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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
16,800 miles · Nov 21, 2011
Air BagsSeats

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS SINCE TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THIS 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S SEDAN, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON, MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG WAS DISARMED, WHILE A FULL SIZED ADULT WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ON THE MOST CURRENT OCCASION, MY WIFE WAS SITTING PROPERLY WITH ONLY HER LEGS EXTENDED WHEN THIS O…

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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS SINCE TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THIS 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S SEDAN, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON, MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG WAS DISARMED, WHILE A FULL SIZED ADULT WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ON THE MOST CURRENT OCCASION, MY WIFE WAS SITTING PROPERLY WITH ONLY HER LEGS EXTENDED WHEN THIS OCCURRED (SEATBELT WAS ON PROPERLY TOO). I TOOK A PICTURE OF THE WARNING LIGHT, MY WIFE SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH MY CAMERA PHONE TO SHOW TO A NISSAN SERVICE CENTER, AS I HAD HOPED THEY WOULD FIX THIS DEFECT UNDER WARRANTY. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLICATE THE WARNING LIGHT, SO THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIX THIS ISSUE. DOING SOME RESEARCH BOTH HERE AND ON OTHER SOURCES, THERE WAS A MAJOR RECALL OF SOME 200,000 NISSAN ALTIMAS IN 2007 AND 2008 FOR THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. THE WORRY THAT I HAVE IS THAT GOD FORBID WE ARE EVER IN A COLLISION, THAT THE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT BE THERE WHEN WE NEED IT MOST. THE FEATURE IS ADDED IN THE NISSAN ALTIMA TO GUARD AGAINST SMALL CHILDREN OR PRETEENS WHO ARE SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FROM AIRBAG-INFLATION RELATED INJURIES. WHAT IT HAS DONE IS PUT THE LIVES OF MANY NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS IN JEOPARDY. SHAME ON NISSAN FOR NOT DESIGNING THIS FEATURE POORLY OR NOT REMOVING IT FROM THEIR DESIGN ENTIRELY WITH THE PREVIOUS HISTORY OF RECALLS IN PRIOR YEARS. THIS DEFECTIVE SEAT SENSOR SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, RECALLED, OR FIXED IN MY OPINION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436672

30,000 miles · Nov 9, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE IN PARKING GARAGE THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE FOOT WAS ON BRAKE. STRUCK CONCRETE PILLAR CAUSING AIRBAG TO DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435054

30,000 miles · Nov 5, 2011
Power Train

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE BINDING AT ALL SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP EXAMINED IT AND ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY STATED A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN 3 DAYS. AS OF THIS POINT THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE IS "OK TO DRIVE" P…

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THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE BINDING AT ALL SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP EXAMINED IT AND ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY STATED A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN 3 DAYS. AS OF THIS POINT THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE IS "OK TO DRIVE" PER THE DEALER. BUT GIVEN THE POTENTIAL FOR VEHICLE FAILURE A 2 MONTH WAIT FOR A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434329

8,000 miles · Nov 2, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY BRAKE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON ONLY A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING. ABOUT A YEAR LATER I STARTED HEARING SCREECHING WHEN I BRAKED, MOSTLY AT NIGHT OR IN COOL WEATHER. I HAD THE BRAKE PADS LOOKED AT AND THEY WERE FINE. NOW THE BRAKE LIG…

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MY BRAKE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON ONLY A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING. ABOUT A YEAR LATER I STARTED HEARING SCREECHING WHEN I BRAKED, MOSTLY AT NIGHT OR IN COOL WEATHER. I HAD THE BRAKE PADS LOOKED AT AND THEY WERE FINE. NOW THE BRAKE LIGHT IS COMING ON AGAIN, BUT I DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR ANOTHER REPLACEMENT MASTER CYLINDER SINCE MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THESE DEFECTIVE BRAKE CYLINDERS AND SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND MADE TO RECALL CARS UP TO 2009 OR 2010! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433985

27,000 miles · Sep 30, 2011
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS NOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE BATTERY AREA, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 12/13/11*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10428069

16,000 miles · Sep 29, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A TREE AND A METAL POLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A TREE AND A METAL POLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD SEND AN INSPECTOR TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. UPDATED 11/29/11 *CN UPDATED 12/07/11

NHTSA ODI #10427859

41,550 miles · Aug 30, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 88 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL WHINING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE THEN DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED SEVERAL FAILURES, UNKNOWN T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 88 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL WHINING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE THEN DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED SEVERAL FAILURES, UNKNOWN TO THE CONTACT. THE DEALER THEN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE DEALER THAT THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE TRANSMISSION HAD RECENTLY CHANGED AND THERE WAS AN EXCESS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REMOVED ONE HALF QUART OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,550 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,800.

NHTSA ODI #10422633

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- COPY OF A LETTER TO NISSAN RE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH HIS 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE MERGED ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY, SHE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND SOON DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS DECREASING IN SPEED, INSTEAD OF INCREASING. THE CONSUMER STOPPED TO A REPAIR SHOP…

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S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- COPY OF A LETTER TO NISSAN RE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH HIS 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE MERGED ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY, SHE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND SOON DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS DECREASING IN SPEED, INSTEAD OF INCREASING. THE CONSUMER STOPPED TO A REPAIR SHOP, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS. AFTER APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR AND A HALF OF DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED OF 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM RETURNED. GOING UP HILLS, WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND THE TOP SPEED OF GOING UP A HILL WAS 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE NEXT DAY THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HER LOCAL DEALER, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM AS WELL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10417530

36,000 miles · Jul 18, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING FOR 150 MILES, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE TACOMETER DID NOT DISPLAY A READING AND THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY DECELERATED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AT DUPLICATING THE FAILURE AFTER FIVE ATTEMPTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MAD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING FOR 150 MILES, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE TACOMETER DID NOT DISPLAY A READING AND THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY DECELERATED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AT DUPLICATING THE FAILURE AFTER FIVE ATTEMPTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,325.

NHTSA ODI #10413429

43,400 miles · Jul 15, 2011
Electrical System

2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S WAS BACKED INTO IN A PARKING LOT, LOW SPEED COLLISION, MINOR DAMAGE TO REAR BUMPER. A FEW DAYS AFTER THIS INCIDENT, WHEN TRYING TO START CAR WITH KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEM, IT TOOK NEARLY 30 MINUTES TO START. IT IS REQUIRED THAT THE BRAKES BE DEPRESSED TO START CAR, BUT WHEN PUSHING ON BRAKES, THE BRAKE L…

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2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S WAS BACKED INTO IN A PARKING LOT, LOW SPEED COLLISION, MINOR DAMAGE TO REAR BUMPER. A FEW DAYS AFTER THIS INCIDENT, WHEN TRYING TO START CAR WITH KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEM, IT TOOK NEARLY 30 MINUTES TO START. IT IS REQUIRED THAT THE BRAKES BE DEPRESSED TO START CAR, BUT WHEN PUSHING ON BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON, AND WHEN IGNITION BUTTON IS PUSHED IT ONLY TURNS ON THE ACCESSORIES, WHICH IS THE NORMAL ACTION EXPECTED IF BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT BEING PRESSED. IT IS NOT CLEAR IF THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE COLLISION OR JUST HIGHLY COINCIDENTAL. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH. THIS IS NOW AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, BUT HAS MADE THE CAR UNRELIABLE WITH THE POSSIBILITY TO LEAVE A DRIVER STRANDED. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10413064

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