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, Jul 2, 2011
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON WITH ADULT (150 LBS PLUS) IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME. NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND SO FAR HAS DONE LITTLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STARTED THE FIRST MONTH AFTER PURCHASE OF THE NEW VEHICLE ON 4-20-2009 AND WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND NO TROUBLE WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM.
Air bags, Dec 10, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,877.
Air bags, Nov 19, 2010
2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S - PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED LIGHT COMES ON WHEN A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN ANY SITUATION. THE PASSENGER MEETS AND PASSES THE WEIGHT REQUIREMENT AND IS SEATED CORRECTLY. WE CAN NOT PRODUCE THIS ISSUE ON DEMAND. ENVIRONMENT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER. SHAPE AND SIZE OF THE PASSENGER DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER EITHER. DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT BOTTOM 6 OR SO MONTHS AGO. DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE. MY WIFE AND I WERE BLAMED CONTINUALLY FOR MONTHS (10 OR SO) AS BEING THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE. I DOCUMENTED WITH VIDEO AND THEY STILL SAID IT WAS OUR FAULT. ONE DAY WE ALMOST GOT HIT AND I THE NISSAN DEALER I WOULD HOLD THEM LIABLE. THAT DAY THE DISABLED LIGHT REMAINED ON AND WE WERE ABLE TO SHOW THE DEALER. AFTER THAT AN ENGINEER GAME IN TO CHECK THE CAR. THEY SAID THE SYSTEM WORKS ARE IT SHOULD, WE WERE NOT DOING ANYTHING WRONG AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A FAULT. THAT ENGINEER SUBMITTED THE ISSUE UP THE CHAIN TO THE ALTIMA ENGINEERS IN THE USA. IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS NOW AND NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MADE. NISSAN HAS TOLD ME THEY ARE RE-ENGINEERING THE SEAT BOTTOM AND A REPLACEMENT PART WILL BE PRODUCED. IT WILL TAKE TIME THEY SAY. MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD THIS CAR AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE FROM THE FIRST MONTH WE OWNED THIS CAR BACK IN SEP/OCT 2009. *TR
Air bags, Electrical system, Nov 3, 2010
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WILL GO OFF AND ON WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD IT IN TO THE NISSAN DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND BOTH TIMES THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. (IT HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS - EVERY TIME A PASSENGER IS IN MY VEHICLE) MY RESEARCH INDICATES THE 2007/2008 COUPES WERE RECALLED FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE SAME ISSUE (08V521000). I CAN'T GET THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT TO DIE IN THE CRASH OR SOMEONE ELSE TO DIE IN A CRASH BECAUSE THE AIRBAG DIDN'T INFLATE. HELP! *TR UPDATED IVOQ 05/25/11
Air bags, Oct 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE SIDE AIR BAG ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SEAT BOTTOM AND SENSOR REPLACED AND THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT SHE DOES NOT WEIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG AND SHE WAS SEATED IMPROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WEIGHS 140 POUNDS AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SHOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE CONTACT FEARS THAT IF SHE WERE INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,982.
Air bags, Oct 5, 2010
PASSENGER AIRBAG (DISABLED) LIGHT TURNS ON EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED (OVER 150 POUNDS). *TR
Air bags, Sep 28, 2010
PASSENGER AIR BAG DISABLED LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WITH AN ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT EXPOSING THE PASSENGER TO THE POSSIBILITY OF NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN A COLLISION. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AS HE CANNOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ADVISED HIM THAT I HAVE VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM AND HE WON'T LOOK AT IT. ON 7/28/2010 I NOTIFIED NISSAN, CERT. MAIL RETURN RECEIPT AND GOTTEN AN CASE NUMBER [XXX]. THE AUTO HAS 11,200 MILES AND THIS PROBLEM WAS ORIGINALLY REPORTED TO NISSAN 7/28/2010. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Aug 3, 2010, crash
