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, Jan 20, 2013
PARKED THE VEHICLE , IT WAS NOT PARKED STRAIGHT, GOT RIGHT BACK IN TO PARK STRAIGHT, CAR WOULD NOT STARTED, GOT TOWED TO HALL NISSAN CHESAPEAKE, TOLD I NEEDED A STEERING LOCK CONTROL AND COST WAS 620.00 GOT ON GOOGLE AND READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS, THERE SHOULD BE A DEFAULT, A RECALL, WE MUST STAND TOGETHER , PLEASE HELP! *TR
Steering, Jan 19, 2013
WE DROVE THE CAR TO DR.'S OFFICE. WHEN GOING TO LEAVE, THE PUSH START BUTTON FAILED TO START CAR. ENDED UP HAVING CAR TOWED TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO CALLED UP TO THE CLOSEST NISSAN DEALER AND THEY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE BRAKE SENSOR, THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THAN WE HAD IT TOWED AGAIN UP TO NISSAN DEALER 45 MILES AWAY, ENDED UP BEING THE STEERING LOCK UNIT FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY ORDERED THE PART WHICH WAS ON BACK ORDER. FINALLY CAR WAS READY 13 DAYS AFTER INCIDENT. FINAL COST WAS $848. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THIS DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED! *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 18, 2013
I WENT TO THE VALERO IN CABOT, AR TO GET GAS THIS PAST WEDNESDAY MORNING BEFORE I WAS TO GO TO WORK, AND WHEN I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE INTELLIGENT KEY INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON, AND WOULD NOT START. I COULD NOT PRESS THE BRAKE IT WAS VERY STIFF AND THE START BUTTON WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE LOCK POSITION I READ THE OWNERS MANUAL, CALLED THE NORTH LITTLE ROCK NISSAN DEALER, AND REALIZED THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO EXCEPT HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A 2009 MODEL WITH 55,000 MILES, AND I TAKE GREAT CARE OF IT. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME LATER AND SAID I NEED A NEW STEERING LOCK UNIT. HE SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $1200.00 TO REPAIR, AND HE SAID IT ISN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THERE WAS NO RECALL, AND TO LET HIM KNOW WHAT I WANTED TO DO. THIS IS FAULTY EQUIPMENT FROM NISSAN AND THIS ISSUE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY ANYTHING I COULD HAVE DONE OR NOT DONE. NOT ONLY DO I NOT HAVE 1200.00, BUT I HAVE 3 KIDS AND A JOB I THAT I NEED TO GET BACK & FORTH TO. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED FOR 3 DAYS NOW, I HAVE MISSED WORK BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANOTHER MODE OF TRANSPORTATION, MY INSURANCE COVERS NOTHING EXCEPT $75 FOR THE TOW, AND I HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS ON MY PHONE WITH NISSAN. I'M WITHOUT CAR, NO WAY TO GET TO WORK TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY, AND DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH GROCERIES TO SURVIVE THE W/E !!! THERE SHOULD ALREADY BE A RECALL ON THIS, AS I HAVE READ & BEEN TOLD BY NISSAN THIS HAS HAPPENED TO 08,09,10 MODELS. THERE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE A FORMAL RECALL ON THIS PART BECAUSE IT HAS AFFECTED TOO MANY PEOPLE AND IT COULD EASILY RESULT IN DEATH IF THE LOCK OUT TAKES PLACE IN TRAFFIC.. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE DEALER TO WORK WITH ME, MUCH LESS RETURN MY CALLS OR EMAILS. I MAY VERY WELL LOSE MY JOB IF I HAVE TO TAKE OFF WORK ANYMORE, BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION... PATHETIC. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 18, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START WHEN ENGAGING THE PUSH-TO-START SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE REQUIRED PART WAS ORDERED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 17, 2013
MY WIFE WAS ABOUT TO HEAD HOME FROM WORK IN THE AFTERNOON. THE KEY FOB UNLOCKED THE CAR LIKE USUAL BUT THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE IN HER ATTEMPT TO START IT. THE KEY LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. WE TRIED A NUMBER OF THINGS BUT THE PUSH-TO-START BUTTON WOULDN'T CHANGE OUT OF THE 'LOCK' POSITION - EVEN TO GO TO 'ACCESSORY' MODE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER WHICH INFORMED US THAT THE STEERING LOCK UNIT MALFUNCTIONED AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO START UP UNTIL IT IS FIXED. THE PART IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND COSTS CLOSE TO $500. MY FINAL QUOTE WAS $864 FROM THE DEALER. THE CAR WILL HAVE TO BE REPROGRAMMED, SO THERE IS NO WAY TO CIRCUMVENT THE DEALER'S COST. NISSAN NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THEIR MISTAKE AND RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
