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, Apr 21, 2018
STEERING WHEEL LOCK. THE ONLY WAY TO START MY CAR AT THIS POINT IS TO BANG ON IT WITH A HAMMER TO GET STARTED
Steering, Mar 22, 2018
STEERING WHEEL LOCK WON'T ALLOW ME TO TURN CAR ON.
Steering, Mar 8, 2018
CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK, IT WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME.
Steering, Feb 17, 2018
NISSAN WAS A CAR I REALLY TRUST, BUT FROM NOW MY OPINION CHANGED. I BOUGHT MY NEW NISSAN IN 2009 FROM A NISSAN DEALER. AFTER FOUR YEARS OF USE (2013) THE NISSAN RELEASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR A EN ELECTRONIC PIECE THAT SHOULD NEVER FAIL (THE FAMOUS ESCL). MY CAR STOP WORKING DUE TO THIS ISSUE, IT COULDN'T TURN ON BECAUSE WAS LOCKED BY THE FAULTY ELECTRONIC PIECE. I USE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY TO FIX THE PROBLEM, OK EVERYBODY HAPPY, FOUR YEARS LATER 2017, SAME PROBLEM, SAME PIECE, SAME ISSUE (FAULTY ESCL) COST: $1,100.00 CALLED NISSAN, I SUBMITTED ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION (INSURANCE CARD, BILL TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE, ) I CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THIS THEY DON'T TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE PIECE HAS ALREADY BEEN CHANGED BY ANOTHER DEFECTIVE (THAT SHOULD NEVER FAIL) ESCL PIECE THAT LAST 4 YEARS. I REALLY THINK VERY DISSAPOINTED HOW NISSAN TREAT ITS CUSTOMERS. THIS IS MY THIRD CAR I BUY THROUGH NISSAN, I AM REALLY RECONSIDERING MY NEXT CAR TO GET A DIFFERENT CAR BRAND. NISSAN FAULTY PIECES SHOULD NOT BE RE-USED TO FIX ISSUES MOMENTARILY.
Steering, Feb 12, 2018
STEERING LOCK MECHAINISM. CAR WONT START
Steering, Feb 3, 2018
THE CAR STEERING LOCKS UP AND YOU CAN'T START THE CAR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 31, 2018
MY CAR WOULDN'T START. THE ESCL BOX LOCKED UP FOR 3 DAYS! NOW I HAVE TO PAY $150 TO HAVE IT FIXED PER MY WARRANTY COMPANY. I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR 60 WHOLE DAYS, AND IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES WITH VERY LITTLE SUCCESS AND A LOT OF FRUSTRATION AND TIME LOST! PLEASE CALL ME. WILL YOU PAY FOR THE $150 WARRANTY FEE? I HAD IT TOWED TO CARMAX NORCROSS MONDAY MORNING. IT'S WEDNESDAY. I'VE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR 5 DAYS NOW!!! [XXX] SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Jan 30, 2018
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 18, 2018
WON'T START ESLC STEERING WHEEL LOCK DEFECTIVE. PURCHASED CAR THEN STOPPED AT GAS STATION TURNED OFF CAR WON'T START AGAIN. SHOWED YELLOW KEY FLASHINGS LIGHT ON DASH.
Steering, Jan 7, 2018
I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT NOW SITS IN MY GARAGE. I WENT TO LEAVE TO RUN ERRANDS AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START. MY HUSBAND FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE ESCL - ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, I FOUND QUITE A BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE ESCL. FOR ONE, IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE TO HAVE REPAIRED.
Steering, Jan 1, 2018
THE KEY FOB FOR THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WORKS TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR DOORS, BUT IT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP WITH THE KEY SYMBOL INDICATING AN ERROR. I WENT TO GO START MY VEHICLE MAYBE AN HOUR AFTER I HAD JUST USED IT TO GET HOME AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AT ALL. WHEN THE PUSH TO START BUTTON IS PUSHED, NOTHING HAPPENS. IT IS ESSENTIALLY LIKE THE CAR DOES NOT SENSE THE KEY. THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE STEERING LOCK ON THE VEHICLES AND IS A COSTLY REPAIR THAT APPEARS TO BE FAIRLY COMMON.
