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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
179,002 miles · Dec 6, 2019
Steering

I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE WORK AFTER HAVING NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING AND IT WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY. I AM THE ONLY ONE WORKING IN THE HOME AND IT IS APPROACHING CHRISTMAS. I NOW HAVE NO CAR TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK DUE TO THE STEERING LOCK BEING FAULTY. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I SEEN…

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I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE WORK AFTER HAVING NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING AND IT WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY. I AM THE ONLY ONE WORKING IN THE HOME AND IT IS APPROACHING CHRISTMAS. I NOW HAVE NO CAR TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK DUE TO THE STEERING LOCK BEING FAULTY. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I SEEN THAT SEVERAL OTHER NISSAN MODELS FOR 2009 WERE RECALLED FOR THE EXACT SAME PART NUMBER. HOW WERE ALL MODELS THAT HAVE THIS PART NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL???

NHTSA ODI #11287479

133,000 miles · Dec 5, 2019
Steering

ON THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING, AFTER WALKING OUT OF TARGET, I UNLOCKED MY CAR AND FOUND MY CAR WOULD NOT START WITH THE KEY FOB. MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAS A FEMALE STRANDED ALONE IN A TARGET PARKING LOT. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF TRYING TO GET MY CAR TO START, A WOMAN WITH LITERALLY A BABY ON H…

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ON THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING, AFTER WALKING OUT OF TARGET, I UNLOCKED MY CAR AND FOUND MY CAR WOULD NOT START WITH THE KEY FOB. MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAS A FEMALE STRANDED ALONE IN A TARGET PARKING LOT. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF TRYING TO GET MY CAR TO START, A WOMAN WITH LITERALLY A BABY ON HER HIP OFFERED TO USE JUMPER CABLES. THEN A MAN CAME TO HELP WHEN HE SAW HER HELPING ME. IT WAS NOT A BATTERY ISSUE, SO THE JUMPER CABLES DID NOT HELP. I WENT INTO THE STORE AND REPLACED MY KEY FOB BATTERY JUST IN CASE. IT WAS NOT A KEY FOB ISSUE. TWO HOURS LATER, MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND CONFIRMED IT WAS A STEERING LOCK ISSUE. MEANWHILE, I'M RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND RECURRING ISSUE WITH 2009 NISSAN ALTIMAS. HOWEVER, SINCE MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL, IT WAS NOT COVERED. IT IS THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING, MY ONLY FAMILY IS OUT OF TOWN, AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE OVER $400 FOR A KNOWN ISSUE THAT IS NOT BEING RECALLED OR TAKEN CARE OF. I AM FORCED TO PAY OR I DON'T HAVE A DRIVABLE CAR OR A WAY TO SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY FOR THE HOLIDAY. I WAS PUT UNDER IMMENSE FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL STRESS DUE TO THIS SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #11287372

75,000 miles · Dec 5, 2019
Electrical SystemSteering

LEAVING FROM WORK I GOT INTO MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED A YELLOW KEY INDICATOR LIGHT. I PROCEEDED TO STEP ON MY BRAKE TO START MY ENGINE AND MY CAR DID NOT START. ONCE DOING RESEARCH ABOUT THE PROBLEM I BEGAN TO SEE THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH OWNERS OF THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. I THEN LEARNED THAT MY CAR WOULDN'T START DUE…

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LEAVING FROM WORK I GOT INTO MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED A YELLOW KEY INDICATOR LIGHT. I PROCEEDED TO STEP ON MY BRAKE TO START MY ENGINE AND MY CAR DID NOT START. ONCE DOING RESEARCH ABOUT THE PROBLEM I BEGAN TO SEE THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH OWNERS OF THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. I THEN LEARNED THAT MY CAR WOULDN'T START DUE A FAULTY STEERING COLUMN LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS STOPPED ME FROM PUTTING MY CAR IN THE ON POSITION OR CONTROLLING MY GEAR SHIFT. I AM THANKFUL THAT I WAS IN A SAFE PARKING LOT BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM COULD'VE CAUSED A HUGE INCONVENIENCE OR PUT ME IN DANGER. NISSAN REFUSES TO RECALL THIS PART AND CONTINUES TO PUT MANY NISSAN OWNERS IN THIS UNSAFE SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #11287116

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO THE RUSTY WALLACE NISSAN (865-687-6111, LOCATED AT 4515 CLINTON HWY, KNOXVILLE, TN 37912). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND RECALL ONCE BEFO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO THE RUSTY WALLACE NISSAN (865-687-6111, LOCATED AT 4515 CLINTON HWY, KNOXVILLE, TN 37912). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND RECALL ONCE BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME PART WAS REPLACED IN 2014 AND AGAIN IN 2019 BY THE SAME DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *PM*JB

NHTSA ODI #11286482

100,000 miles · Nov 30, 2019
Engine

MY WIFE DRIVES OUR 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S TO WORK ON 3RD SHIFT AND ON HER LUNCH BREAK GOES TO HER CAR AND TAKES A NAP WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND WAS COMPLAINING TO ME FOR A MONTH OR MORE THAT SHE HAS THIS SMELL IN HER CAR LIKE A "GAS SMELL" AND ALSO WAS COMPLAINING OF BEING TIRED AND NAUSEOUS WHEN I SPOKE WITH HER ABOUT IT. I N…

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MY WIFE DRIVES OUR 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S TO WORK ON 3RD SHIFT AND ON HER LUNCH BREAK GOES TO HER CAR AND TAKES A NAP WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND WAS COMPLAINING TO ME FOR A MONTH OR MORE THAT SHE HAS THIS SMELL IN HER CAR LIKE A "GAS SMELL" AND ALSO WAS COMPLAINING OF BEING TIRED AND NAUSEOUS WHEN I SPOKE WITH HER ABOUT IT. I NOTICED HER CAR WAS ABNORMALLY LOUDER WHEN SHE STARTED IT AT HOME AND IT HAD NOT BEEN RUN THAT DAY. I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THIS IS FROM A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND MY WIFE AND I ARE VERY LUCKY SHE WAS NOT KILLED FROM THE CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING SHE WAS RECEIVING WHILE SITTING IN HER CAR WHILE IT WAS IDLING ON HER BREAK. THE EXHAUST FUMES WERE BEING BROUGHT INTO THE CAB OF HER CAR FROM THE CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD, THRU THE VENTS FROM THE OUTSIDE HVAC AIR DUCTS UNDER THE HOOD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I NEVER COULD SMELL A "GAS SMELL" WHICH I ASSUMED SHE MEANT GASOLINE OR POSSIBLY A COOLANT SMELL FROM A LEAKING HEATER CORE AND SO I BLEW IT OFF UNTIL I MYSELF HAD TO USE THE CAR AND I QUICKLY REALIZED IT WAS AN EXHAUST GAS SMELL SHE WAS SMELLING AND IT NEARLY CAUSED ME TO BECOME UNCONSCIOUS WHILE DRIVING AT WHICH TIME I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND RETURNED HOME WITH THE CAR. I RESEARCHED THIS SAME EXHAUST GAS LEAK WITH THIS CAR AND IT IS NOT UNCOMMON BUT HAS YET TO TRIGGER A RECALL . MOST LIKELY DUE TO NO ONE BEING KILLED FROM THE CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING AND THANK GOD MY WIFE WAS NOT THE FIRST. I WILL BE ORDERING A COMPLETE EXHAUST SYSTEM NEW FOR REPAIRS AS TO NOT MISS ANY UNSEEN ISSUES WITH THE CAR HAVING 101,000 MILES . I DO EXPECT COMPLETE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE BILL FROM NISSAN .

NHTSA ODI #11283016

174,400 miles · Nov 13, 2019
Steering

I AM HAVING A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE ON MY 2009 NISSAN. THERE ARE MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL FOR OTHER 2009 NISSAN ( NOT SURE WHY) WHICH MAKES NO SENSE. THE CAR DID NOT START WHAT SO EVER AND STUCK WITH A TODDLER IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS. THIS IS OB…

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I AM HAVING A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE ON MY 2009 NISSAN. THERE ARE MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL FOR OTHER 2009 NISSAN ( NOT SURE WHY) WHICH MAKES NO SENSE. THE CAR DID NOT START WHAT SO EVER AND STUCK WITH A TODDLER IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING NISSAN MADE THAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF.

