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.
Air bags, Nov 12, 2021
My airbag light suddenly started blinking on my dashboard. For several years I have had problems with the orange center passenger air bag light working intermittently. I had a Nissan dealer inspect it and was told there was nothing wrong with it. It continued to act sporadically as before the visit unable to detect if a passenger was in the seat or not. Now, as stated above my red airbag light blinks continuously on the instrument panel. After taking it to a different repair shop, I was told it was the Seat Occupant Sensor and it needed to be removed and replaced. The SRS Passenger Discriminating Sensor needed to be replaced also. I was told I needed to replace the seat cushion (passenger side). This problem needs to be addressed for obvious safety concerns as the same problem keeps happening to many of Nissan's vehicles above and beyond their other recall campaign for newer models with the same problem. Yes, my car is out of warranty but that shouldn't matter as this is a very URGENT SAFETY ISSUE of a known defect that Nissan needs take responsibility for. My car has very low mileage (86,000 & 12 yrs. old) and rarely do I have a passenger in the defective seat. Now I can't have anyone use it for this safety reason. The cost of a repair by Nissan dealer is upwards of $2,000.
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.
Steering, Oct 22, 2021
Drove car to to store came back 20 minutes later car would not start. Red key appear on dash - Had to have car towed. Informed Steering wheel lockout. Nissian award of problem, but never issue recall. Base on my research found out they did a voluntary bring in your car to fix problem, but no recall. Who is going to know they have a problem until it happens< The bring in your cechile program ended May 2020 during the pandemic. Now it's going to cost $1300 to repair, not counting money spent for tow and car rental. I have bought 3 Nissian never will I buy another one.
Power train, Sep 23, 2021
Loss of power after 2-3 hours of driving, speed dropped down from 70mph to 45mph and then continue to drop to 20-25mph on the highway. Pull over on the should waited for about an hour and then it regained power for about an hour till once going uphill it loss power again. This is very dangerous to loose power like this on a high traffic interstate highway.
Steering, Sep 13, 2021
Went to work with no issues. Got off and went to grocery store and when I came out to leave, car would not start. The key indicator and steering lock indicator on indicating a malfunction. Car would not start for no reason. After a day I had to have the car towed to my house at my expense. It is terrible to have so many people have the same issue and being stranded by this malfunction, which is extremely unsafe. Terrible to see how nissan will not fix this obvious error on their part to protect their customers safety. Now I am being told that the recall to fix this wasnover may of 2020 and it is going to cost over a thousand dollars. I was never notified of a recall and this fox should be honored but it is not. Terribly disappointed. Nissan, get your act together!!!!
Steering, Sep 7, 2021
Key warning light on dash which indicates steering lock module malfunction
Steering, Jul 9, 2021
Steering lock mechanism malfunction leaving me stranded due to the car not starting. Intelligence key lock displaying indicating the issue being a malfunction. I was left stranded over 40 miles away from home. I’m stranded on an island and haven’t had any insurance rep look at it. Vehicle is being towed over 40 miles to a Nissan dealership. There was no warning. I went to work that day without any issues and when I was ready to leave the car would not start and the key light was on. I had to spend money on a rental car to get home. This is extremely unsafe to know this can happen due to a part Nissan is very aware of.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 8, 2021
Direct sun radiating on the dashboard has resulting in a deterioration of the surface, creating a sheen that creates a reflection on the windshield that is a constant distracts and under certain circumstances (depending on where the sun is at on the horizon), can impair the driver's view of traffic and objects in front of the vehicle. The deterioration of the dashboard began after about five years of being owned and operating in Texas (and resulting sun and heat), but is becoming increasingly problematic as the dashboard surface continues to degrade.
Power train, Jun 9, 2021
My transmission went out on me while I tried to accelerate at a busy intersection. There was no check the engine light or maintenance required light that popped up but just wouldn't go nowhere. I had to call 911 in order to direct traffic on top of calling a tow truck. I had to wait 45 on both and directed traffic myself from not getting hurt or prevent someone from hitting me and my car. The transmission was already replaced once in 2016 now its needing to be replaced again with a price tag of about $4000 which is wrong when I took car of the car very well by doing what was required of the maintenance and the part that they put on through the warrenty in 2016 only is good for 1 year which is not fair for the car owner knowing that this is an ongoing problem with nissan. I feel like if it's under 5 years or 100,000 after a part have been replace they should pay for it because thats the price for another car
Other or unspecified, May 31, 2021
have 117,000 miles and my transmission went out, the car will start but will not go in drive and will not go in reverse.
