NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
859 reportsClear category filter68,000 miles · Dec 4, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering
WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. I COULD NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO START THE CAR. THE CAR RECOGNIZED THE INTELLIGENT KEY WAS INSIDE THE CAR, I COULD LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS AND TRUNK, DOME LIGHTS WORKED. BASICALLY I WAS STRANDED. I CONTACTED THE DEALER I PURCHASED CAR FROM (WHOM ARE NOT FAMILIA…
Read full complaint
WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. I COULD NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO START THE CAR. THE CAR RECOGNIZED THE INTELLIGENT KEY WAS INSIDE THE CAR, I COULD LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS AND TRUNK, DOME LIGHTS WORKED. BASICALLY I WAS STRANDED. I CONTACTED THE DEALER I PURCHASED CAR FROM (WHOM ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH NISSAN VEHICLES) AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, THEY HAD ME TROUBLESHOOT. I CALLED LOCK & KEY COMPANY, NOT FAMILIAR WORKING WITH THIS NISSAN PROBLEM. CALLED NISSAN DEALER WHILE WAITING, THEY ADVISED ME A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS YR/MAKE AND I WAS AT THE MERCY OF NISSAN TO REPAIR, HE FORGOT TO TELL ME THAT IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY PROGRAM AND NO RECALL. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP/SERVICE DEPT I PURCHASED CAR FROM, THEY TOWED TO LOCAL NISSAN DEALER. NOW THEY WANT $750 FOR REPAIRS ON SOMETHING THAT EVEN NISSAN IS AWARE OF (I CALLED NISSAN NO. AMERICA) AND THEY WILL INVESTIGATE IF PERHAPS SOMETHING ELSE TRIGGERED THE SENSOR TO NOT WORK PROPERLY. MY CAR WILL STAY AT DEALER UNTIL I GET AN ANSWER AND THE $750. IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT ANY TIME, NO WARNING LIGHTS, CAR DIDN'T ACT UP IN ANY WAY. THIS POSES HUGE RISKS, PEOPLE COULD BE STRANDED AT NIGHT OR ON THE SIDE OF A ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10487352
60,150 miles · Dec 4, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering
AFTER WORK MY WIFE'S CAR WOULD NOT START. THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WAS ON BUT THE PUSH BUTTON WAS NON RESPONSIVE EVEN WITH THE FOB IN THE KEY FOB SLOT. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT HAD GONE BAD AND IS PREVENTING THE IGNITION SWITH FROM WORKING. THIS PART SHOULD…
Read full complaint
AFTER WORK MY WIFE'S CAR WOULD NOT START. THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WAS ON BUT THE PUSH BUTTON WAS NON RESPONSIVE EVEN WITH THE FOB IN THE KEY FOB SLOT. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT HAD GONE BAD AND IS PREVENTING THE IGNITION SWITH FROM WORKING. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED BY NISSAN SINCE IT PREVENTS STARTING THE CAR LEAVING YOU STRANDED.
NHTSA ODI #10487315
52,000 miles · Dec 3, 2012
Steering
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, UPON RETURN TO VEHICLE TO START ENGINE WITH THE INTELLIGENT KEY, STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE SMART KEY EVEN WHILE INSIDE THE CAR OR WHEN IT WAS INSERTED ON THE SMART KEY PORT. ATTEMPTED TO JUMP VEHICLE BUT IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY, CAR WAS TOWED TO NEA…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, UPON RETURN TO VEHICLE TO START ENGINE WITH THE INTELLIGENT KEY, STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE SMART KEY EVEN WHILE INSIDE THE CAR OR WHEN IT WAS INSERTED ON THE SMART KEY PORT. ATTEMPTED TO JUMP VEHICLE BUT IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY, CAR WAS TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP, NOT SELLING DEALERSHIP. PART WAS BACK ORDERED SO NO VEHICLE OR RENTAL OFFER BY WARRANTY AS THE PART ITSELF IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, SO THIS PART AND SERVICE TOTALS APPROXIMATES 1000.00, THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE CAR RENTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 300.00 FOR A WEEK, AS I WAIT FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE FIXED. CAR INSURANCE WOULD NOT COVER ANY PART OF EITHER REPAIRS OR CAR RENTAL AS IT WAS NOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I MAY ADD THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN AN UNSAFE AREA; LUCKILY, TOWING CAME RIGHT AS IT WAS GETTING DARK. PLEASE CONSIDER RECALLING THIS PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10487151
57,000 miles · Nov 27, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering
WENT OUT TO START CAR IN THE AM TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND CAR WOULDNT START. ALL ELECTRICS HOWEVER STILL DID,. STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED I COULDNT GET IT OUT OF PARK. TRIED TO JUMP IT. THAT DIDNT WORK EITTHER. SO WE REPLACED THE BATTERY. THAT DIDNT WORK. STILL WOULDNT START. DEALER CAME AND TOWED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY. SAID ITS…
Read full complaint
WENT OUT TO START CAR IN THE AM TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND CAR WOULDNT START. ALL ELECTRICS HOWEVER STILL DID,. STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED I COULDNT GET IT OUT OF PARK. TRIED TO JUMP IT. THAT DIDNT WORK EITTHER. SO WE REPLACED THE BATTERY. THAT DIDNT WORK. STILL WOULDNT START. DEALER CAME AND TOWED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY. SAID ITS THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY GOING BAD. I NEED IT REPLACED. ITS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRENTY. 723.00 IT WILL COST ME. DEALERSHIP STATED THEY HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH MANY MANY 2009 ALTIMAS.. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALLED PART? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10486221
28,000 miles · Nov 27, 2012
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other
2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE WAS IN PARKING LOT AND WOULD NOT START. THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WAS ON DASH. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. THEY ADVISED STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART #48700-9N00B) WAS BAD. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON '09 ALTIMAS AS WELL AS 370Z. DEALER OFFERED 10% DISCOUNT AND ADVISED $600 TOTAL. I CALLED …
Read full complaint
2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE WAS IN PARKING LOT AND WOULD NOT START. THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WAS ON DASH. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. THEY ADVISED STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART #48700-9N00B) WAS BAD. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON '09 ALTIMAS AS WELL AS 370Z. DEALER OFFERED 10% DISCOUNT AND ADVISED $600 TOTAL. I CALLED NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE AND ESCALATED TO REGIONAL OFFICE. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHO KNOWS WHERE AND WHEN YOU CAN BE STRANDED. NISSAN HAS RECALLED THIS PART ON OTHER MODELS AND DISCONTINUED THIS FEATURE ON SUBSEQUENT MODELS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10486212
51,000 miles · Nov 26, 2012
Power TrainSteering
I TURN OFF MY CAR TO GET GAS AND WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY CAR IT WOULD NOT TURN ON I TRY TO HAVE A JUMP AND THAT DIDN'T WORK SO I HAD MY CAR TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP, I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR. THE DEALER SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW STEERING UNIT THAT WILL COST ME 1300.00. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME FOR THESE NISSAN TO HAVE THIS ISS…
Read full complaint
I TURN OFF MY CAR TO GET GAS AND WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY CAR IT WOULD NOT TURN ON I TRY TO HAVE A JUMP AND THAT DIDN'T WORK SO I HAD MY CAR TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP, I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR. THE DEALER SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW STEERING UNIT THAT WILL COST ME 1300.00. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME FOR THESE NISSAN TO HAVE THIS ISSUE AND I FEEL A RECALL IS NEEDED. I FEEL LIKE I BEEN RIP OFF BY NISSAN AND MY DEALERSHIP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10486077
51,300 miles · Nov 19, 2012
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND NO WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND NO WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,800.
NHTSA ODI #10485179
68,880 miles · Nov 18, 2012
Steering
STEERING LOCK THAT ENGAGES THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF THE MALFUNCTION OCCURED WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS NON RESPONSIVE AND THE CAR WOULD SHUT DOWN, INCLUDING BRAKES. THIS IS A THREE YEAR OLD CAR WITH ONE OWNER. ALL MANTAINANCE HAS BEEN D…
Read full complaint
STEERING LOCK THAT ENGAGES THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF THE MALFUNCTION OCCURED WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS NON RESPONSIVE AND THE CAR WOULD SHUT DOWN, INCLUDING BRAKES. THIS IS A THREE YEAR OLD CAR WITH ONE OWNER. ALL MANTAINANCE HAS BEEN DONE AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA ODI #10485621
65,000 miles · Nov 16, 2012
Steering
I STOPPED AT A STORE AND WHEN I CAME BACK TO MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED AND THE CAR WAS NO LONGER READING THE INTELLIGENT KEY. THERE WAS NO WAY AT ALL TO START CAR OR EVEN MOVE WHEEL. I HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED ON FLATBED TO NISSAN DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED AND THERE WA…
Read full complaint
I STOPPED AT A STORE AND WHEN I CAME BACK TO MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED AND THE CAR WAS NO LONGER READING THE INTELLIGENT KEY. THERE WAS NO WAY AT ALL TO START CAR OR EVEN MOVE WHEEL. I HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED ON FLATBED TO NISSAN DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED AND THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION. IT COST $850 TO FIX. I THINK NISSAN NEEDS TO BE ORDERED TO RECALL THIS PART. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS THE NEWER NISSAN MODELS NO LONGER HAVE THIS FEATURE AND CONTINUES TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT FOR ALTIMA OWNERS. TO MAKE THINGS MORE RIDICULOUS, NISSAN ACTUALLY RECALLED THIS PART FOR OTHER NISSAN MODELS BUT CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE ALTIMA CUSTOMERS. THIS IS ALSO A KNOWN MALFUNCTION IN THE NISSAN 370Z AND AGAIN NISSAN IGNORES THESE OWNERS. HOW CAN A COMPANY CONTINUE TO FORCE OWNERS TO FIX AN ISSUE THAT IS A MALFUNCTION AND CAUSED BY NISSAN OWN IMPROPER INSTALLATION AT THE MANUFACTURING SIGHT. COMPLETE LACK OF CONCERN FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE EVEN THOUGH NISSAN KNOWS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS SPECIFIC PART IN QUESTION. THIS IS CRIMINAL TO ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10484896
58,000 miles · Nov 14, 2012
Steering
CAR WOULD NOT START. INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WAS LIT UP, BRAKE VERY STIFF, AND STEERING WHEEL NOT LOCKED. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY SO PURCHASED AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THAT DID NOT WORK. AFTER READING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET I SELF DIAGNOSED IT AS A MALFUNCTION OF THE STE…
Read full complaint
CAR WOULD NOT START. INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WAS LIT UP, BRAKE VERY STIFF, AND STEERING WHEEL NOT LOCKED. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY SO PURCHASED AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THAT DID NOT WORK. AFTER READING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET I SELF DIAGNOSED IT AS A MALFUNCTION OF THE STEERING LOCK. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND AS SOON AS THE MECHANIC CAME OUT TO THE CAR HE IMMEDIATELY DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM. PART IS NOT IN INVENTORY SO CAR WILL BE AT THE DEALER FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND IT WILL COST ME $800 TO FIX. THIS MECHANIC MUST SEE THIS OFTEN IF HE KNEW WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING TO THE CAR WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. NOT TOO HAPPY THAT I HAVE A CAR I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON AND HAVE TO PAY $800 TO FIX A PART THAT LOOKS LIKE SHOULD PROBABLY BE RECALLED. PROBABLY NO MORE NISSANS IN MY FUTURE. GOING TO STICK TO THE RELIABLE TOYOTAS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10484713
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 ↗