MY RADIATOR OR MY HOSES ARE LEAKING CAUSING A RADIATOR LEAKS. MAKING MY CAR OVERHEAT. I JUST FIXED MY SERPENTINE BELT.
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
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.
What owners actually said
1,547 reportsDASHBOARD DESINTEGRATING. WHERE I LIVE IS VERY HOT IN THE SUMMER YET I PARK IN THE SHADE MOST OF THE TIME. AFTER A SURGE IN TEMPERATURE AND THEN A DROP TO FREEZING I NOTICED A SHINE TO THE TOP SEEMS ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN I WENT TO WIPE IT OFF I WOULD NOT COME OFF AND WAS STICKY. FORCING IT ONLY MADE IT COME OFF LIKE A PASTE. IT…
Read full complaint
DASHBOARD DESINTEGRATING. WHERE I LIVE IS VERY HOT IN THE SUMMER YET I PARK IN THE SHADE MOST OF THE TIME. AFTER A SURGE IN TEMPERATURE AND THEN A DROP TO FREEZING I NOTICED A SHINE TO THE TOP SEEMS ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN I WENT TO WIPE IT OFF I WOULD NOT COME OFF AND WAS STICKY. FORCING IT ONLY MADE IT COME OFF LIKE A PASTE. IT CREATES A VERY UNPLEASANT GLARE AND I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS STARTED TO PRODUCE A VERY SHINNY AND STICKY SUBSTANCE. THIS SUBSTANCE IS CREATING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD OF MY CAR WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE STREET IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL METHODS TO REMOVE THIS SUBSTANCE WITHOUT SUCCESS. FROM WHAT I U…
Read full complaint
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS STARTED TO PRODUCE A VERY SHINNY AND STICKY SUBSTANCE. THIS SUBSTANCE IS CREATING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD OF MY CAR WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE STREET IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL METHODS TO REMOVE THIS SUBSTANCE WITHOUT SUCCESS. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS IS DUE TO HEAT AND HUMIDITY BUT MY CAR IS ALWAYS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHEN I'M NOT OUT IN IT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT IN MY OPINION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2017 WHERE NISSAN AGREED TO PAY ALL BUT $250 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THESE DASHBOARDS. SEE GIBBS LAW GROUP ONLINE FOR DETAILS. HTTPS://WWW.CLASSLAWGROUP.COM/NISSAN-MELTING-DASHBOARD-LAWSUIT/ I WOULD THINK IF THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THESE DASHBOARDS THEY KNOW THIS IS A FLAW IN THEIR DASHBOARDS.
I PURCHASED THIS CAR JANUARY 2018. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. CURRENTLY, MY DASHBOARD IS SO STICKY THAT IT IS LITERALLY PEELING OFF AND HAS A TOXIC SMELL TO IT. I'VE TRIED CALL NISSAN AND THEY FIRST TOLD ME THERE WAS NO CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT, THEN THEY TOLD ME THE CAR WAS TOO OLD, THE LATEST IS THEY SAID…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED THIS CAR JANUARY 2018. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. CURRENTLY, MY DASHBOARD IS SO STICKY THAT IT IS LITERALLY PEELING OFF AND HAS A TOXIC SMELL TO IT. I'VE TRIED CALL NISSAN AND THEY FIRST TOLD ME THERE WAS NO CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT, THEN THEY TOLD ME THE CAR WAS TOO OLD, THE LATEST IS THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS FROM 2017. I SAID IF YOU HAVE DEFECTIVE DASH BOARDS IT SHOULDN'T MATTER HOW OLD THE CAR IS AND NISSAN SHOULD FIX IT. I AM GETTING A GLARE FROM THE REFLECTION ON WINDSHIELD SO THIS IS DANGEROUS. THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE LEFT WITH THIS PROBLEM. CAN YOU ASSIST ME?
