NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,547 reportsMileage unknown · Feb 27, 2013
Electrical System
AFTER I WAS FINISHED WORKING I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO HOME. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PUSHED THE START BUTTON. NOTHING HAPPENED. I SAW AN ICON OF A KEY IN THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE DASH. I TOOK OUT MY OWNERS MANUAL TO SEE WHAT THAT MEANT. I READ THAT THE REMOTE BATTERY MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WENT INTO THE HOME DE…
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AFTER I WAS FINISHED WORKING I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO HOME. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PUSHED THE START BUTTON. NOTHING HAPPENED. I SAW AN ICON OF A KEY IN THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE DASH. I TOOK OUT MY OWNERS MANUAL TO SEE WHAT THAT MEANT. I READ THAT THE REMOTE BATTERY MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WENT INTO THE HOME DEPOT WHERE I WORK AND BOUGHT NEW BATTERIES. I REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT NOW I WAS GETTING A NO KEY ICON. I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR FOR SOME ADVICE. THEY SAID MAYBE THE REMOTE LOST ITS MEMORY SO I CALLED MY HUSBAND TO BRING ME THE EXTRA KEY. HE CAME.WE TRIED AGAIN BUT IT DID NOT START. THE NO KEY CAME UP AGAIN. AFTER TRYING FOR TWO HOURS I CALLED AAA FOR A TOW TO MY MECHANIC. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO MY NISSAN DEALER.I TOLD HIM WHAT HAPPENED AND HE SAID IT IS THE STEERING LOCK COMPUTER. IT WOULD COST ABOUT $850. HE ALSO SAID THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED BY NISSAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500708
31,316 miles · Feb 27, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUAL START BUTTON ON THE VEHICLE FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,316.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUAL START BUTTON ON THE VEHICLE FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,316.
NHTSA ODI #10500605
75,000 miles · Feb 27, 2013
Steering
I GOT INTO MY CAR WITH MY 3 MONTH OLD SON TO BRING MY FIANC DINNER AT WORK. AFTER WE DROPPED DINNER OFF WE STOPPED BY THE GAS STATION TO GET GAS. I TURNED OFF MY CAR TO PUMP, AND WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DRIVER SEAT I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE LIKE NORMAL AND HIT THE START BUTTON AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I ASSUMED MY CAR HAD DIED, BUT…
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I GOT INTO MY CAR WITH MY 3 MONTH OLD SON TO BRING MY FIANC DINNER AT WORK. AFTER WE DROPPED DINNER OFF WE STOPPED BY THE GAS STATION TO GET GAS. I TURNED OFF MY CAR TO PUMP, AND WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DRIVER SEAT I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE LIKE NORMAL AND HIT THE START BUTTON AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I ASSUMED MY CAR HAD DIED, BUT MY LIGHTS WOULD STILL COME ON AND I NOTICED A WARNING LIGHT THAT SAID KEY. I HAD MY 3 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR AND IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE SO I QUICKLY FLIPPED THROUGH THE MANUAL TO FIND OUT WHAT THAT LIGHT MEANT. AFTER READING ABOUT IT IN THE MANUAL AND LOOKING IT UP ONLINE I QUICKLY REALIZED THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN THE ALTIMAS. I HAD TO CALL MY FIANCES FATHER TO COME PICK US UP AND HAVE MY CAR TOWED. SO NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CAR TO GET TOWED AND FROM EVERYONE ELSE'S COMPLAINTS IT WILL COST ATLEAST $700 TO FIX. NISSAN HAS A HUGE ISSUE THEY NEED TO RECALL. I TRAVEL A LOT WITH MY 3 MONTH OLD, AND WHAT IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT A RANDOM GAS STATION FAR AWAY FROM FAMILY. I DO NOT FEEL THE WE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES IN MAKING THIS VEHICLE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500573
50,000 miles · Feb 26, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE IGNITION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,00…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE IGNITION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10500528
31,396 miles · Feb 26, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
PART 2 - CONFIRMATION NUMBER 10500119 PART 1 --- I WANTED TO ADD THAT I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2009. THIS WILL COST ME OUT OF POCKET $685 AND OF COURSE LIKE A SAID PREVIOUSLY THE WARRANTY OF 3/36,000 BEING THE YEARS THAT EXPIRED FIRST. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR 3 1/2 YEARS YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH A CAR …
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PART 2 - CONFIRMATION NUMBER 10500119 PART 1 --- I WANTED TO ADD THAT I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2009. THIS WILL COST ME OUT OF POCKET $685 AND OF COURSE LIKE A SAID PREVIOUSLY THE WARRANTY OF 3/36,000 BEING THE YEARS THAT EXPIRED FIRST. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR 3 1/2 YEARS YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH A CAR THIS EARLY. THIS SHOULD BE A BIG RED FLAG TO THE NISSAN COMPANY!. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500125
31,396 miles · Feb 26, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
FIRST PROBLEM STARTED WITH A FUNNY SOUND WHEN THE CAR WOULD START AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT START THE FIRST TIME WITH PUSHING THE AUTO START. THIS WAS ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I GOT THE VISUAL ON THE COLUMN THAT THE SMARTKEY WAS LOW AND HAD THEM REPLACE BY THE DEALERSHIP AND REPROGRAMMED IN BOTH KEYS. THIS IS W…
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FIRST PROBLEM STARTED WITH A FUNNY SOUND WHEN THE CAR WOULD START AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT START THE FIRST TIME WITH PUSHING THE AUTO START. THIS WAS ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I GOT THE VISUAL ON THE COLUMN THAT THE SMARTKEY WAS LOW AND HAD THEM REPLACE BY THE DEALERSHIP AND REPROGRAMMED IN BOTH KEYS. THIS IS WHEN ALL THE PROBLEMS STARTED DELAYED START NOT STARTING THEN I LEFT HOME AND ARRIVED AT WORK FINE THE MORNING OF 02/25/13 AND HAD TO TRAVEL TO ANOTHER SITE AND TRIED TO START CAR AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO START. I HAD A MECHANIC FRIEND COME LOOK AT IT AND THEN THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LOW KEY AND THE NO KEY SHOWED UP BUT STILL WOULD NOT START. WE TOOK SMARTKEY OUT TO DEALERSHIP AND REPLACED AGAIN TRIED THIS AND IT DIDN'T START. WE CHECKED EVERYTHING AND CALLED DEALERSHIP BACK AND THEY SAID WE COULD PUT THE SMARTKEY IN THE SLOT TO START CAR THIS DIDN'T WORK EITHER. I FINALLY HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT'S A STEERING LOCK MECHANISM AND ELECTRIC PROBLEMS. I'VE HAD THIS CAR ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS AND THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM WITH NUMEROUS OTHER NISSANS. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THEY ARE USING THE SAME PART TO FIX MY CAR AND IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. WHAT SCARES ME AND COULD PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER IS THE STEERING COULD GO OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING AND COULD KILL ME. I HAVE TOLD MY FAMILY IF I'M IN AN ACCIDENT TO TEST MY STEERING AND IF THAT'S THE REASON FOR THE ACCIDENT OR MY DEATH THEY ARE TO SUE NISSAN. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND FIXED WITH DEPENDABLE PARTS AND IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND AGAIN THEY SHOULD REPLACE WITH NO COST TO THE CONSUMER PARTS OR LABOR. OF COURSE, MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED BECAUSE OF THE 3 YR. ALWAYS THE CASE. I WANT FULL REIMBURSEMENT FROM NISSAN BECAUSE THIS DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL!!!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500119
58,000 miles · Feb 26, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH-TO-START WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE MOMENTARILY AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH-TO-START WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE MOMENTARILY AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000...UPDATED 04/25/13 *BF UPDATED 05/21/2013 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10500103
103,000 miles · Feb 25, 2013
Steering
ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK CONTROL BOARD - CAR WILL NOT START AND IS ILLUMINATING THE YELLOW KEY SYMBOL. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAILING ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK CONTROL BOARD. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PART IS AROUND $500 AND WITH LABOR THE TOTAL IS $724. I WAS TOLD THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER …
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ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK CONTROL BOARD - CAR WILL NOT START AND IS ILLUMINATING THE YELLOW KEY SYMBOL. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAILING ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK CONTROL BOARD. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PART IS AROUND $500 AND WITH LABOR THE TOTAL IS $724. I WAS TOLD THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER AND COULD TAKE UP TO 3 WEEKS TO COME IN. I WAS TOLD IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING A LOT WITH THIS MODEL AND MILEAGE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS. I FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN AND INQUIRED ABOUT RECALLS. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY IF SO MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING ISSUES WHY A RECALL HASN'T BEEN DONE. WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. REALLY UPSET AND FRUSTRATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10499945
58,000 miles · Feb 25, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE THAT THE PUSH-TO-START WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE STEERING LOCK UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE THAT THE PUSH-TO-START WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE STEERING LOCK UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 03/27/13*LJ UPDATED 3/28/13 *CN UPDATED 04/19/2013*JS
NHTSA ODI #10499918
44,000 miles · Feb 23, 2013
Steering
I PURCHASED THIS USED 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM A DEALER IN MY LOCAL TOWN. WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IT HAD AROUND 36-38,000 MILES ON IT (CAN'T REMEMBER AT THIS TIME). HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR, I DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON IT AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS. I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE APPROX 100 MILES A WEEK, AND WHEN I WENT TO …
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I PURCHASED THIS USED 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM A DEALER IN MY LOCAL TOWN. WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IT HAD AROUND 36-38,000 MILES ON IT (CAN'T REMEMBER AT THIS TIME). HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR, I DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON IT AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS. I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE APPROX 100 MILES A WEEK, AND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE WORK THE OTHER DAY THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T TURN ON. THE INTELLIGENCE KEY BATTERY WAS CHARGED, THE BATTERY FOR THE CAR WAS CHARGE, I UNHOOKED THE BATTERY AND RESET IT, STILL NOTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO GET IT TO TURN ON. I TOWED IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID IT WAS THE, "STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT" WHICH WOULD COST $717 FOR PART AND LABOR ALONG WITH A $70 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T STRANDED IN A BAD AREA OR WITHOUT A WAY TO REACH SOMEONE. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS PART, TOO MANY INCIDENTS WITH THIS PART IN NISSAN VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10499797
Official recalls
4Sep 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.
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).
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.
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 ↗