Steering, Jan 16, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Jan 16, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING LOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED HER THE COMPONENT AT A LOWER PRICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,980. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,900. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Jan 16, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INTELLIGENCE KEY MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Steering, Jan 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BY ENGAGING THE PUSH-TO-START BUTTON BUT TO NO AVAIL. IN ADDITION, THE INTELLIGENT KEY MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Steering, Jan 15, 2013
I WENT TO WORK ON THE 7TH FOR 11-7 SHIFT. WHEN I TRY STARTING MY CAR TO LEAVE ON THE 8TH @ 7:07, IT WOULD NOT START. THE YELLOW WARNING KEY CAME UP ON THE DASH. THE LIGHTS, LOCKING THE CAR WORKS, THE HORN WORKS. I CALL AAA THEY COULD GET IT STARTED. I CALLED NISSAN AFTER I TOOK THE CAR HOME AS I HAVE STUFF IN IT THAT I COULDN'T LEAVE AT A SHOP. THEY SAID I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A NISSAN DEALER AND LET THEM KNOW THE COST AND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I WENT ON LINE AND SEARCH IT UP ONLY TO FIND SO MANY WITH THIS SAME OR VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM. I CALL BACK NISSAN AND LET THEM KNOW IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AM HAVING. THE DEALER KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN LESS THAN 30MIN. IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN NEED TO REPLACE. NOW I SPEND $910 AND NISSAN TELLING ME THEY CAN NOT FINANCE IT AS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE PART. PLEASE, EVERYONE, LET US JOIN TOGETHER AND CLAIM WHAT IS OURS. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 15, 2013
CAR WOULD NOT START. YELLOW KEY LIGHT AND FLASHING RED KEY LIGHT ON PANEL. SEEMED LIKE A SECURITY ANTI-THEFT PROBLEM BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A FAULTY STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. A $700 REPAIR. AND, WHAT'S WORSE IS, THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS ITEM EVEN WITH MANY COMPLAINTS REPORTED. THIS WAS RECALLED ON OTHER NISSAN MODELS (CUBE, 390, ETC) BUT NO ON THE ALTIMA. NOT HAPPY. *TR
Steering, Jan 14, 2013
ON 01/09/2013, I DROVE MY GRANDMOTHER TO AN APPT. AND CAME HOME. FIVE HOURS LATER, I GOT INTO THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. I MADE SOME CALLS AND RESEARCHED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM ISN'T WORKING. THE LITTLE YELLOW KEY APPEARS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. I HAVE BRAKE LIGHTS AND REPLACED THE BATTERY IN BOTH THE CAR AND THE KEY FOB. NOTHING HELPED TO START MY CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL ISN'T LOCKED SO IT MOVES FREELY AND THE IGNITION BUTTON ILLUMINATES BUT WILL NOT LEAVE THE LOCK POSITION. I PLACED A PHONE CALL TO THE NUMBER PROVIDED BY CONROE, TX. THE "CONSUMER AFFAIRS SPECIALIST", [XXX], HUNG UP ON ME!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 10, 2013
[XXX], ATLANTA, GEORGIA MY DAUGHTER'S 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA DID THE SAME THING. SHE CAME OVER FOR A VISIT AND UPON LEAVING HER CAR WOULD NOT CRANK. MY HUSBAND AND I DID ALL OF THE TROUBLESHOOTING ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL TO NO AVAIL. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HE IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE WANTED TO SELL HERE ANOTHER ALTIMA, BECAUSE NISSAN KNEW THIS WAS AN ISSUE, SO THEY STOPPED PUTTING THIS MECHANISM ON THE 2012 MODELS. NISSAN WHO HAS A GOOD STANDING AND HAVE MILLIONS OF CARS ON THE ROAD SHOULD DO RIGHT BY CONSUMERS WHO PURCHASED THEIR VEHICLES AND HAD THIS PROBLEM. I AM GOING TO SEND THIS COMPLAINT SITE TO MY LOCAL NEWS STATION AND TRY TO PUT SOME FIRE UNDER NISSAN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND OTHER CONSUMERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE REPAIR COST OF OUR NISSAN ALTIMA WAS $919.00. I SEE SEVERAL DIFFERENCES IN THE REPAIR COST TOO. WE CANNOT SIT BY AND LET CONSUMERS CONTINUE TO BE CHARGED SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR REPAIR COST WHEN NISSAN KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Jan 10, 2013
I JUST WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THIS SAME SITUATION HAPPENED TO ME A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND IT IS NOT A CHEAP COST ($~1000). I CALLED NISSAN (1-800-647-7261) AND MADE A COMPLAINT AND THEY ARE GOING TO REIMBURSE ME 50%. IT SHOULD BE A 100% BUT IT'S BETTER THAN NOTHING. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CALL THEM AND MAKE A COMPLAINT AND FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOUR LOCAL BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE. THEY MUST RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PART! *TR
Steering, Jan 9, 2013
MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO HER CLASS AND PARKED IT ON A PARKING LOT. THE CAR COULDN'T BE STARTED (PUSH BUTTON COULDN'T START THE CAR) WHEN SHE WAS DONE WITH THE CLASS AND WANTED TO GET BACK HOME. THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT SHOWED ON THE LEFT TOP PANEL AND RED SECURITY LIGHT FLASHED. THE FOB KEY STILL WORKED IN LOCKING/UNLOCKING THE CAR DOORS. THE AAA WAS CALLED AND THEY CAME TO TRY TO JUMP START THE CAR. IT DIDN'T START. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND IT WAS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ASSEMBLY PROBLEM. IT COST $700 TO REPAIR IT. I CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THE PART HAS NOT BE ON THE RECALL LIST. *TR
Steering, Jan 9, 2013
I GOT INTO MY CAR AFTER WORK(12-27-12) AND NOTICED THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE DASH. THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE JUST FINE. THEN THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO START MY CAR (12-30-12) THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. GOT THE CAR PLACED ON A TRAILER AND HAULED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN REPAIR SHOP AND MY STEERING COLUMN LOCK MECHANISM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH IS AN AWFULLY EXPENSIVE FIX. TO TOP THINGS OFF, THIS PART IS ON BACK ORDER SO I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH ISSUES. *TR
Steering, Jan 8, 2013
I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE FOR WORK AROUND 6:30AM AND LEFT TO GET GAS BEFORE CONTINUING TO WORK. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE GAS PUMP AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE AFTER PUMPING GAS THE CAR FAILED TO START. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN INDICATOR IN MY DASH THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN. IT WAS A RED INDICATOR THAT I WOULD LATER FIND OUT SHOWED A PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE PAST THE "LOCK" STAGE AND I HAD TO PROMPTLY HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS REPAIR WOULD COST ALMOST $800.00 BEFORE TAXES. AFTER RESEARCHING, I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SIMILAR CLAIMS IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I WOULD JUST LIKE FOR MY CASE TO BE KNOWN WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD A SIMILAR POSITION. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 8, 2013
DROVE THE CAR INTO WORK JUST FINE. SEVEN HOURS LATER WHEN I WAS LEAVING TO GO HOME CAR WOULD NOT START. KEY LIGHT WAS ON IN DASHBOARD BUT NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. JUMPED THE BATTERY, RESET THE BATTER, EVEN TOOK OUT THE BATTERY TO GET IT TESTED. STILL NOTHING. FINALLY PAID $70 TO GET IT TOWED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP (LESS THAN 3 MILES) AND IT IS THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT, WHICH COST $978 TO REPLACE. APPARENTLY THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT IS COLD OUT. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND REIMBURSE EVERYONE WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AND YOU BET I'M GOING TO TELL EVERYONE I KNOW!! *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 8, 2013
VEH WAS DRIVEN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN STOPPED TO GET GAS. VEH WOULD NOT START AGAIN. A YELLOW KEY INDICATOR CAME ON THE DASH AND VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS THE STEERING LOCK MODULE. *TR
Steering, Jan 8, 2013
STEERING LOCK UNIT ON JAN 2, 2012, I DROVE MY CAR TO WORK. I DID NOT NOTICE AT THAT TIME ANY LIGHTS ON HOWEVER 5 HOURS LATER I GO TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. IT WAS AT THAT TIME I NOTICED THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT. I HAD NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE. I TRIED JUMPING THE BATTERY AND WHEN THAT DIDN'T WORK I WENT AND BOUGHT A BRAND NEW BATTERY. STILL, I GOT NO RESULTS. I TOWED THE CAR TO NISSAN TO FIND OUT THAT MY STEERING LOCK UNIT WENT OUT ON THE CAR. I TOO AM BAFFLED BY THE FACT THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART AS IT HAS BEEN A COMMON ISSUE WITH A LOT OF CUSTOMERS. THIS IS MY FIRST NISSAN AND I AM EXTREMELY UNHAPPY KNOWING THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY DOCUMENTED ISSUES YET NISSAN HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. *TR
Steering, Jan 7, 2013
THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING TO MY DESTINATION. WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE, I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK MY DOORS BUT COULD NOT START THE CAR. LIGHTS WERE WORKING BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO ENGAGE BRAKE PEDAL OR PUSH THE BUTTON TO START THE CAR. TRIED TO JUMP THE CAR OFF THINKING IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT DID NOT WORK. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO OTHER WARNING SIGNS ONLY THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM ON THE 2009 NISSAN 370 Z. *TR
Steering, Jan 7, 2013
ON A COLD JAN DAY(BELOW FREEZING) A NOTORIOUSLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA OCCURRED. THE STEERING WHEEL ACTUATOR FAILED ADDING TO THE 1000S OF OTHER REPORTED STEERING WHEEL ACTUATORS ALREADY POSTED ON THIS WEB SITE. SEEMS THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS 1-3 YEAR OLD CARS IN COLDER WEATHER. THE CAR WILL NOT START NOR CAN THE STEERING COLUMN BE UNLOCKED WHICH COMPLICATES THE TOWING. THE "PUSH TO START" KEY FOB THAT NISSAN HAS ENGINEERED IS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. THERE IS NOT A MECHANICAL STEERING LOCK AS YOU WOULD HAVE IN A NORMAL KEY OPERATED CAR AND THE LOCKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL OCCURS AS A THEFT SECURITY DEVICE. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING THE IMPACT COULD BE DEADLY. THE COMPANY HAS NOT RECALLED THE CAR FOR THIS AND IT WILL TAKE A SERIOUS INJURY LAWSUIT FOR NISSAN TO UNDERSTAND THE PRODUCT THEY PUT ON THE HIGHWAY PUTS ALL AT RISK. DON'T BUY A CAR WITH THIS TYPE KEY START MECHANISM FROM NISSAN. THE COST TO REPAIR IS 1100 DOLLARS............ *TR
Steering, Jan 7, 2013
COLD DAY 2009 ALTIMA STARTED FINE. WENT TO WORK, BUT AT LUNCH TIME TRIED TO START CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. FOB KEY WOULD STILL OPEN LOCKS AND WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BUY CAR AND LIGHTS STILL WORKED SO IT WAS NOT BATTERY OR KEY. BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO WORKED. YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON DASH WAS LIT AND STEERING WHEEL AND GEARS WERE LOCKED. CAR WAS TOWED ON FLATBED TO DEALER. DEALER INITIALLY SAID IT MAY BE JUST FOB KEY REPROGRAMMING. HOWEVER AFTER 4 HOURS THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE STEERING LOCK SWITCH. COST $700 DOLLARS TO REPAIR!! NISSAN RECALL THIS PART NOW AND REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS! *TR
Steering, Jan 6, 2013
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL ACTUATOR HAD FAILED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE ACTUATOR IS APPX: $800. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM USING A GOOGLE SEARCH, IT APPEARS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD RECENT ISSUE WITH THE NISSAN ALTIMA. THIS PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, HOWEVER, IT SEEMS TO BE A COLD WEATHER ISSUE. THE ACTUATOR IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD NOT BE FAILING IN A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 6, 2013
WENT TO GO START MY CAR AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. COULDN'T START IN NEUTRAL. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR IN THE MORNING. THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE BY STOPPING AND STARTING NUMEROUS TIMES. IT APPEARS THAT THE STEERING LOCK UNIT WAS FAILING. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE DETERMINED THIS IS A COMMON AND COSTLY PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NO RE RECALL FOR IT. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR