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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
100,456 miles · Sep 7, 2013
Steering

MY BOYFRIEND WAS LEAVING A FRIEND'S HOUSE TO COME HOME AND THE CAR WOULD NOT CRANK. WE HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO TOW THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE STEERING UNIT AND THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT 1200.00 TO FIX. LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I SEE THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 ALTIMAS. THINK THAT NISS…

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MY BOYFRIEND WAS LEAVING A FRIEND'S HOUSE TO COME HOME AND THE CAR WOULD NOT CRANK. WE HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO TOW THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE STEERING UNIT AND THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT 1200.00 TO FIX. LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I SEE THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 ALTIMAS. THINK THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. THIS IS NOT NEGLIGENCE OF THE OWNER OF THE CAR THIS IS NISSAN'S OVERSIGHT. I PRAY THAT THIS CAN BE FIXED. AND THAT SOMEONE GETS NISSAN'S ATTENTION.

NHTSA ODI #10542386

60,000 miles · Sep 5, 2013
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

THE CAR FAILED TO START; I SEE LOTS OF COMPLAINS WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS IN PLACE AND SO DOES THE BRAKE AND THE CAR FAILS TO START. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TWICE ALREADY AND THE DEALER TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE KEY LESS SWITCH HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES AND I SEE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE KEY. AS I CAN SEE OTHERS ARE…

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THE CAR FAILED TO START; I SEE LOTS OF COMPLAINS WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS IN PLACE AND SO DOES THE BRAKE AND THE CAR FAILS TO START. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TWICE ALREADY AND THE DEALER TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE KEY LESS SWITCH HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES AND I SEE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE KEY. AS I CAN SEE OTHERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES OF THE CAR LOCKING IN PLACE AND THE PROBLEM IS MORE THAN JUST THE KEY PROBLEM.. THIS SHOULD BE DEFINITELY RECALLED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10541991

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR HAD BEEN MAKING LOUD GRITTY NOISE. TOOK CAR INTO FONTANA NISSAN FOR DIAGNOSIS. WAS TOLD IT WAS A CRACKED AND LEAKING EXHAUST MANIFOLD. IT WAS AT NO COST TO US DUE TO WARRANTY AND THEY REPLACED IT. THIS WAS IN AUGUST 2012. NOTICED THE SAME NOISE AGAIN IN NOVEMBER 2012 AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT IN TO FONTANA NISSAN. THE MEC…

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CAR HAD BEEN MAKING LOUD GRITTY NOISE. TOOK CAR INTO FONTANA NISSAN FOR DIAGNOSIS. WAS TOLD IT WAS A CRACKED AND LEAKING EXHAUST MANIFOLD. IT WAS AT NO COST TO US DUE TO WARRANTY AND THEY REPLACED IT. THIS WAS IN AUGUST 2012. NOTICED THE SAME NOISE AGAIN IN NOVEMBER 2012 AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT IN TO FONTANA NISSAN. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE TO REPAIR THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD DUE TO CRACKING AND LEAKING. I ADVISED IT WAS RECENTLY REPLACED AND THEY JUST SAID IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. IN MAY 2012 THE CAR STARTED MAKING NOISE AGAIN. TOOK CAR TO FONTANA NISSAN AND THEY FOUND THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING! AFTER THE PART BEING REPLACED, NOT JUST REPAIRED, BUT REPLACED TWICE! THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED WE CONTACT NISSAN USA FIRST TO FILE A LEMON OR SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR BUY BACK. IT TOOK ROUGHLY 3-4 WEEKS FOR THEM TO REVIEW CASE. IN THE MEANTIME WE HAVE FOUND OTHER EXHAUST MANIFOLD PROBLEMS IN EARLIER MODELS, FOUND OUT THAT CARBON MONOXIDE IS THE GAS THAT LEAKS FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND IS SEEPING ONTO THE CABIN OF MY CAR. SYMPTOMS OF LOW DOSE CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING IS SLEEPINESS AMONG OTHER SYMPTOMS. I AM CONSTANTLY SLEEPY IN THAT CAR AND HAVE TO TALK TO SOMEONE ON THE PHONE MOST OF THE TIME JUST TO GET TO MY DESTINATION. I DO NOT HAVE THAT PROBLEM IN OUR TRUCK! RECEIVED ALL ON WEDNESDAY FROM NISSAN AND THEY HAVE DENIED OUR CLAIM. WILL NOT TELL US WHY! I AM 7 MONTHS PREGNANT WITH A 3 YEAR OLD ASTHMATIC CHILD THAT IS CONSTANTLY IN THE CAR. I AM ATTEMPTING TO APPEAL DECISION BUT NEED HELP. SINCE THE REVIEW PROCESS CAR HAS STILL HAD CRACK AND LEAK. NISSAN IS NOT HELPING. REACHING OUT TO GATHER RESEARCH AS TO WHAT CAN BE DONE. WHAT WOULD CAUSE 3 EXHAUST MANIFOLDS TO DO THIS IN LESS THAN A YEAR? WHAT IF I FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AND GOT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT? WHAT IF MY 3 YEAR OLD OR UNBORN CHILD IS AFFECTED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525787

