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: structure
90 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Feb 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dashboard had started to melt due to sunlight exposure. She also stated that a glare from the melted dashboard would reflect onto the windshield, obstructing her vision while driving. The contact stated that the failure had worsened over the years and that the melting had spread across the entire dashboard. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Structure, Nov 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact noticed that the dashboard was melting, and sticky, and had an abnormal odor. In addition, there was a glare in the front windshield that caused visibility issues while driving. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Nov 3, 2020
DASHBOARD IS MELTING. STICKY AND SHINY IN HOT SUN CAUSING SEVERE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS.
Structure, Jul 24, 2020
DOOR HANDLES ON CAR BREAK INTERNALLY PREVENTING DOOR FROM BEING UNLOCKED OR OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. DEALER HAS REPLACED TWO AT MY EXPENSE AND NOW THE OTHER TWO ARE BROKEN WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. NO ABUSE OR ACCIDENT INVOLVED THEY JUST ALLL OF THE SUDDEN STOP WORKING. CONCERN IS IN AN EMERGENCY (FIRE, ACCIDENT, ETC..) PASSENGERS OR DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT CAR EASILY OR AT ALL IN A TIMELY BASIS, POSSIBLY CAUSING SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY LODGED A COMPLAINT BUT NOTHING MORE. I HAVE READ OF MULTIPLE INSTANCES ON THE INTERNET WITH NISSAN OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. FIX IS VERY EXPENSIVE WHEN DONE AT THE DEALER AND I BELIVE A RECALL/REIMBURSEMENT IS DUE.
Suspension, Electrical system, Structure, Jun 24, 2020
THE CAR SHAKES BADLY WHEN ON REVERSE AND I CAN SMELL A BURNT WIRE BUT HARD TO LOCATE WHERE IT'S COMING FROM. *TR
Structure, Mar 6, 2020
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS STARTED TO PRODUCE A VERY SHINNY AND STICKY SUBSTANCE. THIS SUBSTANCE IS CREATING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD OF MY CAR WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE STREET IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL METHODS TO REMOVE THIS SUBSTANCE WITHOUT SUCCESS. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS IS DUE TO HEAT AND HUMIDITY BUT MY CAR IS ALWAYS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHEN I'M NOT OUT IN IT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT IN MY OPINION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2017 WHERE NISSAN AGREED TO PAY ALL BUT $250 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THESE DASHBOARDS. SEE GIBBS LAW GROUP ONLINE FOR DETAILS. HTTPS://WWW.CLASSLAWGROUP.COM/NISSAN-MELTING-DASHBOARD-LAWSUIT/ I WOULD THINK IF THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THESE DASHBOARDS THEY KNOW THIS IS A FLAW IN THEIR DASHBOARDS.
Power train, Structure, Engine, Oct 6, 2019
NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT. HAD TO REPLACE ALL TIRE SENSORS, SPEED SENSORS, COILS, FRONT PASSENGER TIRE ROD, THE CTV TRANSMISSION, AND THE TRUNK LEAKS INTO THE TRUNK AND THE TAIL LIGHT'S. I HAVE REPAIRED ALL THESE THINGS OUT OF MY OWN POCKET.I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES, I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT, AND HAVE HAD THE CAR TOWED. THE DASH HAS BECOME STICKY AND EVERYTHING STICKS TO IT. IT PRODUCES A GLARE ON THE WONDOW WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO SEE.THE ENGINE EXPERIENCES LOSS OF POWER AND NO MECHANIC CAN PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT DRIVE IT MUCH SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED IT. THIS CAR SHOULD BE A LEMON OR RECALLED. THE PROBLEMS KEEP COMING.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 27, 2019
IT WON'T START MOST OF THE TIME AND WHEN IT DOES IT'LL ONLY LET ME GET UP TO MAYBE 20MPH AND THAT'S IT
Structure, Jul 26, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL" ON MAY 14, 2019, I SPOKE WITH A NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE REGARDING MY DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD THAT IS MELTING AND HAS BECOME SHINY AND STICKY WITH A GLARE. IT IS DANGEROUS AS THE SILK SURFACE OF MY DASH GLARES ONTO MY WINDSHIELD AND TOTALLY OBSTRUCTS MY VIEW. THE REPRESENTATIVE INSTRUCTED ME TO GO TO MY NISSAN DEALER AND HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC DONE. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO GAVE ME A PIECE OF PAPER DESCRIBING THE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD AND THE COST OF REPLACING IT. ON MAY 20, 2019, I SPOKE WITH ANOTHER NISSAN REPRESENTATION, WHERE I EXPLAINED THAT I HAVE A PIECE OF PAPER FROM NISSAN STATING THE PROBLEM WITH MY DASHBOARD AND WHAT IT WILL COST TO FIX IT. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY WARRANTY COVERAGE HAD EXPIRED, THERE IS NOTHING NISSAN CAN DO ABOUT MY DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD. AS INDICATED ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE MAKE AND MODEL (NISSAN ALTIMA) CAR I HAVE AND THERE ARE SEVERAL ACCIDENTS THAT HAVE RESULTED FROM IT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT FLORIDA SUED NISSAN ON THIS SAME ISSUE AND WON. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT NISSAN ISN'T OWNING UP TO ITS RESPONSIBILITY ON THIS ISSUE AND IS MAKING ME RESORT TO SENDING THIS LETTER FOR A RESOLUTION. I'M ASKING THAT NISSAN REPLACE THE DASHBOARD AT NO CHARGE AS THIS IS A DEFECT THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO CORRECT. PLEASE CALL ME AND LET ME KNOW WHEN I SHOULD BRING MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR.
