IllustrationTHE CAR STEERING LOCKS UP AND YOU CAN'T START THE CAR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
890–25K
17025–50K
30750–75K
29375–100K
306100–150K
74150K+
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 reportsMY CAR WOULDN'T START. THE ESCL BOX LOCKED UP FOR 3 DAYS! NOW I HAVE TO PAY $150 TO HAVE IT FIXED PER MY WARRANTY COMPANY. I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR 60 WHOLE DAYS, AND IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES WITH VERY LITTLE SUCCESS AND A LOT OF FRUSTRATION AND TIME LOST! PLEASE CALL ME. WILL YOU PAY FOR THE $150 WARRANTY FEE? I HAD IT …
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MY CAR WOULDN'T START. THE ESCL BOX LOCKED UP FOR 3 DAYS! NOW I HAVE TO PAY $150 TO HAVE IT FIXED PER MY WARRANTY COMPANY. I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR 60 WHOLE DAYS, AND IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES WITH VERY LITTLE SUCCESS AND A LOT OF FRUSTRATION AND TIME LOST! PLEASE CALL ME. WILL YOU PAY FOR THE $150 WARRANTY FEE? I HAD IT TOWED TO CARMAX NORCROSS MONDAY MORNING. IT'S WEDNESDAY. I'VE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR 5 DAYS NOW!!! [XXX] SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED.
WON'T START ESLC STEERING WHEEL LOCK DEFECTIVE. PURCHASED CAR THEN STOPPED AT GAS STATION TURNED OFF CAR WON'T START AGAIN. SHOWED YELLOW KEY FLASHINGS LIGHT ON DASH.
I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT NOW SITS IN MY GARAGE. I WENT TO LEAVE TO RUN ERRANDS AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START. MY HUSBAND FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE ESCL - ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, I FOUND QUITE A BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE ESCL. FOR ONE, IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE REPAIRED.
THE KEY FOB FOR THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WORKS TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR DOORS, BUT IT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP WITH THE KEY SYMBOL INDICATING AN ERROR. I WENT TO GO START MY VEHICLE MAYBE AN HOUR AFTER I HAD JUST USED IT TO GET HOME AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AT ALL. WHEN THE PUSH TO START BUTTON IS PUSHED, NOTHING HAPPENS. I…
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THE KEY FOB FOR THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WORKS TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR DOORS, BUT IT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP WITH THE KEY SYMBOL INDICATING AN ERROR. I WENT TO GO START MY VEHICLE MAYBE AN HOUR AFTER I HAD JUST USED IT TO GET HOME AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AT ALL. WHEN THE PUSH TO START BUTTON IS PUSHED, NOTHING HAPPENS. IT IS ESSENTIALLY LIKE THE CAR DOES NOT SENSE THE KEY. THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE STEERING LOCK ON THE VEHICLES AND IS A COSTLY REPAIR THAT APPEARS TO BE FAIRLY COMMON.
ESCL HAS GONE OUT TWICE NOW. FIRST TIME NISSAN REPAIR AT THEIR COST. THIS TIME THEY WON'T REPLACE AT THEIR EXPENSE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NISSAN KNOWS THAT THIS IS A DEFECT ON THEIR PART. I HAD TO PAY TOWING CHARGE AND REPLACE ESCL FOR THE SECOND TIME!! $1000 FIX.
I CAN'T GET MY CAR TO START BECAUSE IT WON'T RECOGNIZE MY KEY. NISSAN HAS A CAMPAIGN AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO HELP SOME OF THE THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLE WON'T START DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCKS. HOWEVER, THESE RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC AND EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE HAS THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM, THEY DEN…
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I CAN'T GET MY CAR TO START BECAUSE IT WON'T RECOGNIZE MY KEY. NISSAN HAS A CAMPAIGN AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO HELP SOME OF THE THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLE WON'T START DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCKS. HOWEVER, THESE RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC AND EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE HAS THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM, THEY DENIED MY CLAIM. I APPEALED AND THEY DENIED AGAIN. NOW I GET TO PAY $1,000 TO PAY FOR A PART THAT NISSAN HAS PUBLICLY ADMITTED WAS DUE TO SHODDY MANUFACTURING IN THOUSANDS OF 09 ALTIMAS, BUT SOMEHOW NOT IN MINE. NISSAN, I KNOW YOU'RE NOT HONDA OR TOYOTA, BUT, C'MON: MAKE AN EFFORT. (HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2017/NISSAN-ALTIMA-MAXIMA-STEERING-LOCK-PROBLEMS.SHTML)
ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK CONTROL HAS FAILED TWICE. NISSAN HAS REPLACED AT NO CHARGE ONCE, AND HAS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR ALL 2009. HOWEVER, THE 3 YEAR OLD REPLACEMENT FAILED WITH NO WARNING AND LEFT ME STRANDED AND HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED.
TOOK VEHICHLE HUNTING. WHEN I RETURNED TO CAR FOUND THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. NO CELL PHONE COVERAGE. HAD TO FLAG DOWN A CAR TO FIND A RIDE BACK TO WHERE I COULD GET CELL COVERAGE AND CALL WIFE FOR A RIDE HOME. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE STEERING COLUM LOCK WAS THE CULPRIT. ALSO FOUND OUT THAT I WAS NOT ALO…
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TOOK VEHICHLE HUNTING. WHEN I RETURNED TO CAR FOUND THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. NO CELL PHONE COVERAGE. HAD TO FLAG DOWN A CAR TO FIND A RIDE BACK TO WHERE I COULD GET CELL COVERAGE AND CALL WIFE FOR A RIDE HOME. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE STEERING COLUM LOCK WAS THE CULPRIT. ALSO FOUND OUT THAT I WAS NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. HOW COULD THIS BE A SECRET, IF THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED AND NISSAN DID NOT DO A FULL RECALL. SHAME ON THEM SOME NEEDS TO MAKE THIS A FULL RECALL. WHAT IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY WIFE OR KIDS ????
Official recalls
410V401000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.