Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
890–25K
17025–50K
30750–75K
29375–100K
306100–150K
74150K+
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
116,000 miles · Dec 7, 2020
Steering
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED THIS AS A USED CAR.WE HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR A FEW WEEKS WITH IT WORKING JUST FINE UP UNTIL LAST THURSDAY WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS ON HIS WAY TO WORK AND STOPPED FOR GAS.HE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WHEN HE WENT TO TURN IT BACK ON, THE CAR WOULD NOT BUDGE.WE TRIED TO JUMP IT AND GOT NOTHING. WE REPLACED THE BATT…
Read full complaint
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED THIS AS A USED CAR.WE HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR A FEW WEEKS WITH IT WORKING JUST FINE UP UNTIL LAST THURSDAY WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS ON HIS WAY TO WORK AND STOPPED FOR GAS.HE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WHEN HE WENT TO TURN IT BACK ON, THE CAR WOULD NOT BUDGE.WE TRIED TO JUMP IT AND GOT NOTHING. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND GOT NOTHING.LOOKED ON YOUTUBE TO SEE WHAT ELSE IT COULD BE.CAME ACROSS A VIDEO TALKING ABOUT THE STEERING LOCK ON 2009 NISSANS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR GOING OUT AND PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING. HE TRIED TO FIX IT AND CHECK THE FUSES UNDER THE STEERING AND GOT IT TO START. WE WERE SO HAPPY AND THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FLUKE UNTIL HE TRIED DRIVING IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. HE LEFT THE HOUSE, STARTED JUST FINE AND WENT TO HIS DESTINATION. ONCE HE WAS DONE AND TRIED TO LEAVE. THERE IT WAS AGAIN. CAR DID NOT START. THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. STUCK.TURNS OUT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT ENDED IN MAY OF 2020 OF THIS EXACT ISSUE.I CALL NISSAN CORPORATE OFFICE TO SEE WHAT I CAN DO TO GET THEM TO REPLACE IT SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A MANUFACTURED ISSUE AND THEY WERE TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED AND THE ISSUES THAT I'M READING A LOT OF PEOPLE STILL HAVING WITH THIS IS NO LONGER VALID.AND WE WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET.THIS IS NOT RIGHT.BEING THAT'S IT'S NOT OUR ISSUE.I CAN UNDERSTAND IF IT WAS SOMETHING WE CAUSED BUT WE DIDN'T, THE PREVIOUS OWNER NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE RECALL. AND NOW WE HAVE IT AND IT FALLS ON US BECAUSE NISSAN DECIDES TO EXPIRE A KNOWN RECALL THAT IS STILL HAPPENING. THIS IS SUCH A SAFETY CONCERN. WE HAVE CHILDREN AND LIKE TO GO ON ROAD TRIPS. WHAT IF WE GET STRANDED WITH OUR CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE, NO FOOD NO DRINKS NO NOTHING AND SOMETHING BAD HAPPENED BECAUSE NISSAN REFUSED TO FIX AN ISSUE THAT WAS THEIR FAULT. LET ME TELL YOU. HUGE LAW SUIT. I WILL NOT STOP UNTIL SOMEONE GETS THIS ISSUES RESOLVED.
NHTSA ODI #11378385
140,000 miles · Dec 2, 2020
Steering
A FAULTY STEERING LOCK ON THE ALTIMA PREVENTED ME FROM STARTING MY CAR. I WAS STRANDED IN A REMOTE AREA FOR 7.5 HOURS AT NEAR FREEZING WEATHER.
NHTSA ODI #11377599
207,000 miles · Dec 1, 2020
Power Train
II WAS JUST DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND MY TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT, NO WARNING OR ANYTHING
NHTSA ODI #11377253
135,000 miles · Nov 20, 2020
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER PULLED OFF THE ROADWAY, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE DROVE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER PULLED OFF THE ROADWAY, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE DROVE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-10052883-6508 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA ODI #11375640
57,000 miles · Nov 15, 2020
Steering
SOME TIMES DONT START THE KEY SIBOL APPESRS ALTIMA 2009 COUPE I LIVED IN PURTO RICO
NHTSA ODI #11374744
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2020
StructureVisibility/wiper
DASHBOARD IS MELTING. STICKY AND SHINY IN HOT SUN CAUSING SEVERE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ODI #11372830
85,000 miles · Oct 26, 2020
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BELLEVUE NISSAN (14762 SE EASTGATE WAY, BELLEVUE, WA 98007, (425) 289-1200) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BELLEVUE NISSAN (14762 SE EASTGATE WAY, BELLEVUE, WA 98007, (425) 289-1200) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #11366429
117,000 miles · Oct 23, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other
MODEL 09 ALTIMA HAS A KNOWN DEFECT WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCKS BECAUSE IT IS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ITS OWN KEY. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT BUT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPEND ANYWHERE IF THIS PART HAD FAILED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR EXAMPLE. THE VEHICLE OPERATES USING PUSH START AND THERE IS NO PHYSICAL KEY TO STA…
Read full complaint
MODEL 09 ALTIMA HAS A KNOWN DEFECT WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCKS BECAUSE IT IS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ITS OWN KEY. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT BUT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPEND ANYWHERE IF THIS PART HAD FAILED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR EXAMPLE. THE VEHICLE OPERATES USING PUSH START AND THERE IS NO PHYSICAL KEY TO START THE ENGINE OUTSIDE OF INSERTING THE FOB, WHICH ALSO DIDNT WORK. ON 10/21/2020 THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE KEY/FOB AND THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO TURN ON THE CAR AND IT HAS TO BE TOWED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS PART FAILED RANDOMLY AND RENDERED THE CAR INOPERABLE, THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 2014. NISSAN COVERED REPLACING THIS PART THE FIRST TIME AFTER A SERVICE CAMPAIGN BUT IS NOW REFUSING TO DO SO FOR THIS NON WEAR AND TEAR PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY CONCERNING AND FRUSTRATING SAFETY PROBLEM AS THIS PART CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME AND PREVENT THE CAR FROM STARTING OR MOVING, OUTSIDE OF TOWING AND THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS ISSUE HAVE HAPPENED. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY REFUSE TO FINANCIALLY HELP, WARRANTY OR REIMBURSE US FOR A SAFETY MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT PREVENTS THE CAR FROM RECOGNIZING ITS OWN KEY/FOB WITH NO ALTERNATIVE WAY TO START THE CAR. THE COST OF REPAIR AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WAS $800+ TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO OUR OWN CAR AFTER NISSAN REFUSED TO HELP US FOR THEIR OWN MANUFACTURER FAILURE. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM FOR MANY DRIVERS ON THE ROAD WHO OWN THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR AND MAYBE SUSPECT TO THEIR CAR GETTING COMPLETELY DISABLED AT ANY TIME FROM THIS PART'S FAILURE WITH NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO TOW IT OUT OF THE WAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEW
NHTSA ODI #11365957
145,000 miles · Oct 5, 2020
Suspension
THE CAR STARTED DRIVING FUNNY AND I TOOK IT IN AND THEY TOLD ME IT HAS TO DO WITH THE STRUTS.
NHTSA ODI #11362791
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
MY CVT TRANSMISSION BELT BROKE BUT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED MY SPEED SENSOR WAS FAILING AND ALSO MY STEP MOTOR I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS WITH VERY LITTLE PROBLEMS ALSO THE CAR IS STUCK IN NEUTRAL.
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.
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).
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.
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 ↗