Power train, Structure, Jul 22, 2019
I AM EXPERIENCING TWO SEVERE SAFETY ISSUES WITH MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. 1. WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR, MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO GO THE SPEED LIMIT OR ACCELERATE. NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT, LOSES POWER AND GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE THE FARTHER I DRIVE. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY FOR FEAR THAT SOMEONE WOULD HIT ME BECAUSE NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 40 MPH. 2. THE DASHBOARD IS LITERALLY MELTING CAUSING A BLINDING GLARE WHEN THE SUN (DURING THE DAY) OR OTHER HEADLIGHTS (DURING THE NIGHT OR RAIN) HIT IT...IT CREATES A BLINDING GLARE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES, THE TRANSMISSION AND DASH MAKE DRIVING EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 9, 2019
I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH A MELTING DASH THAT IS STICKY AND CAUSES A GLARE WHICH IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE THRU THE WINDSHIELD.
Structure, May 28, 2019
THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THIS CAUSES A SHINY SURFACE WHICH IS REFLECTIVE IN THE SUN, CAUSING A MAJOR DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER
Structure, Jan 2, 2019
RAIN WATER IS LEAKING FROM MY DASHBOARD AND GETTING ON MY FLOORBOARD. IT WAS STATIONARY AT THE MOMENT
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2018
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND IS CAUSING SUCH A GLARE, DURING THE DAY BUT ALSO AT NIGHT MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Electrical system, Structure, Sep 1, 2018
DASHBOARD IS MELTING, STICKY AND IS DISCOLORING INSIDE WINDSHIELD. THE SUN REFLECTS OFF STICKY DASH. BROWN STICKY SUBSTANCE WON'T CLEAN OFF. ELECTRICAL DISPLAY BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL GOES OFF AND ON. MOSTLY IS OFF.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2017, fire
CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE COMPLETELY TOTALED. IT WAS DRIVEN LESS THAN 2 MILES PARKED AND SHUT OFF. WITHIN 15 MINUTES THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 6, 2017
I HAVE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA AND IT HAS A VERY STICKY, SHINY DASHBOARD. SOME PART OF THE DASHBOARD IS SO SHINY THAT IT CREATES A GLARE ON WINDSHIELD DURING DAYTIME WHEN IT IS SUNNY OUTSIDE AND MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE OTHER CARS, PEDESTRIANS ETC.DURING DRIVING. THIS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE TAKE CARE OF BY NISSAN ASAP.
Structure, Sep 29, 2017
TAKATA RECALL,FACTORY DASHBOARD EXPLOTION AND GLARE DEFFECT
Visibility, Structure, Aug 30, 2017
CPSC:THIS WINTER I WAS NOTICING AND HAVING EVEN MORE PROBLEMS WITH GLARE AND SUN AND LIGHTS AT NIGHT REFLECTING ON THESE SHINY "MELTED" AREAS, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD IN THE RIGHT CONDITIONS. AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, MY DASH WAS ALL ORIGINALLY A BLACK MATTE FINISH AND GLARE WAS NEVER A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE DASH MATERIAL APPEARING TO BREAK DOWN. I DECIDED TO GOOGLE "MELTING DASHBOARDS" TO SEE WHAT I COULD FIND TO FIX OR REPAIR, OR REPORTS, ETC. *BF UPDATED 08/31/2017*JS ...UPDATED 10/03/17 *BF UPDATED 10/25/17 *BF *JS *TR
Structure, May 15, 2017
DASH BOARD IS MELTING
Structure, Apr 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED INTO A BLACK, STICKY, REFLECTIVE LIQUID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT VISIBLE DUE TO THE LIQUID REFLECTING THE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MANUFACTURER THAT NISSAN HAD NO OBLIGATION TO REPAIR THE DASHBOARD BECAUSE THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000.
Structure, Mar 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MATERIAL HAD MELTED AND THE SURFACE BECAME VERY SMOOTH. THE FAILURE CAUSED AN EXTREME GLARE AND VISIBILITY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAYTIME. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Mar 4, 2017
MY DASH IS MELTING MAKING IT VERY HARD TO SEE!!
Structure, Feb 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH MADE DRIVING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLARE IMPAIRED THE DRIVER'S VISION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD SEEMED AS IF IT WERE MELTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,239.
Structure, Feb 25, 2017
MELTING DASHBOARD CAUSES GLAZE ON WINDSHIELD. UNSAFE DRIVING UNDER HEAVY SUNSHINE.