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: engine
117 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, May 8, 2017
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD (1 HOUR+) IN WARM WEATHER (80 DEGREES+). VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY LOSES POWER, WITH RPMS NEVER REACHING ABOVE 2000, DRASTICALLY REDUCING ACCELERATION AND SPEED. DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, THIS CREATES A SERIOUS DANGER. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER TWO YEARS NOW.
Engine, Mar 15, 2017
CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 17, 2017
THE START PUSH BUTTON IGNITION AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WILL NOT ENGAGE.. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE BRAKE PAD TO DEPRESS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. I AM LEFT DEAD IN THE WATER WITH NO WAY TO START OR USE THE ACCESSORIES FUNCTION TO TURN ON THE RADIO OR ALLOW MY PHONE TO CHARGE IN THE BATTERY PORT. I WENT TO PICK UP MY FAMILY WENT TO START THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO RECOGNITION.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 6, 2017
I STARTED MY CAR AS USUAL TO RUN SOME ERRANDS. IT STARTED FINE. I STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION AND SHUT OFF THE CAR. IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. IT WAS FREEZING COLD. MY CAR WAS BLOCKING THE GAS PUMP AND IT COULD NOT BE MOVED. I RULED OUT THE KEY FOB BECAUSE IT STILL UNLOCKED THE DOORS. I INSERTED THE KEY FOB IN THE EMERGENCY SOCKET THAT IS SUPPOSED TO START THE CAR IN CASE THE BATTERY IN THE KEY FOB DIES. STILL NOTHING. I HAD MY BROTHER BRING ME A NEW BATTERY FOR THE KEY FOB. STILL NOTHING. HE TOOK ME HOME. I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR THERE. AFTER SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, MANY MANY OTHERS WITH NISSANS WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. THE CULPRIT IS THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MODULE. IT LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL AND YOU CANNOT START THE CAR WHEN IT IS LOCKED. I WENT BACK TO THE CAR TORE THE PANEL APART AND LOCATED THE STEERING LOCK. THE RESEARCH I DID SAID THAT SOMETIMES YOU COULD GET IT TO RELEASE THE LOCK PIN IF YOU TAP ON IT WITH HAMMER. SO I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE WHILE HOLDING IN THE START BUTTON AND TAPPING ON THE STEERING LOCK MODULE. AFTER 20 MINUTES OF BANGING ON THE MODULE IT DISENGAGED ENOUGH TO START THE CAR. I DROVE IT HOME AND SHUT IT OFF. IT WON'T START AGAIN. NISSAN SAYS THE WARRANTY RAN OUT JAN. 1ST, 2016. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $679.51 JUST FOR THE PART NOT INCLUDING LABOR. THAT IS RIDICULOUS! WHAT IF I WERE SOMEWHERE REMOTE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START? I COULD HAVE FROZE TO DEATH. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AS IT SEEMS TO HAVE HAPPENED TO 1000S OF PEOPLE.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 4, 2017
ON THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2017 APPROXIMATELY 5:45 PM, I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF ON KIRKWOOD HIGHWAY IN NEWARK, DE WHICH IS 3 LANES. THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND HESITATE TO TAKE OFF. WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AND WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD MY 3 YEAR OLD SON IN THE BACK SEAT AT THE TIME. AN PASSERBY FINALLY PULLED UP BEHIND ME AND HELPED ME PUSH MY CAR OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY TO THE LEFT TURN LANE SO THAT I WASN'T BLOCKING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. AFTER ABOUT 2 HOURS, A TOW TRUCK FINALLY CAME AND TOWED THE CAR TO BENCHMARK TRANSMISSION IN NEWARK, DE. THE MECHANIC NAMED DANTE ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD DIED. HE ALSO NOTIFIED ME THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN RECALL ISSUED BY NISSAN SEVERAL YEARS BACK WHICH MY TRANSMISSION WAS NOW OUT OF RECALL DUE TO THE MILEAGE. MY CAR WAS IN THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN NOVEMBER 2012 TO FIX THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK THAT ALSO TURNED INTO A RECALL. AT THAT TIME NISSAN HAD MY UPDATED ADDRESS AS WELL AS IT HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED WITH THE DELAWARE DMV AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALL. THERE WAS ALSO NO INDICATION THAT ANY ISSUE WAS OCCURRING WITH THE TRANSMISSION (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. I WANT NISSAN TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS INCIDENT. THE COST OF REPAIR WILL BE IN UPWARDS OF $4,000.00
Engine, Feb 3, 2017
STEERING LOCK FAIL. MANUFACTURE DEFECTIVE PART. CAR WON'T START AND NISSA WON'T PAY FOR IT.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 1, 2017
THIS IS BY FAR THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER PURCHASED. I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION ONCE....IT STILL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND SHIFTS SO HARD MY PASSENGERS THINK I'M SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. AND NOW THE STEERING LOCK MODULE HAS FAILED. AFTER READING 100S OF COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE, I AM APPALLED TO FIND THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN NOR WILL ANYONE THAT KNOWS ME AS THEY'VE WITNESSED ALL ISSUES OCCUR WITH ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY ON NISSAN'S ACCOUNT.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 31, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DID NOT START AGAIN. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THE BATTERY DIED AND WENT TO GET JUMPER CABLES. WHEN HE RETURNED, THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS WERE PRESENT AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 27, 2017
CAME OUT TO GET IN THE CAR WHICH WAS PARKED, USED THE FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOOR GOT INTO THE CAR AND NOTHING. THE BRAKE WAS HARD TO PRESS, THE STEERING WAS LOCKED, COULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR, THE CAR COULD NOT BE JUMPED WITH CABLES. I HAD 2 INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. I NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALER. THE DIAGNOSIS IS THE STEERING ACTUATOR. I AM BEING CHARGED ROUGHLY $1100. I DON'T YET HAVE MY DOCUMENTATION AS THE CAR IS WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THIS SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE RECENTLY WITH SEVERAL 2009 NISSAN ALTIMAS. NISSAN MAY WANT TO RETHINK MAKING THIS A RECALL. I WAS LUCKY TO BE IN A PUBLIC PLACE IN THE DAYTIME.
Engine, Dec 28, 2016
MY VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ROADSIDE AND WOULD NOT START DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WHICH IS APPARENTLY AN ANTI THEFT DEVICE. I WAS STUCK IN DANGEROUSLY COLD WEATHER WITH NOBODY AROUND AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE COMPANY ISSUED A LIMITED WARRANTY IN WHICH I COULD NOT GET THE PART FIXED UNLESS IT WAS ALREADY BROKEN. MY CAR THEN PROCEEDED TO HAVE THE ESCL PART BREAK LESS THAN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE "EXTENDED WARRANTY". THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE AND I FEEL I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR THE $1000 PART REPLACEMENT.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 28, 2016
TAKATA RECALL, DEFECT STEERING LOCK UNIT, UNABLE TO START ENGINE! AFTER PARKED NISSAN 2009 ALTIMA AT A SHOPPING MALL, "NOKEY" LIGHT IS ON, CAR CAN BE LOCK AND UNLOCK THROUGH REMOTE CONTROL KEY, BUT NO DISPLAY INFORMATION VISIBLE AT THE DASH BOARD, WHEEL IS LOCKED AND UNABLE TO SWITCH GEAR. NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO THE CAR!
