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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
43,000 miles · Aug 13, 2014
SeatsStructure

APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO I NOTICED SHINY STICKY SPOTS ON MY DASH. SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MELTING. I HAVE LIVED IN FLORIDA ALL MY LIFE AND HAVE VEHICLES OLDER THAN THIS ONE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A DASH MELT AND WASN'T QUITE SURE THAT WAS WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I WENT TO MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD …

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APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO I NOTICED SHINY STICKY SPOTS ON MY DASH. SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MELTING. I HAVE LIVED IN FLORIDA ALL MY LIFE AND HAVE VEHICLES OLDER THAN THIS ONE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A DASH MELT AND WASN'T QUITE SURE THAT WAS WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I WENT TO MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS. I WAS LOOKING ONLINE AND APPARENTLY IT IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH NISSAN ALTIMA'S. I CANNOT CLEAN THE DASH AND THE SPOTS ARE GETTING BIGGER. THEY ARE VERY STICKY AND CAUSE A BAD GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD! PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL OR ANY RECOURSE TO HAVE NISSAN FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622143

50,000 miles · Aug 13, 2014
Structure

DASHBOARD IS MELTING. CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE PART IF I PAID THE LABOR. STATED IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT WOULD NOT GIVE ME A LETTER EXPLAINING SAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622023

72,822 miles · Aug 9, 2014
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. I BOUGHT IT NOVEMBER 2012. BY FEBRUARY 2013, I REPLACED TIRES. WAS SOLD A CAR WITH INCORRECT LICENSE PLATES THAT OWED REGISTRATION FEES TO DMV. I ALMOST GOT TOWED AND DIDN'T KNOW WHY. BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND NOVEMBER 2013, I REPLACED BRAKES, ANOTHER SET OF TIRES, THIRD BRAKE …

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HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. I BOUGHT IT NOVEMBER 2012. BY FEBRUARY 2013, I REPLACED TIRES. WAS SOLD A CAR WITH INCORRECT LICENSE PLATES THAT OWED REGISTRATION FEES TO DMV. I ALMOST GOT TOWED AND DIDN'T KNOW WHY. BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND NOVEMBER 2013, I REPLACED BRAKES, ANOTHER SET OF TIRES, THIRD BRAKE LIGHT TWICE, AND BATTERY. MAY 2014, TOOK IT TO ROGERS & ROGERS DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE. MAINTENANCE OTHER LIGHT AND TIRES ON. (CAR WAS BOUGHT WITH A FLASHING TIRE MAINTENANCE LIGHT ON) MOUNTS AND STRUTS WERE REPLACED AND WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE SENSORS. AUGUST 2014, CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. STEERING LOCK UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. REAR LEFT WINDOW DOESN'T WORK EITHER. EVERYTHING ADDS UP TO OVER $3000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621158

50,000 miles · Aug 9, 2014
StructureVisibility/wiper

LAST SUMMER (2013), I NOTICED THAT MY DASHBOARD HAD STARTED TO HAVE THIS STICKY GLUEY SUBSTANCE ON IT. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT I HAD SPILLED SOMETHING ON THE DASHBOARD AND SO I STARTED TO CLEAN IT. I'VE USED BOTH CAR WIPES AND BOTH A DAMP TOWEL AND THE SUBSTANCE DOES NOT RUB OFF. RATHER, IT COLLECTED THE FIBERS FROM WHATEVER I'VE US…

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LAST SUMMER (2013), I NOTICED THAT MY DASHBOARD HAD STARTED TO HAVE THIS STICKY GLUEY SUBSTANCE ON IT. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT I HAD SPILLED SOMETHING ON THE DASHBOARD AND SO I STARTED TO CLEAN IT. I'VE USED BOTH CAR WIPES AND BOTH A DAMP TOWEL AND THE SUBSTANCE DOES NOT RUB OFF. RATHER, IT COLLECTED THE FIBERS FROM WHATEVER I'VE USED AND IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE (DUE TO THE HOUSTON HEAT OF THE SUMMER). I THEN CONCLUDED THAT THE DASHBOARD BECOMES STICKY BECAUSE IT IS MELTING. IT'S NOT SO MUCH THE MELTING DASHBOARD THAT GETS ME (EVEN THOUGH IT DOES DIMINISH THE VALUE OF THE CAR, IT'S ONLY A 2009), IT IS THE GLARE THAT THE MELTING DASHBOARD REFLECTS. THE DASHBOARD REFLECTS A POWERFUL GLARE IN MY FRONT VIEW WINDOW AND IT HAS BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO WEAR SUNGLASSES IN ORDER TO HELP WITH THE GLARE THAT THE DASHBOARD REFLECTS. OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, THE DASHBOARD HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO ASK A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY TO DRIVE ME TO WHERE EVER I NEED TO GO. THIS IS AN EXTREME PROBLEM. IF THE GLARE IS THIS BAD FOR ME, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW BAD TO MUST BE FOR OLDER GENERATIONS THAT OWN THIS PARTICULAR CAR. THIS SPREADING GLARE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A BIG PROBLEM. IT COULD BE THE ONSET OF MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS AND EVEN MAJOR HARM. AND SO I ASK YOU IF YOU COULD PLEASE HAVE NISSAN FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621076

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2014
Structure

THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE, 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, HAS BEEN MELTING AWAY FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. THIS HAS CAUSED A HUGE GLARE EFFECT REFLECTIVE ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT ESPECIALLY IN THE EARLY MORNING SUN WHEN I DRIVE EAST TOWARDS WORK. I CURRENTLY HAVE GLAUCOMA IN MY EYES FOR WHICH I AM TREATING FOR THE PAST 2 …

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THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE, 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, HAS BEEN MELTING AWAY FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. THIS HAS CAUSED A HUGE GLARE EFFECT REFLECTIVE ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT ESPECIALLY IN THE EARLY MORNING SUN WHEN I DRIVE EAST TOWARDS WORK. I CURRENTLY HAVE GLAUCOMA IN MY EYES FOR WHICH I AM TREATING FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS, AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. THE GLARE FROM THE DETERIORATING DASHBOARD HAS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED MY EYES. I HAVE HEARD NEWS REPORTS THAT A COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED ON LEXUS AND OTHER CAR MODELS REGARDING THE SAME MELTING DASHBOARD PHENOMENA HERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10619490

55,000 miles · Aug 6, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DOWNSHIFT FROM SIXTH GEAR. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10619252

54,000 miles · Jul 29, 2014
Structure

MY CARS DASH STARTED LOOKING SHINY AND FELT STICKY. IT IS ALL STICKY AS IF IT WERE MELTING ITS ALSO CRACKING. THE STICKINESS CAUSES A GLARE THAT MAKES SEEING THE ROAD ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. EVERYTHING IN THE AIR STICKS ON THE DASH TOO. EVEN THOUGH THE BIGGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IS THE GLARE THAT REFLECTS FROM THE WINDSHIEL…

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MY CARS DASH STARTED LOOKING SHINY AND FELT STICKY. IT IS ALL STICKY AS IF IT WERE MELTING ITS ALSO CRACKING. THE STICKINESS CAUSES A GLARE THAT MAKES SEEING THE ROAD ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. EVERYTHING IN THE AIR STICKS ON THE DASH TOO. EVEN THOUGH THE BIGGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IS THE GLARE THAT REFLECTS FROM THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CAN SERIOUSLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10617353

69,300 miles · Jul 26, 2014
Electrical System

CAR WILL NOT START.DASH DISPLAY ILLUMINATES "NO KEY",WHICH IS A "FOB" TYPE SYSTEM WHICH HAS A START BUTTON.THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 WEEKS.CAR LEFT AT MIKE EARDMAN NISSAN OF MERRITT ISLAND ,FL TODAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC LOCK MODULE UNDER THE DASH.NISSAN WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR UP TO 72 MONTHS JUST…

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CAR WILL NOT START.DASH DISPLAY ILLUMINATES "NO KEY",WHICH IS A "FOB" TYPE SYSTEM WHICH HAS A START BUTTON.THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 WEEKS.CAR LEFT AT MIKE EARDMAN NISSAN OF MERRITT ISLAND ,FL TODAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC LOCK MODULE UNDER THE DASH.NISSAN WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR UP TO 72 MONTHS JUST FOR THIS ISSUE,A KNOWN PROBLEM.NOT A RECALL YET. BETTER NOT BE A "DIAGNOSTIC" FEE FOR THIS.SOMEBODY NEEDS TO STEP UP AND DEMAND A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE.IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS,AFFECTING 2009-2010 NISSAN ALTIMA'S. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616597

64,451 miles · Jul 26, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. APPEARED NOT TO BE A BATTERY ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. HOWEVER, CAR STARTED AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMED FINE. SUBSEQUENTLY (AFTER A DISCUSSION WITH THE SERVICE PERSON), IT SEEMED APPARENT THE THERE WAS A WHEEL LOCK SWITCH ASSY FAILURE (WHICH IS UNDER A FOR…

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VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. APPEARED NOT TO BE A BATTERY ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. HOWEVER, CAR STARTED AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMED FINE. SUBSEQUENTLY (AFTER A DISCUSSION WITH THE SERVICE PERSON), IT SEEMED APPARENT THE THERE WAS A WHEEL LOCK SWITCH ASSY FAILURE (WHICH IS UNDER A FORMAL RECALL). I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART IS SEVERELY BACKORDERED. I THEN DECIDED TO RETURN IN A FEW MONTHS (DURING THE NEXT OIL CHANGE) AND ATTEMPT TO SCHEDULE A WARRANTY REPLACEMENT PER THE FORMAL RECALL. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP (GRUBBS NISSAN IN HURST, TEXAS) TOLD ME THAT "SINCE THE SWITCH WAS NOT BROKEN NOW, THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HONOR THE WARRANTY". I WAS GIVEN A PHONE NUMBER TO CALL CORPORATE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB, IT APPEARS THAT MY WARRANTY REQUEST SHOULD HAVE BEEN HONORED (ESPECIALLY SINCE I ALREADY WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO PAY FOR TOWING ONCE BEFORE!). I WILL CALL CORPORATE ON MONDAY, BUT WANTED TO FILE THIS OFFICIAL COMPLAINT (IF YOU LOOK ON THE WEB, YOU CAN NOTE COUNTLESS PEOPLE IN THE SAME SITUATION WITH MIXED RESULTS (OBVIOUSLY, VERY POORLY COMMUNICATED FROM CORPORATE OUT TO THE DEALERSHIPS OR VERY POORLY COMPLIED WITH AT THE DEALERSHIPS (WHICHEVER IS THE ANSWER, IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE). THANKS FOR LISTENING, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616478

90,000 miles · Jul 23, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSHED THE IGNITION BUTTON, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NEARLY 30 TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT A SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSHED THE IGNITION BUTTON, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NEARLY 30 TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT A SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10615622

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