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: other or unspecified
146 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2019
MY GRANDSON AND I WERE TAKING A 2 AND 1/2 HOUR TRIP TO VISIT FAMILY I WAS DRIVING ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY GOING ON AN UPHILL AND I BEGAN TO HEAR A WHINING SOUND AND MY SPEED STARTED TO DECREASE FROM 70 THEN TO 60 AND IT STARTED TO DECREASE MORE SO I THEN GOT OFF THE FREEWAY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WAITED ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR I THEN DECIDED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE SAFE TO CONTINUE MY TRIP BUT THE LOCATION THAT I WAS IN WAS NOT A SAFE AREA FOR ME AND MY GRANDSON TO WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK I THEN DECIDED TO HEAD BACK ONE EXIT DOWN WHERE THEY WOULD BE MORE LIGHTING THE CAR DROVE FINE I WAS ABLE TO PICK UP SPEED WITH NO PROBLEM BUT AGAIN I THOUGHT IT WOULD NOT BE SAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING SO I THEN CALL THE TOW TRUCK AND HOW DOES TOW BACK HOME WHAT I DID NOTICE WAS WHEN I ACCELERATE THE GAS PEDAL THE ENGINE DID NOT REV AT A HIGHER LEVEL NOR DID THE SPEED INCREASE BUT TO MY LITTLE KNOWLEDGE WITH CARS IT WAS TELLING ME IT WASN'T THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, PRESSING THE ACCELERATER AND NOT HEARING YOUR ENGINE ACCELERATE BUT CAR IS STILL MOVING BUT LOWER SPEED JUST DID NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IT WAS MID AFTERNOON ON A FREEWAY THAT COMMUTERS OFTEN USE I WAS LUCKY THAT THE OFF RAMP WAS NEAR FOR ME TO EXIT.
Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2019
THE DASHBOARD ON IS MELTING.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2019
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES DUE TO GLARE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 1, 2019
THE DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA ARE MELTING DUE TO THE HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE CABIN. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SUN, THE TOP SURFACE OF THE DASHBOARD MELTS, AND RESTRICTS THE FORWARD VISIBILITY BY CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. THIS MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE OBJECTS THAT ARE CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE IN THE SUN.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2019
AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1.5 HOURS ON A FAMILY TRIP AND ON THE INTERSTATE MY CAR SLOWED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FROM SPEEDS OF 60 -70MPH TO BARELY NOT MOVING AT ALL. CLEARLY THIS FRIGHTEN MY ENTIRE FAMILY. AFTER RESTING ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE FOR ALMOST AN HOUR THE CAR RESUMED BUT STARTED TO REPEAT THE SAME PATTERN. IT ALSO BARELY PULLED UP A HILL. THIS CAR HAS DONE THIS BEFORE AND THE NISSIAN DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT COULD NEED A TUNE UP. SO BEFORE GOING ON THE FAMILY VACATION LISTED ABOVE I HAD A TUNE UP AND OIL CHANGE DONE BUT GUESS WHAT. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
Other or unspecified, May 29, 2019
DASHBOARD BOARD IS MELTING AND MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHILE DRIVING
Other or unspecified, Apr 29, 2019
I PURCHASED MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA IN JANUARY OF 2017.. BY MAY 2017 I NOTICED AS THE CLIMATE CHANGED MY DASH WAS STICKY AND IF YOUR FINGER SCRAPED IT PIECES WOULD COME PFF.. I NOTICED MY DASH WAS MELTING AS THE SUMMER WENT ON AND IT WAS STICKY AND DUST OR A WASH CLOTH I USED TO CLEAN IT PARTICLES WERE STICKING TO THE DASH. WHEN THE SUN IS OUT THE SUN HITS SPOTS WHERE IT BLINDS YOU DRIVING DUE TO THE DASH MELTING..THE DASH SHOULD NOT MELT IN A CAR AND ITS A REAL ISSUE THAT NOW EVEN THOUGH I LOVE MY CAR I WANT TO GET RID OF IT DUE TO THE DASH MELTING.
Other or unspecified, Mar 24, 2019
THE CAR ONLY GOES 20 MILES OF HOUR ON HWY AND IT STALLS IF YOUR AT A RED LIGHTNING OR STOP SIGN AND WANT HARDLY CLIMB HILLS OR MOUNTAIN AND IT SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING BURNING PLEASE HELP ME THE ONLY CAR I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH 3 KIDS
Other or unspecified, Dec 24, 2018
WITHOUT WARNING OUR NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 WOULD NOT START. UPON MY RESEARCH I FIGURED OUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM WHICH IS PART OF THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IS FAULTY. THE TEMPORARY FIX IS TO BANG ON THE MECHANISM WITH A WRENCH UNTIL THE CAR STARTS.
Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2018
MY DASHBOARD ON MY CAR IS MELTING. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AND IT. IT IS SO SHINY IT IS BLINDING ME WHILE I DRIVE DURING THE DAY.
Other or unspecified, Sep 27, 2018
THE DASH HAS STARTED MELTING AS I AM FROM TEXAS, WHERE THE HEAT IS INTENSE IN THE SUMMERS. I DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE OPTION TO PARK IN A GARAGE LIKE AT WORK 8 HOURS A DAY IN A PARKING LOT. I HAD LAID A FILE ON MY DASH AND IT STUCK TOO THE DASH. I THOUGHT THAT WAS VERY UNUSUAL. WHEN I AM DRIVING IN THE EVENING THE SUN REFLECTS OFF OF IT SO BAD I HAVE TO PULL OVER SOMETIMES. THE WAY THAT THEY PUT THE WINDSHIELD THEY SET THE WINDOW OFF OF THE DASH BEING THE BOTTOM OR BASE. MY WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING WHEN IT RAINS, CAUSE MY DASH IS MELTING AND NOT SUPPORTING THE WINDSHIELD AT THE BASE.
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.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Sep 3, 2018
I WAS ABOUT TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER (A 10 YR OLD CHILD) SUFFERING FROM AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, WHEN THE VEHICLE DID NOT TURN ON. MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 (SEDAN) HAD BEEN USED WITHOUT ISSUES JUST THE DAY BEFORE AND I HAD PARKED IT AT HOME. IT WAS PARKED AND WHEN I TRIED TURNING IT ON, IT DID NOT READ THE KEY, THE IGNITION DID NOT EVEN NOTICE THERE WAS A KEY, THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. WE WERE LEFT STRANDED UNABLE TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE AND GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND GET TREATED ASAP. I HAD TO GET A CAB WITH THE SICK CHILD AND COME BACK FROM THE HOSPITAL THE SAME WAY. THE DAYS THAT FOLLOWED, I ALSO HAD TO SEE HER DOCTOR AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT TURN ON. FINALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT HAS A STEERING LOCK PROBLEM AND THEY SEE THIS OFTEN IN THAT MODEL(!). I LOOKED ONLINE AND WAS AMAZED TO FIND SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS! I SAW NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ON THIS MODEL AND HAD A CAMPAIGN BUT MY VIN WAS NOT AMONG THE SUPPOSED VEHICLES UNDER THE COVERAGE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, BEING A WOMAN (AND EVEN WORSE, A WOMAN WITH A MINOR) I WAS UNABLE TO USE A VEHICLE THAT IS OTHERWISE MECHANICALLY COMPLETELY SOUND (IT HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED NOT EVEN 2 WEEKS BEFORE!), THIS CAR HAS VERY FEW MILES, IT WAS THE LAST THING I WAS EXPECTING IN A STRESSFUL SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE GONE MAJORLY WRONG. LUCKILY MY DAUGHTER'S ALLERGIC REACTION WAS TENDED TO AT THE HOSPITAL IN TIME BECAUSE I TOOK A CAR SERVICE AND I DON'T LIVE IN A RURAL AREA, BUT I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO OTHER PEOPLE OR EVEN TO MYSELF IF I WERE TO BE IN A REMOTE LOCATION OR IN A PERILOUS SITUATION AND NOT ABLE TO TURN ON MY CAR AND USE IT. I AM NOW VERY WARY AND WORRIED THAT (ONCE CORRECTED) THIS ISSUE WILL AGAIN TAKE PLACE. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION, THOUGH IT DOES NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, IT DOES PUT THE OWNER'S SAFETY AT PLAUSIBLE RISK.
