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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
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS BEEN FAILING TO START DAILY SINCE 07/13/2015. IT TAKES ME 20-30 MINUTES TO GET CAR STARTED. KEY FOBS APPEAR OPERATIONAL. WHILE PRESSING THE BREAK & PUSH BUTTON TO START THE CAR, THE RADIO COMES ON BUT THE CAR DOESN'T START. IT MAKES A CLICKING SOUND & WON'T DO ANYTHING. I HAVE TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES…

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MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS BEEN FAILING TO START DAILY SINCE 07/13/2015. IT TAKES ME 20-30 MINUTES TO GET CAR STARTED. KEY FOBS APPEAR OPERATIONAL. WHILE PRESSING THE BREAK & PUSH BUTTON TO START THE CAR, THE RADIO COMES ON BUT THE CAR DOESN'T START. IT MAKES A CLICKING SOUND & WON'T DO ANYTHING. I HAVE TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES & RETRY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE STARTING.

NHTSA ODI #10734682

90,900 miles · Jul 14, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

CAR WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE FAULTY STEERING LOCK MECHANISM REPLACED FOR $1100.00. AND OF COURSE OUTSIDE WARRANTY PERIOD ALL OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE ON A ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY NISSAN AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURE ISSUE AND BAD PARTS OUT IN CAR, THIS SAME ISSUE HAS HAP…

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CAR WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE FAULTY STEERING LOCK MECHANISM REPLACED FOR $1100.00. AND OF COURSE OUTSIDE WARRANTY PERIOD ALL OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE ON A ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY NISSAN AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURE ISSUE AND BAD PARTS OUT IN CAR, THIS SAME ISSUE HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI #10734089

130,000 miles · Jul 14, 2015
Steering

CAR WOULD NOT START, BATTERY WAS CHARGING. IT IS THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. THIS ISSUE WILL COST $1000.00 TO REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCH IT IS CLEAR THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. WHY HAS THAT NOT BEEN A RECALL? THIS IS UNSATISFACTORY. I HAVE BEEN A NISSAN OWNER FOR 15 YEARS, BUT IF THIS IS NOT RESOLVED, THIS WILL BE MY L…

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CAR WOULD NOT START, BATTERY WAS CHARGING. IT IS THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. THIS ISSUE WILL COST $1000.00 TO REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCH IT IS CLEAR THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. WHY HAS THAT NOT BEEN A RECALL? THIS IS UNSATISFACTORY. I HAVE BEEN A NISSAN OWNER FOR 15 YEARS, BUT IF THIS IS NOT RESOLVED, THIS WILL BE MY LAST NISSAN. I THOUGHT NISSAN WAS A GOOD COMPANY, BUT THIS IS NO WAY TO TREAT YOUR CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ODI #10733828

50,100 miles · Jul 14, 2015
Power Train

WHEN DRIVING UP A GRADE THE ENGINE RPM GOES UP TO ALMOST 4500 AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN. CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE ON INTERSTATE CONSISTENTLY WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. THIS MAKES THE CAR DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN LOSING ACCELERATION I WAS NEARLY STRUCK FROM BEHIND. I HAD JUST TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEY CHA…

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WHEN DRIVING UP A GRADE THE ENGINE RPM GOES UP TO ALMOST 4500 AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN. CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE ON INTERSTATE CONSISTENTLY WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. THIS MAKES THE CAR DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN LOSING ACCELERATION I WAS NEARLY STRUCK FROM BEHIND. I HAD JUST TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEY CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID 10000 MILES BEFORE IT WAS DUE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FLUID WOULD DEGRADE FROM THE CAR SITTING AND AGEING. IF THAT IS THE CASE THE FLUID IN THE NEW CARS ON THE LOT IS DEGRADING WHILE WAITING TO BE SOLD. I RESEARCHING PROBLEMS FOR THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA CVT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS I AM NOT ALONE WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND LACK OF DEALERSHIP REMEDY TO THE PROBLEM. I TALKED TO A NISSAN FACTORY TRAINED TECH. AND ASK HIM IF THIS PROBLEM IS WHY NISSAN TIGHTENED UP THE TRANSMISSIONS STARTING IN 2013 AND HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT WAS THE REASON. SLIPPAGE IS THE ONLY REASON THAT THE EPA MPG ESTIMATES FOR 2013-2015 VEHICLES ARE 7 MPG GREATER THAN PREVIOUS MODELS. NISSANS ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM IS TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION FROM 60000 MILES TO 120000 MILES. THAT IS FINE AND DANDY, BUT THAT DOES NOT REMOVE THE DANGER OF A REAR END COLLISION THAT CAN KILL OR SEVERELY INJURE FAMILIES WHEN THE CAR DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY ACCELERATE WHEN THE DRIVER HAS A REASONABLE EXPECTATION IT WILL. THE CAR HAS ALSO FAILED TO MAINTAIN A STEADY SPEED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING. PLEASE HELP WITH A RECALL BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED IF THAT HAS NOT ALREADY HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #10733822

