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: steering
859 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 12, 2015
JUST FINISHED A 13 HOUR SHIFT AT WORK WHEN I WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO HEAD HOME. THE KEY FOB OPENED THE DOORS BUT WOULD NOT ALLOW THE IGNITION TO START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE, WHICH NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF. I SPOKE WITH TWO DEALERSHIPS WHICH TOLD ME THIS IS INDEED A CHRONIC ISSUE. I SUBMITTED A CLAIM TO NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHICH THEY DENIED SINCE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED 8 WEEKS PRIOR. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY AGAIN ADVISED ME TO COMPLAIN TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AS THEY HAD 5 CARS COME IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE 4 DAYS THAT MY CAR WAS THERE. I AGAIN CALLED CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHO TOLD ME AGAIN THAT MY CLAIM WAS DENIED ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED, THEY WOULD NOT BUDGE ON THIS. I HAD TO ARGUE WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR 15 MINUTES BEFORE HE WOULD HAVE HIS SUPERVISOR CALL ME BACK, STILL WAITING FOR THAT CALL. NISSAN IS VERY AWARE THAT THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE AND EXPECT THE CONSUMER TO EAT THE COSTS WHEN THE PART INEVITABLY FAILS. THEY SAY THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN, BUT DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING STRANDED. NISSAN DOES NOT STAND BY ITS PRODUCT OR ITS CONSUMERS. *TR
Steering, Mar 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 7, 2015
ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) FAILED WHILE CAR WAS PARKED. THIS COULD CERTAINLY BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT OCCURRED LATE AT NIGHT OR IN A DANGEROUS AREA. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A SHORT IN THIS. COULD THIS HAVE CAUSED A FIRE? COULD THEY HAVE FIXED THE SHORT WITHOUT CHARGING ME $993.65 BECAUSE IT WAS 3 MONTHS PAST THE 6 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY? CAR HAS ONLY 26466 MILES ON IT. THE STARTING MECHANISM WHICH SENSES THE BRAKE BEING DEPRESSED HAD FAILED PREVIOUSLY, AND FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, WHEN I WAS FAR FROM HOME AT A LAKESIDE. TWO ELECTRICAL STARTING FAILURES ON THE SAME VEHICLE. FROM THEIR WEB SITE: YOUR NISSAN VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) UNIT THAT LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF TO HELP PREVENT THEFT. ON SOME VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING IRREGULARITY THAT HAS SINCE BEEN CORRECTED, THE ESCL MAY MALFUNCTION AFTER THE VEHICLE IS LOCKED AND COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM STARTING. THIS CONDITION, SHOULD IT OCCUR, WILL ONLY OCCUR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, AND NOT WHILE DRIVING. ALTHOUGH NISSAN BELIEVES THE MAJORITY OF OWNERS WILL NEVER EXPERIENCE THIS UNIQUE CONDITION, TO ASSURE YOUR CONTINUED SATISFACTION AND CONFIDENCE IN YOUR VEHICLE, NISSAN HAS DECIDED TO EXTEND THE NISSAN NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY, AS IT APPLIES TO THE ESCL UNIT, FROM 3 YEARS / 36,000 MILES TO 6 YEARS / UNLIMITED MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. ACCESS TO COMPLETE INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDING A REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM FORM WILL BE AVAILABLE AT WWW.NISSANASSIST.COM ON APRIL 1, 2013. *TR
Steering, Air bags, Mar 1, 2015
ON FEBRUARY 21, 2015, WHILE TRAVELING 300+ MILES OUT OF TOWN MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA FAILED DUE TO THE BROADLY KNOWN ISSUE OF "STEERING COLUMN LOCKOUT," IN WHICH THE CAR WILL NOT START AND REQUIRES A TOW TO THE DEALER FOR EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. I AM REQUESTING THE NHTSA LAUNCH OR EXPAND AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE AND PROVIDE A PUBLIC WARNING TO DRIVERS OF NISSAN VEHICLES. THE CAR HAD REGULAR SERVICE ON FEBRUARY 10, 2015, AT MOSSY NISSAN OCEANSIDE, CA AND I WAS TOLD "SAFE TO DRIVE" FOR MY TRIP OUT OF STATE. IT WASN'T, THE DEALER DOESN'T CHECK FOR THIS WELL KNOWN ISSUE DURING SERVICE. NISSAN REFUSES TO ISSUE A FULL RECALL, INSTEAD EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO 1,000,000 MILES OR 5 YEARS. IN THIS WAY NISSAN PROFITS FROM REPAIRS OF CARS FAILING AFTER 5 YEARS YET BEFORE