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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
73,000 miles · Jan 14, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTELLIGENCE KEY MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTELLIGENCE KEY MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10492947

72,000 miles · Jan 14, 2013
Steering

ON 01/09/2013, I DROVE MY GRANDMOTHER TO AN APPT. AND CAME HOME. FIVE HOURS LATER, I GOT INTO THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. I MADE SOME CALLS AND RESEARCHED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM ISN'T WORKING. THE LITTLE YELLOW KEY APPEARS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. I HAVE…

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ON 01/09/2013, I DROVE MY GRANDMOTHER TO AN APPT. AND CAME HOME. FIVE HOURS LATER, I GOT INTO THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. I MADE SOME CALLS AND RESEARCHED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM ISN'T WORKING. THE LITTLE YELLOW KEY APPEARS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. I HAVE BRAKE LIGHTS AND REPLACED THE BATTERY IN BOTH THE CAR AND THE KEY FOB. NOTHING HELPED TO START MY CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL ISN'T LOCKED SO IT MOVES FREELY AND THE IGNITION BUTTON ILLUMINATES BUT WILL NOT LEAVE THE LOCK POSITION. I PLACED A PHONE CALL TO THE NUMBER PROVIDED BY CONROE, TX. THE "CONSUMER AFFAIRS SPECIALIST", [XXX], HUNG UP ON ME!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492887

85,320 miles · Jan 11, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INTELLIGENCE KEY MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INTELLIGENCE KEY MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,320.

NHTSA ODI #10492301

16,501 miles · Jan 11, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE WITH THE INTELLIGENT KEY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO AS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE WITH THE INTELLIGENT KEY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,501.

NHTSA ODI #10492253

83,000 miles · Jan 10, 2013
Electrical System

PARKED CAR TURNED IT OFF THEN WHEN I RETURNED THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER DO ANYTHING. IT IS A PUSH TO START AND IS NOT CONTROLLED WITH A KEY. SO THEREFORE WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE STORE AND RETURNED TO THE CAR IT NO LONGER WORKED. IT IS SAID THAT THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY TO '09 ALTIMA'S YET THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PARTS TO MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492135

80,000 miles · Jan 10, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

[XXX], ATLANTA, GEORGIA MY DAUGHTER'S 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA DID THE SAME THING. SHE CAME OVER FOR A VISIT AND UPON LEAVING HER CAR WOULD NOT CRANK. MY HUSBAND AND I DID ALL OF THE TROUBLESHOOTING ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL TO NO AVAIL. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HE IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM …

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[XXX], ATLANTA, GEORGIA MY DAUGHTER'S 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA DID THE SAME THING. SHE CAME OVER FOR A VISIT AND UPON LEAVING HER CAR WOULD NOT CRANK. MY HUSBAND AND I DID ALL OF THE TROUBLESHOOTING ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL TO NO AVAIL. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HE IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE WANTED TO SELL HERE ANOTHER ALTIMA, BECAUSE NISSAN KNEW THIS WAS AN ISSUE, SO THEY STOPPED PUTTING THIS MECHANISM ON THE 2012 MODELS. NISSAN WHO HAS A GOOD STANDING AND HAVE MILLIONS OF CARS ON THE ROAD SHOULD DO RIGHT BY CONSUMERS WHO PURCHASED THEIR VEHICLES AND HAD THIS PROBLEM. I AM GOING TO SEND THIS COMPLAINT SITE TO MY LOCAL NEWS STATION AND TRY TO PUT SOME FIRE UNDER NISSAN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND OTHER CONSUMERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE REPAIR COST OF OUR NISSAN ALTIMA WAS $919.00. I SEE SEVERAL DIFFERENCES IN THE REPAIR COST TOO. WE CANNOT SIT BY AND LET CONSUMERS CONTINUE TO BE CHARGED SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR REPAIR COST WHEN NISSAN KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492097

