OTHER NISSAN MODELS (CU…

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CAR WOULD NOT START. YELLOW KEY LIGHT AND FLASHING RED KEY LIGHT ON PANEL. SEEMED LIKE A SECURITY ANTI-THEFT PROBLEM BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A FAULTY STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. A $700 REPAIR. AND, WHAT'S WORSE IS, THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS ITEM EVEN WITH MANY COMPLAINTS REPORTED. THIS WAS RECALLED ON OTHER NISSAN MODELS (CUBE, 390, ETC) BUT NO ON THE ALTIMA. NOT HAPPY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493005

72,000 miles · Jan 14, 2013
Steering

ON 01/09/2013, I DROVE MY GRANDMOTHER TO AN APPT. AND CAME HOME. FIVE HOURS LATER, I GOT INTO THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. I MADE SOME CALLS AND RESEARCHED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM ISN'T WORKING. THE LITTLE YELLOW KEY APPEARS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. I HAVE…

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ON 01/09/2013, I DROVE MY GRANDMOTHER TO AN APPT. AND CAME HOME. FIVE HOURS LATER, I GOT INTO THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. I MADE SOME CALLS AND RESEARCHED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM ISN'T WORKING. THE LITTLE YELLOW KEY APPEARS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. I HAVE BRAKE LIGHTS AND REPLACED THE BATTERY IN BOTH THE CAR AND THE KEY FOB. NOTHING HELPED TO START MY CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL ISN'T LOCKED SO IT MOVES FREELY AND THE IGNITION BUTTON ILLUMINATES BUT WILL NOT LEAVE THE LOCK POSITION. I PLACED A PHONE CALL TO THE NUMBER PROVIDED BY CONROE, TX. THE "CONSUMER AFFAIRS SPECIALIST", [XXX], HUNG UP ON ME!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492887

80,000 miles · Jan 10, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

[XXX], ATLANTA, GEORGIA MY DAUGHTER'S 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA DID THE SAME THING. SHE CAME OVER FOR A VISIT AND UPON LEAVING HER CAR WOULD NOT CRANK. MY HUSBAND AND I DID ALL OF THE TROUBLESHOOTING ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL TO NO AVAIL. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HE IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM …

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[XXX], ATLANTA, GEORGIA MY DAUGHTER'S 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA DID THE SAME THING. SHE CAME OVER FOR A VISIT AND UPON LEAVING HER CAR WOULD NOT CRANK. MY HUSBAND AND I DID ALL OF THE TROUBLESHOOTING ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL TO NO AVAIL. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HE IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE WANTED TO SELL HERE ANOTHER ALTIMA, BECAUSE NISSAN KNEW THIS WAS AN ISSUE, SO THEY STOPPED PUTTING THIS MECHANISM ON THE 2012 MODELS. NISSAN WHO HAS A GOOD STANDING AND HAVE MILLIONS OF CARS ON THE ROAD SHOULD DO RIGHT BY CONSUMERS WHO PURCHASED THEIR VEHICLES AND HAD THIS PROBLEM. I AM GOING TO SEND THIS COMPLAINT SITE TO MY LOCAL NEWS STATION AND TRY TO PUT SOME FIRE UNDER NISSAN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND OTHER CONSUMERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE REPAIR COST OF OUR NISSAN ALTIMA WAS $919.00. I SEE SEVERAL DIFFERENCES IN THE REPAIR COST TOO. WE CANNOT SIT BY AND LET CONSUMERS CONTINUE TO BE CHARGED SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR REPAIR COST WHEN NISSAN KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492097

60,000 miles · Jan 10, 2013
Steering

I JUST WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THIS SAME SITUATION HAPPENED TO ME A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND IT IS NOT A CHEAP COST ($~1000). I CALLED NISSAN (1-800-647-7261) AND MADE A COMPLAINT AND THEY ARE GOING TO REIMBURSE ME 50%. IT SHOULD BE A 100% BUT IT'S BETTER THAN NOTHING. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CALL THEM AND MAKE A COMPLAINT AN…

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I JUST WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THIS SAME SITUATION HAPPENED TO ME A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND IT IS NOT A CHEAP COST ($~1000). I CALLED NISSAN (1-800-647-7261) AND MADE A COMPLAINT AND THEY ARE GOING TO REIMBURSE ME 50%. IT SHOULD BE A 100% BUT IT'S BETTER THAN NOTHING. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CALL THEM AND MAKE A COMPLAINT AND FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOUR LOCAL BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE. THEY MUST RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PART! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492095

45,000 miles · Jan 9, 2013
Steering

MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO HER CLASS AND PARKED IT ON A PARKING LOT. THE CAR COULDN'T BE STARTED (PUSH BUTTON COULDN'T START THE CAR) WHEN SHE WAS DONE WITH THE CLASS AND WANTED TO GET BACK HOME. THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT SHOWED ON THE LEFT TOP PANEL AND RED SECURITY LIGHT FLASHED. THE FOB KEY STILL WORKED IN LOCKING/UNLOCKING THE CAR…

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MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO HER CLASS AND PARKED IT ON A PARKING LOT. THE CAR COULDN'T BE STARTED (PUSH BUTTON COULDN'T START THE CAR) WHEN SHE WAS DONE WITH THE CLASS AND WANTED TO GET BACK HOME. THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT SHOWED ON THE LEFT TOP PANEL AND RED SECURITY LIGHT FLASHED. THE FOB KEY STILL WORKED IN LOCKING/UNLOCKING THE CAR DOORS. THE AAA WAS CALLED AND THEY CAME TO TRY TO JUMP START THE CAR. IT DIDN'T START. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND IT WAS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ASSEMBLY PROBLEM. IT COST $700 TO REPAIR IT. I CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THE PART HAS NOT BE ON THE RECALL LIST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491937

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