ON JULY 27,2010 MY VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A CORNER AND TRYING TO COME TO A STOP. A TRUCK WAS APPROACHING PERPENDICULAR HEADING NORTH. I MOTIONED FOR THE TRUCK TO TAKE THE RIGHT OF WAY BEFORE MAKING MY TURN. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, RESULTING IN THE TRUCK HITTING MY VEHICLE IN THE LEFT FRONT SIDE, CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. IN ADDITION THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE IS NOW IN THE BODY SHOP. NISSAN NA HAS BEEN CONTACTED , AND PLANNING TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM CONCERNING THE BRAKES AND AIRBAGS. INSURANCE IS ESTIMATING BODY DAMAGE. *TR
Air bags, May 2, 2010
I OWN A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. ALMOST ALWAYS WHEN THE PASSENGER RIDES, THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT TURNS ON, THE PASSENGER IS NOT PROTECTED. I WENT TO THE DEALER, MOSSY NISSAN IN OCEANSIDE, AND THE CONCLUSION IS THAT ALL NISSAN ALTIMAS HAVE THIS PROBLEM -- THIS MODEL CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED SO THAT SENSITIVE ENOUGH SENSORS ARE INSTALLED TO PROTECT PASSENGERS - THE FEMALE ADULT PASSENGER IS 110 LBS AND NOT PROTECTED, THAT'S A RISK NISSAN CORPORATION DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE ABOUT. *TR
Air bags, Mar 20, 2010
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 SOMETIME AROUND OCTOBER 2009. WE IMMEDIATELY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE "AIRBAG TURNED OFF " LIGHT COMING ON EVEN THOUGH I WAS SITTING ON THE SEAT CORRECTLY AND I WEIGH AROUND 135 POUNDS WHICH IS MORE THAN ENOUGH WEIGHT TO ENSURE THAT THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT DIDN'T TURN ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EVEN THOUGH I HAD VIDEO ON MY CELL PHONE SHOWING THE PROBLEM OCCURRING, I WAS ASKED TO GO ON A RIDE AROUND TO SEE IF THE SITUATION WOULD REPEAT ITSELF. BECAUSE THE LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY, AND REPEATEDLY, DURING THAT 10 MINUTE RIDE IT DID NOT TURN ON. NEEDLESS TO SAY, AFTER MUCH INSISTING, NISSAN WENT AHEAD AND REPLACED THE SENSOR ON THE SEAT. THIS RESULTED IN NO CHANGE TO THE PROBLEM AND I RIDE HALF THE TIME WITH THE "AIRBAG TURNED OFF" LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON. I AM AFRAID THAT IF I EVER GET INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAG WILL FAIL TO DEPLOY AND IT WILL RESULT IN MY HAVING A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY SPOKEN TO NISSAN SINCE THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED MAINLY BECAUSE ON THE INITIAL CONTACT OF THE PROBLEM, THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO BELIEVE ME EVEN THOUGH I HAD VIDEO PROOF. I DID WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED JUST IN CASE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME. *TR
Air bags, Jan 29, 2010
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT RANDOMLY STAYS ON WHEN A PASSENGER IN SEAT. MEANS THE PASSENGER IS NOT PROTECTED BY THE AIR BAG. THIS HAPPENS TO PASSENGER OVER 110 LBS. THIS IS WORKING AS IT SUPPOSED TO, ACCORDING TO NISSAN DEALER, ANYMORE OVER 80 LBS SIT IN PASSENGER SEAT, THE LIGHT SHOULD BE OFF AND THE AIRBAG SHOULD BE ON. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. I SEARCH COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON 07-09 MODEL. PLEASE HELP US OUT, THERE IS A TRULY A LIFE RELATED SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Sep 1, 2009
PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS ON AND OFF EVEN WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT. IT OCCURS FREQUENTLY AND DAILY. SO FAR NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED ANY RECALLS, HEARD THERE WAS THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THE 2008. THIS WAS ON A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. *TR
Air bags, May 29, 2009
I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS ARE BEING DISABLED WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE CAR. A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD SHOWS THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE TURNED OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO DIFFERENT PASSENGERS, OF A VARIETY OF WEIGHT AND SIZE. NONE OF THE PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN SMALL CHILDREN. THE LIGHTEST PASSENGER WAS 110 POUNDS AND THE HEAVIEST WAS 188 POUNDS. THIS HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN 6 TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO A NISSAN DEALER TWICE AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT OTHER NISSAN OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I DO HAVE VIDEO PROOF THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE TURNED OFF WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. I AM HORRIFIED THAT NISSAN WILL NOT AUTHORIZE A REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG SENSORS. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME? I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS FACTORY DEFECT. *TR
