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: electrical system
466 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, May 31, 2016
STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTION AND NOW I'M UNABLE TO START MY CAR. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND HASN'T RECALLED AND NOW MY WARRANTY IS OVER AND I HAVE TO PAY $900 TO GET IT FIXED
Electrical system, May 30, 2016
THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED AFTER MY SON HAD PARKED HIS CAR AT A CONVENIENCE STORE. THIS LEFT MY SON IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH NO ACCESS TO A FUNCTIONING CAR IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I DO NOT CONSIDER TO BE SAFE. THE RESOLUTION WAS TO CALL AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BROUGHT TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ISSUES WAS REPAIRED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS ESCL ISSUE IS A KNOW PROBLEM FOR WHICH NISSAN INITIALLY ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN AND EXTENDED WARRANTEE FOR THAT THEY HAVE SINCE WITHDRAWN. I FEEL THIS ISSUE SHOULD RESULT N A RECALL FOR SAFETY REASONS AS IT CAN PLACE A PERSON IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO START THE CAR.
Steering, Electrical system, May 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SENSOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Electrical system, May 23, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. MY COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA STEERING LOCK FAILURE. MY LOCK FAILURE OCCURRED ON 05-22-16. I RETURNED HOME AFTER A DAY OF SPENDING TIME WITH SOME FRIENDS. I PARKED MY CAR AND LATER THAT EVENING, I DECIDED TO GO TO THE STORE. ONCE I GOT IN THE CAR, I COULDN'T START IT. THE BRAKE WAS REALLY HARD TO PUSH AND YELLOW KEY LIGHT ILLUMINATED FROM MY DASHBOARD. THE FOB WOULD ALLOW ME TO UNLOCK AND CLOSE DOORS. THE LIGHTS WORKED, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS SITUATION OCCUR IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY APARTMENT COMPLEX OTHERWISE THE CAR COULD HAVE BROKEN DOWN SOMEWHERE REALLY UNSAFE. MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS FIXED FOR $939.38
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 22, 2016
I OWN A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 16, 2016 I ARRIVED HOME AT 10:30 I PARKED THE CAR IN MY DRIVE WAY TURNED THE CAR OFF AN WENT INSIDE MY HOUSE. I PREPARED MY DAD'S LUNCH AND WENT BACK INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR IT WOULD NO LONGER START THE A RED CAR LIGHT WITH KEY WAS BLINKING AND A ORANGE KEY AS WELL MY WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN AND WON'T ROLL UP AND ITS BEEN RAINING PLEASE HELP I CALLED NISSAN THEY ASKED IF WITHOUT HURTING MYSELF COULD I JERK THE BRAKE AND START THE CAR THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AT NISSAN THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY PEOPLE
Electrical system, May 17, 2016
STEERING LOCK FAILED STRANDING ME WITH A NON STARTING CAR 190 MILES FROM HOME WITH A TODDLER WITH NO HEAT OR AC.... IT IS A COMMON NISSAN FAILURE AND NISSAN WILL NOT ASSIST
Electrical system, May 6, 2016
STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED CAUSING MY WIFE TO BE STRANDED. THIS PROBLEM IS EFFECTING THOUSANDS OF OTHER OWNERS OF 2009 NISSAN ALTIMAS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS PART.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, May 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WAS UNABLE TO START. THE "PUSH TO START" DID NOT START THE ENGINE AND THE STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS INCLUDED IN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD STILL BE COVERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
Electrical system, May 3, 2016
THE CAR WILL NOT START. THERE IS A YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE DASH AND A RED CAR LIGHT THAT BLINKS. THE BATTERY IN THE KEY IS FINE AND OPENS THE CAR DOORS AND LOCKS THEM OK. I GOT INTO THE CAR THIS MORNING AND IT WILL NOT START.