NHTSA ODI #11279751

15,000 miles · Nov 12, 2019
Visibility/wiper

WE ARE OWNERS OF ONE OF THE "MELTING DASH" ALTIMAS MODEL YEAR 2009. THE GLARE THAT THE DASH PROJECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD IN SUNNY CONDITIONS IS A SAFETY HAZZARD. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, WE HAVE ALMOST HIT OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THE BAD REFLECTION IN THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE MELTED DASH. WE HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN, BU…

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WE ARE OWNERS OF ONE OF THE "MELTING DASH" ALTIMAS MODEL YEAR 2009. THE GLARE THAT THE DASH PROJECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD IN SUNNY CONDITIONS IS A SAFETY HAZZARD. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, WE HAVE ALMOST HIT OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THE BAD REFLECTION IN THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE MELTED DASH. WE HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN, BUT THEY DO NOT SEEM TO BE INTERESTED IN FIXING THE PROBLEM. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE BEFORE ANYONE IS KILLED OR INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11279676

89,000 miles · Nov 2, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT OPERATE IF IT'S DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN 45 MINUTES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE POWER TRAIN GOES INTO A NEUTRAL MODE. IT THEN REQUIRES A PULL OVER ONTO A FREEWAY TO ALLOW IT TO COOL DOWN FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL WORK. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS OUTSIDE. WHEN DRIVING AT …

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THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT OPERATE IF IT'S DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN 45 MINUTES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE POWER TRAIN GOES INTO A NEUTRAL MODE. IT THEN REQUIRES A PULL OVER ONTO A FREEWAY TO ALLOW IT TO COOL DOWN FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL WORK. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS OUTSIDE. WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS LOWER THAN 50 MILES PER HOUR IT DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. PER THE NISSAN MECHANICS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CVT AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE CVT. WE HAVE TRIED A TRANSMISSION COOLER BUT THAT DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT REQUIRES THE VEHICLE TO BE STOPPED AND TURNED OFF FOR 20 MINUTES WHICH CAN BE A BIG SAFETY PROBLEM AS IT WOULD REQUIRE SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY OR, IF ABLE, SITTING IN THE VEHICLE IN AN UNSAFE NEIGHBORHOOD.

NHTSA ODI #11277701

60,000 miles · Oct 25, 2019
Power Train

THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAS GIVEN ME MAJOR PROBLEMS AFTER DRIVING FOR 60+ MILES. UP UNTIL THEN IT DOES FINE JUST AS IT HAS ALWAYS DONE AROUND TOWN DRIVING. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR AND HALF OF DRIVING THE VEHICLES STOPS ALLOWING YOU TO GO OVER 40 MPH AND I FOUND THAT THIS IS CALLED 'LIMP MODE' WHICH IS TO PROTECT THE TRANSMISSION. THE P…

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THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAS GIVEN ME MAJOR PROBLEMS AFTER DRIVING FOR 60+ MILES. UP UNTIL THEN IT DOES FINE JUST AS IT HAS ALWAYS DONE AROUND TOWN DRIVING. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR AND HALF OF DRIVING THE VEHICLES STOPS ALLOWING YOU TO GO OVER 40 MPH AND I FOUND THAT THIS IS CALLED 'LIMP MODE' WHICH IS TO PROTECT THE TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAR IS NOT EVEN GETTING OVER HEATED WHATSOEVER AT ALL. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED BY NISSAN AND THOUGHT THIS WOULD FIX THE ISSUE BUT NO SUCH LUCK. WHEN YOU HAVE A CAR THAT YOU GOT BRAND NEW AND HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT AND LOW MILEAGE YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE SOMEWHERE THAT IS MORE THAN AN HOUR AWAY. MY CAR IS UNABLE TO BE TAKEN ON ANY ROAD TRIP WHATSOEVER. I HAVE HAD MYSELF IN SOME UNFORTUNATE SITUATIONS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS GOOD TO GO ON A ROAD TRIP THE NEXT DAY AS I HAD EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO THEM AND WAS ASSURED THAT I COULD SAFELY MAKE THE TRIP. LOW AND BEHOLD SIXTY MILES OUT OF TOWN I COULD ONLY GO 40MPH ON A HIGHWAY WITH A 75 SPEED LIMIT. NISSAN DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ANYWHERE NEAR ME. I WAS 100 MILES AWAY FROM ANYWHERE I COULD GET HELP WHICH IS ALL NISSAN TOLD ME TO DO WAS BRING IT IN TO A DEALERSHIP! I DID JUST THAT BEFORE MY TRIP TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND IT WASN'T FIXED. WHAT AM I TO DO?

NHTSA ODI #11271062

70,000 miles · Oct 19, 2019
Suspension

LEFT FRONT STRUT SPRING BROKE

NHTSA ODI #11269574

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