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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
50,000 miles · Dec 28, 2016
Engine

MY VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ROADSIDE AND WOULD NOT START DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WHICH IS APPARENTLY AN ANTI THEFT DEVICE. I WAS STUCK IN DANGEROUSLY COLD WEATHER WITH NOBODY AROUND AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE COMPANY ISSUED A LIMITED WARRANTY IN WHICH I COULD NOT GET THE PART FIXED UNLESS IT WAS AL…

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MY VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ROADSIDE AND WOULD NOT START DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WHICH IS APPARENTLY AN ANTI THEFT DEVICE. I WAS STUCK IN DANGEROUSLY COLD WEATHER WITH NOBODY AROUND AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE COMPANY ISSUED A LIMITED WARRANTY IN WHICH I COULD NOT GET THE PART FIXED UNLESS IT WAS ALREADY BROKEN. MY CAR THEN PROCEEDED TO HAVE THE ESCL PART BREAK LESS THAN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE "EXTENDED WARRANTY". THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE AND I FEEL I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR THE $1000 PART REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #10938392

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

TAKATA RECALL, DEFECT STEERING LOCK UNIT, UNABLE TO START ENGINE! AFTER PARKED NISSAN 2009 ALTIMA AT A SHOPPING MALL, "NOKEY" LIGHT IS ON, CAR CAN BE LOCK AND UNLOCK THROUGH REMOTE CONTROL KEY, BUT NO DISPLAY INFORMATION VISIBLE AT THE DASH BOARD, WHEEL IS LOCKED AND UNABLE TO SWITCH GEAR. NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO THE CAR!

NHTSA ODI #10938327

59,125 miles · Dec 28, 2016
Steering

ON 12/26/11 I WENT TO DO AN ERRAND. I PARKED THE CAR, CAME BACK, AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. ALL THE ELECTRICAL WORKED. I HAD THE KEY WITH ME, YET THE CAR WOULD START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE CAPITOL NISSAN IN ATLANTA. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAULTY STEERING LOCK UNIT. THEY REPLACED THE PART AS WELL AS THE IGNITION SWI…

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ON 12/26/11 I WENT TO DO AN ERRAND. I PARKED THE CAR, CAME BACK, AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. ALL THE ELECTRICAL WORKED. I HAD THE KEY WITH ME, YET THE CAR WOULD START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE CAPITOL NISSAN IN ATLANTA. THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAULTY STEERING LOCK UNIT. THEY REPLACED THE PART AS WELL AS THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THE MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 33,572. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN OCT 2011. ON 12/21/16 I WENT OUT TO DO AN ERRAND, RETURNED TO MY CAR, AND IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO NALLEY NISSAN, WHO BOUGHT CAPITOL NISSAN. THE SAME SCENARIO. ALL ELECTRICAL WORKED. I HAD THE KEY YET THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THEY DIAGNOSED IT WITH A FAULTY STEERING LOCK UNIT AND REPLACED IT. AT THIS TIME THE MILEAGE WAS 59,125. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT OF THIS UNIT THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS RECENT INCIDENT IT WASN'T.

NHTSA ODI #10937999

77,000 miles · Dec 27, 2016
Steering

I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ATIMA . I GOT IN MY CAR TODAY IT STARTED OK, WENT TO DROP MY DAUGHTER AT DAYCARE, AND AFTER GETTING BACK TO CAR, IT WOULD NOT START, SHOWED PICTURE OF STEERING WHEEL AND PUSH BUTTON WOULD NOT START THE CAR, I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE HERE AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE STEERING SECURITY LOCK BOX, IT'S VERY COMMON I…

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I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ATIMA . I GOT IN MY CAR TODAY IT STARTED OK, WENT TO DROP MY DAUGHTER AT DAYCARE, AND AFTER GETTING BACK TO CAR, IT WOULD NOT START, SHOWED PICTURE OF STEERING WHEEL AND PUSH BUTTON WOULD NOT START THE CAR, I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE HERE AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE STEERING SECURITY LOCK BOX, IT'S VERY COMMON ISSUE FOR 2009 NISSAN AND THERE WAS A EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT, WHICH ENDED IN JULY 2016 SINCE IT'S DEFECTIVE PART . IT'S A SECURITY PROBLEM WITH ALL 2009 NISSAN ALTIMAS PLUS WITH MY WORK SOMETIMES I GO INTO VERY BAD NEIGHBORHOODS AT NIGHT AND BEING STUCK THERE IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY WHAT THE DEALER WANTS TO FIX THIS OBVIOUS FAULTY PART THAT NISSAN NEW ABOUT AND NEVER RECEIVE A RECALL AT ALL AND I HAVE OWN THIS CAR SINCE 2011, SO NOW MY JOB IS IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE I NEED THIS CAR FOR MY JOB. THIS PROBLEM IS A DEFINITE SAFETY PROBLEM., I JUST HOPE NO ONE WITH CHILDREN OR A PREGNANT WOMAN IS STUCK WHILE IN LABOR OR IN VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, OR IN A PLACE WHERE CELL PHONES DO NOT WORK. SHAME ON YOU NISSAN FOR NOT FIXING THIS PROBLEM IN THESE CARS INDEFINITELY, IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE I PAID TODAY 1268.74 FOR REPLACEMENT AND FIXING.