OR AFTER 1,000,000 MILES WHEN THE CAR STRANDS DRIVERS, AND BECAUSE NOT A FULL RECALL THERE IS NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE FOR AN NHTSA INVESTIGATION. NISSAN DOES NOT HAVE THE CONTROLS TO KNOW WHICH VEHICLES WILL FAIL, AS EVIDENCED BY MY AND MULTIPLE PAGES OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THE NHTSA. I AND MY FAMILY DO NOT ACCEPT THE MULTIPLE APOLOGIES FROM NISSAN, AND THERE IS NO WAY FOR NISSAN TO MAKE UP FOR ME MISSING MY DAUGHTER'S EVENT. NISSAN'S ACTIONS INDICATE THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN PASSENGER SAFETY. THIS NISSAN HAS STRANDED ME 5 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN 2009 FROM MOSSY NISSAN OCEANSIDE, AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER. REGARDING PASSENGER SAFETY, ALSO THE AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS FAILED TO TURN ON TO PROTECT PASSENGERS. ON AIRBAG FAILURE, NISSAN TESTED THE AIRBAG ON MY VEHICLE WITH A MALE PASSENGER AND STATED THEY DIDN'T SEE AN ISSUE, MISLEADING MYSELF, CUSTOMERS, AND THE NHTSA BY TESTING WITH A MALE PASSENGER OVER 120 POUNDS YET PUBLISHING RESULTS AS APPLYING TO BOTH GENDERS - A FEMALE PASSENGER WILL LIKELY NEED TO BE OVER 150 POUNDS TO BE PROTECTED BY THE NISSAN PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 21, 2015
ON A VERY COLD DAY (O DEGREES F), THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED. CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT REPLACED AT A TOTAL COST OF $1106.98. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 19, 2015
MY VEHICLE BEGIN TO NOT START PROPERLY AROUND NOVEMBER 2014. IT HAS SINCE GOT TO THE POINT THAT IT WILL NOT START, DUE TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL LOCK. I FOUND THIS OUT AFTER SOME TROUBLE SHOOTING AND RESEARCH. I ALSO FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND YET A FULL RECALL WAS NEVER MADE, DUE TO IT BEING LABELED AS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. MY WIFE AND 18 MONTH OLD SON WERE STRANDED IN 14 DEGREE WEATHER FOR OVER 3 HOURS TODAY AND THE WIND CHILL WAS BELOW ZERO. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A COMPANY LIKE NISSAN CAN GET AWAY WITH SAYING THIS MALFUNCTION IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. NISSAN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE, BUT CLAIMS IT WILL NOT BE COVERED AS OUR CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING STATING THAT THERE WAS POSSIBLY A DEFECTIVE PART ON OUR CAR. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE AND I'M SURE SEVERAL HAVE ALREADY FILED COMPLAINTS HERE AS WELL. NISSAN NOW WANTS US TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE ALREADY DIAGNOSED, I FIND THIS TO BE AN UNACCEPTABLE BUSINESS PRACTICE, WHICH INDICATES THEY ARE MORE CONCERNED WITH MONEY THEN THE WELFARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL VEHICLES THAT HAD RECALLS AND NEVER ONCE WAS I REQUIRED TO PAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. *TR
Steering, Feb 16, 2015
ON MONDAY, JAN 26, ,2015 MY NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START OR TURN OVER DUE TO THE STEERING LOCK. I CONTACTED NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO GET ASSISTANCE BY DESCRIBING WHAT ISSUE I WAS HAVING WITH MY CAR. I PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING TO SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE; MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND THE KEY SYMBOL LIGHT IS APPEARING ON MY DASH BOARD. I WAS TOLD BY THE REP AT NISSAN THAT I WOULD NEED TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP/AUTO NATION ASAP. MY CAR WAS TOWED ON MONDAY EVERNING JAN 26, 2015. MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY (SO I THOUGHT), I CONTACTED MY WARRANTY SERVICE AND WAS TOLD MY WARRANTY EXPIRED NOV 26, 2014. ON THE AUTO NATION INVOICE IT SAYS (REPLACE STEERING LOCK AND PERFORMED REGSITION ON STEERING LOCK). MY CAR REPAIRED ON TUE, JAN 27, 2015 AND I WAS ABLE TO PICK-UP MY CAR ON WED, JAN 28, 2015.THE TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS $1,067.47. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 13, 2015
THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK SUDDENLY FAILED, RESULTING IN THE INABILITY TO START THE CAR. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THAT THE ISSUE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD COST BE $900+. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I FOUND THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WITH THE 2009 ALTIMA AND IT IS CLEAR THAT NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. I WAS STRANDED, AWAY FROM HOME, AND HAD TO REARRANGE MY ENTIRE DAY WHILE COMING OUT OF POCKET A LARGE SUM OF MONEY WHICH I, QUITE FRANKLY, DO NOT HAVE. I SUBMITTED A WARRANTY EXTENSION REIMBURSEMENT FORM TO NISSAN WHO TURNED AROUND AND TOLD ME THAT I WAS OUT OF LUCK. I WAS REFERRED TO THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHO CONFIRMED THAT I WAS OUT OF LUCK. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT BECAME A PROBLEM. I AM ONLY 3 MONTHS OUTSIDE OF THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REIMBURSEMENT. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT. *TR
Steering, Engine, Feb 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Steering, Jan 29, 2015
THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCKING MECHANISM IS FAULTY AND WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY PAD AND REFUSES TO ALLOW THE PUSH BUTTON STARTER TO START THE ENGINE. ACCORDING TO WHAT IS ON THE INTERNET, NISSAN KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Jan 28, 2015
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA DID NOT START. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE BAY RIDGE NISSAN DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A STEERING COLUMN LOCK PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT I MIGHT HAVE A WARRANTY BUT IT WAS MOST LIKELY EXPIRED. IF I WAS TO DO OTHER WORK ON THE CAR, THEY COULD MAKE A PITCH TO THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK COST. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD OTHER PROBLEMS, CONTROL ARM, WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND SERVICE MAINTENANCE AND I NEED TO GET IT FIX WHICH TOTAL OVER $900. THE WARRANTY TO FIX THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK WOULD ONLY APPLY IF I WAS TO AGREE TO DO THIS OTHER "NEEDED" WORK. THE BAY RIDGE NISSAN ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE FULL CHARGE OF THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK $966.63 IF I DID NOT AGREE TO DO THE OTHER WORK. AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED, I DID NOT KNOW THAT I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I DID NOT FIND OUT UNTIL AFTER THE CAR WAS FIXED AND A SECOND PROBLEM DEVELOPED. THEY TOOK FULL ADVANTAGE OF MY SITUATION TO SELL ME SERVICES I DIDN'T NEED. I'M VERY ANGRY ABOUT THIS. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF A GOOD LAWYER, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE INFORMED THEIR CUSTOMERS ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND DEALERS SHOULD BE HONORING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CUSTOMER'S BAD SITUATION TO MAKE A PROFIT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN VEHICLE AGAIN. I CONTACTED THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TOO AND THEY TURNED A BLIND EYE, SAYING THAT THEY "RESOLVED" THE PROBLEM. THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME A REFUND AND SAID THEY SPOKE TO THE DEALER. THIS IS THEIR IDEA OF "RESOLVED". THIS IS TOTALLY NOT ACCEPTABLE. NO ONE IS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DISHONESTY, NOT THE MANUFACTURER, NOT THE DEALER, NOT EVEN THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS BUREAU. THEY ARE THE WORST CAR COMPANY EVER WITH ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTS. I HOPE NO ONE WILL HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO RECALL THIS DEFECT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 28, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ UPDATED 10/19/2015*JS
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 27, 2015
AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START / TOW VEHICLE TO DEALER AND GOT AN ESTIMATE OF $1150.00 FOR THE STEERING LOCK SENSOR . I AM DISAPPOINTED AND ASK IF I HAD TO TAKE A CERTAIN PROCEDURE TO REPLACE THE BATTERY DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR RESPOND NO ......WHAT HAPPENED THE? NO ANSWER. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 26, 2015
DROVE CAR TO GAS STATION AND AFTER FILLING WITH GAS CAR WOULD NO LONGER START. CAR DID NOT RECOGNIZE KEY FOB. THE STEERING LOCK IS BROKEN AND REQUIRES $800.00 TO REPAIR. SPOKE WITH TOW TRUCK DRIVER WHO TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY TOW A LOT OF THESE TO THE SHOP EACH WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. INCIDENT IS NOT ISOLATED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 20, 2015
CAR WON'T START DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK BEING DEFECTIVE. *TR
Steering, Jan 12, 2015
STEERING WHEEL LOCK UNIT WILL NO LONGER LOCK OR UNLOCK CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 6, 2015
MY ORIGINAL INCIDENT DATE WAS NOT CORRECT AND I DID NOT INCLUDE THE VIN# OF THE VEHICLE SO I AM SUBMITTING AN UPDATED COMPLAINT DATE COMPLAINT FILED: 12/08/2014 COMPONENT(S): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ENGINE , STEERING DATE OF INCIDENT: 11/27/2014 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10662919 AS PREVIOUSLY STATED I DROVE MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S TO WORK ON 12/04, I DROVE MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SE TO WORK AND IT STARTED UP JUST FINE. HOWEVER, WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE WORK FOR THE DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE KEYLESS REMOTE ALLOWED ME TO LOCK AND UNLOCK MY CAR, BUT THE CAR DID NOT START. INSTEAD AN ERROR CODE SHOWS THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) MECHANISM WAS MALFUNCTIONING. ALSO, THERE IS A YELLOW KEY ICON ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH THAT INTERMITTENTLY FLASHES NO KEY. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING THAT THE PART WAS ABOUT TO FAIL INCLUDING ANY LIGHTS ON THE DASH PANEL. I WAS LEFT STRANDED TRYING TO FIND A WAY HOME. DUE TO BEING IN A PARKING GARAGE I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK WITH CLEARANCE TO ENTER THE GARAGE. SINCE I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE REPAIRS AT THIS TIME I HAVE BEEN A MONTH WITH NO CAR. NISSAN IS STILL REFUSING TO REPAIR MY CAR INDICATING THAT IT FALLS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION PERIOD. WHICH IS INTERESTING CONSIDERING THERE IS A DETAILED LETTER EXPLAINING THE WARRANTY WHICH CLEARLY STATES, "NISSAN HAS DECIDED TO EXTEND THE NISSAN NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY, AS IT APPLIES TO THE ESCL UNIT, FROM 3 YEARS / 36,000 MILES TO 6 YEARS / UNLIMITED MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST." - HTTP://WWW.NISSANASSIST.COM/WEB/ESCL_WARRANTY_EXTENSION/PROGRAMDETAILS.PHP?MENU=61 BASIC MATH SHOWS THAT 6 YEARS FROM 2009 WOULD BE 2015 NOT 2014. SO I AM STILL NOT CERTAIN AS TO HOW I AM OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. SEEING AS HOW MY CLAIM WAS ORIGINALLY FILED IN 2014 THIS SHOULD MAKE ME ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS UNDER THE COVERED WARRANTY.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 5, 2015
UPON ARRIVING BACK TO CAR AFTER ATTENDING CHURCH IT WOULD NOT START. STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT LOCKED, IGNITION LIGHT WOULD NOT COME OFF OF LOCK, BATTERY WAS GOOD. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. LEFT US STRANDED. TALKED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN AUSTIN AND SAID IT WAS PROBABLY STEERING LOCK MECHANISM AS HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH 2009 NISSAN. SAID IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST AROUND $1,000. UPON RESEARCHING FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM! WHY NOT A RECALL? *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 29, 2014
I GOT INTO MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S AND I PUSHED THE START IGNITION BUTTON AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START. IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK SET THAT CONTROLS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE'S STARTING CAPABILITIES. I HAD TO PAY FOR A TOW TRUCK TO COME TOW MY CAR WAY ACROSS TOWN TO A AUTO-NATION NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS ON THE CORNER OF WELCH ROAD AND HIGH WAY 635. THEY SAID THAT THIS SHOULD BE COVERED ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IT IS NOT HOWEVER THIS IS A RECALL ITEM THAT NISSAN SHOULD COVER THE COST FOR ALL OF THEIR CUSTOMER'S WHO PURCHASED THIS ROTTEN VEHICLE IN THE FIRST PLACE WITH THIS BUILT IN OBSOLESCENCE OR DESIGNED TO BREAK DOWN AND SHUT DOWN ON THE OWNER AND "LEAVE THEM STRANDED" WHY WOULD YOU KNOWINGLY ALLOW THIS DEFECT ON ALL OF THESE MILLION'S OF MANUFACTURED DEFECTED "JUNK" OF A CAR WHY WOULD YOU NISSAN ALLOW THIS PIECE OF SH_ T VEHICLE TO BE MADE KNOWING THAT THIS WOULD BE A "HUGE INCONVENIENCE TO THE CUSTOMER VEHICLE OWNER? I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN AUTONATION'S [XXX] THAT THE COST FOR REPAIRING THIS PIECE OF JUNK OF A POORLY AND CHEAPLY MADE CAR WOULD COST ME $849.00 PLUS TAX. WHAT THE [XXX] IS THE MATTER WITH YOU PEOPLE? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR F MIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Dec 26, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FAIL TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Steering, Dec 26, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT WHEEL LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 25, 2014
2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S COUPE. CAR STARTED FINE IN THE MORNING, THEN FAILED TO START (DID NOT CRANK) AFTER SITTING IN PARKING LOT FOR 1 HOUR. YELLOW "INTELLIGENT KEY" AND RED "SECURITY INDICATOR" LIGHT WERE LIT ON DASH, OTHERWISE NO OTHER INDICATIONS ON THE DASH. TRIED JUMPING BATTERY AND CHANGING KEY BATTERY, NO LUCK. CALLED LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP, THEY SUSPECTED STEERING INTERLOCK ISSUE, STATED THAT THERE WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THIS. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS THE STEERING INTERLOCK AND FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY. NISSAN IS SUPPOSEDLY REIMBURSING FOR PART OF THE TOW CHARGE ALSO. FORTUNATELY, CAR WAS STILL WITHIN THE WARRANTY TIME LIMIT. DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED, "NISSAN FIGURED IF THERE WAS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM, IT WOULD OCCUR WITHIN A CERTAIN TIME PERIOD". I WAS LUCKY TO BE NEAR HOME AND DEALERSHIP WHEN THIS HAPPENED, COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. NOT SURE WHY THEY WOULDN'T ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS TYPE OF THING. *TR
Steering, Dec 22, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE KEY SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 21, 2014
THE CAR WAS DRIVEN TO A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT. WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT START. WE JUMPED THE BATTERY AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. NO LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON IN THE CAR AND THE BRAKE WAS VERY HARD TO PUSH DOWN. WE DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING MOUNT. WE ATTEMPTED TO GET IT STARTED THE NEXT DAY BY FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS ONLINE BUT NO LUCK. WE HAD IT TOWED AND FOUND OUT IT WAS IN FACT THE STEERING MOUNT. IT IS A LARGE EXPENSE, IMPACTED BY THE FACT THAT THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN TO A NISSAN PLANT TO BE REPROGRAMMED, ADDING AN ADDITIONAL 280 DOLLARS. THIS PART NEEDS A MASS RECALL! *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 18, 2014
CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER WORK ON 12/16/14. LOCKS WORKED FINE AND DOORS UNLOCKED. TRIED JUMPING CAR BATTERY AND CHANGING BATTERIES IN KEY WITH NO SUCCESS. HAD CAR TOWED TO LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT NIGHT. AFTER LOOKING AT CAR ON 12/17/14, LOCAL SHOP ADVISED THE ISSUE TO BE THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK. AFTER REVIEWING THIS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE, SO COMMON NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS MODEL FOR THIS PART TO 6 YRS UNLIMITED MILES (MY CAR HAS ABOUT 80,000 MILES). I ASK THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE NISSAN DEALER WAS THERE ANY RECALL ON THIS PART BECAUSE OF ALL THE ISSUES WITH IT. I WAS TOLD NO AND IT WOULD COST $1196 TO REPAIR IT. SO I CALL NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS FOR ANY CHANCE OF COVERING UNDER THIS WARRANTY. NISSAN STATED THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL I HAD A DEALER REVIEW THE ISSUE. DEALER CONFIRMED ISSUE. BUT I WAS FULLY DENIED WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED OCTOBER OF 2014 AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING, WITH THE LARGE VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS HERE AND NISSANS OWN ADMISSION OF KNOWN ISSUE BY EXTENDING WARRANTY FOR THIS MODEL YEAR AND PART, SOMETHING MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE. IM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH NISSAN. SINCE 2007 I HAVE PURCHASED 4 NISSAN AN AT THIS POINT I WILL NEVER SPEND MY HARD EARN MONEY ON ANOTHER NISSAN PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD ON HOW NISSAN IS TREATING THEIR SO CALLED "VALUED CUSTOMERS'. *TR