Electrical system, Apr 26, 2016
APRIL 20 GOT OFF OF WORK WENT TO MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND HAD BATTERY REPLACED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT START. LOOKED ON LINE AND SEEMS IT IS THE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM FAILURE THAT IS DISABLING MY CAR. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PART BUT YET EVERY TIME I LOOK SOMETHING UP ONLINE I SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 23, 2016
THE ESCL WHEEL LOCK WILL NOT RELEASE TO LET THE VEHICLE START
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 18, 2016
CAR WILL NOT START OR TURN ON ACCESSORIES. STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. I WAS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE CAR UNTIL AAA CAN TO TOW IT TO THE DEAL.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 15, 2016
I WAS ABOUT TO START MY CAR AT A GAS STATION THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START LEAVING ME STRANDED IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT FAILURE WHICH PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM SENSING YOUR KEY FOB WHICH PREVENTS YOU FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE AND YOU ARE STUCK. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT LEAVING DRIVERS STRANDED AND THE CAR USELESS. I COULD HAVE BEEN ROBBED OR OTHER. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE STEARING CONTROL UNIT.
Electrical system, Apr 14, 2016
I CAN NOT START MY CAR. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES IT WILL NOT TRIGGER MY AUTOMATIC KEY TO TURN MY CAR ON. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES I AM NOT ABLE TO START MY CAR. NOW I HAVE TO FIX THE BRAKE LIGHT AND HARNESS FOR 600$ AT MY LOCAL TRUSTWORTHY REPAIR SHOP. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF A HARNESS ISSUE. BUT I GOOGLES AND FOUND A BULLETIN AND MANY 1000 OF PEOPLE WITH SAME COMPLAINT. MY REPAIR SHOP DID THE SAME TOO. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION TO HAVE A CAR THAT WILL NOT START AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS THAT DO NOT WORK!!!!!
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 11, 2016
WAS GOING OUT OF TOWN AND DUE TO BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS ON THE AREA I WAS SUPPOSED TO DRIVE TO, I DID NOT GO. HOWEVER, ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON I GOT INTO VEHICLE, TRIED TO START IT AND IT WOULD NOT START. NOW, IF I HAD OF GONE OUT OF TOWN LIKE I WAS SUPPOSED TO, I WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED. I OFTEN HAVE MY SMALL GRANDDAUGHTER WITH ME. GLAD SHE WASN'T THIS TIME. HAD TO CALL TOW SERVICE.
Electrical system, Apr 11, 2016
THE ELECTRIC WHEEL LOCK SYSTEM FAILED RENDERING MY CAR NON OPERATIONAL. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE IT IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. THERE IS NO WARNING THAT IT WILL FAIL AND IS NOT DUE TO MAINTENANCE NEGLECT. WHEN IT FAILS IT DISABLES THE IGNITION SYSTEM TO THE CAR SO YOU CANNOT EVEN SWITCH TO THE ACCESSORY FUNCTION. IT CAN ALSO LEAVE THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE LOCKED POSITION MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE THE CAR. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND TRY TO START IT.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 11, 2016
NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 ISSUE: ESCL, STEERING WHEEL LOCK, ENGINE WON'T START AND KEY IS IN CAR.
Electrical system, Apr 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND PREVENTED HIM FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE KEY NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED MORE THAN ONCE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT REMOVED THE PLASTIC CASING UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL TO TRY TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE COVERAGE FOR A MANUFACTURER EXTENDED WARRANTY TO ADDRESS THE REPAIR EXPIRED FOR THE VIN TWO WEEKS AGO AND THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 30, 2016
I DROVE MY NISSAN ALTIMA TO WORK AS I NORMALLY DO, PARKED IN THE SAME SPOT I ALWAYS PARK IN. NO PROBLEM AT THAT POINT. AT THE END OF MY WORK DAY I GOT INTO MY VEHICLE TO DRIVE HOME AND IT WOULD NOT START. I NOTICED AN ICON SHOWING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, IT STATED ONE WORD: KEY. I CALLED MY HUSBAND WHO BROUGHT OUR SPARE KEY TO SEE IF THAT WOULD START THE VEHICLE: NO. I LEFT THE VEHICLE PARKED AT MY PLACE OF WORK. THE NEXT MORNING I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE INFORMED THAT I COULD NOT HAVE AN APPT FOR AT LEAST 2 WEEKS AND THAT THE ISSUE IS KNOWN BUT NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL OR WARRANTY. I WAS VERY THANKFUL THAT I WAS AT WORK AND NOT STRANDED IN AN UNFAMILIAR AREA. I BELIEVE THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO CORRECT THE FAULTY PART. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING WITH MORE THAN JUST THE VEHICLE I OWN. A QUICK LOOK ON THE INTERNET BROUGHT UP MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE IN DIFFERENT MODELS. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL NOT RESULT IN A DEATH BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE FORCING NISSAN ON THE CORRECTION. I REMEMBER THE GM IGNITION RECALL THAT DID NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL PEOPLE DIED!
