2009 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,547 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 36 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 21 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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.
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
Campaign 10V401000 on NHTSA.gov
SuspensionSep 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.
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.
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).
Campaign 09V358000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, doorJan 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.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIPS AND REMEDIED AT THE FACTORY. NO VEHICLES HAD BEEN RETAILED.
Campaign 09V006000 on NHTSA.gov
WheelsSep 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.
IF THE LUG NUTS BECOME LOOSE, IT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Campaign 08V464000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
91 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Dec 21, 2024
Was stopped at a red light - when light turned green car in front of me proceeded to go but stopped . I pressed on the brake at a speed of no more then 15 miles an hour and the driver side airbag from the steering wheel deployed . No other air bags deployed and there was no type of collision or contact with a vehicular.
Air bags, Nov 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V521000 (Air Bags, Electrical System); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 166,000.
Air bags, Dec 8, 2023, crash
The contact owned a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, an unknown Chevrolet Postal truck pulled out and crashed into the vehicle. The steering wheel air bag exploded and hit his face. The contact sustained injuries to his face, wrist, chest, and hand during the impact, and medical attention was provided at the hospital. A police report was filed. The driver was able to pull the vehicle over safely. There was no reported fire, but the fire department was on the scene. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The contact called the local dealer, who stated that there were no recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss.The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Air bags, Dec 3, 2023
Passenger airbag will not come on when you sit in seat
Air bags, May 19, 2023
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Air bags, Mar 15, 2023
The passenger seat airbag light is blinking on the dashboard as well as the passenger airbag on/off light is on meaning that the passenger airbag if off. Dealership found code B1018 for the occupant sensor. They told me the passenger seat cushion needs to be replaced. This is a huge safety concern as the airbag will not deploy if I were to get into an accident due to a faulty sensor.
Air bags, Jan 21, 2022
So while I am driving with a passenger my sign on my dashboard shows that there is no airbag for my passenger
Air bags, Nov 12, 2021
My airbag light suddenly started blinking on my dashboard. For several years I have had problems with the orange center passenger air bag light working intermittently. I had a Nissan dealer inspect it and was told there was nothing wrong with it. It continued to act sporadically as before the visit unable to detect if a passenger was in the seat or not. Now, as stated above my red airbag light blinks continuously on the instrument panel. After taking it to a different repair shop, I was told it was the Seat Occupant Sensor and it needed to be removed and replaced. The SRS Passenger Discriminating Sensor needed to be replaced also. I was told I needed to replace the seat cushion (passenger side). This problem needs to be addressed for obvious safety concerns as the same problem keeps happening to many of Nissan's vehicles above and beyond their other recall campaign for newer models with the same problem. Yes, my car is out of warranty but that shouldn't matter as this is a very URGENT SAFETY ISSUE of a known defect that Nissan needs take responsibility for. My car has very low mileage (86,000 & 12 yrs. old) and rarely do I have a passenger in the defective seat. Now I can't have anyone use it for this safety reason. The cost of a repair by Nissan dealer is upwards of $2,000.
Air bags, Mar 27, 2021
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SEEMS TO BE FAULTY DUE TO A SENSOR FAIL. SO THE AIRBAG LIGHT MALFUNCTIONS AND THE AIRBAG WON'T WORK. SINCE THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE, I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD LOOK INTO A RECALL. IT IS A PROBLEM A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS SEEM TO HAVE (SEE HTTPS://M.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NISSAN/ALTIMA/2009/SEAT_BELTS_AIR_BAGS/AIR_BAGS.SHTML).
Air bags, Dec 28, 2020
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SEVERAL TIMES EVEN IF SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN IT. THE LIGHT WOULD FLASH OFF AND ON AND THEN GO OFF. NOW THE LIGHT STAYS ON AND ALSO SHOWS THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NOW AS WELL. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE SENSOR IS FAULTY. THEY WANT AROUND $2500 TO REPLACE THE SEAT CUSHION AND CANT ENSURE THAT IT WILL MATCH. THIS IS A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT AS WELL AS A SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM AMONG NUMEROUS NISSAN OWNERS OF THIS YEAR. THE CARS VALUE IS NOT WORTH IT AND IT CANT BE SOLD TO ANYONE ELSE DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE OF THE AIRBAG LIGHT. THE CONNECTIONS HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND NOTHING IS LOOSE OR BROKEN. I BELIEVE A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE ON ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A LIABILITY THAT WOULD FALL ON NISSAN DUE TO THEY HAVE RECALLED SOME MODELS AND YEARS ALREADY WITH THIS ISSUE BUT REFUSE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET A REMEDY TO THIS ISSUE FOR MANY MONTHS NOW ONLY TO BE TOLD BY NISSAN THEY CANT DO NOTHING.
Air bags, Oct 26, 2020
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.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 26, 2020
1. THE AIRBAG IS KEEP BLINKING AT ALL TIMES. 2. LOAD NOISE FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHEN START THE ENGINE AND ENGINE IS COLD. 3. A FEW WEEKS AFTER A RAINY DAY, WHEN THE WEATHER GETS HOT, INSIDE THE CAR SMELL VERY BAD AS IF THERE IS A ROTTEN OR DEAD ANIMAL IN THE CAR.
Air bags, Oct 13, 2019
I FIRST STARTED NOTICING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING OFF AND ON WHEN I WOULD PLACE A HEAVY ITEM IN THE SEAT. I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE CAR RUNNING. THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THEN IT EVENTUALLY WAS SAYING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS TURNED OFF WITHER THERE WAS A PASSENGER OR NOT. I TOOK TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS AN OCCUPANT SENSOR FAIL B1018 AND I WOULD HAVE TO GET IT FIXED BEFORE MY NEXT STATE INSPECTION OR IT WOULDN'T PASS. THEY WANT $2879.49 JUST FOR THE PART. THE TRADE IN VALUE IS NOT WORTH THAT MUCH ACCORDING TO KBB. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT OTHER NISSAN OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS CLEARLY A FAIL THAT NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR.
Air bags, Sep 19, 2019, crash
MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT OR AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING/FLASHING FOR OVER A YEAR. THE NISSAN DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $160 TO LOOK AT IT. IT JUST STARTED BLINKING ONE DAY.
Air bags, Jun 29, 2019
UPON STARTING VEHICLE, THE RED AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER STOPS FLASHING AND PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, EVEN WITH ADULTS IN BOTH FRONT SEATS. PROBLEM CONTINUES WHILE DRIVING AND WITH SUBSEQUENT USE. SUDDEN FAILURE OF AIRBAG SENSORS.
Air bags, Jun 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ROUTE 17 NISSAN (45 NJ-17, HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ 07604, 1-(855) 247-9368) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY AIR BAG RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM AN AIR BAG RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jun 2, 2019
TAKATA RECALL
Air bags, May 16, 2019
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING INDICATING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. A SCAN OF THE VEHICLE SHOWS A PROBLEM WITH THE OCCUPANT SENSOR WHICH IS THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALMOST EVERY YEAR OF NISSAN ALTIMA AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NISSAN SAID THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS WHEN THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE HAD CONTINUING PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART.
Air bags, Mar 16, 2019
2009 NISSAN ALTIMA PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT THAT INDICATES WHEN THE AIRBAGS ARE ON/OFF REMAINS LIT AT ALL TIMES. THIS INCLUDES NOTHING IN THE SEAT, AND WHEN A PERSON IS RIDING IN SEAT. AFTER INSPECTION DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SENSOR; A SHORT OCCURRED WITHIN THE UNIT. (SEE DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION PICTURED) THE VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE AT ALL TIMES AND UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
Air bags, Seats, Feb 22, 2019
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OCS HAS QUIT WORKING CAUSING THE PASSENGER AIR LIGHT TO STAY ON SAYING PASSENGER AIRBAGS ARE OFF AND THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT TO FLASH. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAY SENSOR HAS WENT OUT IN PASSENGER SEAT BUT THEY NEED TO LOOK AT IT. MY VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD BEING THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS FAULTY. I'M REPORTING BECAUSE I KNOW NOT ONLY ONE AND NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIX FOR CARS LIKE MINE. THEY ALREADY RECALLED NEWER MODELS AND THEY NEED GO BACK FURTHER IN THE YEAR MODELS
Air bags, Feb 3, 2019
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSORS FAULTY, LIGHT INDICATES AIR BAG OFF (CONSOLE AMBER), ALSO FLASHING RED LIGHT IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE, NO RECALLS YET BUT IN THE FORUMS IT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT, ALSO THE WHOLE SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE COST IT'S MORE THAN $3,000.00.
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 29, 2018, crash
TAKATA RECALL... I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A COMMERCIAL TRK DOING 50 MPH I WAS GOING 5 MPH GETTING READY TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, WHEN HIT. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED & THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. RESULTING IN CONCUSSION, SERIOUS BACK, NECK & HIP INJURIES.. TWO COMPLETE SAFETY FAILIERS WHEN HIT AT 50+ MPH. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. ## VIN FAILED ## NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 ##
Air bags, Sep 20, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR FLASHED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WESTON NISSAN (3650 WESTON RD, DAVIE, FL 33331, (954) 888-6800) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED INITIALLY THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BACK IN 2012. WHEN THE CONTACT FINALLY CALLED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.
Air bags, Sep 7, 2018
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD. HAVE REPLACED PASSENGER SEAT WITH MALFUNCTIONING SEAT SENSOR TWICE WITHIN LAST 5 YEARS. NOW GETTING A WARNING OF AIRBAG MALFUNTION FOR THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. VEHICLE DOES THIS AT REST AND DRIVING. MY VEHICLE DOESN'T FALL UNDER TAKATA RECALL, BUT RIGHT NOW CAR IS UNSAFE FOR MY ENTIRE FAMILY.
Air bags, Visibility/wiper, Aug 30, 2018
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY 'NO AIRBAG'. PROBLEM SINCE 2014; ALONG WITH STEERING LOCK FAILURE (FIXED), ALONG WITH MANIFOLD EXHAUST PROBLEM(FIXED). WINDSHIELD WIPERS KEEP WEARING OUT, LEFT DRIVER SIDE BECAUSE BLADE IS TOO TIGHT; BRAKES VIBRATE WHEN STOPPING,;CAR VIBRATES AT 70 MPH, AND CAR SOUNDS LIKE WIND TUNNEL WHEN DRIVING HIGHWAY YET WINDOWS ARE UP.