Steering, Dec 27, 2017
ESCL HAS GONE OUT TWICE NOW. FIRST TIME NISSAN REPAIR AT THEIR COST. THIS TIME THEY WON'T REPLACE AT THEIR EXPENSE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NISSAN KNOWS THAT THIS IS A DEFECT ON THEIR PART. I HAD TO PAY TOWING CHARGE AND REPLACE ESCL FOR THE SECOND TIME!! $1000 FIX.
Steering, Dec 8, 2017
I CAN'T GET MY CAR TO START BECAUSE IT WON'T RECOGNIZE MY KEY. NISSAN HAS A CAMPAIGN AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO HELP SOME OF THE THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLE WON'T START DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCKS. HOWEVER, THESE RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC AND EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE HAS THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM, THEY DENIED MY CLAIM. I APPEALED AND THEY DENIED AGAIN. NOW I GET TO PAY $1,000 TO PAY FOR A PART THAT NISSAN HAS PUBLICLY ADMITTED WAS DUE TO SHODDY MANUFACTURING IN THOUSANDS OF 09 ALTIMAS, BUT SOMEHOW NOT IN MINE. NISSAN, I KNOW YOU'RE NOT HONDA OR TOYOTA, BUT, C'MON: MAKE AN EFFORT. (HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2017/NISSAN-ALTIMA-MAXIMA-STEERING-LOCK-PROBLEMS.SHTML)
Steering, Nov 16, 2017
ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK CONTROL HAS FAILED TWICE. NISSAN HAS REPLACED AT NO CHARGE ONCE, AND HAS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR ALL 2009. HOWEVER, THE 3 YEAR OLD REPLACEMENT FAILED WITH NO WARNING AND LEFT ME STRANDED AND HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED.
Steering, Nov 13, 2017
TOOK VEHICHLE HUNTING. WHEN I RETURNED TO CAR FOUND THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. NO CELL PHONE COVERAGE. HAD TO FLAG DOWN A CAR TO FIND A RIDE BACK TO WHERE I COULD GET CELL COVERAGE AND CALL WIFE FOR A RIDE HOME. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE STEERING COLUM LOCK WAS THE CULPRIT. ALSO FOUND OUT THAT I WAS NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. HOW COULD THIS BE A SECRET, IF THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED AND NISSAN DID NOT DO A FULL RECALL. SHAME ON THEM SOME NEEDS TO MAKE THIS A FULL RECALL. WHAT IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY WIFE OR KIDS ????
Steering, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 2, 2017
MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND IT'S VERY STICKY.. THE GLARE IS A MAJOR CONCERN THAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S DAY OR NIGHT IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2017
CAR WILL NOT START AND KEY LOCK IS ON AS WELL AS THE RED LIGHT WITH THE CAR FLASHING INSIDE OF THE CAR. I LOOKED THE PROBLEM UP AND IT STATED SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEING A STEERING MECHANISM. I WAS PARKED IN A RESTAURANT GOT OUT TO GET MY FOOD AND CAME BACK TO THE CAR AND CAR WOULDN'T START.
