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
1,547 reports, newest first.
Steering, May 2, 2017
LOCK STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Steering, Apr 29, 2017
MY NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK. THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN IN PLACE BUT MY VIN DOESNT QUALIFY EVEN THOU ITS ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALERSHIP IS ASKING 1003 TO FIX THIS. KINDLY HELP
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2017
I BOUGHT THE CAR AT ROUGHLY 54K MILES. APPROXIMATELY AROUND 62K, THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR. I WORK ON RESIDENTIAL AC UNITS. MY PRESSURES ARE EQUALIZED. I BYPASSED THE PRESSURE SWITCH TEMPORARILY DURING DIAGNOSTICS TO SEE IF THE PRESSURE SWITCH WAS THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WHEN BYPASSED.THE ISSUE IS EITHER THE CLUTCH SPECIFICALLY OR THE COMPRESSOR IS BAD. HERE RECENTLY, I HAVE NOTICED A "JERKING" MOTION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. OBVIOUSLY, THIS WILL BE THE SHIFT SOLENOID OR THE CVT. CVT FLUID IS GOOD. THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN GOING ON WITH 2009 ALTIMAS FOR OVER 8 YEARS NOW. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL? WHAT IS REQUIRED TO GET A RECALL IN EFFECT? THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING CVTS, START/STOP PROCEDURES, AND AC PROBLEMS, BUT NOT ONE RECALL CONCERNING THIS HAS HAPPENED. NISSAN REFUSES TO HELP.
Air bags, Wheels, Seats, Apr 25, 2017
PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS WITH SOMEONE SITTING IN THE SEAT, THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THAT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISARMED. VERY UNSAFE. TIRES TPMS VALVES CONSTANTLY LEAK EVEN AFTER SERVICE. REPLACED 3 OUT OF 4 OF THEM, AND 4TH ONE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Other or unspecified, Apr 14, 2017
THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REMEDY. TOYOTA WILL REPLACE ON THEY'RE VEHICLES, BUT NOT NISSAN.THE DASH FROM THE INTENSE HEAT IN SOUTH FLORIDA, HAS BECOME STICKY AND IS CRACKING. IN SOME AREAS, IT CAN BECOME SHINY CAUSING A GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDOWS WERE TINTED AND A HEATSHIELD IS ALWAYS IN THE INSIDE WINDSHIELD. ARMORALL OR SIMILAR PRODUCTS, WERE NEVER USED WHEN MAINTAINED. ONLY SOAP AND WATER ON A CLOTH. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN BUT THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS AS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT IS COSTLY TO REPLACE WITH THE SAME ISSUE REOCURRING.
Power train, Apr 14, 2017
TRANSMISSION BROKE AT 119,000, WAS FIXED, JUST UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. BEGAN WHINING, WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A TRANSMISSION COOLER, INSTALLED FOR $1,000+. NOW, AT 149,000 TRANSMISSION HAS BROKEN AGAIN. IT WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT ACCELERATION QUIT ON A CITY STREET.
Steering, Apr 9, 2017
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS LOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL STEERING LOCK SYSTEM, WHICH IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITHIN THESE CARS. THERE WAS A RECALL BUT MOST OWNERS WON'T MALFUNCTION UNTIL FURTHER MILES LIKE MINES. I WAS AT MY PARENTS HOUSE VISITING "THANK LORD" WHICH WAS NOT THAT FAR FROM MY APARTMENT, WHEN I CAME OUTSIDE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WAS DUE TO THAT PROBLEM
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.
Steering, Apr 1, 2017
I TRIED TO START NISSAN ALTIMA AFTER SHOPPING AND WOULD NOT START. STEERING WAS LOCKED UP AND TRANSMISSION.I WAS NOT IN THE SAFEST PART OF TOWN SO I WAS WORRIED FOR MY SAFETY.THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED TO ME SO I KNEW IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK UNIT GONE BAD AGAIN. FIRST TIME WAS 3 YEARS AGO AND IT WAS REPLACED FREE AT NISSAN DEALER THIS TIME IT COST ME $ 1009.56 AT SAME NISSAN DEALER. NEED TO RECALL SO THIS MATTER CAN BE FIXED. I CANT AFFORD A CAR THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE SAME $1000 PART EVERY 3 YEARS.
Seats, Mar 30, 2017
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT AIR BAG LIGHT OFF WON'T DISAPPEAR WHEN OCCUPIED.
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.
Engine, Mar 15, 2017
CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Mar 12, 2017
TAKADA RECALL- THE CAR WAS STATIONAY AND WOULD NOT START.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 8, 2017
REPLACED STEERING LOCK DECEMBER 6, 2013, AND AGAIN MARCH 7, 2017. HAS LEFT ME STRANDED TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. REPLACED WITH NISSAN PART THAT THEY KNOW IS DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO REPLACE WITH SAME DEFECTIVE PART AGAIN 3 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS LATER AT MY OWN EXPENSE THE SECOND TIME.
Air bags, Mar 8, 2017
THE SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AND IS NO LONGER ABLE TO TELL IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT TO TURN ON THE AIRBAG.
Suspension, Mar 6, 2017
I HAD A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AREA WHILE THE CARE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE REPAIR FACILITY DIAGNOSED A STRUT BROKEN AND HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT STRUT MODULAR ASSY AND THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT ASSY ALSO. THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR COST $1.020.26
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.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Feb 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT UNKNOWN PARTS RELATED TO THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 05/10/17*LJ *CN
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 23, 2017
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WILL NOT START, CAN NOT MOVE GEARS, LOCK OR UNLOCK DOORS AND WINDOWS DON'T WORK. THE PART HAD A RECALL THAT NEEDS TO BE REINSTATED.IF THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE I COULD HAVE BEEN RAPED OR KILLED. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY ISSUE!
Steering, Feb 22, 2017
STEERING LOCK HAS BROKEN AND THERE IS NO WAY TO START MY CAR - IT LEFT ME STRANDED AT NIGHT AND I UNDERSTAND NISSAN WILL NOT HONOR A RECALL THAT THEY HAD FOR THIS BEFORE. I WAS PARKED IN A LOT WHEN IT HAPPENED. I HAD MY CAR TOWED, THEN IT WORKED BRIEFLY BUT HAS STOPPED AGAIN. THIS IS AN ELECTRONIC KEY WITH NO MANUAL OPTION. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND YEAR AND THAT NISSAN CHANGED THE DESIGN BECAUSE OF THIS.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 17, 2017
THE START PUSH BUTTON IGNITION AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WILL NOT ENGAGE.. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE BRAKE PAD TO DEPRESS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. I AM LEFT DEAD IN THE WATER WITH NO WAY TO START OR USE THE ACCESSORIES FUNCTION TO TURN ON THE RADIO OR ALLOW MY PHONE TO CHARGE IN THE BATTERY PORT. I WENT TO PICK UP MY FAMILY WENT TO START THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO RECOGNITION.
Electrical system, Feb 16, 2017
STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE RENDERED THE CAR UNSTARTABLE
Electrical system, Feb 16, 2017
WHEN I LEFT THE OFFICE TO START MY CAR YESTERDAY EVENING ON 2/15/2017, I USED MY KEY FOB TO REMOTELY UNLOCK MY PARKED 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE THOUGH, THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION DID NOTHING. THE CAR DID NOT START, NOR WOULD IT SWITCH TO ACCESSORY MODE. ON THE DASH CLUSTER, AN AMBER COLORED "KEY" LIGHT LIT UP. THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION GLOWED ORANGE WHILE THE RING AROUND IT SAID "LOCK;" NOTHING SEEMED TO ALLOW THE CAR TO START. IT WAS AS IF THE KEY FOB WAS NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE CAR. EVEN THOUGH I WAS REPEATEDLY ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS REMOTELY FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE (THE CR2025 BATTERY INSIDE WAS NOT DEAD...) AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD WORK (THE CAR BATTERY WAS NOT DEAD EITHER...), THE CAR REFUSED TO START. I CONSULTED THE MANUAL AND VERIFIED THAT THE KEY FOB WAS INSERTED CORRECTLY INTO THE SLOT TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN - STILL, THE CAR REFUSED TO START. I CALLED AAA TO REQUEST A TOW SINCE NOTHING SEEMED TO LET ME START THE CAR. FOR THE NEXT HOUR AND A HALF I SAT IN BELOW-FREEZING TEMPERATURES WHILE I WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK I CALLED FOR TO ARRIVE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. MY SPOUSE MET ME AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE OTHER KEY FOB SO WE COULD TEST WHETHER MY KEY WAS THE ONLY AFFECTED FOB; UNFORTUNATELY, THE OTHER KEY FOB DID NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START EITHER. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, OTHERS HAVE BEEN STRANDED TOO: HTTPS://2009NISSANALTIMARECALL.WORDPRESS.COM/2013/04/08/VICTORY-2009-NISSAN-ALTIMA-STEERING-LOCK-VOLUNTARY-RECALL/ WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME SHE HAD SEEN MANY SIMILAR FAILURES ON OTHER 2009 ALTIMAS - SHE ALSO TOLD ME IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNLESS IT WAS FIXED FOR $1,200. NISSAN'S CARLOS GHOSN LEFT ME STRANDED WITH A BROKEN VEHICLE AND I AM NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER... I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN.