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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
107,000 miles · Jun 4, 2014
Power Train

TRAVELING ON A 3 HOUR TRIP, OF WHICH WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75 TO 80 MPH SPEEDS. AFTER ABOUT 2 HOURS OF RUNNING THESE SPEEDS NON STOP I WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE COMING UP ON A SMALL INCLINE, THE CAR LOST POWER MY SPEED INSTANTLY DROPPED TO 60 MPH. I STOPPED AT THE NEXT GAS STATION (TEN MILES DOWN THE ROAD)TO CHECK THE TRANSM…

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TRAVELING ON A 3 HOUR TRIP, OF WHICH WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75 TO 80 MPH SPEEDS. AFTER ABOUT 2 HOURS OF RUNNING THESE SPEEDS NON STOP I WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE COMING UP ON A SMALL INCLINE, THE CAR LOST POWER MY SPEED INSTANTLY DROPPED TO 60 MPH. I STOPPED AT THE NEXT GAS STATION (TEN MILES DOWN THE ROAD)TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, IT WAS FINE. GOT BACK ON THE ROAD AND IT RAN OK. THE NEXT DAY ON THE ROAD THE SAME THING HAPPENED, I STOPPED FOR 10 MINUTES, GOT BACK ON THE ROAD THEN IT RAN OK. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT IF A VEHICLE WAS BEHIND ME. AFTER RESEARCHING THE WEB I DISCOVERED MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE THIS NISSAN IS AN INTERSTATE DEATH TRAP THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596263

36,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #10595902

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2014
Air Bags

I OWN 2009 ALTIMA COUPE SE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. SOMETIMES SOMETHING AS SMALL AS AN IPAD WILL ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG. AS WHERE OTHER TIMES MY 125 WIFE WILL HAVE IT TURN OFF. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AS I AM SEEING THAT A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595274

75,000 miles · May 29, 2014
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE TIRE BECAME DEFLATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TIRE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE TIRE BECAME DEFLATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TIRE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10594835

55,000 miles · May 25, 2014
Air Bags

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUP V6 EDITION FREQUENTLY TURNS OFF THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE PERSON WEIGHS OVER 125 LBS AND SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR THE SEAT TO SENSE AN ADULT IN IT. FOR SOME REASON IT INTERMITTENTLY WILL FLASH THE DASH BOARD LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT GO OFF DURING A…

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MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUP V6 EDITION FREQUENTLY TURNS OFF THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE PERSON WEIGHS OVER 125 LBS AND SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR THE SEAT TO SENSE AN ADULT IN IT. FOR SOME REASON IT INTERMITTENTLY WILL FLASH THE DASH BOARD LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT GO OFF DURING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE OCCUPANT IS TOO LIGHT. I HAVE TAKEN IN INTO THE DEALER ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THE SENSOR AND AIRBAG UNIT ARE FUNCTIONING, AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593992

60,412 miles · May 19, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

CAR DOORS UNLOCKED NORMALLY , THE DASH SHOWED A YELLOW KEY LIGHT BLINKING , NO RESPONSE TO PUSHING THE IGNITION BUTTON. CAR LOCKS AND UNLOCKS WITH THE REMOTE . HEADLIGHTS WORKED BATTERY WAS CHARGED FULL. EXITED THE DOOR , LOCKED THE CAR , UNLOCKED THE CAR , ENTERED IN - HELD THE REMOTE CLOSE TO THE IGNITION BUTTON. THE DASH…

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CAR DOORS UNLOCKED NORMALLY , THE DASH SHOWED A YELLOW KEY LIGHT BLINKING , NO RESPONSE TO PUSHING THE IGNITION BUTTON. CAR LOCKS AND UNLOCKS WITH THE REMOTE . HEADLIGHTS WORKED BATTERY WAS CHARGED FULL. EXITED THE DOOR , LOCKED THE CAR , UNLOCKED THE CAR , ENTERED IN - HELD THE REMOTE CLOSE TO THE IGNITION BUTTON. THE DASHBOARD STILL SHOWED YELLOW KEY LIGHT BLINKING . PUSHED IGNITION BUTTON NO RESPONSE. UPON GOOGLING THERE WAS A SUGGESTION TO REMOVED NEGATIVE FROM BATTERY WAIT FOR A 5 MINUTES , RECONNECT AND TRY . SAME RESULTS AFTER CONNECTING THE BATTERY. ONE ARTICLE SUGGESTED TO MOVE THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING UP AND DOWN VIGOROUSLY . I RELEASED THE STEERING BUTTON UNDERNEATH THE STEERING AND MOVED THE STEERING UP AND DOWN. PUSHED THE IGNITION BUTTON AND THE ENGINE STARTED. DROVE TO THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO DO CORRECT THE PROBLEM STATING THAT AT THE TIME THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE EVERYTHING WAS FINE. HE DID NOT WANT TO SEE THE VIDEO I CAPTURED SHOWING THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT BLINKING. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592490

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2014
Power TrainInjury

I WAS DRIVING WHEN I PUSHED THE CLUTCH AND THE PEDAL WOULD NOT COME BACK UP THE CAR STALLED SUDDENLY, AND I HURT MY NECK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587650

70,000 miles · May 2, 2014
Air BagsStructure

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE' DASH IS MELTING. A CAR DEALERSHIP TOLD ME WHEN THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY IN A CRASH. I ALSO CAN NOT SEE OUT OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE SHINY STICKY MESS THROWS A BLINDING GLARE WHILE DRIVING. NISSAN WILL NOT HELP ME. THIS IS A PRO…

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MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE' DASH IS MELTING. A CAR DEALERSHIP TOLD ME WHEN THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY IN A CRASH. I ALSO CAN NOT SEE OUT OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE SHINY STICKY MESS THROWS A BLINDING GLARE WHILE DRIVING. NISSAN WILL NOT HELP ME. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PRODUCT USED FOR THE DASHBOARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586129

95,000 miles · Apr 30, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN ACTIVATING THE PUSH-TO-START BUTTON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10585638

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2014
Tires

2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR ISSUES. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 174.75.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10579751

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