60,000 miles · Jan 10, 2013
Steering

I JUST WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THIS SAME SITUATION HAPPENED TO ME A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND IT IS NOT A CHEAP COST ($~1000). I CALLED NISSAN (1-800-647-7261) AND MADE A COMPLAINT AND THEY ARE GOING TO REIMBURSE ME 50%. IT SHOULD BE A 100% BUT IT'S BETTER THAN NOTHING. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CALL THEM AND MAKE A COMPLAINT AN…

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I JUST WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THIS SAME SITUATION HAPPENED TO ME A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND IT IS NOT A CHEAP COST ($~1000). I CALLED NISSAN (1-800-647-7261) AND MADE A COMPLAINT AND THEY ARE GOING TO REIMBURSE ME 50%. IT SHOULD BE A 100% BUT IT'S BETTER THAN NOTHING. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CALL THEM AND MAKE A COMPLAINT AND FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOUR LOCAL BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE. THEY MUST RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PART! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492095

47,000 miles · Jan 10, 2013
Electrical System

WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE THE CAR FAILED TO START. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN INDICATOR IN MY DASH THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN. IT WAS A RED INDICATOR THAT I WOULD LATER FIND OUT SHOWED A PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE PAST THE "LOCK" STAGE AND I HAD TO PROMPTLY HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NISSAN …

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WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE THE CAR FAILED TO START. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN INDICATOR IN MY DASH THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN. IT WAS A RED INDICATOR THAT I WOULD LATER FIND OUT SHOWED A PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE PAST THE "LOCK" STAGE AND I HAD TO PROMPTLY HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THIS REPAIR COST $800.00 BEFORE TAXES. I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SIMILAR CLAIMS IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I WOULD JUST LIKE FOR MY CASE TO BE KNOWN WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD A SIMILAR POSITION. I HOPE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS ISSUE AS ITS A OBVIOUSLY A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION AND NOT SOMETHING AN OWNER SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492075

45,000 miles · Jan 9, 2013
Steering

MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO HER CLASS AND PARKED IT ON A PARKING LOT. THE CAR COULDN'T BE STARTED (PUSH BUTTON COULDN'T START THE CAR) WHEN SHE WAS DONE WITH THE CLASS AND WANTED TO GET BACK HOME. THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT SHOWED ON THE LEFT TOP PANEL AND RED SECURITY LIGHT FLASHED. THE FOB KEY STILL WORKED IN LOCKING/UNLOCKING THE CAR…

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MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO HER CLASS AND PARKED IT ON A PARKING LOT. THE CAR COULDN'T BE STARTED (PUSH BUTTON COULDN'T START THE CAR) WHEN SHE WAS DONE WITH THE CLASS AND WANTED TO GET BACK HOME. THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT SHOWED ON THE LEFT TOP PANEL AND RED SECURITY LIGHT FLASHED. THE FOB KEY STILL WORKED IN LOCKING/UNLOCKING THE CAR DOORS. THE AAA WAS CALLED AND THEY CAME TO TRY TO JUMP START THE CAR. IT DIDN'T START. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND IT WAS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ASSEMBLY PROBLEM. IT COST $700 TO REPAIR IT. I CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THE PART HAS NOT BE ON THE RECALL LIST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491937

106,000 miles · Jan 9, 2013
Steering

I GOT INTO MY CAR AFTER WORK(12-27-12) AND NOTICED THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE DASH. THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE JUST FINE. THEN THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO START MY CAR (12-30-12) THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. GOT THE CAR PLACED ON A TRAILER AND HAULED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN REPAIR SHOP AND MY STEERING COLUMN LOC…

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I GOT INTO MY CAR AFTER WORK(12-27-12) AND NOTICED THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE DASH. THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE JUST FINE. THEN THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO START MY CAR (12-30-12) THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. GOT THE CAR PLACED ON A TRAILER AND HAULED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN REPAIR SHOP AND MY STEERING COLUMN LOCK MECHANISM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH IS AN AWFULLY EXPENSIVE FIX. TO TOP THINGS OFF, THIS PART IS ON BACK ORDER SO I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491930

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