NHTSA ODI #10937711

119,000 miles · Dec 27, 2016
Steering

WHILE HOME FROM COLLEGE FOR THE HOLIDAYS, MY DAUGHTER'S CAR WAS STRANDED AT A GYM AFTER HOURS. WE HAD TO HAVE HER CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP, WHICH WAS 60 +/- MILES AWAY. WE HAVE SINCE FOUND THE STEERING MECHANISM IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA AND IN FACT THE WARRANTY FOR THIS CONCERN HAD BEEN E…

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WHILE HOME FROM COLLEGE FOR THE HOLIDAYS, MY DAUGHTER'S CAR WAS STRANDED AT A GYM AFTER HOURS. WE HAD TO HAVE HER CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP, WHICH WAS 60 +/- MILES AWAY. WE HAVE SINCE FOUND THE STEERING MECHANISM IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA AND IN FACT THE WARRANTY FOR THIS CONCERN HAD BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL 2015. SINCE IT'S 2016 THE $900+ REPAIR IS NOT COVERED. HAD THIS BEEN A RECALL WE WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND WOULD HAVE REPAIRED THE MECHANISM LONG BEFORE THIS BECAME AN ISSUE. I WOULD FIRST OF ALL LIKE TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT AS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SECONDLY REQUEST AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS HASN'T ELEVATED TO RECALL STATUS.

NHTSA ODI #10937684

55,000 miles · Dec 27, 2016
SteeringUnknown Or Other

CAR WOOULD NOT START WITH PUSH BUTTON. DID START REMOTELY BUT AS SOON AS TRIED TO RESTART CAR AFTER GETTING IN, CAR WOULD NOT START. DEFECTIVE LOCKING MECHANISM IN STEERING WHEEL SO WOULD NOT START. IF LATE AT NIGHT IN NO CELL SERVICE AREA WHAT DO YOU DO? NO WAY TO CALL FOR HELP? CAR NO START? CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE. …

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CAR WOOULD NOT START WITH PUSH BUTTON. DID START REMOTELY BUT AS SOON AS TRIED TO RESTART CAR AFTER GETTING IN, CAR WOULD NOT START. DEFECTIVE LOCKING MECHANISM IN STEERING WHEEL SO WOULD NOT START. IF LATE AT NIGHT IN NO CELL SERVICE AREA WHAT DO YOU DO? NO WAY TO CALL FOR HELP? CAR NO START? CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE. REMOTELY STARTED THEN TRIED TO RESTART AFTER GETTING IN CAR. PUSH BUTTON START WILL NOT WORK BECAUSE THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM IS DEFECTIVE. MANY MANY OF THEM DO THIS. AFTER REPLACED OK. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A SAFETY RECALL. NOTE COST IS $1045 TO FIX. VERY BAD SAFETY SITUATION. NEEDS RECONSIDERATION FOR RECALL.. IS PROBLEM WITH 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA'S.

NHTSA ODI #10937526

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2016
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL); THIS WAS A COVERED WARRANTY REPLACEMENT UNTIL JANUARY OF THIS YEAR. I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL OR THAT THIS MIGHT HAVE EVEN BEEN AN ISSUE. I WAS PARKED OUT NEAR A LAKE AND HAD TO CALL MY FRIENDS TO PICK ME UP AND HAVE MY CAR TOWED. THIS IS NOT A SMALL ISSUE, IF SOMEONE WAS UNABLE TO …

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ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL); THIS WAS A COVERED WARRANTY REPLACEMENT UNTIL JANUARY OF THIS YEAR. I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL OR THAT THIS MIGHT HAVE EVEN BEEN AN ISSUE. I WAS PARKED OUT NEAR A LAKE AND HAD TO CALL MY FRIENDS TO PICK ME UP AND HAVE MY CAR TOWED. THIS IS NOT A SMALL ISSUE, IF SOMEONE WAS UNABLE TO START THEIR CAR IN A FREEZING SITUATION THEY COULD DIE. OR IF I WAS NEEDING TO GET A FAMILY MEMBER TO THE HOSPITAL I WOULD BE UNABLE TO.