Steering, Engine, Dec 8, 2016
THE STEERING LOCK BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT IN A PARKING LOT, FORCING THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. I HAVE 10 MONTH OLD TWIN DAUGHTERS AND THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A VERY SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT IF THE VEHICLE WAS ON A MAIN ROAD OR HIGHWAY AND GOING AT A FASTER SPEED. SUPPOSEDLY THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA'S (AND OTHER YEAR MODELS AS WELL). INSTEAD OF A RECALL, NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART BY ONE YEAR. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED IN AUGUST 2015, SO I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS OUT OF POCKET. THE ESTIMATED COST IS BETWEEN $1,100 AND $1,300. THE CAR DOESN'T START AT ALL, AND APPARENTLY ONLY NISSAN DEALERS CAN FIX IT. THIS IS VERY WORRISOME THAT NISSAN ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AS A PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT CONSIDER THE SAFETY OF ITS CUSTOMERS AND ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 5, 2016
I GOT IN MY CAR THE OTHER DAY TO RUN TO THE STORE AND THE CARS PUSH BUTTON IGNITION WOULD NOT START THE CAR, THE LLGHT ON THE DASH SUGGESTS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT LOCKED, BUT IT IS LOCKED. VEHICLE IS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY
Engine, Nov 15, 2016
MY CAR WOULD NOT START. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM - ONLY IF THE CAR WAS AFFECTED - AND IT HAPPENED TO MY CAR AFTER THE WARRANTY ON THE RECALL EXPIRED. I AM THE 2ND OWNER AND WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL DESPITE THE FACT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A DEALER. THE NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSED TO EVEN PAY FOR THE PART - WHICH I COULD NOT PURCHASE OR GET REPAIRED ELSEWHERE. IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE. I HAVE OWNED MANY OTHER CARS AND HAVE HAD CAR MANUFACTURERS STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS AND RIGHT WAS WAS WRONG. NOT IN THIS CASE. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST PAID FOR THE PART AS THERE WAS NO OTHER PLACE TO MAKE THE REPAIR. I SPOKE TO SEVERAL PEOPLE AND WENT AS FAR UP THE LADDER AS POSSIBLE AND WAS FINALLY TOLD THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE COST IN ANY WAY. THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE WAY TO RUN A BUSINESS AND STAND BY A PRODUCT. I HAD A 12 YEAR OLD CAR FROM LEXUS REPLACE A CRACKED DASHBOARD FOR FREE! THE CAR IS USED BY MY SON, A COLLEGE STUDENT, WHO NEEDS IT FOR TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY WHILE AWAY AT SCHOOL. I WAS VERY UPSET AT THE WAY I WAS TREATED AND HOW MY COMPLAINTS WERE NOT ADDRESSED IN ANY WAY.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 10, 2016
ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE. LEAVES CAR DISABLED WHERE EVER YOU ARE. CAR WILL NOT START. MUST BE TOWED. NISSAN HAD AN EARLIER RECALL BUT NEVER PUBLISHED IT TO 2009 ALTIMA OWNERS.
Steering, Engine, Oct 27, 2016
MY ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK HAS MALFUNCTIONED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THIS MALFUNCTION DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO RECOGNIZE THE KEY FOB, PREVENTING IGNITION. I WAS STRANDED IN A REMOTE PART OF A FOREST PRESERVE AND BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT START I HAD TO HIKE OUT 6 MILES UNTIL I GOT CELL PHONE COVERAGE AND COULD CALL FOR HELP. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME PREVIOUSLY IN 2011. AT THAT POINT NISSAN HAD COVERED THIS REPAIR AS PART OF A LIFETIME EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK, BUT THEY DECIDED IN JANUARY 2016 TO CANCEL THIS WARRANTY.
Suspension, Wheels, Engine, Oct 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE, WHICH FLATTENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A SPARE WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE, THE NOISE GREW LOUDER. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE ALLOY WHEEL, REAR DRIVER SIDE ALLOY WHEEL, LK2 ENGINE CRADLE 2.5, BOTH TOP CONTROL ARMS AND KNUCKLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Steering, Engine, Sep 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Steering, Engine, Sep 14, 2016
AFTER ROUTINE DRIVE, CAR "FROZE-UP" DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, CAR WOULD NOT START, WHEEL DID NOT TURN, CAR WOULD NOT START, CAR DEAD. AFTER SOME RESEARCH FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH "STEERING / ENGINE LOCKING-UP" AND CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME WITHOUT ANY WARNING. NISSAN AT ONE POINT HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS INDEFINITELY, THEN ARBITRARILY ENDED IT IN MID 2015. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS....CAN LEAVE YOU STRANDED ANYWHERE!!!