70,400 miles · Jul 13, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED - THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED AND WIDESPREAD, MAJOR DEFECT ISSUE WITH 2009 ALTIMA MODELS.THIS APPARENT DEFECT IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON INTERNET FORUMS. THE CAR NEEDS TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER, AND A NEW STEERING COLUMN LOCK INSTALLED. APPROXIMATE COST $1,000. THE PROBL…

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THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED - THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED AND WIDESPREAD, MAJOR DEFECT ISSUE WITH 2009 ALTIMA MODELS.THIS APPARENT DEFECT IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON INTERNET FORUMS. THE CAR NEEDS TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER, AND A NEW STEERING COLUMN LOCK INSTALLED. APPROXIMATE COST $1,000. THE PROBLEM IS VERY WIDESPREAD. NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART ONLY TO 6-YEARS. MY FAILURE OCCURRED AT 6-YEARS, 2-MONTHS. MOST FAILURES APPEAR TO OCCUR JUST AFTER 6-YEARS. RATHER THAN ISSUE A 6-YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH RECOGNIZES A PROBLEM EXISTS, NISSAN SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM IS SO WIDESPREAD. LUCKILY FOR ME, THIS HAPPENED CLOSE TO HOME AND IN WARM WEATHER.

NHTSA ODI #10733533

76,843 miles · Jul 8, 2015
Steering

I WAS AT THE GROCERY STORE AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY HOUSE I PARKED WENT INTO THE STORE TO PURCHASE A FEW THINGS. I GOT BACK TO THE CAR NO MORE THAN 15 MINUTES LATER UNLOCKED THE CAR WITH THE FOB AND GOT IN. TRY TO START THE CAR AND IT DID NOT START. I TRIED PLUGGING IT IN TO THE FOB HOLDER AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT START. I…

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I WAS AT THE GROCERY STORE AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY HOUSE I PARKED WENT INTO THE STORE TO PURCHASE A FEW THINGS. I GOT BACK TO THE CAR NO MORE THAN 15 MINUTES LATER UNLOCKED THE CAR WITH THE FOB AND GOT IN. TRY TO START THE CAR AND IT DID NOT START. I TRIED PLUGGING IT IN TO THE FOB HOLDER AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT START. I SAW THE KEY LIGHT ON THE DASH TURN ON. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP UPON HAVING THE VEHICLE EXAMINED IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL LOCK HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THEY TOLD ME IT WILL $ 1020.00 TO FIX. I RESEARCHED TO SEE IF THIS WAS AN ISSUED WITH THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA AND WHAT DO I DISCOVER THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVE THE THIS ISSUED SINCE 2011 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EVEN 3 YEARS OLD YET. THIS IS REDICULOUS AND OUTRIGHT NEGLIGENT ON NISSAN'S PART FOR NOT RECALLING THIS PART. I HAVE SEEN WELL OVER A 1,000 COMPLAINT REGARDING THIS ISSUE. SOME HAVE LEFT PEOPLE STRANDED IN BAD CONDITIONS. NISSAN NEEDS TO REIMBURSE EACH AND EVERY CUSTOMER FOR THIS ISSUE AS THEY CHOOSE TO USE A VERY FAULTY PART.

NHTSA ODI #10732827

164,000 miles · Jul 8, 2015
Unknown Or Other

ON A 3 HOUR TRIP, THE ALTIMA LOST SPEED. CURRENT SPEED WAS 75-80 MPH, DROPPED TO 60 MPH ON THE HWY. TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECK TO BE GOOD AND NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING HAPPEN. CAR LOST POWER/SPEED ON A SMALL INCLINE AND THIS HAS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DOING A ROAD TRIP. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL

NHTSA ODI #10732610

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2015
Steering

2009 NISSAN ALTIMA - STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION - NISSAN REFUSES TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PART

NHTSA ODI #10732574

142,000 miles · Jul 7, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

DROVE CAR TO WORK EVERYTHING RAN FINE. WENT ON BREAK AND GOT IN CAR IT WOULD NOT CRANK. THE INDICATOR LIGHT APPEARED( YELLOW KEYLESS LIGHT) ON THE LEFT SIDE. LOOKED IT UP IN MY CAR MANUAL AND IT SAYS STEERING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CALL NISSAN. SO NOW IM STUCK WITHOUT A CAR AND I AM STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS. THIS SUCKS. I'VE BEEN R…

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DROVE CAR TO WORK EVERYTHING RAN FINE. WENT ON BREAK AND GOT IN CAR IT WOULD NOT CRANK. THE INDICATOR LIGHT APPEARED( YELLOW KEYLESS LIGHT) ON THE LEFT SIDE. LOOKED IT UP IN MY CAR MANUAL AND IT SAYS STEERING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CALL NISSAN. SO NOW IM STUCK WITHOUT A CAR AND I AM STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS. THIS SUCKS. I'VE BEEN READING OTHER COMMENTS ABOUT ISSUE. IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED A LOT. SUPPOSEDLY THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT ONLY LASTED UP UNTIL FEB. BUT ITS NOW JULY, SO I GUESS IM ASSED OUT. SMDH!! THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP

NHTSA ODI #10732553

120,000 miles · Jul 6, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10732210

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