NHTSA ODI #10937492

77,300 miles · Dec 26, 2016
Steering

WENT OUT TO GO HOME FROM WORK AND IT WOULD NOT START...WAITED 3 HOURS FOR AAA AND FINALLY CANCELLED IT WHEN I REALIZED IT WAS NOT A BATTERY ISSUE...I HAD CALLED NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME THAT IT SHOULD WORK IF I PUT THE FOB IN THE LITTLE FOB INSERT ON THE CAR...DID NOT START...I HAD MY SISTER BRING ME THE …

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WENT OUT TO GO HOME FROM WORK AND IT WOULD NOT START...WAITED 3 HOURS FOR AAA AND FINALLY CANCELLED IT WHEN I REALIZED IT WAS NOT A BATTERY ISSUE...I HAD CALLED NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME THAT IT SHOULD WORK IF I PUT THE FOB IN THE LITTLE FOB INSERT ON THE CAR...DID NOT START...I HAD MY SISTER BRING ME THE OTHER FOB AND IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE...AFTER 3 HOURS, I CANCELLED AAA SERVICE AND JUST WENT HOME...IT WAS VERY COLD AND IT WAS DARK. I DROVE MY DAUGHTER'S ALTIMA TO WORK THE NEXT DAY AND CALLED AAA TO TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP(TOWED AT 8:30 AM). THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT IT BECAUSE THEY WERE SO BUSY. I HAD LEFT A NOTE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT ABOUT THE STEERING LOCK ISSUE WITH THE 2009 ALTIMA. THE NEXT DAY THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER THE "EXTENDED WARRANTY" AND THE PART MIGHT BE IN CHICAGO AND IF SO WOULD BE READY THE NEXT DAY (3 DAYS LATER). WHEN I WENT IN TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT WHY THIS WAS NOT A RECALL OR NISSAN SHOULD COVER THE CHARGES BECAUSE IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT HAD BEEN INSTALLED...HE TOLD ME THAT THE PART WAS ON "BACK ORDER." HE WAS NOT HELPFUL AT ALL...WE CAN'T JUST PAY FOR EVERYONES REPAIRS. THINGS FAIL ON CARS. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THIS AND RESTORE THE TRUST IN NISSAN CARS. I HAVE BEEN A CUSTOMER FOR ABOUT 30 YEARS AND THERE IS NO LOYALTY WITH CUSTOMERS WITH NISSAN AS I CAN SEE. IT WAS A $1092 REPAIR FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART THAT NISSAN USED. I AM THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT ON VACATION OR IN ANOTHER AREA. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS VERY UNSAFE AND CAN HAPPEN WITH NO WARNING.

NHTSA ODI #10937462

91,000 miles · Dec 24, 2016
Steering

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MODULE FOR MY CAR IS STARTING TO GO BAD. ONCE THE MODULE DOES GO BAD I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO START MY CAR AND WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED WHERE THE CHARGE BEGINS AT $800 TO HAVE THE PART REPAIRED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AMONG NISSAN CARS IN GENERAL. THEY HAVE EXTEND…

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THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MODULE FOR MY CAR IS STARTING TO GO BAD. ONCE THE MODULE DOES GO BAD I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO START MY CAR AND WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED WHERE THE CHARGE BEGINS AT $800 TO HAVE THE PART REPAIRED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AMONG NISSAN CARS IN GENERAL. THEY HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTIES FOR THIS ISSUE BUT WON'T ISSUE A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN AND COMMON ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10937350

58,000 miles · Dec 22, 2016
Unknown Or Other

2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S WON'T START AND LEFT MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER STRANDED IN COLD WEATHER. APPEARS TO BE A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE (PART # 48700-9N00B). IF THIS OCCURRED JUST THREE DAYS EARLIER, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN SUB-ZERO WEATHER. SHE RETURNED TO HER CAR AFTER RUNNING SOME ERRANDS IN A SMALL TOWN WE LIV…

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2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S WON'T START AND LEFT MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER STRANDED IN COLD WEATHER. APPEARS TO BE A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE (PART # 48700-9N00B). IF THIS OCCURRED JUST THREE DAYS EARLIER, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN SUB-ZERO WEATHER. SHE RETURNED TO HER CAR AFTER RUNNING SOME ERRANDS IN A SMALL TOWN WE LIVE NEAR AND WHEN SHE GOT IN HER CAR AN AMBER LIGHT WITH A KEY SYMBOL WAS PRESENT ON LEFT SIDE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD A RED FLASHING (APPROX. EVERY 4-5 SECONDS) LIGHT OF A CAR AND KEY SYMBOL. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT AS IF IT WAS LOCKED, BUT THE BRAKE LIGHTS STILL CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT LOCKED AND THE DASHBOARD DIDN'T ILLUMINATE AS NORMAL JUST BEFORE STARTING. THE START PUSH BUTTON DID NOTHING (WOULDN'T EVEN CRANK THE ENGINE). THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 60K MILES ON IT AND IS IN IMMACULATE SHAPE. I'VE READ COUNTLESS ARTICLES AND POSTINGS TO FORUMS OF OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AND NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE OF IT. HOW CAN A CAR MANUFACTURER KNOWINGLY ALLOW THIS PROBLEM TO EXIST WHICH GREATLY PUTS LIVES AT RISK. ON TOP OF IT ALL THE COST TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE RANGES ANYWHERE FROM $800.00 TO $1200 AT A DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10937168

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