Air bags, Feb 1, 2009
TRAVELING 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, MY DAUGHTER NOTICED HER MOM'S "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT WAS ON. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE, NISSAN-USA CHECKED THE SYSTEM AT MOSSY NISSAN AND STATED THE SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY. NISSAN-USA DID NOT USE WEIGHTS TO CHECK THE WEIGHT SENSOR, THEY DROVE AROUND WITH A 125 LB PASSENGER AND CONCLUDED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS OK. NISSAN COUNTERED MY SAFETY SUGGESTIONS BELOW STATING IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO IMPROVE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DUE TO NHTSA, AND THEY WOULD ALSO NEED TO CRASH TEST THE CAR. MOSSY NISSAN IS KNEW MY WIFE IS ~117 LBS AND DID NOT DISCLOSE TO ME THE AIRBAG SAFETY DEFICIENCY PRIOR TO THE SALE. MOSSY NISSAN STATED THAT BECAUSE THIS SYSTEM PASSED THE NHTSA, THEY ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANYTHING. I COUNTER THAT BASED ON NISSAN'S POSITION, I AM HOLDING NISSAN CORPORATION, MOSSY NISSAN, AND NHTSA LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES WHICH RESULT FROM INJURY FROM AN ACCIDENT AND ALSO PAIN AND SUFFERING AND ANY ADDITIONAL DISTRESS, ESPECIALLY IF THE AIRBAG OR OTHER SAFETY SYSTEM FAILS. THE NISSAN AIRBAG SYSTEM CAN LEAD TO A FATALITY EVEN WITH AN ADULT 150+ LBS. JUST PRIOR TO AN ACCIDENT, THE DRIVE MAY BECOME ROUGH AND THE PASSENGER CAN SHIFT AROUND. FOR A 150+ LB ADULT TO DEFEAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, MOMENTARILY LIFT 1/2 YOUR WEIGHT OFF THE SEAT, AS CAN OCCUR DUE TO MOVEMENT JUST PRIOR TO AN ACCIDENT. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WILL TURN ON. IMMEDIATELY DROP YOUR WEIGHT BACK INTO THE SEAT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL REMAIN OFF FOR 10 SECONDS, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WON'T DEPLOY IN THE CRASH. NHTSA SHOULD REQUIRE NISSAN TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND LOWER THE WEIGHT SENSOR TO 80 LBS - AND ALSO PROGRAM THE FLASH MEMORY SO THAT THE ONCE THE SEATBELT IS FASTENED, THE PASSENGER WEIGHT IS DETERMINED AND DOESN'T CHANGE (A PASSENGER DOESN'T LOSE 40 LBS JUST BECAUSE THE ROAD IS BUMPY) - SENSORS SHOULD MAINLY DETERMINE PASSENGER POSITION, NOT WEIGHT. A BETTER SYSTEM WOULD HAVE WEIGHT SENSORS IN THE BACK SEAT FLOOR. *TR
Air bags, Jan 29, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATES WHENEVER A LIGHT WEIGHT PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT ANYONE OVER 110 LBS. WAS MEANT TO SIT IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB
Air bags, Jan 2, 2009
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA IN WHICH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF (INDICATED BY A PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT), WHILE AN ADULT PASSENGER OVER 100 LBS IS CORRECTLY SEATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, SITTING SQUARE WITH SEATBELTS FASTENED. IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE THE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF, THE PASSENGER IS NOT PROTECTED IN NISSAN ALTIMAS. AT THE LEAST, AN OVERRIDE ON OR OFF IS NEEDED BECAUSE THE WEIGHT SENSOR DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA, BASED ON THE FIRST MONTH OF DRIVING ON MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, WITH A 108 POUND PASSENGER. I PURCHASED A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM MOSSY NISSAN OCEANSIDE LAST MONTH. TODAY ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNED OFF. THE FIRST TIME IT TURNED OFF, I CHECKED THE MANUAL WHICH STATED THAT THE PASSENGER NEEDS TO SIT CORRECTLY FOR THE AIRBAG TO TURN ON. WE BELIEVE SHE WAS, HOWEVER HER FEET WERE ON THE RIGHT SIDE RATHER THAN THE CENTER OF THE FLOOR. LATER THIS EVENING, WE MADE CERTAIN THE PASSENGER WAS SITTING CORRECTLY WHEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT TURN ON AGAIN. IN BOTH CASES, WITHIN 10 MINUTES THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT THEN TURNED OFF. IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS DURING THE AIRBAG FAILURE PERIOD ABOVE, A FATALITY CAN EASILY OCCUR. *TR