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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

What owners actually said

1,547 reports
83,000 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITH THE PUSH TO START BUTTON FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STARTER, THE FUEL LINE, AND THE STEERING COLUMN WERE REPLACED, BUT FAILED TO REPAIR THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITH THE PUSH TO START BUTTON FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STARTER, THE FUEL LINE, AND THE STEERING COLUMN WERE REPLACED, BUT FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10682088

43,570 miles · Feb 8, 2015
Structure

I BEGAN TO NOTICE SOME STICKINESS ON MY DASHBOARD A FEW YEARS AGO. EVENTUALLY, SOME SECTIONS OF THE DASHBOARD MELTED SO MUCH THAT THEY BECAME WET AND SHINY. BECAUSE THE TEXTURE CHANGED, THE MELTED AREAS BEGAN TO CAUSE A GLARE ON THE GLASS OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE STRAIGHT OUT WHEN ANY LIGHT REFLECTED OF…

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I BEGAN TO NOTICE SOME STICKINESS ON MY DASHBOARD A FEW YEARS AGO. EVENTUALLY, SOME SECTIONS OF THE DASHBOARD MELTED SO MUCH THAT THEY BECAME WET AND SHINY. BECAUSE THE TEXTURE CHANGED, THE MELTED AREAS BEGAN TO CAUSE A GLARE ON THE GLASS OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE STRAIGHT OUT WHEN ANY LIGHT REFLECTED OFF OF THE DASHBOARD AND CAUSED THE GLARE. I AM AFRAID BECAUSE THE GLARE CAN EASILY BLOCK THE VISIBILITY OF SOMETHING IN THE ROAD OR SOMEONE AHEAD OF ME. I OFFICIALLY BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP ON 10/17/13 EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM HAD BEGUN BEFORE THEN. ON THAT DATE, I WAS TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO ANOTHER ISSUE THAT WAS COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. OUT OF CURIOSITY, I ASKED THE GREETER AT THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT AND SHE SAID THAT SHE HAD SEEN MANY OF THESE CASES BEFORE. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. ONE OF THE ATTENDANTS TOOK PICTURES AND SUBMITTED IT TO THE COMPANY FOR APPROVAL TO COVER REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. HE LEFT ME A VOICE MESSAGE A WEEK LATER INDICATING IT WAS NOT APPROVED. A YEAR LATER, I SAW THIS SAME SITUATION COVERED BY THE NEWS (NBC 6) AND IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT THAT MANY OF US ARE BEING IMPACTED BY. THIS IS NOT "WEAR AND TEAR" BUT A POORLY MANUFACTURED PLASTIC DASHBOARD. I AM PUTTING IN THIS OFFICIAL COMPLAINT BECAUSE I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECT THAT CAUSES UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THERE BEING TOXIC GASES FROM THE MELTING PLASTIC THAT MY FAMILY MAY BE BREATHING. I'VE NEVER SEEN DASHBOARDS MELT LIKE THIS BEFORE AND I BELIEVE IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER. *TR UPDATED 4/12/2016*JS

NHTSA ODI #10682023

130,000 miles · Feb 4, 2015
Electrical System

NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 ESCL (ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK) PART IS FAULTY AND FAILING ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA 2009. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THE FIX AND HAS DOCUMENTED MORE INFORMATION HERE: HTTP://WWW.NISSANASSIST.COM/WEB/ESCL_WARRANTY_EXTENSION/FAQS.PHP?MENU=62. THEY STATE "NISSAN HAS DETERMINED THAT ON A SMALL NUMBER…

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NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 ESCL (ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK) PART IS FAULTY AND FAILING ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA 2009. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THE FIX AND HAS DOCUMENTED MORE INFORMATION HERE: HTTP://WWW.NISSANASSIST.COM/WEB/ESCL_WARRANTY_EXTENSION/FAQS.PHP?MENU=62. THEY STATE "NISSAN HAS DETERMINED THAT ON A SMALL NUMBER OF VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING IRREGULARITY THAT HAS SINCE BEEN CORRECTED, THE ESCL MAY MALFUNCTION AFTER THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOCKED AND COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM STARTING." A PETITION ON CHANGE.ORG (HTTPS://WWW.CHANGE.ORG/P/NISSAN-MOTOR-COMPANY-RECALL-THE-2009-NISSAN-ALTIMA-TO-REPLACE-DEFECTIVE-STEERING-LOCK-SYSTEM) HAS RECEIVED 409 SUPPORTERS BEFORE IT WAS CLOSED. ADDITIONALLY, FURTHER INFORMATION HAS BEEN COLLATED HERE: HTTP://2009NISSANALTIMARECALL.WORDPRESS.COM/. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED, UNHAPPY CUSTOMERS. NISSAN IS BEING UNCOOPERATIVE NOW THAT THE WARRANTY EXTENSION WHICH IS WARRANTED UP TO 6 YEARS FROM THE PURCHASE DATE IS EXPIRING. IN MY CASE, I BOUGHT A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM A NISSAN DEALER AND HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM UNTIL I GOT STRANDED THREE SEPARATE TIMES BETWEEN DECEMBER 2014 AND JANUARY 2015. PLEASE DEMONSTRATE YOUR RESPECT FOR CUSTOMER SAFETY AND RECALL THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM WHICH IS LEAVING NISSAN CUSTOMERS STRANDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10681312

104,000 miles · Feb 3, 2015
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROX…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #10680944

90,000 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Electrical System

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS DEFECTIVE IN COLD WEATHER FOR A NUMBER OF THE 2009 ALTIMA. I HAD NO WARNING OR IDEA THIS WAS AN ISSUE UNTIL I WAS STRANDED WITH MY CAR NOT STARTING DUE TO A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CARS. NISSAN WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR AS I AM 3 MONTHS OUTSIDE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS ISSUES IS VERY TROUBLESOME …

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THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS DEFECTIVE IN COLD WEATHER FOR A NUMBER OF THE 2009 ALTIMA. I HAD NO WARNING OR IDEA THIS WAS AN ISSUE UNTIL I WAS STRANDED WITH MY CAR NOT STARTING DUE TO A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CARS. NISSAN WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR AS I AM 3 MONTHS OUTSIDE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS ISSUES IS VERY TROUBLESOME AS YOU CAN NOT USE THE CAR, IT HAS BECOME A PILE OF SCRAP. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALLED BY NISSAN AND FIXED AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE TWO TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME THIS WAS THE 3RD ONE THIS MONTH WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680887

118,000 miles · Feb 2, 2015
Electrical System

THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT IS JAMMED AND IS CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START. NISSAN WILL NOT ASSIST WITH THE FIX. THIS IS A COMMON AND KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680658

62,000 miles · Jan 29, 2015
Steering

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCKING MECHANISM IS FAULTY AND WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY PAD AND REFUSES TO ALLOW THE PUSH BUTTON STARTER TO START THE ENGINE. ACCORDING TO WHAT IS ON THE INTERNET, NISSAN KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679828

40,395 miles · Jan 28, 2015
Steering

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA DID NOT START. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE BAY RIDGE NISSAN DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A STEERING COLUMN LOCK PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT I MIGHT HAVE A WARRANTY BUT IT WAS MOST LIKELY EXPIRED. IF I WAS TO DO OTHER WORK ON THE CAR, THEY COULD MAKE A PITCH TO THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK COS…

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MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA DID NOT START. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE BAY RIDGE NISSAN DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A STEERING COLUMN LOCK PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT I MIGHT HAVE A WARRANTY BUT IT WAS MOST LIKELY EXPIRED. IF I WAS TO DO OTHER WORK ON THE CAR, THEY COULD MAKE A PITCH TO THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK COST. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD OTHER PROBLEMS, CONTROL ARM, WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND SERVICE MAINTENANCE AND I NEED TO GET IT FIX WHICH TOTAL OVER $900. THE WARRANTY TO FIX THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK WOULD ONLY APPLY IF I WAS TO AGREE TO DO THIS OTHER "NEEDED" WORK. THE BAY RIDGE NISSAN ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE FULL CHARGE OF THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK $966.63 IF I DID NOT AGREE TO DO THE OTHER WORK. AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED, I DID NOT KNOW THAT I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I DID NOT FIND OUT UNTIL AFTER THE CAR WAS FIXED AND A SECOND PROBLEM DEVELOPED. THEY TOOK FULL ADVANTAGE OF MY SITUATION TO SELL ME SERVICES I DIDN'T NEED. I'M VERY ANGRY ABOUT THIS. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF A GOOD LAWYER, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE INFORMED THEIR CUSTOMERS ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND DEALERS SHOULD BE HONORING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CUSTOMER'S BAD SITUATION TO MAKE A PROFIT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN VEHICLE AGAIN. I CONTACTED THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TOO AND THEY TURNED A BLIND EYE, SAYING THAT THEY "RESOLVED" THE PROBLEM. THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME A REFUND AND SAID THEY SPOKE TO THE DEALER. THIS IS THEIR IDEA OF "RESOLVED". THIS IS TOTALLY NOT ACCEPTABLE. NO ONE IS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DISHONESTY, NOT THE MANUFACTURER, NOT THE DEALER, NOT EVEN THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS BUREAU. THEY ARE THE WORST CAR COMPANY EVER WITH ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTS. I HOPE NO ONE WILL HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO RECALL THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679600

67,000 miles · Jan 28, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ UPDATED 10/19/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10679562

60,000 miles · Jan 28, 2015
Structure

HELLO, I AM AN OWNER OF AN 09' NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. WITHIN THE LAST YEAR MY DASHBOARD HAS BEGUN TO MELT CREATING A MIRROR LIKE GLARE WHICH REFLECTS OFF OF MY WINDSHIELD AND OBSTRUCTS MY VIEW OF THE ROAD. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE A TOUGH TIME SEEING THE VEHICLES BRAKE LIGHTS IN FRONT OF ME. PLEASE RECALL THIS I…

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HELLO, I AM AN OWNER OF AN 09' NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. WITHIN THE LAST YEAR MY DASHBOARD HAS BEGUN TO MELT CREATING A MIRROR LIKE GLARE WHICH REFLECTS OFF OF MY WINDSHIELD AND OBSTRUCTS MY VIEW OF THE ROAD. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE A TOUGH TIME SEEING THE VEHICLES BRAKE LIGHTS IN FRONT OF ME. PLEASE RECALL THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679474

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