1. THE AIRBAG IS KEEP BLINKING AT ALL TIMES. 2. LOAD NOISE FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHEN START THE ENGINE AND ENGINE IS COLD. 3. A FEW WEEKS AFTER A RAINY DAY, WHEN THE WEATHER GETS HOT, INSIDE THE CAR SMELL VERY BAD AS IF THERE IS A ROTTEN OR DEAD ANIMAL IN THE CAR.
MY CAR WAS PARKED NEAR MY OFFICE AND IT REFUSED TO START ON 2/7/2020 EVENING. AFTER GETTING TOWED TO NEAREST LOCAL SERVICE CENTER IT WAS DETECTED IT HAS PROBLEM WITH ESCL AND IT WAS FIXED ON 2/11/2020.DUE TO URGENT NEED I COULDN'T TAKE TO NISSAN DEALER. LATER I DISCOVERED NISSAN IS RUNNING ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) …
Read full complaint
MY CAR WAS PARKED NEAR MY OFFICE AND IT REFUSED TO START ON 2/7/2020 EVENING. AFTER GETTING TOWED TO NEAREST LOCAL SERVICE CENTER IT WAS DETECTED IT HAS PROBLEM WITH ESCL AND IT WAS FIXED ON 2/11/2020.DUE TO URGENT NEED I COULDN'T TAKE TO NISSAN DEALER. LATER I DISCOVERED NISSAN IS RUNNING ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE FAULTY ESCL IN 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA AND ALSO THERE IS OPTION FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT IT WAS REJECTED STATING MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT QUALIFIED IN SERVICE CAMPAIGN. MY CAR EXACTLY SAME PROBLEM WHAT WAS DISCLOSED IN HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2017/MC-10119195-9999.PDF. BUT NISSAN REFUSED ACCEPT THE PROBLEM AND THE REIMBURSEMENT CHARGES OF $775. I REQUEST YOU TO CHECK THIS AND INSTRUCT NISSAN TO HONOR THE REIMBURSEMENT MY CAR IS EXCLUDED FROM CAMPAIGN EVEN THOUGH CAR HAS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS WILL HELP SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND GETTING REFUSED BY NISSAN WITH UN-SATISFACTORY REASONS . THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN IF THIS HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS STOPPED IN STREET AND REFUSE TO START. NISSAN CASE #39570583
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE STREETS AND WOULDN'T START. I TRIED JUMP STARTING, CHANGING THE KEYS BATTERY, DIDN'T WORK. HAD TO TOW IT TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY AND HE FIGURED OUT WAS THIS STEERING LOCK PART, AND TOLD ME IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH ALTIMA 2009. I SEARCHED IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND FOUND OUT THAT ALTHOUGH IT HAS…
Read full complaint
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE STREETS AND WOULDN'T START. I TRIED JUMP STARTING, CHANGING THE KEYS BATTERY, DIDN'T WORK. HAD TO TOW IT TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY AND HE FIGURED OUT WAS THIS STEERING LOCK PART, AND TOLD ME IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH ALTIMA 2009. I SEARCHED IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND FOUND OUT THAT ALTHOUGH IT HAS HUNDREDS, MAYBE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS, NO RECALL WAS MADE FOR THIS ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME NAUSEATED WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CARBON MONOXIDE TEST WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE WHICH CONFIRMED A CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE EX…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME NAUSEATED WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CARBON MONOXIDE TEST WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE WHICH CONFIRMED A CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO ALERTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DO AN INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKING FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
MY STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WON'T STOP LOCKING EVERY SO OFTEN. LOTS OF NISSAN 09 ALTIMAS HAVE HAD RECALLS FOR THAT PART BUT MINE DOES NOT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE ANTI-THEFT INDICATOR AND KEY ICON ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MITCHELL NISSAN (1640 E PARK AVE, ENTERPRISE, AL 36330, (334) 347-9567) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT WAS PROVID…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE ANTI-THEFT INDICATOR AND KEY ICON ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MITCHELL NISSAN (1640 E PARK AVE, ENTERPRISE, AL 36330, (334) 347-9567) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A COST ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
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.
Illustration