Suspension, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2018
I HAVE HAD THE CAR 2-3 YEARS NOW AND THE TIRES HAVE LOOSENED UP ON ME WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING AND HAD TO DO SOME KIND OF STEERING COLUMN LOCK WORK, IT IS RUSTING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR PANEL, AND THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT OF IT WHICH HAPPEN ON THE ROAD AT WORK WITH TWO OF MY CLIENTS. WHICH THE CLIENTS BOTH ARE DIAGNOSED WITH A DISABILITY. VERY FRIGHTENING WHEN YOU MAKE A LEFT TURN AND YOUR CAR STOPS INFRONT OF ONCOMING CARS. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR TRADEGY.IF ONLY NADSAN WOULD HAVE FIXED THAT TRANSMISSION PROBLEM MANY YEARS AGO WHEN THEY WERE MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM( MALFUNCTION) AND NISSAN WILL NOT BUDGE ONE BIT TO HELP FIX THE TRANSMISSION UNLESS I PAY DIAGNOSTICS AND A TRANSMISSION BILL OF OVER 5400.00. WHO EVER HEARD OF A TRANSMISSION COSTING THAT MUCH MONEY? THEY ARE THE WORST AND I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A NISSAN EVER AGAIN. THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2018
DASHBOARD IS SHINY AND LOOKS LIKE MELTING. THE SHINY DASHBOARD CAUSES THINGS TO STICK TO IT AND HAS UNKNOWN STICKY SUBSTANCE 'MELTED' ON IT. THIS CAUSES GLARES AND DIFFICULTY SEEING OUT OF FRONT WIND SHIELD WHEN DRIVING- PRIMARILY WHILE DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR 3 YEARS AND GETTING WORSE IN THE TEXAS SUN.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, May 2, 2018
THE DASHBOARD IN MY NISSAN IS LITERALLY LIQUIFYING OVER THE LAST 7 MONTHS. THIS APPEARS TO BE KNOWN ISSUE THAT RESULTED IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN FL AGAINST NISSAN THAT WAS WON FOR THE PLANTIFFS. THERE IS FACEBOOK GROUP FOR NISSAN MELTING DASH BOARDS AND A NEWS STATION COVERED THE STORY: HTTPS://WWW.CLICK2HOUSTON.COM/CONSUMER/DRIVERS-WANT-STICKY-DASHBOARDS-FIXED I CONTACTED NISSAN, WHO REFERRED ME TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY DOCUMENTED ISSUE AND I WAS ULITMATELY REFERRED TO CAMERON, A REGIONAL NISSAN QA REPRESENTATIVE. I WAS TOLD AT THT TIME THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE. I DID VERY CLEARLY (AND POLITELY) DESCRIBE THE SAFETY CONCERN AS THE MELTING DASHBOARD CAUSES A HORRIFIC GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. I DO INDEED UNDERSTAND THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT GIVEN THE SAFETY HAZARD PIECE, I WAS HOPING THAT NISSAN WOULD STAND BY THIER PRODUCTS IN THIS CASE AND CONSIDER GENERATING A RECALL TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. TOYOTA HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE AND OFFERED FULL REPLACEMENT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 16, 2018
DASH BOARD RECALL - I BOUGHT MY ALTIMA USE BACK IN 2016. I RECENTLY TOOK IT IN TO GET IT SERVICED AND ASKED ABOUT WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE DASH BOARD WHICH THE AGENT FURTHER TOLD ME THAT THEIR WAS A CLAIM LAST YEAR FOR THE DASH BOARD ISSUE, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE ABOUT THE ISSUE UNTIL I BROUGHT IT IN 04/13/2018. THE DASH BOARD AND GEAR SHIFT ARE BOTH STICKY AND CAUSING HARM WHEN DRIVING. NISSAN NOR THE THIRD PARTY CONSULTANT NEVER REACHED OUT BY SENDING S MAIL THAT THEIR PARTS WAS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION.
Other or unspecified, Mar 10, 2018
DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CAUSING A GLARE TO MY WINDSHIELD WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO VISIBLY SEE WHEN THE SUN IS OUT. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING BUT IT DEFINITELY CAUSING A PROBLEM FOR ME TO SEE CLEARLY.
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2018
TAKATA RECALL MY STEERING LOCK JUST WENT OUT ON MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR LAST YEAR HOWEVER I DID NOT KNOW IT HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UP UNTIL 2015 FOR THE STEERING LOCK IF THIS CAR IS STILL BEING SOLD THROUGH DEALERSHIPS IT SHOULD BE TOLD TO THE BUYER OF ANY RECALL ISSUES THAT HAVE WENT ON PRIOR HOWEVER I'M STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR AND I HAVE A $1,200 PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR ONE YEAR AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IS UP IFILE TO HAVE TO PAY ALL THESE EXPENSES OUT OF MY POCKET WHICH IS NOWHERE RIGHT
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.
Air bags, Seats, Other or unspecified, Dec 10, 2017
I LOVE MY ALTIMA. BUT RECENTLY IT'S AN EXPENSIVE PAIN IN THE NECK. RECENTLY MY AIRBAG LIGHTS CAME ON. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID MY AIRBAG SENSORS ARE NOT WORKING. SINCE THE SENSORS IS IN THE SEAT, I HAVE TO PAY $3,100 TO REPLACE THE BOTTOM CUAHION IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR. MY HAS WASN'T IN AN ACCIDENT, THERE WAS NO MOISTURE IN MY CAR TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. I'VE LOOKED ONLINE AND AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ALTIMAS HAS GOTTEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS. THIS IS NOT A CHEAP FIX AND THERE'S TOO MANY NISSAN OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THEIR 2009 NISAAN ALTIMAS PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR FAILURE. NISSAN NEED TO FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.
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.
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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2017
KEY LOCKING MECHANISM STALLED ENGINE