Steering, Sep 28, 2017
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING SHUT DOWN IN PARKING LOT. DASH DISPLAY SHOWED A KEY LIGHT BUT INFORMATION CONSOLE DID NOT STATE THE PROBLEM. OCCUPANTS IN VEHICLE WERE MOTHER AND 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN 90+ DEGREE HEAT. COULD NOT OPERATE AIR CONDITIONING AND HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO RESIDENCE. UPON INSPECTION, FOUND STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. SOLUTION: DISABLE MALFUNCTIONING UNIT COMPROMISING SECURITY SYSTEM WITH POSSIBILITY OF STEERING WHEEL LOCK ACTIVATING WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS VEHICLE MAY BE USED ON HIWAY OR IN LESS THAN OPTIMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. NISSAN SHOULD RECOGNIZE THAT THIS HAZARD WAS NOT COMPLETELY COMMUNICATED TO ALL 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS WHEN THE INITIAL RECALL WAS ISSUED THAT ENDED IN JANUARY OF 2017. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO ALL CURRENT OWNERS OF 2009 NISSAN ALTIMAS AND CORRECTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Steering, Sep 18, 2017
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM. I WAS FIXED ONCE BY DEALERSHIP UNDER EXTENDED WARRENTY THEY SAY. THEY TOLD ME RECALLED. NOW ONLY "CERTAIN 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA" ARE RECALLED AGAIN. MINE IS BROKE AGAIN AND COST IS APPROX $900. THEY SAID I GET NO ASSISTANCE EVEN PAYING FOR IT BECAUSE OF THE MILES ON MY CAR. IT IS STILL THEIR MISTAKE AND FAULTY PART. CAR IS NIT DRIVEABLE
Steering, Aug 16, 2017
MY CAR LEFT ME STRANDED AS I WENT TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTERS FROM DAYCARE. I HAD TO PAY TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, MY KEY FOB WOULD ALLOW ME TO LOCK MY DOORS AND TURN ON THE ALARM BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING IN THE COMPLAINTS COMMENTARY AND THE MAJORITY OF YOUR COMPLAINTS ARE FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FAILURE. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WAY THIS MODEL WAS BUILT. THE CUSTOMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR MANUFACTURE MISTAKES.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2017
I PURCHASED A NISSAN ALTIMA 09 AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES UNTIL 8/03/17. AS I WENT TO TURN THE CAR ON A LIGHT CAME UP ON THE DASH BOARD INDICATING THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING LOCK. I FIGURED IT WAS A QUICK FIX SO I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT'S A FAULTY STEERING LOCK AND ASKED FOR ME TO BRING MY CAR IN. I HAD TO CALL OUT OF WORK TO TRY AND RESOLVE THIS ONGOING ISSUE. I LOOKED ON ONLINE FOR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND COULDN'T FIND ANY BUT I DID FIND THAT MANY NISSAN ALTIMA 09 OWNERS WERE DEALING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NO WARRANTY ON MY CAR BUT THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO FIX MY CAR SO I WON'T BE STRANDED AND WON'T HAVE TO PAY 600$ FOR A SMALL PART...
Steering, Jul 29, 2017
THE WON'T START DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL WON'T LOCK SO THE CAR WON'T START
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 13, 2017
THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE DASH LIGHTS AND RADIO COME ON AND THE "ON" INDICATOR IS LIT WHERE THE PUSH BUTTON IS. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DOES NOT START.
Steering, Wheels, Engine, Jul 10, 2017, fire
I CHANGE MY RADIATOR 2 TIMES - AND THEY CHANGE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK AND THEY CHARGE ME 1,200 . I HAVE CHANGE THE PRESSURE SENSORS COUPLE TIMES . THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING
Steering, Jun 28, 2017
STEERING WHEEL LOCK UNIT FAILURE. MY CAR WAS ALL OF THE SUDDEN DEAD AT HOME DEPOT THE OTHER DAY AND THIS WAS THE SECOND TIMES IT HAPPENED. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED BUT I WAS ABLED TO START MY CAR THE NEXT DAY SO I THOUGHT IT WAS OK. UNTIL COUPLE DAYS AGO IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THIS TIME I HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO THE SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECK. THE SHOP CHECKED IT AND TOLD ME IT WAS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK BOX PROBLEM. I HAVE SEARCHING ONLINE AND HERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAD THIS PROBLEM HAPPENING TO THEIR 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE SND HAVE NISSAN TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM.