IllustrationGOT INTO MY CAR & IT WOULD NOT CRANK. BRAKES WERE PRESSED & STAYED IN LOCK POSITION. AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK & FORTH IT STARTED.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsMY 2009 NISSAN HAS A KEY WARNING LIGHT ON IT WHICH CAN CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHEN I VISITED THE NISSAN ASSIST SITE IT STATED THEY HAD A EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM SINCE IT IS A PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS THE 2009 ALTIMA, THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JANUARY SO THEY REFUSE TO GET IT FIXED THIS SHOULD BE A SAFE…
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MY 2009 NISSAN HAS A KEY WARNING LIGHT ON IT WHICH CAN CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHEN I VISITED THE NISSAN ASSIST SITE IT STATED THEY HAD A EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM SINCE IT IS A PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS THE 2009 ALTIMA, THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JANUARY SO THEY REFUSE TO GET IT FIXED THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE SINCE ITS A PROBLEM THEY KNOW AFFECTS THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA SAND MAXIMAS
STEERING LOCK ACTUATOR
MY CAR WILL NOT START. IT IS A PUSH TO START SYSTEM AND THE NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START MY CAR. TURNS OUT THAT I HAVE A DEFECTIVE STEER LOCK SWITCH AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE IN THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. IN ADDITION, THE SECURITY INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. IN ADDITION, THE SECURITY INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
ENGINE WITH PUSH BUTTON START WOULD NOT TURN OVER AFTER 3HR STOP AND A LONG DRIVE PREVIOUS TO STOP. BATTERY WAS TOTALLY DEAD, BUT AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO JUMP START IT DID TURN OVER. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL DRAW ON BATTERY DURING STOP EITHER. STOPPED AT NISSAN DEALER TO CHECK THE STARTING SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT NORMAL…
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ENGINE WITH PUSH BUTTON START WOULD NOT TURN OVER AFTER 3HR STOP AND A LONG DRIVE PREVIOUS TO STOP. BATTERY WAS TOTALLY DEAD, BUT AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO JUMP START IT DID TURN OVER. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL DRAW ON BATTERY DURING STOP EITHER. STOPPED AT NISSAN DEALER TO CHECK THE STARTING SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT NORMAL. SERVICE TECH RECALLED THIS PROBLEM WITH MY PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL, AND SAID A BRAKE SWITCH AND SUB HARNESS ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE REPLACED, BUT AT $800+ COST I DECLINED OFFER. PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY LATER AND AS OF THIS DATE I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM, BUT EVERY TIME I START IT I CROSS MY FINGERS.
2009 NISSAN ALTIMA BOUGHT BRAND NEW. UNDER 36,000 THE MOTOR WAS CHANGED OUT, AROUND 70,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. GOOD TIMES. FRIDAY 5/22/15 WENT TO FRIENDS HOUSE AND WENT TO LEAVE AND CAR WOULD NOT START. CHECKED BATTERY AND FUSES AND THEN NOTICED A YELLOW KEY FLASHING IN GAUGE CLUSTER. I CALLED THE DEALER AND TOL…
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2009 NISSAN ALTIMA BOUGHT BRAND NEW. UNDER 36,000 THE MOTOR WAS CHANGED OUT, AROUND 70,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. GOOD TIMES. FRIDAY 5/22/15 WENT TO FRIENDS HOUSE AND WENT TO LEAVE AND CAR WOULD NOT START. CHECKED BATTERY AND FUSES AND THEN NOTICED A YELLOW KEY FLASHING IN GAUGE CLUSTER. I CALLED THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM WHAT I SAW. DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS GOING TO GET THE CAR TO START AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. CALLED TOW TRUCK AND WAS TOWED FROM HELMET CA, TO ONTARIO CA 60+ MILES IN THE RAIN WITH MY WINDOWS DOWN. I COULD NOT ROLL THE WINDOWS UP OR DO ANYTHING ELSE BESIDES UNLOCK AND LOCK THE DOORS. NISSAN HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT STILL DENIES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. I WAS 3 MONTHS LATE FOR THIS WARRANTY AND I HAVE BEEN DENIED COVERAGE FOR REPAIRS THAT WILL COST MORE THAN A $1000 DOLLARS. NISSAN KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT RECALL THIS PROBLEM WITCH IS WIDE SPREAD. JUST GOOGLE IT AND THEY WILL SEE. WANT TO GET THE NEWS INVOLVED. TIRED OF BEING STRANDED BY NISSAN. NISSAN STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR CUSTOMERS!!!
MY SON WENT TO WORK AND WHEN HE GOT OFF OF WORK THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THEY TOWED THE VEHICLE AND SAID IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK. THE MANAGER STATED "I SEE AT LEAST TWO OF THESE A WEEK EVERY WEEK FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM." IT WILL COST US $999.00 TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLE. THERE ARE HUNDRE…
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MY SON WENT TO WORK AND WHEN HE GOT OFF OF WORK THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THEY TOWED THE VEHICLE AND SAID IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK. THE MANAGER STATED "I SEE AT LEAST TWO OF THESE A WEEK EVERY WEEK FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM." IT WILL COST US $999.00 TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. WHY THERE IS NO RECALL IS LAUGHABLE IF IT WEREN'T SO SAD
THE DASH BOARD MELTS, IT CREATES A GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO SEE ON COMING TRAFFIC.
Official recalls
410V401000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.