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 30, 2016
I LIVE IN THE COUNTRY AND WAS PREPARED TO LEAVE TOWN TO VISIT MY SISTER. I PACK MY CAR AND GET READY TO LEAVE (MY CAR WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION IN MY GARAGE ALL NIGHT) I WENT TO START MY CAR AND NOTHING! I ASSUMED THE BATTERY AT FIRST BUT THE LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON. I CALLED NISSAN AND I WAS TOLD MY STEERING WHEEL LOCK DEVICE NEEDS REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TOW MY CAR IN, PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I ASK NISSAN, IF THIS IS SO COMMON THEN HOW WAS I NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS? I LEARN THIS DEVICE WAS PUT IN PLACE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST CAR THEFT AND DESIGNED FOR THE KEY FAB TO UNDO THE LOCK UP. MY CAR WAS NOT IN THREAT OF BEING STOLEN, AND MY KEY FAB WOULD NOT ALLOW THE ENGINE TO START. I WAS LEFT STRANDED FOR NO REASON AND WITHOUT WARNING. I START RESEARCHING THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS EFFECTED BY THIS FAULTY DEVICE. I CAN'T BELIEVE NISSAN HAS NOT RECALLED OR SET OUT NOTICE TO WARN PEOPLE, OR OFFER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I WATCH A VIDEO ON HOW TO TRICK START THE ENGINE. YOU PULL DOWN THE BOTTOM OF STEERING WHEEL AND TAP THE METAL LOCK DEVICE WITH A HAMMER. THIS ALLOWS MY CAR TO START SOME TIMES. I'VE BEEN STRANDED OUT OF TOWN, AT A GROCERY STORE, AND IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE ALL DUE TO THIS DEFECTIVE DEVICE. WHAT IF IT GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSES AN ACCIDENT AND/OR DEATH? I'M SCARED AND UPSET UNTIL NISSAN DOES THE RIGHT THING TO FIX THIS
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 30, 2016
MY NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. A YELLOW KEY SHOWS UP ON THE DASH BOARD THAT PREVENT IT FROM STARTING. THIS PROBLEM PREVENTED ME FROM GOING TO WORK AND WOULD COST ME OVER A 1000. IMAGINE IF LOCATION MY CAR STOP WAS UNSAFE WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. THIS UNSAFE AND NISSAN SHOULD COVER THE COST FOR THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 26, 2016
NO STAR. STEERING LOCK BLOQUED
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 17, 2016
OUR 2009 ALTIMA, LEFT US STRANDED IN A REMOTE LOCATION. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. WE HAVE AAA SO WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR TOWING. BUT WE THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING SIMPLE LIKE BATTERY, OR BATTERIES IN THE REMOTE KEY. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN US THAT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS SPECIFIC YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. AND NISSAN IS CLEARLY NOT HELPING THEY'RE CUSTOMERS WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE . WE WHERE LUCKIER THAN SOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN WORSE PLACES, WITH CHILDREN AND NO WARNING. THIS FIX IS COSTING US $894.00 AT THE NISSAN SERVICE , I FILED A CASE WITH NISSAN THEY REFUSED TO HELP, SO WE WHERE STUCK ONCE AGAIN WITH OUR CAR AT THE SERVICE CENTER WITH A $105.00 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE. SO WE COULDN'T TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR LESS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THEY CAUGHT US HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER .
Electrical system, Mar 12, 2016
2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START AFTER SHUT OFF WHICH REQUIRED A TOW TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP ( AUTO FAIR NISSAN TEWKSBURY, MA). PAID $119 FOR DIAGNOSTIC WHICH CONFIRMED A FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) UNIT. PURCHASED AND REPLACED THE UNIT. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE A RECORD NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS, THE UNIT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. RECEIPTS AVAILABE
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,120.