NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,547 reports18,730 miles · Sep 29, 2012
Electrical System
FAILURE OF CAR BATTERY 18,730 MILES I NOTED A STRONG SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS A FEW MONTHS AGO AND FOUND THAT THE POSITIVE POST ON THE BATTERY HAD CONSIDERABLE CORROSION. I CLEANED IT OFF AS BEST I COULD AND HOPED THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS HAS CONTINUED AND THE CORROSION RETURNED AND EVEN MORE. IT W…
Read full complaint
FAILURE OF CAR BATTERY 18,730 MILES I NOTED A STRONG SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS A FEW MONTHS AGO AND FOUND THAT THE POSITIVE POST ON THE BATTERY HAD CONSIDERABLE CORROSION. I CLEANED IT OFF AS BEST I COULD AND HOPED THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS HAS CONTINUED AND THE CORROSION RETURNED AND EVEN MORE. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE POSITIVE POST IS NO LONGER SEALED INTO THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY IS NO LONGER A SEALED MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY AND THUS IS ALLOWING SULFURIC ACID FUMES TO LEAK OUT AROUND THE POST AND CORRODE THE TERMINAL AND ALL CONNECTING CABLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477475
40,971 miles · Sep 25, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes
BRAKE LIGHTS NOT LIGHTING & PUSH TO START NOT WORKING AT TIMES. NISSAN SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH & SUB HARNESS. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE ON THE INTERNET I FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE SWITCH FAILS YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10476959
53,200 miles · Sep 10, 2012
Exterior Lighting
MY BRAKE SWITCH AND HARNESS SHORTED OUT. I DID NOT KNOW IT HAPPENED UNTIL AFTER I STOPPED FOR GAS. IF THEY BOTH SHORTED OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THAT MEANS THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT RESPONDING TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH MADE IT VERY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED OR CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.…
Read full complaint
MY BRAKE SWITCH AND HARNESS SHORTED OUT. I DID NOT KNOW IT HAPPENED UNTIL AFTER I STOPPED FOR GAS. IF THEY BOTH SHORTED OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THAT MEANS THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT RESPONDING TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH MADE IT VERY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED OR CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I FOUND SO MANY OTHER SIMILAR CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS, THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM NISSAN IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. NOT TO MENTION, ITS A VERY EXPENSIVE $500 FIX ONLY THEY CAN DO. PLEASE LOOK INTO IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474491
75,000 miles · Jul 31, 2012
Wheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE TIRES CHANGED AT A LOCAL TIRE DEALER, THE DEALER NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR VALVES STEMS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE VALVE STEMS WHO STATED THAT THE VALVE STEMS WERE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTUR…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE TIRES CHANGED AT A LOCAL TIRE DEALER, THE DEALER NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR VALVES STEMS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE VALVE STEMS WHO STATED THAT THE VALVE STEMS WERE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER BUT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10468472
48,000 miles · Jul 24, 2012
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL STEERING LOCK WAS NOT OPERATING. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE DEALER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL STEERING LOCK WAS NOT OPERATING. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE DEALER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COSTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,300.
NHTSA ODI #10467225
40,000 miles · Jul 12, 2012
Steering
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INTELLIGENT KEY STARTING SYSTEM ,AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON THE DASH.I LOOKED UP THE CODE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. IT STATED STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTIONING. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALER. A FAULTY STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNI…
Read full complaint
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INTELLIGENT KEY STARTING SYSTEM ,AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON THE DASH.I LOOKED UP THE CODE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. IT STATED STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTIONING. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALER. A FAULTY STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART #48700-9N00B) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WITH PARTS ($470.00) AND LABOR ($300.00) PLUS TAXES THE TOTAL COST FOR THIS REPAIR IS $730.00. THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON COSTLY ISSUE WITH 2008-2009 NISSAN ALTIMA'S AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES PRODUCED IN THOSE YEARS. A RECALL SHOULD BE STARTED! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465428
110,000 miles · May 21, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10459130
62,203 miles · May 11, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering
I DROVE MY 09 ALTIMA TO THE MALL PARKED IT, AN HOUR LATER I TRIED TURNING IT ON AND IT WOULDN'T START. NO CRANK, AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN GO TO ACC. I TRIED JUMP STARTING IT AND EVEN CHANGE OUT THE BATTERY BUT NO LUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10458094
120,000 miles · Apr 27, 2012
SteeringCrash
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND I HIT A CURB AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP THE ENTIRE SECURITY SYSTEM CAUSING MY CAR TO SHUT DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10456684
44,193 miles · Feb 24, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INTELLIGENT KEY STARTING SYSTEM ,AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON THE DASH.HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALER. A FAULTY STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART #48700-9N00B) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON ISSUE WITH 200…
Read full complaint
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INTELLIGENT KEY STARTING SYSTEM ,AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON THE DASH.HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALER. A FAULTY STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART #48700-9N00B) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2008-2009 NISSAN ALTIMA'S AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES PRODUCED IN THOSE YEARS. A RECALL SHOULD BE STARTED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10449224
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 ↗
Illustration