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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.

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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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26,500 miles · Oct 19, 2012
Steering

I'M A FEMALE WHO WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A DARK PARKING LOT BECAUSE CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD TO BE TOWED. PROBLEM WAS STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM. $811.00 FOR REPAIR AND 75.00 TOWING. PLEASE RECALL. PARTICULARLY SCARY BECAUSE WHEN I WAS PLAYING AROUND WITH REMOTE TRYING ANYTHING TO GET THE CAR TO START, I ROLLED THE WINDO…

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I'M A FEMALE WHO WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A DARK PARKING LOT BECAUSE CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD TO BE TOWED. PROBLEM WAS STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM. $811.00 FOR REPAIR AND 75.00 TOWING. PLEASE RECALL. PARTICULARLY SCARY BECAUSE WHEN I WAS PLAYING AROUND WITH REMOTE TRYING ANYTHING TO GET THE CAR TO START, I ROLLED THE WINDOWS ALL THE WAY DOWN WITH THE REMOTE AND COULD NOT GET THEM BACK UP. SO I WAS ALONE IN A DARK PARKING LOT WITH THE FRONT WINDOWS COMPLETELY ROLLED DOWN WAITING AN HOUR FOR THE TOW TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481177

69,500 miles · Oct 13, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering

CAR WILL NOT START. THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND PREVENTING ME FROM STARTING THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480023

44,150 miles · Oct 8, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering

09 NISSAN ALTIMA JUST OVER 44K MILES THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. NO LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD, BRAKE PEDAL VERY STIFF, THE VEHICLE WILL RECOGNIZE THAT THE KEY IS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AND IS INSERTED AT THE LOCATION ON THE LEFT SIDE ON DRIVER AND IS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK BUT IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. TOWED TO DEALER AND AS I…

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09 NISSAN ALTIMA JUST OVER 44K MILES THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. NO LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD, BRAKE PEDAL VERY STIFF, THE VEHICLE WILL RECOGNIZE THAT THE KEY IS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AND IS INSERTED AT THE LOCATION ON THE LEFT SIDE ON DRIVER AND IS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK BUT IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. TOWED TO DEALER AND AS I AM OVER MY 36K WARRANTY BUT NOT OVER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY I HAD TO PAY OVER $800 TO FIX FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT EVEN OVER 3 YEARS OLD. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479283

48,000 miles · Jul 24, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL STEERING LOCK WAS NOT OPERATING. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE DEALER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL STEERING LOCK WAS NOT OPERATING. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE DEALER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COSTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,300.

NHTSA ODI #10467225

40,000 miles · Jul 12, 2012
Steering

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INTELLIGENT KEY STARTING SYSTEM ,AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON THE DASH.I LOOKED UP THE CODE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. IT STATED STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTIONING. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALER. A FAULTY STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNI…

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MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INTELLIGENT KEY STARTING SYSTEM ,AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON THE DASH.I LOOKED UP THE CODE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. IT STATED STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTIONING. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALER. A FAULTY STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART #48700-9N00B) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WITH PARTS ($470.00) AND LABOR ($300.00) PLUS TAXES THE TOTAL COST FOR THIS REPAIR IS $730.00. THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON COSTLY ISSUE WITH 2008-2009 NISSAN ALTIMA'S AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES PRODUCED IN THOSE YEARS. A RECALL SHOULD BE STARTED! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465428

62,203 miles · May 11, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering

I DROVE MY 09 ALTIMA TO THE MALL PARKED IT, AN HOUR LATER I TRIED TURNING IT ON AND IT WOULDN'T START. NO CRANK, AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN GO TO ACC. I TRIED JUMP STARTING IT AND EVEN CHANGE OUT THE BATTERY BUT NO LUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458094

120,000 miles · Apr 27, 2012
SteeringCrash

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND I HIT A CURB AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP THE ENTIRE SECURITY SYSTEM CAUSING MY CAR TO SHUT DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456684

44,193 miles · Feb 24, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INTELLIGENT KEY STARTING SYSTEM ,AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON THE DASH.HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALER. A FAULTY STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART #48700-9N00B) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON ISSUE WITH 200…

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MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INTELLIGENT KEY STARTING SYSTEM ,AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON THE DASH.HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALER. A FAULTY STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART #48700-9N00B) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2008-2009 NISSAN ALTIMA'S AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES PRODUCED IN THOSE YEARS. A RECALL SHOULD BE STARTED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449224

38,000 miles · Feb 12, 2012
SteeringSuspension

AFTER ABOUT 37000 MILES I STARTED TO HEAR A "WHIRRING" OR KIND OF "ROARING" NOISE WHILE DRIVING. I NOTICED THE NOISE SPED UP AND GOT A BIT LOUDER AS I ACCELERATED. I ASKED A MECHANIC TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND THOSE WERE FINE. AT THE NEXT OIL CHANGE, I ASKED THE MECHANIC TO RIDE IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE NOISE HAD GOTTEN LOUDER. THEY …

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AFTER ABOUT 37000 MILES I STARTED TO HEAR A "WHIRRING" OR KIND OF "ROARING" NOISE WHILE DRIVING. I NOTICED THE NOISE SPED UP AND GOT A BIT LOUDER AS I ACCELERATED. I ASKED A MECHANIC TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND THOSE WERE FINE. AT THE NEXT OIL CHANGE, I ASKED THE MECHANIC TO RIDE IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE NOISE HAD GOTTEN LOUDER. THEY FOUND ONE OF THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS TO BE WORN OUT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER, BECAUSE THE WHEEL BEARINGS ARE COVERED UNDER THE POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY UNTIL 60000 MILES. THE DEALER FOUND BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS "COMPLETELY WORN OUT" (PER THEIR NOTES ON THE WORK ORDER). WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD NOT BE WEARING OUT THIS EARLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447693

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