Engine, Aug 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUT INSULATOR WAS CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSTABLE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 5, 2016, crash
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA VIN NUMBER [XXX] HAS MANY SAFETY ISSUES THAT ARE NOT BEING REPORTED WITH MY VIN NUMBER. THE STRUTS, STEERING LOCK BOX{WHICH I PAID 900.00 TO REPAIR], ABS SPEED CONTROL SENSOR,ENGINE OIL COOLANT AND MOST OF ALL THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAVE WENT OUT ON MY CAR AND NISSAN WILL NOT HELP ME REPAIR. SO I AM FORCED TO ATTEMPT THIS LAST TRY BEFORE JOINING A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 2 YEARS AND NOW I AM OUT 9000.00 AND THE REPAIRS ARE MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO GIVE DETAIL ABOUT ALL THE EVENTS SO I PRAY SOMEONE AT NISSAN IS DECENT ENOUGH TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND MAKE THIS RIGHT I AM A SINGLE MOM OF THREE AND RIDE LESS . I HAVE CONTACTED ATT. GENERAL [XXX] AND BBB. MY CAR IS AT [XXX] MY NUMBER IS [XXX] MY NAME IS [XXX] I HAVE OPENED 5 CASES AND BEEN DENIED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Engine, Jul 31, 2016
FIRST PROBLEM IS STATIONARY WHILE PARKED. CAR WAS BUMPED BY ANOTHER WHILE PARKED AND STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WITHOUT BEING BUMPED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. HAD TO TOW TO GARAGE TO UNLOCK. HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW. EXPENSIVE TO FIX . SECOND PROBLEM IS WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAYS. ON HOT DAY, DURING LONGER TRIPS WHERE UPHILL CLIMBING IS PRESENT, THE ENGINE STARTS TO LOSE POWER GOING UP HILL AND MANUAL STATES IT IS A BUILT IN SAFETY FEATURE TO PROTECT ENGINE HOWEVER THIS IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN FOR A WHILE BEFORE DRIVING AGAIN. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY 3 TIMES.
Engine, Jul 14, 2016
ON JULY 11TH I WENT TO THE STORE TO PICK UP SOME ITEMS. WHEN I LEFT THE STORE TO GET IN MY CAR, IT WOULD NOT START. I DRIVE A TWO DOOR NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 2009. THE STEERING LOCK HAD MALFUNCTIONED LEAVING ME STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT WHILE IT WAS 95 DEGREES OUTSIDE. I HAD A LOCK SMITH COME AND USE HIS COMPUTER ON MY VEHICLE, UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR IS IN HIJACK MODE AND MY ENGINE WILL NOT ALLOW HIS COMPUTER TO TALK TO IT. ONLY NISSAN HAS A COMPUTER THAT CAN BYPASS THIS AND REPLACE MY STEERING LOCK. WITH THAT, NISSAN KNOWS THE 2009 MODEL HAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING LOCK BUT HAS YET TO RECALL IT. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. NISSAN ALSO WENT AS FAR AS REPLACING THE PART BUT WITH A DIFFERENT PART # AS THEY KNOW THE PART # IN THE 2009'S ARE DEFECTIVE. THE PART # THEY ARE NOW REPLACING IT WITH IS THE PART THEY PUT IN THE 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA'S. NISSAN SAYS IT'S GOING TO COST ME OVER $1200 TO GET THIS FIXED IN MY CAR. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR A PROBLEM THAT IS DEFECTIVE IN MY VEHICLE AND IS KNOWN BY THE COMPANY ITSELF. I AM NOW CARLESS AS I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I AM APPALLED THAT NISSAN WOULD KNOWINGLY NOT RECALL THE PART IN THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA'S. IT POSES A RISK TO PEOPLE'S SAFETY AS IT CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME AND ANYWHERE!
Steering, Engine, Jul 6, 2016
2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WILL NOT START THEY SAID IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT THAT NEEDS REPLACED. $1,100. NISSAN KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ONLY UNTIL 2015. IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE WHY WAS I NEVER TOLD ABOUT IT. I WOULD HAVE HAD THEM REPLACE IT A LONG TIME AGO. WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD AND THEY SHOULD COVER THE COST!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 21, 2016
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAD A DEFECTIVE STEERING LOCK THAT CAUSED ME TO BE STRANDED ALONE LATE AT NIGHT ON JUNE 10, 2016 - NOT ABLE TO START MY CAR. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN BECAUSE I HAD NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND THIS TIME IT WAS NOT TOO COLD. I WAS ABLE TO USE MY CELLPHONE TO CALL A FRIEND TO HELP. I HAD TO GET A RIDE BACK TO MY CAR THE NEXT DAY AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. I WAS WITHOUT MY VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS WAITING FOR IT TO BE SERVICED. THIS COST ME $900 TO FIX. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART IN THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA AND THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW IF IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR.