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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

Wheels complaints

15 reports
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210,000 miles · Mar 1, 2021
SteeringSuspensionWheels

THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS CAUSED MY TYRODE TO COME OFF CAUSE THE BRACKET THAT IS ON THE STRUT BAR THAT THE STABALIZER BOLTS ONTO HAS BROKE OFF FROM WHERE ITS ATTACHED TO. I CAN NOT KEEP THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL TIGHT IT HAS CAME OFF WITH ME DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET WHICH WAS SEAGOVIILLE RD. IN SEAGOBILLE TX. ALL PROBLEMS FRONT SUS…

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THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS CAUSED MY TYRODE TO COME OFF CAUSE THE BRACKET THAT IS ON THE STRUT BAR THAT THE STABALIZER BOLTS ONTO HAS BROKE OFF FROM WHERE ITS ATTACHED TO. I CAN NOT KEEP THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL TIGHT IT HAS CAME OFF WITH ME DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET WHICH WAS SEAGOVIILLE RD. IN SEAGOBILLE TX. ALL PROBLEMS FRONT SUSPENSION.

NHTSA ODI #11398543

140,000 miles · Apr 6, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainWheels

I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA JUST BOUGHT 2016. WHEN DRIVING 20 MIN OR MORE WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP ABOUT 3 SECONDS AFTER. YOU FEEL A SHIFT OR JOLT, IN THE ENGINE THE HARMONIC BALANCER OR TIMING CHAIN. I WAS DRIVING 70 DOWN I45 BUSY TRAFFIC, AS AUDIAL AND ALL A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTS LOOSING POWER AND I WAS ALMOST HIT IN THE REAR BY A …

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I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA JUST BOUGHT 2016. WHEN DRIVING 20 MIN OR MORE WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP ABOUT 3 SECONDS AFTER. YOU FEEL A SHIFT OR JOLT, IN THE ENGINE THE HARMONIC BALANCER OR TIMING CHAIN. I WAS DRIVING 70 DOWN I45 BUSY TRAFFIC, AS AUDIAL AND ALL A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTS LOOSING POWER AND I WAS ALMOST HIT IN THE REAR BY A MAC TRUCK. WHEN I WAS SAFELY AT A STOP, I KILLED IT AND IT CRANKED BACK UP WITH HALF THE POWER. 1500 RPMS

NHTSA ODI #11194367

154,000 miles · Aug 10, 2018
SuspensionUnknown Or OtherWheels

I HAVE HAD THE CAR 2-3 YEARS NOW AND THE TIRES HAVE LOOSENED UP ON ME WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING AND HAD TO DO SOME KIND OF STEERING COLUMN LOCK WORK, IT IS RUSTING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR PANEL, AND THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT OF IT WHICH HAPPEN ON THE ROAD AT WORK WITH TWO OF MY CLIENTS. WHICH THE CLIENTS BOTH ARE DI…

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I HAVE HAD THE CAR 2-3 YEARS NOW AND THE TIRES HAVE LOOSENED UP ON ME WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING AND HAD TO DO SOME KIND OF STEERING COLUMN LOCK WORK, IT IS RUSTING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR PANEL, AND THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT OF IT WHICH HAPPEN ON THE ROAD AT WORK WITH TWO OF MY CLIENTS. WHICH THE CLIENTS BOTH ARE DIAGNOSED WITH A DISABILITY. VERY FRIGHTENING WHEN YOU MAKE A LEFT TURN AND YOUR CAR STOPS INFRONT OF ONCOMING CARS. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR TRADEGY.IF ONLY NADSAN WOULD HAVE FIXED THAT TRANSMISSION PROBLEM MANY YEARS AGO WHEN THEY WERE MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM( MALFUNCTION) AND NISSAN WILL NOT BUDGE ONE BIT TO HELP FIX THE TRANSMISSION UNLESS I PAY DIAGNOSTICS AND A TRANSMISSION BILL OF OVER 5400.00. WHO EVER HEARD OF A TRANSMISSION COSTING THAT MUCH MONEY? THEY ARE THE WORST AND I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A NISSAN EVER AGAIN. THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

NHTSA ODI #11118934

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2017
EngineSteeringWheelsFire

I CHANGE MY RADIATOR 2 TIMES - AND THEY CHANGE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK AND THEY CHARGE ME 1,200 . I HAVE CHANGE THE PRESSURE SENSORS COUPLE TIMES . THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11004147

26,000 miles · Apr 25, 2017
Air BagsSeatsWheels

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS WITH SOMEONE SITTING IN THE SEAT, THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THAT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISARMED. VERY UNSAFE. TIRES TPMS VALVES CONSTANTLY LEAK EVEN AFTER SERVICE. REPLACED 3 OUT OF 4 OF THEM, AND 4TH ONE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10980395

94,420 miles · Nov 28, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringWheels

LUCKILY THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WOULDN'T START FOR THIS INCIDENT. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. WE'RE GLAD IT WASN'T BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME IT FAILED AND POSSIBLY LOCKED UP THE STEERING COLUMN. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THIS PART IS OUTRAG…

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LUCKILY THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WOULDN'T START FOR THIS INCIDENT. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. WE'RE GLAD IT WASN'T BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME IT FAILED AND POSSIBLY LOCKED UP THE STEERING COLUMN. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THIS PART IS OUTRAGEOUS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED OR REPLACED BY NISSAN. THEY'VE HAD A HISTORY OF ISSUES WITH THIS AND SHOULD REFUND US THE $1000 IT COST JUST FOR THE REPAIR BILL. IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT PEOPLE KEEP GETTING TAKEN FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928417

25,000 miles · Oct 21, 2016
EngineSuspensionWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE, WHICH FLATTENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A SPARE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE, WHICH FLATTENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A SPARE WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE, THE NOISE GREW LOUDER. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE ALLOY WHEEL, REAR DRIVER SIDE ALLOY WHEEL, LK2 ENGINE CRADLE 2.5, BOTH TOP CONTROL ARMS AND KNUCKLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #10917837

51,000 miles · Jan 6, 2016
Air BagsSeatsWheels

FIRST ISSUE WAS WITH PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR. MY WIFE OR OTHER PASSENGER WOULD BE SITTING IN PASSENGER SEAT AND THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT WOULD NOT WORK AND THEREFORE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS DISABLED, PUTTING PASSENGER SAFETY AT RISK. SECOND ISSUE. HAD TO REPLACE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SENSOR DUE TO LEAKING TIRE PRESSUR…

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FIRST ISSUE WAS WITH PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR. MY WIFE OR OTHER PASSENGER WOULD BE SITTING IN PASSENGER SEAT AND THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT WOULD NOT WORK AND THEREFORE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS DISABLED, PUTTING PASSENGER SAFETY AT RISK. SECOND ISSUE. HAD TO REPLACE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SENSOR DUE TO LEAKING TIRE PRESSURE. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 OUT OF 4 SO FAR IN THE LAST YEAR. CAUSES LOW TIRE PRESSURE AND UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI #10818428

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2015
Wheels

ALL FOUR TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING UNITS MADE BY SCHRADER COMPANY EQUIPPED ON MY 2009 ALTIMA SE V6 MODEL FAILED AFTER 4 YEARS OR 31,000 MILES. THE GOVERNMENT MANDATED UNIT SHOULD HAVE LASTED AT LEAST HALF THE VEHICLE'S LIFE WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES OR 5 YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #10789898

59,300 miles · Jan 6, 2015
Wheels

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TWO OF THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS FAILED CAUSING THE TIRES TO LOSE ALL THEIR AIR. PREVIOUSLY, IN DECEMBER 2013 ONE SENSOR FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 51,300. WE HAD NO IDEA THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS COULD FAIL DUE TO EXPOSURE TO A NORTHERN CLIMATE (ICE, …

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THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TWO OF THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS FAILED CAUSING THE TIRES TO LOSE ALL THEIR AIR. PREVIOUSLY, IN DECEMBER 2013 ONE SENSOR FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 51,300. WE HAD NO IDEA THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS COULD FAIL DUE TO EXPOSURE TO A NORTHERN CLIMATE (ICE, SNOW AND SALT.) AFTER THE LATTER OCCURRENCE OUR RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THEIR HAVE BEEN NISSAN RECALLS RELATED TO THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS ON OTHER 2009 NISSAN MODELS.

NHTSA ODI #10670398

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