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, Dec 12, 2012
STEERING LOCK THAT ENGAGES THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE INTELLIGENT KEY, AFTER WATCHING A UTUBE VIDEO I WIGGLED AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL NOT GENTLY AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WAS THEN RECOGNIZED AND I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. NOW WHILE DRIVING THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE INTELLIGENT KEY STAYS ON. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH NISSAN ALTIMAS 2007-2009 IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS? *TR
Steering, Dec 11, 2012
THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY STOP WORKING, SO BECAUSE THE CAR ONLY START WITH THE PUSH BUTTON IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN MY CAR ON. SO I TOOK MY CAR TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID THAT I HAVE TO PAY $1100 TO CHANGE THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY. AND MY CAR HAVE ONLY 48,449 MILES. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 9, 2012
WHEN I ENTERED MY CAR I NOTICED THAT THE PUSH BRAKE LIGHT WASN'T ON LIKE IT NORMALLY IS FOR THE INTELLIGENT KEY START. I PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE AND IT FELT VERY STIFF. A YELLOW KEY LIGHT KEPT FLASHING AND EVERYTIME I WOULD TRY AND START THE CAR IT WOULD STAY IN LOCK AND WOULDN'T EVEN TRY TO START. I DIDN'T HEAR THE IGNITION, NOTHING. I TRIED TO CHECK THE BATTERY, I USED A DIFFERENT KEY, I PUT THE KEY IN THE SLOT AND NOTHING WORKED. I WAS STRANDED. THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE AND HAD NO PREVIOUS INDICATORS THAT SOMETHING COULD GO WRONG. AS I SEARCHED ONLINE FOR A FIX I FOUND MANY PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD TO PAY A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. NISSAN PROMOTES HOW SAFE, RELIABLE AND ECONOMICAL THEIR CARS ARE, BUT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM OF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK CAN DISABLE THE VEHICLE LEAVING A DRIVER STRANDED WITH ONLY ONE OPTION, WHICH IS, TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER. THIS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW IN THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. NISSAN WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A REPUTABLE COMPANY. HOWEVER, WITH THESE TYPES OF MALFUNCTIONS, AND NO SUPPORT FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS, I FEEL VERY UNSATISFIED AND UNSAFE WITH MY PURCHASE. NISSAN NEEDS TO PROVIDE A RECALL AND FIX THESE SENSOR ISSUES. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 6, 2012
STEERING LOCK UNIT MALFUNCTIONED. CAR WOULD NOT START. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2012
UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR, IGNITION WOULD NOT CHANGE FROM "LOCK" TO "ACC" OR "ON". INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LAMP WAS LIT STEADY ON DASH. STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WAS NOT LOCKED. ALL POWER AND OTHER FUNCTIONS WORKED (LIGHTS, DOOR LOCKS, ETC). BATTERY IS FINE. INDEPENDENT TESTING FOUND STEERING LOCK CONTROL MODULE PART 48700-9N00B FAULTY. SIMILAR/SAME PART ON NISSAN GTRS WAS RECALLED, PART NUMBER 48700-JF00A OR 48700-JF00B, BEING REPLACED BY 48700-JF00C SAME PART NUMBER IS FAILING FOR NISSAN 370ZS AS WELL, SAME YEARS AND SAME PART NUMBER 48700-JF00A OR 48700-JF00B, YET THEY ARE NOT BEING RECALLED. THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO OCCURRING IN NISSAN MAXIMAS AND NISSAN MURANOS HOWEVER I COULD NOT FIND THE PART NUMBER. IN ALL MODELS OF NISSAN THIS PART WAS REMOVED IN MID 2010 DUE TO CONSISTENT FAILURE. THE PART COSTS APPROXIMATELY $500 FROM NISSAN, IS USUALLY OUT OF STOCK AND BACK ORDERED, AND ALSO COSTS ANOTHER $400-$500 TO BE INSTALLED AT A DEALER. THERE SHOULD BE A MAKE-WIDE RECALL FOR ALL MODELS FOR THIS PART, NOT JUST THE GTR BECAUSE IT'S THE MOST EXPENSIVE OF THEM. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 4, 2012
WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. I COULD NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO START THE CAR. THE CAR RECOGNIZED THE INTELLIGENT KEY WAS INSIDE THE CAR, I COULD LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS AND TRUNK, DOME LIGHTS WORKED. BASICALLY I WAS STRANDED. I CONTACTED THE DEALER I PURCHASED CAR FROM (WHOM ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH NISSAN VEHICLES) AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, THEY HAD ME TROUBLESHOOT. I CALLED LOCK & KEY COMPANY, NOT FAMILIAR WORKING WITH THIS NISSAN PROBLEM. CALLED NISSAN DEALER WHILE WAITING, THEY ADVISED ME A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS YR/MAKE AND I WAS AT THE MERCY OF NISSAN TO REPAIR, HE FORGOT TO TELL ME THAT IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY PROGRAM AND NO RECALL. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP/SERVICE DEPT I PURCHASED CAR FROM, THEY TOWED TO LOCAL NISSAN DEALER. NOW THEY WANT $750 FOR REPAIRS ON SOMETHING THAT EVEN NISSAN IS AWARE OF (I CALLED NISSAN NO. AMERICA) AND THEY WILL INVESTIGATE IF PERHAPS SOMETHING ELSE TRIGGERED THE SENSOR TO NOT WORK PROPERLY. MY CAR WILL STAY AT DEALER UNTIL I GET AN ANSWER AND THE $750. IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT ANY TIME, NO WARNING LIGHTS, CAR DIDN'T ACT UP IN ANY WAY. THIS POSES HUGE RISKS, PEOPLE COULD BE STRANDED AT NIGHT OR ON THE SIDE OF A ROAD. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 4, 2012
AFTER WORK MY WIFE'S CAR WOULD NOT START. THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WAS ON BUT THE PUSH BUTTON WAS NON RESPONSIVE EVEN WITH THE FOB IN THE KEY FOB SLOT. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT HAD GONE BAD AND IS PREVENTING THE IGNITION SWITH FROM WORKING. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED BY NISSAN SINCE IT PREVENTS STARTING THE CAR LEAVING YOU STRANDED.
Steering, Dec 3, 2012
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, UPON RETURN TO VEHICLE TO START ENGINE WITH THE INTELLIGENT KEY, STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE SMART KEY EVEN WHILE INSIDE THE CAR OR WHEN IT WAS INSERTED ON THE SMART KEY PORT. ATTEMPTED TO JUMP VEHICLE BUT IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY, CAR WAS TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP, NOT SELLING DEALERSHIP. PART WAS BACK ORDERED SO NO VEHICLE OR RENTAL OFFER BY WARRANTY AS THE PART ITSELF IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, SO THIS PART AND SERVICE TOTALS APPROXIMATES 1000.00, THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE CAR RENTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 300.00 FOR A WEEK, AS I WAIT FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE FIXED. CAR INSURANCE WOULD NOT COVER ANY PART OF EITHER REPAIRS OR CAR RENTAL AS IT WAS NOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I MAY ADD THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN AN UNSAFE AREA; LUCKILY, TOWING CAME RIGHT AS IT WAS GETTING DARK. PLEASE CONSIDER RECALLING THIS PART. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 27, 2012
WENT OUT TO START CAR IN THE AM TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND CAR WOULDNT START. ALL ELECTRICS HOWEVER STILL DID,. STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED I COULDNT GET IT OUT OF PARK. TRIED TO JUMP IT. THAT DIDNT WORK EITTHER. SO WE REPLACED THE BATTERY. THAT DIDNT WORK. STILL WOULDNT START. DEALER CAME AND TOWED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY. SAID ITS THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY GOING BAD. I NEED IT REPLACED. ITS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRENTY. 723.00 IT WILL COST ME. DEALERSHIP STATED THEY HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH MANY MANY 2009 ALTIMAS.. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALLED PART? *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2012
2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE WAS IN PARKING LOT AND WOULD NOT START. THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WAS ON DASH. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. THEY ADVISED STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART #48700-9N00B) WAS BAD. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON '09 ALTIMAS AS WELL AS 370Z. DEALER OFFERED 10% DISCOUNT AND ADVISED $600 TOTAL. I CALLED NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE AND ESCALATED TO REGIONAL OFFICE. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHO KNOWS WHERE AND WHEN YOU CAN BE STRANDED. NISSAN HAS RECALLED THIS PART ON OTHER MODELS AND DISCONTINUED THIS FEATURE ON SUBSEQUENT MODELS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE! *TR
Steering, Power train, Nov 26, 2012
I TURN OFF MY CAR TO GET GAS AND WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY CAR IT WOULD NOT TURN ON I TRY TO HAVE A JUMP AND THAT DIDN'T WORK SO I HAD MY CAR TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP, I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR. THE DEALER SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW STEERING UNIT THAT WILL COST ME 1300.00. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME FOR THESE NISSAN TO HAVE THIS ISSUE AND I FEEL A RECALL IS NEEDED. I FEEL LIKE I BEEN RIP OFF BY NISSAN AND MY DEALERSHIP. *TR
Steering, Nov 19, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND NO WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,800.