Electrical system, Apr 30, 2021
IN 2020 RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN FOR STEERING COLUMN LOCK REPLACEMENT. TOOK CAR TO GREENVILLE NISSAN (GREENVILLE, NC). SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY NOT PART OF THAT RECALL, DESPITE THE NISSAN USA LETTER, SO I LEFT. APPROX. 9 MONTHS LATER (2/23/2021) THAT EXACT PART BROKE ON MY CAR, RESULTING IN INABILITY TO START ENGINE. COST ME $900+ OUT OF POCKET TO FIX EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS RECALLED FOR AND NOT ORIGINALLY DONE. FWIW THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THE SAME DEALERSHIP TRIED THE SAME THING WITH HIM ON HIS CAR. I AM ATTACHING ALL MY DOCUMENTATION FROM ORIGINAL LETTER, DOCUMENTS DEALER GAVE ME IN 2020, AND THE 2021 REPAIR AS WELL AS THE COST OF A RENTAL CAR TO GET AROUND DURING SERVICE.
Steering, Apr 19, 2021
I GOT IN MY CAR I DROVE UP TO THE AUTO PARTS STORE WHICH I TOOK MY NEIGHBOR TO TURN MY CAR OFF WENT IN CAME BACK OUT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK AT WHICH TIME I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE HOUSE WHICH COST ME $125 AND 3 HOURS. COME TO FIND OUT THE PART IS ON RECALL THAT CALLS THE CAR TO DO THIS AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO HONOR IT SAYING I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE IT
Other or unspecified, Apr 15, 2021
CAR WOULD NOT START. WAS TOLD THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE IN 2014 AND IT WAS REPAIRED AFTER I WAS STRANDED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY FOR THE 2014 REPAIR WAS A YEAR AND THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOR THE NISSAN HEADQUARTERS WOULD ASSIST IN THE $800 REPAIR. RECENTLY I NOTICED THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) BEING DEACTIVATED AND BEING REPLACED WITH A ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN BOX. THIS OFFER EXPIRED MAY 30, 2020. HOWEVER, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. WHEN I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN HEADQUARTERS I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE COULD NOT BE MODIFIED. THIS MAKES NO SENSE. THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.
Air bags, Mar 27, 2021
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SEEMS TO BE FAULTY DUE TO A SENSOR FAIL. SO THE AIRBAG LIGHT MALFUNCTIONS AND THE AIRBAG WON'T WORK. SINCE THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE, I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD LOOK INTO A RECALL. IT IS A PROBLEM A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS SEEM TO HAVE (SEE HTTPS://M.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NISSAN/ALTIMA/2009/SEAT_BELTS_AIR_BAGS/AIR_BAGS.SHTML).
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 23, 2021
I WAS LEFT STRANDED WHEN CAR WOULD NOT START. THANKFULLY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON THE ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. TURNS OUT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING WHEEL LOCK. NISSAN HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THIS PART FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE AT MANUFACTURE. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS CAMPAIGN AND AM NOW OUT $862.46 AS NISSAN DECIDED IT WILL NO LONGER HONOR THEIR RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS CAMPAIGN.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Mar 16, 2021, crash
A NIGHTMARE WHILE AWAKE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A BANK PARKING LOT I HIT A POLE LIGHTLY. I STOPPED THE CAR BEFORE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. WHEN I ACCELERATED THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AT A FAST SPEED. I TRIED BRAKING BUT THE CAR KEPT GOING FORWARD SLAMMING INTO THE BACK OF A PARKED SUV WITH THE DRIVER INSIDE PUSHING IT FROM THE PARKING SPACE UP ONTO THE SIDE WALK. AND SIDE SWIPING A PARKED TRUCK PUSHING IT INTO THE SUV PASSENGER SIDE.. THE ACCELERATION WAS SO GREAT I AM SO MY CAR IS TOTALED. I AM PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONAL SICKEN BY THIS AND THE DAMAGES CAUSED FROM SOMETHING NISSAN COULD HAVE PREVENT BY FIXING THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS STILL TRYING GO AFTER BEING STOPPED BY THE VEHICLE I HIT AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE LADY FROM THE BANK TOLD ME TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THAT STOPPED THE CAR. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE MODE AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND HAD TO SHUT IT DOWN IN DRIVE MODE. THIS WAS A SCENE OUT OF A HORROR SHOW. IT HAPPENED IN SPRINGFIELD MA AWAY FROM MY HOME. I AM GLAD THE INJURIES ARE NOT FATAL AS ONE INCIDENT WAS.
Steering, Mar 9, 2021
MY STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THIS ALSO HAPPENED 8 YEARS AGO IN THE YEAR 2013. I WAS STRANDED BOTH TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. BUT NOW THERE IS NO LONGER A RECALL IN PLACE. THE REPAIR IS VERY COSTLY.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Mar 1, 2021
THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS CAUSED MY TYRODE TO COME OFF CAUSE THE BRACKET THAT IS ON THE STRUT BAR THAT THE STABALIZER BOLTS ONTO HAS BROKE OFF FROM WHERE ITS ATTACHED TO. I CAN NOT KEEP THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL TIGHT IT HAS CAME OFF WITH ME DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET WHICH WAS SEAGOVIILLE RD. IN SEAGOBILLE TX. ALL PROBLEMS FRONT SUSPENSION.
Steering, Feb 19, 2021
WENT TO START MY CAR THE OTHER DAY AND IT FAILED TO START WITH A LITTLE KEY ICON ON THE DASHBOARD AND MY PUSH TO START BUTTON READING LOCK. I ASSUMED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD BECAUSE IT WAS ABOUT -20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AT THE TIME, HOWEVER WHEN I WENT TO JUMP IT IT STILL WOULDN'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO TURN OVER WHEN I PRESSED THE START BUTTON. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON ONLY SELECT CARS FOR THE MAKE MODEL AND YEAR DESPITE IT BEING WIDESPREAD ACROSS THE THAT LINE OF VEHICLE FOR THAT YEAR. WHILE I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BEING STRANDED SOMEWHERE IN THIS COLD OF WEATHER WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO START YOUR CAR COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS.
Electrical system, Feb 11, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE, THERE WAS A SECURITY ALERT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Steering, Feb 9, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN 2014 THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO JEFFREY NISSAN (30800 GRATIOT AVE, ROSEVILLE, MI 48066) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO THE CONTACT. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE SECURITY CODE ERROR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *JS
Steering, Feb 4, 2021
MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 DOESN'T START AT ALL AND THE SYMPTOMS CLEARLY SHOWS THAT IS THE ISSUE WITH ESCL THAT NISSAN ALTIMA HAS ACKNOWLEGED, HOWEVER THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE IT WAS FOR A LIMITED TIME PERIOD AND I WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT IT. TODAY I WAS STRANDED AS THE CAR WAS JUST NOT STARTING.THIS IS REALLY FRUSTRATING. COULD YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.
Steering, Jan 28, 2021
THE STEERING COLUMN ON THE CAR HAS LOCKED ON ME TWICE IN TWO WEEKS, REQUIRING TWO SEPARATE TOWS, $800 IN REPAIRS, $427 IN TOWING AND $69 IN RENTAL AND UBER. CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP. I PARKED THE CAR BOTH TIMES AND WHEN I CAME BACK THE STEERING COLUMN WAS UNABLE TO BE MOVED, BRAKE PEDAL COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED TO START THE CAR.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 23, 2021
THE 2009 ALTIMA ESCL FAILED IN MY CAR. THE KEY FOB REMAINS PROGRAMMED WITH THE VEHICLE HOWEVER THE STEERING COLUMN WILL NOT UNLOCK THUS RENDERING THE VEHICLE IMMOBILE. I WAS STRANDED IN A REMOTE AREA APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR'S DRIVE FROM MY APPARTMENT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE OF WHICH A 'SERVICE CAMPAIGN' WAS ISSUED BY NISSAN. HOWEVER, MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THAT CAMPAIGN.
Steering, Jan 22, 2021
SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN OFF MY CAR, A 'KEY' SYMBOL WILL DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD AND I AM UNABLE TO START THE CAR AGAIN. THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES ALSO BECOME STIFF. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT RANDOM, BUT MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY THE COLDER IT IS OUTSIDE. THE ISSUE IS WITH STEERING COLUMN LOCK ACTUATOR, WHICH IS UNDER THE PANEL BELOW THE STEERING WHEEL. TO TEMPORARILY FIX THIS ISSUE I'VE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE TAP IT WITH AN OBJECT SUCH AS A WRENCH, WHILE PRESSING THE START BUTTON AND HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKE SIMULTANEOUSLY. HOWEVER, DOING THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE NISSAN ALTIMA IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN WHEN I WAS IN AN AREA WITH NO CELL RECEPTION AND IT WAS AN EXTREMELY STRESSFUL SITUATION. NISSAN HAS RECALLED A SELECT FEW OF THESE PARTS, BUT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING MYSELF, WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE TO RECALL THIS FAULTY PART AS IT IS VERY UNSAFE, AND MAKES THE WHOLE CAR UNRELIABLE.