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, Electrical system, Nov 11, 2016
THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CAR WOULD NOT START, LEAVING MYSELF AND TWO CHILDREN STRANDED.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 10, 2016
ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE. LEAVES CAR DISABLED WHERE EVER YOU ARE. CAR WILL NOT START. MUST BE TOWED. NISSAN HAD AN EARLIER RECALL BUT NEVER PUBLISHED IT TO 2009 ALTIMA OWNERS.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2016
STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING CAR NOT TO START. WAS HAVING A SEVERE ASTHMA ATTACK AT THE TIME AND WAS IN A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION. THANKFULLY OTHERS WERE AROUND THAT COULD TAKE ME TO THE ER. THIS PART WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AS EVIDENCED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS PART BUT NO CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION WAS EVER ISSUED TO ME. I WAS LUCKY! TO BE IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU ARE PANICKED AND NOT THINKING CLEARLY AND TRYING TO GET HELP ONLY TO BE HELD HOSTAGE BY A KNOWN FAULTY PART THAT WOULD NOT LET MY CAR START IS INFURIATING.
Electrical system, Nov 7, 2016
ESCL REPLACED AFTER FAILING TO ALLOW PUSH BUTTON START AND FAILED AGAIN A FEW MONTHS LATER.
Steering, Nov 7, 2016
WHEN PARKING IN REVERSE, CAR DOES NOT START AFTER 2 MINUTES. THE ELECTRONIS STEERING COLUMN LOCK UNIT (ESCL) MALFUNCTIONS AND SHOWS ERROR SYMBOL ON DASHBOARD SHOWING THAT IMMOBILIZER IS ACTIVATED AND STEERING IS LOCKED. IT IS UNSAFE, DANGEROUS AND SCARY SITUATION. I HAVE FAMILY, WITH LITTLE KIDS IN THE CAR AND STRANDED ON SIDE OF A ROAD, WITH CAR PARKED WHILE THE TRAFFIC IS FLYING BY. NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND SERVICE CENTER REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY AND NO RECALL. THE COST OF REPLACING STEERING WHEEL LOCK SYSTEM IS $1250.00. THIS CAN NOT DONE BY ANY OTHER REPAIR SHOPS AS ALL THE PARTS MUST COME FROM NISSAN. IT IS A NISSAN MONOPOLY AND RANSOM TO GET THIS REPAIRED.
Steering, Nov 7, 2016
TAKATA RECALL MY DAUGHTERS 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS RUNNING FINE, SHE PARKED IT AND RAN INSIDE TO GRAB HER SCHOOL LANYARD AND RIGHT BACK OUT TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL WHEN IT WOULDNT START. THE KEY FOB WAS IN THE CAR, AND IT WAS AS IF THE CAR DIDNT RECOGNIZE IT. WE SEARCHED ONLINE AND DID OUR OWN TROUBLE SHOOTING AND REPLACED THE BRAKE SWITCH AND KEY FOB BATTERIES WHICH DIDNT HELP. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO OUR DEALERSHIP AND IT IS THE STEERING LOCK AT THE TUNE OF $1,005 . THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY ISSUE AND THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD DO OTHER THAN HAVE IT TESTED AND PAY .AFTER LOOKING AT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMIN PAGE AND SEEING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. MY DAUGHTER COULDVE BEEN STRANDED ANYPLACE AND THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE NO WAY TO START THIS VEHICLE .NOW..DO WE PLAY THE WAITIN GAME TO SEE IF AND WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN? THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING ISSUE FOR THE NISSANS AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN FIXING THE PROBLEM. OUR FAMILY CANNOT AFFORD THIS ,AS I'M SURE NOBODYS FAMILY CAN.
Electrical system, Nov 7, 2016
THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) HAS BROKEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND MY CAR HAS BECOME A GIANT BRICK AND I CAN'T EVEN PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO MOVE IT. I WALKED OUT TO START MY CAR FOR WORK ONE DAY AND I FOUND OUT MY CAR WAS DEAD.
Steering, Nov 6, 2016
THE KEY ICON DISPLAYS AND THE CAR DOES NOT START WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY. DEALER SAID STEERING LOCK UNIT (NISSAN PART #: 48700-9N00B) IS SHORT CIRCUITED. NISSAN DEALER IS ASKING FOR $1,100 TO FIX IT.
Steering, Nov 3, 2016
I WAS AT A FRIENDS HOUSE IN DOWNTOWN ALBANY DOING SOME WORK, BUT WHEN IT CAME TIME TO LEAVE I GOT IN MY CAR WHICH WAS PARKED ON THE STREET AND MY CAR JUST WOULDN'T START. I TOWED IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP NEARBY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ISSUE WITH MY CAR IS THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT NEITHER MY PARENTS OR I WERE NOTIFIED BY NISSAN THAT THE CAR WAS HAVING THIS ISSUE AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT . THE EXTENSION ENDED LAST YEAR AND NOW I'M HERE HAVING TO PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM OUT OF MY POCKET. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS CLEARLY THEIR MANUFACTURERS FAULT. THE PART IS NOT CHEAP AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR NISSAN ALTIMA. *TR
Steering, Nov 2, 2016
I HAVE NISSAN ALTIMA 2009. MY CAR WAS PARKED AT HOME AND JUST WOULD NOT START. ABLE TO OPEN DOORS WITH KEY FOB BUT NOT START WITH THE PUSH BUTTON. FOUND THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WAS THE PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST ME $1100 TO FIX IT. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS PART TO 6 YEARS, WITHOUT INFORMING THE CUSTOMERS. I REALIZED THIS WHEN THE PART HAD A PROBLEM IN THE 7TH YEAR AND NISSAN DENIED TO COVER THE COSTS. THANK FULLY THIS HAPPENED AT MY HOME. WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF I WAS TRAVELLING WITH MY FAMILY HAD THE PROBLEM AT AN ISOLATED PLACE.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 2, 2016
THE CAR WILL NOT START WHEN I PUSH ON THE BRAKE AND PUSH THE BUTTON FOR IT TO START. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULE. IT WAS IN A STATIONARY POSITION BUT WE WERE STRANDED AND HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN EMAIL THAT INFORMED HER OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE PUSH TO START BUTTON FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Steering, Nov 1, 2016
STEERING COLUMN LOCK
Steering, Oct 31, 2016
MY STATIONARY CAR WOULD NOT START WHEN I INSERTED THE KEY. I WAS STRANDED. NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY 1000 FOR MY ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK TO BE REPLACED. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT THE COMPANY IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR.
Steering, Oct 31, 2016
STEERING WHEEL WON'T LOCK THERE FOR IM NOT ABLE TO TURN ON MY CAR
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 31, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START, BOTH WITH THE PUSH TO START BUTTON AND THE EMERGENCY KEY SLOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 29, 2016
PARKED IN GARAGE, WOULDN'T START, STEERING LOCK SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING SO THE ENGINE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE PUSH BUTTON START, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO AUTO MECHANIC TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED FOR $1,000 PLUS TOWING! NISSAN STOPPED USING THIS PART IN 2010 SO THEY MUST KNOW IT WAS A BAD PART. I COULD HAVE BEEN ANYWHERE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND BEEN STRANDED.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2016
STICKY AND MELTING DASHBOARD IN MY NISSAN ALTIMA . I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE DURING SUNNY DAYS AND ABOUT TO GET INTO ACCIDENT COUPLE OF TIMES THIS SUMMER.
Steering, Oct 28, 2016
CAR WILL NOT START BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRONIS STEERING COLUMN LOCK UNIT (ESCL) THIS IS VERY UNSAFE I COULD HAVE BEEN WITH MY CHILDREN AT A UNSAFE AREA FOR NISSAN TO TELL ME WARRANTY IS NOT AVAIABLE ANYMORE. THE PRICE TO GET THIS FIX IS 1200 THIS IS SO UNFAIR IF ITS A NISSAN ISSUE
Steering, Engine, Oct 27, 2016
MY ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK HAS MALFUNCTIONED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THIS MALFUNCTION DOES NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO RECOGNIZE THE KEY FOB, PREVENTING IGNITION. I WAS STRANDED IN A REMOTE PART OF A FOREST PRESERVE AND BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT START I HAD TO HIKE OUT 6 MILES UNTIL I GOT CELL PHONE COVERAGE AND COULD CALL FOR HELP. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO ME PREVIOUSLY IN 2011. AT THAT POINT NISSAN HAD COVERED THIS REPAIR AS PART OF A LIFETIME EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK, BUT THEY DECIDED IN JANUARY 2016 TO CANCEL THIS WARRANTY.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND "KEY FOB" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL); HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Steering, Oct 26, 2016
CAR WONT START BECAUSE OF BAD STEERING LOCK. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2009 ALTIMA AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND COVERED BY NISSAN. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. NEVER RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FROM NISSAN OF FAULTY PART.
Steering, Oct 25, 2016
WHILE OUT SHOPPING, I RETURNED TO THE CAR AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I TRIED TO START IT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. IT WAS DARK OUT, AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED BECAUSE IT WAS IN THE STORE PARKING LOT, IN ADDITION TO IT NOT STARTING. WHEN TOWED TO DEALER, THEY SAID THE STEERING LOCK UNIT WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, I NOTICED THAT NISSAN KNEW THE STEERING LOCK UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THEY ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH EXPIRED IN NOVEMBER 2014. MY PROBLEM IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THEY FIXED FOR HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS FOR FREE, BUT SINCE MINE HAPPENED LATER THAT 11/2014, THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT. NOW, I AM OUT ALMOST $1300 DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIR. DEFECTIVE IS DEFECTIVE, REGARDLESS OF WHEN IT HAPPENED. THEY KNEW IT WAS DEFECTIVE, OR THEY WOULDN'T HAVE EXTENDED THAT WARRANTY IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Steering, Oct 24, 2016
WITHIN THE LAST MONTH I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK 3 TIMES AND IT'S VERY FRUSTRASTING. WHEN I BOUGHT AT THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A VERY RELIABLE CAR. THIS PAST SATURDAY I HAD TO GET IT TOWED BECAUSE IT FAILED TO TURN ON WHILE I WAS GROCERY SHOPPING. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN I WANT TO START THE CAR.
Steering, Oct 24, 2016
THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL LOCK DISABLED THE STARTER SO THAT I COULD NOT MOVE MY CAR. I WAS IN A WAL MART PHARMACY PARKING LOT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. MY WIFE IS UNDERGOING CHEMO-THERAPY FOR BREAST CANCER AND WE HAD TO WAIT ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE WE COULD GET A RIDE HOME. THE WAIT MADE MY WIFE FEEL WORSE CONSIDERING HER CONDITION.