Steering, Nov 18, 2012
STEERING LOCK THAT ENGAGES THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF THE MALFUNCTION OCCURED WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS NON RESPONSIVE AND THE CAR WOULD SHUT DOWN, INCLUDING BRAKES. THIS IS A THREE YEAR OLD CAR WITH ONE OWNER. ALL MANTAINANCE HAS BEEN DONE AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS.
Steering, Nov 16, 2012
I STOPPED AT A STORE AND WHEN I CAME BACK TO MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED AND THE CAR WAS NO LONGER READING THE INTELLIGENT KEY. THERE WAS NO WAY AT ALL TO START CAR OR EVEN MOVE WHEEL. I HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED ON FLATBED TO NISSAN DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED AND THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION. IT COST $850 TO FIX. I THINK NISSAN NEEDS TO BE ORDERED TO RECALL THIS PART. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS THE NEWER NISSAN MODELS NO LONGER HAVE THIS FEATURE AND CONTINUES TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT FOR ALTIMA OWNERS. TO MAKE THINGS MORE RIDICULOUS, NISSAN ACTUALLY RECALLED THIS PART FOR OTHER NISSAN MODELS BUT CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE ALTIMA CUSTOMERS. THIS IS ALSO A KNOWN MALFUNCTION IN THE NISSAN 370Z AND AGAIN NISSAN IGNORES THESE OWNERS. HOW CAN A COMPANY CONTINUE TO FORCE OWNERS TO FIX AN ISSUE THAT IS A MALFUNCTION AND CAUSED BY NISSAN OWN IMPROPER INSTALLATION AT THE MANUFACTURING SIGHT. COMPLETE LACK OF CONCERN FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE EVEN THOUGH NISSAN KNOWS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS SPECIFIC PART IN QUESTION. THIS IS CRIMINAL TO ME. *TR
Steering, Nov 14, 2012
CAR WOULD NOT START. INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WAS LIT UP, BRAKE VERY STIFF, AND STEERING WHEEL NOT LOCKED. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY SO PURCHASED AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THAT DID NOT WORK. AFTER READING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET I SELF DIAGNOSED IT AS A MALFUNCTION OF THE STEERING LOCK. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND AS SOON AS THE MECHANIC CAME OUT TO THE CAR HE IMMEDIATELY DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM. PART IS NOT IN INVENTORY SO CAR WILL BE AT THE DEALER FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND IT WILL COST ME $800 TO FIX. THIS MECHANIC MUST SEE THIS OFTEN IF HE KNEW WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING TO THE CAR WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. NOT TOO HAPPY THAT I HAVE A CAR I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON AND HAVE TO PAY $800 TO FIX A PART THAT LOOKS LIKE SHOULD PROBABLY BE RECALLED. PROBABLY NO MORE NISSANS IN MY FUTURE. GOING TO STICK TO THE RELIABLE TOYOTAS! *TR
Steering, Nov 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Nov 14, 2012
CAR WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS STEERING LOCK FAULTY. FOR A CAR ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND WELL-MAINTAINED, I WAS NOT EXPECTING A COSTLY REPAIR JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. I WONDERED IF OTHERS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND HOW TO GO ABOUT REPORTING AND TRYING TO GET A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Nov 13, 2012
I BOUGHT MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA NEW AND HAVE DONE ALL THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. THEN I WENT OUT TO THE CAR TO START IT UP AND NOTHING. IT WAS TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THE ELECTRICAL PORTION OF THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FRIED. IT WILL COST ME USD 800.00 TO HAVE FIXED. THE CAR IS THREE YEARS OLD! UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL YET NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR OFFERED TO FIX THE MALFUNCTION WITHOUT COST. *TR
Steering, Nov 6, 2012
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 DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING LOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 6, 2012
THIS MORNING WAS VERY COLD. I WARMED MY CAR UP, WENT TO VOTE. WHEN I LEFT THE POLL, I GET TO MY CAR AND IT WON'T START, SAYS THAT THERE IS NO FOB IN THE CAR. THE RED SECURITY LIGHT IS FLASHING. SO I PUT THE FOB IN THE "DOGHOUSE" THAT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK AS A BACK UP METHOD.. NOTHING.. STILL WON'T START.. DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, RECONNECTED AND TRIED AGAIN.. NOTHING. DID ALL MY RESEARCH TO FIND MANY MANY PAGE SO COMPLAINS ABOUT IT.. IT'S THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. SEEMS THEY DID AWAY WITH THAT FEATURE IN LATE 2010 MODELS.. GUESS THEY KNOW WHY.. SO NOW I'M STUCK WITH A $700 BILL FOR AN ISSUE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING. AS A MATTER OF FACT, MY CAR WAS THE SECOND 09 OF THE DAY WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. COINCIDENCE?? I THINK NOT. *TR
Steering, Nov 6, 2012
I WENT TO THE STORE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON. I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. I READ THE OWNERS MANUAL AND REALIZED THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO EXCEPT HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MY CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD AND I TAKE GREAT CARE OF IT. BECAUSE IT WAS SUNDAY, THERE WAS NOBODY AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT COULD LOOK AT MY CAR UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY AND SAID I NEED A NEW STEERING LOCK. HE SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, BUT IT IS TREATED AS A MECHANICAL ISSUE. THAT'S FUNNY BECAUSE THE MECHANICAL WARRANTY RAN OUT 3 MONTHS PRIOR, BUT THE ELECTRICAL WARRANTY IS A 5 YEAR WARRANTY. HE SAID IT ISN'T COVERED, THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A COURTESY VEHICLE, AND THAT IT WOULD BE $812+ TO FIX. 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 AM I OUT $812+ FOR THE PART AND LABOR, I WAS STRANDED ALONE, I HAVE MISSED WORK BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANOTHER MODE OF TRANSPORTATION, MY INSURANCE COVERS NOTHING EXCEPT $75 FOR THE TOW (I PAID $115), AND I HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS ON MY PHONE WITH NISSAN. I'M OUT TIME, MONEY, DATA (ON MY PHONE PLAN), A PAYCHECK, AND A CAR!!! I WILL NEVER EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN! I REALLY DON'T WANT THE ONE I HAVE NOW ANYMORE! THIS FAULTY PART SHOULD BE RECALLED!!! THERE SHOULD BE A WAY TO OVERRIDE THIS IF/WHEN IT HAPPENS SO YOU ARE NOT JUST STRANDED. INTELLIGENT KEY??? YEA RIGHT! *TR
Steering, Nov 6, 2012
DROVE CAR 35 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. WHEN READY TO LEAVE LOCATION, CAR WOULDN'T START. INTELLIGENT KEY WOULD OPEN DOORS & TRUNK BUT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY NOR THE SPARE. THE BRAKES WERE STIFF, ONLY LIGHT DISPLAYED ON DASH WAS INTELLIGENT KEY LIGHT. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. IT TOOK 2 DAYS FOR THEM TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THE LOCK STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED. $600+ FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Oct 31, 2012
MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ACTIVATION OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM. AFTER FOLLOWING ALL TROUBLE SHOOTING ADVICE IN THE CAR'S MANUAL, I TOWED THE CAR TO DEALER WHERE THEY STATED AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN STEERING CONTROL UNIT IS NOT TELLING THE CONTROL UNIT THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS UNLOCKED AND READY TO START. THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART# 487009N00B) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS ALL PART OF THE VEHICLE ANTI-THEFT IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS UNIT WAS $1,062.90. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW IN THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. 1. THIS WAS A FULLY FUNCTIONING CAR (EXCEPT FOR ANTI-THEFT GLITCH) THAT LEFT ME AND MY DAUGHTER STRANDED IN A VERY REMOTE AREA. 2. NISSAN PROMOTES HOW SAFE, RELIABLE AND ECONOMICAL THEIR CARS ARE, BUT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM CAN DISABLE THE VEHICLE LEAVING DRIVER STRANDED WITH ONLY ONE OPTION, WHICH IS, TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER BECAUSE OF ANT-THEFT SYSTEM GLITCHES. 3. THE CAR, BEING ECONOMICAL, SHOULD NOT REQUIRE AN OVER $1,000 REPAIR BECAUSE OF AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. 4. THERE ARE SEVERAL CONDITIONS THAT CAN OCCUR THAT WILL RESULT IN THE NISSAN ALTIMA BECOMING IMMOBILIZED STRANDING DRIVERS. I AM STATING ONLY ONE. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY TO FEMALE DRIVERS. 5. I FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD COME UP WITH AN OVERRIDE CODE OR DEVICE THAT WILL ALLOW A DRIVER TO ESCAPE FROM POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS THAT WERE CREATED BY NISSAN'S VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS FULLY FUNCTIONAL EXCEPT FOR AN ANTI-THEFT IMMOBILIZING CIRCUIT FALSELY TELLING THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT READY TO START. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW IN THEIR VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM. *TR
Steering, Oct 23, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE FAILED TO START AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A PUSH TO START IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISMS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Steering, Oct 23, 2012
CAR ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTION. WAS STRANDED. CAR WON'T EVEN START. HAD TO HAVE TOWED. PART IS SUPER EXPENSIVE. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE ON RELATIVELY NEW CAR? *TR