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.
Electrical system, May 17, 2016
STEERING LOCK FAILED STRANDING ME WITH A NON STARTING CAR 190 MILES FROM HOME WITH A TODDLER WITH NO HEAT OR AC.... IT IS A COMMON NISSAN FAILURE AND NISSAN WILL NOT ASSIST
Steering, May 15, 2016
THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED IN REFERENCE TO THE DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN LOCK (PART # 48700-9N00A) ON THIS CAR. WHEN THIS COMPONENT FAILS, IT LEAVES YOU STRANDED BY BEING UNABLE TO START THE CAR. I HAD JUST ENDED MY LATE SHIFT ONLY TO FIND THAT MY CAR WOULD NOT START. FORTUNATELY NOTHING HAPPENED TO ME, BUT THIS PUT ME IN A SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE ENDED VERY BADLY, AS I HAD TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO COME PICK ME UP. NISSAN OBVIOUSLY KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY AND ALSO IMPROVED THE PART, (NOW PART #48700-9N00B); BUT I BELIEVE THAT A DEFECTIVE PART, WHICH THEY ACKNOWLEDGED AS SUCH BY EXTENDING THE WARRANTY, SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED THROUGH A RECALL. FROM THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON-LINE WHO HAVE ALSO BEEN AFFECTED, I WOULD THINK THEY WOULD DO THIS RECALL JUST TO KEEP THE CUSTOMER SATISFIED. I KNOW I WILL BE LOOKING AT OTHER BRANDS FOR MY NEXT CAR.
Steering, May 15, 2016
CAR WILL NOT START BECAUSE STEERING LOCK WILL NOT DISENGAGE.
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2016
THE LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE KEY FOB OR DOOR BUTTON ARE USED. I HAVE REPLACED 3 OUT OF THE FOUR DOOR LOCKS MULTIPLE TIMES WITH THE PROBLEM RECURRING. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE NEEDING TO EXIT THE CAR OR ENTER THE CAR QUICKLY. FURTHERMORE, ALL OF THE LOCKS HAVE LOCKED WHEN THE KEY FOB WAS LEFT IN THE CAR (LOCKING ME OUT). THE CAR IS NOT SUPPOSED TO LOCK WHEN THE FOB IS IN THE CAR. IN ADDITION, PRESSING THE LOCK AND UNLOCK BUTTON WILL ONLY UNLOCK 2 DOORS AT THIS TIME. THIS APPEARS TO HAVE HAPPENED TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE. I THINK A RECALL IS IN ORDER SO THE LOCKS WORK AS DESIGNED TO PREVENT SAFETY ISSUES.
Steering, May 12, 2016
TAKATA RECALL - I BELIEVE MY CAR HAS THAT ESCL PROBLEM BECAUSE I CANT TURN ON MY CAR AT ALL. ON MONDAY EVENING I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK FROM HOME AND MY CAR WAS DRIVING FINE UNTIL INNOTICE THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WAS WOBBLING. I ARRAVIED AT WORK PARKED MY CAR AND WENT IN MY WORKPLACE FOR A MEETING THEN WHEN I CAME BACK OUT TO MY CAR TO TAKE IT TO THE GARAGE IT WOULDNT START UP. I PRESSED MY FEET ON THE PEDAL LIKE USUAL BUT NOTHING HAPPEN IT KEPT SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD ONLY A KEY ERROR. AFTER I GOT OFF I TRIED TO START IT UP AGAIN AND NOTHING HAPPEND I EVEN HAD GOT A HOTSHOT BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY BATTERY BUT IT WASNT. SO THEN INHAD TO LEAVE MY CAR ON THE SIDE STREETBFOR 24 HOURS BECAUSE I COULDNT AFFORD TO GET A TOW AT 5AM UNTIL I WENT HOME AND GOT MORE MONEY. SO THEN WHEN I CAME BACK TO WORK THE NEXT DAY I GOT MY CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE WHICH WAS ON TUESDAY MAY 5TH 2016 UNTIL I HAVE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I CANT AFFORD IT. I HONESTLY FEEL LIKE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I ALWAYS TOKE CAR OF MY CAR SINCE I HAD AND THIS IS THE ONLY PROBLEM THAT I HAD WITH MY CARBSO FAR. I DONT KNOW WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
Steering, May 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PARKING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS UNDER A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Steering, May 10, 2016
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM DEFECT. UPON RESEARCHING THIS DEFECT I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT SEVERAL CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE . THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN SO COMMON THAT A WARRANTY WAS PLACED ON THIS PART UNTIL 2014.BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE I BELIEVE THAT A TOTAL RECALL SHOULD'VE BEEN MADE. PLEASE REVIEW ALL OF THE PETITIONS POSTED ONLINE IN AN ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE MANUFACTURE TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THE REPAIR FOR THIS DEFECT IS COSTING IT'S CUSTOMERS A MINIMUM OF $1200 AND I AM OUTRAGED THAT THEY PUT A EXPIRATION DATE ON THE TIME THIS PART HAS TO MALFUNCTION.
Steering, May 10, 2016
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE BRAKE WAS EXTREMELY STIFF, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND PUSHING THE START BUTTON DID NOTHING. AAA CAME AND SAID IT WASN'T THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR OR STARTER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER ' THEY SAID IT WAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING LOCK MODULE WHICH HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT WAS EXPIRED. THIS COST ME APPROXIMATELY $700 FOR THE TOW, PART AND LABOR. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THEY THOUGHT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALLED ITEM BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE, NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND IT COULD LEAVE PEOPLE STRANDED IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Electrical system, May 6, 2016
STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED CAUSING MY WIFE TO BE STRANDED. THIS PROBLEM IS EFFECTING THOUSANDS OF OTHER OWNERS OF 2009 NISSAN ALTIMAS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS PART.
Suspension, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 4, 2016
HAVING ISSUES WITH CAR NOT STARTING FREQUENTLY IT SEEMS A RECALL SHOULD BE COMPLETED. ALSO SEARING AT TIMES IS AN ISSUE.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, May 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WAS UNABLE TO START. THE "PUSH TO START" DID NOT START THE ENGINE AND THE STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS INCLUDED IN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD STILL BE COVERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
Electrical system, May 3, 2016
THE CAR WILL NOT START. THERE IS A YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE DASH AND A RED CAR LIGHT THAT BLINKS. THE BATTERY IN THE KEY IS FINE AND OPENS THE CAR DOORS AND LOCKS THEM OK. I GOT INTO THE CAR THIS MORNING AND IT WILL NOT START.
Steering, Apr 29, 2016
I PULLED IN TO THE GAS STATION LATE NIGHT DECEMBER 9,2015, AND AFTER FILLING UP, THE CAR REFUSED TO START. WHEN TESTED IT SHOWED THAT THE BATTERY WAS FINE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (EVEN THE TOW COMPANY WORKER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL CAR). TRUE TO THE WORKER'S EXPERIENCE, THE DEALER TOLD ME THE CAR HAD A STEERING PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE UNDERTAKING, AND EXTREMELY INCONVENIENCING. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FROM THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I READ.
Steering, Apr 28, 2016
ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK (ESCL) FAILURE: CAR WILL NOT START DUE TO THIS FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED.
Electrical system, Apr 26, 2016
APRIL 20 GOT OFF OF WORK WENT TO MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND HAD BATTERY REPLACED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT START. LOOKED ON LINE AND SEEMS IT IS THE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM FAILURE THAT IS DISABLING MY CAR. CALLED DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PART BUT YET EVERY TIME I LOOK SOMETHING UP ONLINE I SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL.
Steering, Power train, Apr 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK FRACTURED. THE COMPONENT WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY; THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,479.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 23, 2016
THE ESCL WHEEL LOCK WILL NOT RELEASE TO LET THE VEHICLE START
Steering, Apr 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Steering, Apr 19, 2016
TAKADA I GOT STRANDED ON MY WORK MY CAR WOULDN'T TURN ON AT ALL HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME. AFTER I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AUTO SERVICE CAME TO FIND OUT ITS THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY I'M BEING CHARGED 975.00 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIX CAME TO FIND OUT ALOT OF PEOPLE WARE COMPLAINING OF THIS PROBLEM THERESOLUTION NEED TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS PARTS.
Steering, Apr 18, 2016
CAR WON'T START. IT'S STUCK IN LOCK POSITION.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 18, 2016
CAR WILL NOT START OR TURN ON ACCESSORIES. STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. I WAS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE CAR UNTIL AAA CAN TO TOW IT TO THE DEAL.
Steering, Apr 16, 2016
STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED LEAVING THE CAR COMPLETELY DISABLED AND UNABLE TO MOVE AT ALL. NISSAN HAS KNOW ABOUT THIS BEING A VERY CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS BUT DID NOT RECALL THE PART. THE EXTENDED WARRANTEE ENDED MARCH 31 2015 AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INDEFINITELY BECAUSE NISSAN KNOWS THESE ARE FAULTY AND HASN'T COMMUNICATED TO OWNERS ABOUT IT AS FAR AS I KNOW.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 15, 2016
I WAS ABOUT TO START MY CAR AT A GAS STATION THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START LEAVING ME STRANDED IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT FAILURE WHICH PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM SENSING YOUR KEY FOB WHICH PREVENTS YOU FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE AND YOU ARE STUCK. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT LEAVING DRIVERS STRANDED AND THE CAR USELESS. I COULD HAVE BEEN ROBBED OR OTHER. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE STEARING CONTROL UNIT.
Electrical system, Apr 14, 2016
I CAN NOT START MY CAR. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES IT WILL NOT TRIGGER MY AUTOMATIC KEY TO TURN MY CAR ON. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES I AM NOT ABLE TO START MY CAR. NOW I HAVE TO FIX THE BRAKE LIGHT AND HARNESS FOR 600$ AT MY LOCAL TRUSTWORTHY REPAIR SHOP. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF A HARNESS ISSUE. BUT I GOOGLES AND FOUND A BULLETIN AND MANY 1000 OF PEOPLE WITH SAME COMPLAINT. MY REPAIR SHOP DID THE SAME TOO. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION TO HAVE A CAR THAT WILL NOT START AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS THAT DO NOT WORK!!!!!
Steering, Apr 14, 2016
STEERING LOCK WENT WITH NO WARNING. NISSAN AWARE OF PROBLEM AND HASN'T RECALLED. COST $959.21 TO FIX. WAS SHOPPING CAR SHUT OFF. WHEN I RETURNED WITH GROCERIES WOULDN'T START. HAD TO TOW TO DEALER