30,837 miles · Jul 19, 2013
EngineExterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 1 IN NORWOOD, MA. MY DASHBOARD PANEL WENT DARK AND MY ENGINE SHUT OFF. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE DID NOT SPUTTER, OR PRESENT ANY ISSUE PRIOR TO THE SHUT DOWN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 1 IN NORWOOD, MA. MY DASHBOARD PANEL WENT DARK AND MY ENGINE SHUT OFF. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE DID NOT SPUTTER, OR PRESENT ANY ISSUE PRIOR TO THE SHUT DOWN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THIS LEAVES ME FEELING VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AS WITH NO ROOT CAUSE IDENTIFIED IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN IN A HEAVIER TRAFFIC SITUATION. BESIDES MY OWN SAFETY, I AM CONCERNED FOR OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525724

79,400 miles · Jul 19, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureInjury

MILDEW IN AIR CONDITION. TERRIBLE SMELL COMING FROM VENTS. BURNS YOUR EYES AND GIVES TERRIBLE MIGRAINES. CHANGED 3 CABIN AIR FILTERS AND USED MULTIPLE CANS OF MILDEW REMOVAL. PLEASE HELP. ANY RECOMMENDATIONS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525715

73,000 miles · Jul 3, 2013
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED OF 80 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE BUT GAS PETAL WENT TO THE GROUND. CAR STARTED TO LOSS POWER. WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF HIGHWAY WHICH CAR STAYED AT 20 MPH WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER. I HAD CAR EVALUATED AND MECHANIC SAID HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFOR…

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DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED OF 80 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE BUT GAS PETAL WENT TO THE GROUND. CAR STARTED TO LOSS POWER. WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF HIGHWAY WHICH CAR STAYED AT 20 MPH WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER. I HAD CAR EVALUATED AND MECHANIC SAID HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE IN THE HIGH TEMPERATURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523108

685,000 miles · Jun 29, 2013
Power Train

WE WERE DRIVING ON I 40 AT A STEADY 75 MPH AND WE HAD TRAVELED ABOUT 50 MILES AT THIS SPEED WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN EVEN PRESSING THE GAS TO THE FLOOR DID NOT WORK. WE SLOWED TO 40 TO 45 MPH, THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. EVEN AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY THE CAR ACTED LIKE IT HAD A LOSE OF POWER AND ACCELERATED VERY SLOW. …

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WE WERE DRIVING ON I 40 AT A STEADY 75 MPH AND WE HAD TRAVELED ABOUT 50 MILES AT THIS SPEED WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN EVEN PRESSING THE GAS TO THE FLOOR DID NOT WORK. WE SLOWED TO 40 TO 45 MPH, THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. EVEN AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY THE CAR ACTED LIKE IT HAD A LOSE OF POWER AND ACCELERATED VERY SLOW. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH TIMES I WAS A PASSENGER AND THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. IT SEEMED TO SHIFT HARD AND THE ENGINE RAVED AS WELL. BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPENED ON I 40, THIS IS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS AND NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS I HAVE FOUND MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE ON THIS SAME MODEL YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522444

39,000 miles · Jun 26, 2013
Steering

OVER THE WEEKEND I STOPPED AT A SHELL GAS STATION WHEN I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START AND JUST HAD A KEY IN THE DASHBOARD. I CHECK TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T THE BATTERY, ETC... AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCALE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT MY ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THAT I NE…

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OVER THE WEEKEND I STOPPED AT A SHELL GAS STATION WHEN I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START AND JUST HAD A KEY IN THE DASHBOARD. I CHECK TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T THE BATTERY, ETC... AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCALE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT MY ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THAT I NEEDED TO REPROGRAM THE KEY WHICH WAS A TOTAL OF $995.00. THIS VEHICLE WAS JUST IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PRIOR TO THE FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRING 2 1/2 MONTHS AGO. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON THEME WITH 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL OR ANY SOLUTION ON HOW TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I'M NOT SURE HOW THE GOVERNMENT CAN ALLOW THIS COMPANY TO PUT OUT CARS THAT HAVE ISSUES AND NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE HARD WORKING PEOPLE PAY FOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521925

76,438 miles · Jun 4, 2013
Steering

1. I DROVE TO CHURCH ON A SUNDAY MORNING AND PARKED THE CAR. WHEN LEAVING CHURCH, THE CAR SHOWED A YELLOW KEY LIGHT AND WOULD NOT START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO LOVE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN ST. ALBANS, WV THE FOLLOWING DAY. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE REPAIR PERSON THAT THEY FOUND AN INTERNAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF THE S…

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1. I DROVE TO CHURCH ON A SUNDAY MORNING AND PARKED THE CAR. WHEN LEAVING CHURCH, THE CAR SHOWED A YELLOW KEY LIGHT AND WOULD NOT START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO LOVE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN ST. ALBANS, WV THE FOLLOWING DAY. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE REPAIR PERSON THAT THEY FOUND AN INTERNAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT. THE INVOICE SAYS ....... B26E9 LOCK MALFUNCTION, FOUND INTERNAL FAILURE OF STEERING LOCK CONTROL. THIS REPAIR, I WAS TOLD, WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY I HAD AND COST ME $767.72. WHY WAS THIS REPAIR/BREAKDOWN NOT COVERED IN FULL OR PART BY A WARRANTY OR BY NISSAN? 2. IN MACH 2013 IN A SECOND MISHAP, I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THIS SAME VEHICLE LOCKED (WITHOUT ME DOING IT) WITH THE REMOTE KEY LAYING IN THE CENTER CUP HOLDER. NOTHING WAS IN THE CUP HOLDER OTHER THAN THE REMOTE KEY AND A SMALL PIECE OF PAPER. THE CAR HAD TO BE UNLOCKED BY THE TOWING COMPANY AS I WAS OUTSIDE A STORE IN CHARLESTON, WV. COULD THERE BE A FAULTY WIRING/ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515122

150,796 miles · May 30, 2013
Power Train

AROUND 11:30AM ON 05/15/2013 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED INTO RETAILERS PARKING FOR WHICH IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE. ONCE THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE THEY CAME BACK WITH CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THEY MENTIONE…

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AROUND 11:30AM ON 05/15/2013 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED INTO RETAILERS PARKING FOR WHICH IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE. ONCE THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE THEY CAME BACK WITH CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THEY MENTIONED THEY WERE HAVING ISSUES WITH CVT TRANSMISSION IN MY VERSION OF ALTIMA, BUT WOULD BE UNABLE TO COVER THE COST OF A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION OF $4,000. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO FILE A CLAIM AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER FOR REFERENCE. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK WITHIN 24-HOURS OF PLACING THE INITIAL CALL. HOWEVER THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT BASED OF THE REVIEW OF MY CASE THEY WOULD AGAIN BE UNABLE TO COVER ANY COST ASSOCIATED WITH REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. TO NOTE, NO REVIEW OF MY VEHICLE WAS CONDUCTED. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A USED TRANSMISSION, BUT AFTER RESEARCHING THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN NISSAN ALTIMA'S YET NISSAN IS NOT RECALLING AND REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH AND IS NOT SAFE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THESE FAILURES BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514401

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