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, Feb 1, 2016
THE STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTIONS ON THIS CAR, AND OTHER YEARS AND MODELS. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO BE STRANDED WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ON DUE TO THE CAR BEING IN AN ANTI THEFT MODE. NISSAN IS WELL AWARE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE AND IS PROFITING FROM IT. THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE TO TOW THE CAR TO NISSAN (SINCE THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN FIX IT), AND IT WILL COST $1000 TO FIX. NISSAN STATES THAT DUE TO IT NOT BEING A SAFETY CONCERN, THEY DO NOT HAVE TO RECALL THIS. THIS HAS AFFECTED COUNTLESS CUSTOMERS HOWEVER AND IT IS UNETHICAL. THIS IS NOT EVEN SOMETHING THE PERSON THEMSELVES OR ANOTHER MECHANIC CAN FIX SINCE IT IS ELECTRICAL. I DO NOT FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD BE PROFITING FROM A PART THAT THEY KNOW IS DEFECTIVE
Steering, Feb 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH TO START FAILED TO OPERATE AND START THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Electrical system, Jan 29, 2016
I STARTED THE VEHICLE AT HOME AND DROVE TO THE MY MOTHERS HOUSE(, APPROXIMATELY 6 MINUTES AWAY.) WHEN I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. THE LITTLE KEY LIGHT WENT ON SO,I CHANGED THE BATTERY FOR THE REMOTE AS SOME PEOPLE REPORTED THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. CALLED THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER, THEY SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK .AFTER MAKING SOME RESEARCH I JUST FOUND OUT THAT IS A COMMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR.T. . I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND REQUEST IT IS ISSUED AS A RECALL. MANY PEOPLE ONLINE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LOCK STEERING ISSUE..I BELIENE NISSAN SHOULD AT LEAST BE RESPONSIBLE OF REPLACING THE PARTS.THIS IS OUR THIRD CAR THAT WE HAVE BOUGHT AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES BEFORE.
Steering, Jan 29, 2016
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START AND STRANDED MY WIFE IN A PARKING LOT. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH AND A TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED. THE STEERING LOCK FAILED. NISSAN IS AWARE THAT THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE SO THEY INCREASED THE WARRANTY. NOW THAT THE WARRANTY IS UP, I AM STUCK WITH A $1000 REPAIR OF A PART THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED!
Steering, Jan 28, 2016
STARTED THE VEHICLE AT HOME AND DROVE TO THE STORE, APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES AWAY. AFTER SHOPPING LESS THAN 30 MINUTES, WENT TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE LITTLE KEY LIGHT WENT ON SO WENT BACK INTO THE STORE TO BUY A BATTERY FOR THE REMOTE AS SOME PEOPLE REPORTED THAT AS THE PROBLEM. REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. CALLED THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER, THEY SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK WHICH WAS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT DUE TO THE AGE OF OUR VEHICLE (6 YEARS OLD) IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE LOCK STEERING AT A COST OF $1000. CALLED NISSAN TO REQUEST A REIMBURSEMENT BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN, SO IT IS NOT A RECALL ONLY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS ISSUED AND SINCE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY THERE IS NO REIMBURSEMENT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND REQUEST IT IS ISSUED AS A RECALL. MANY PEOPLE ONLINE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LOCK STEERING ISSUE.
Steering, Jan 27, 2016
STEERING LOCK FAILED. HAD TO REPLACE IT AT BOMMORITO NISSAN. $1180.00. IT WAS ONLY 3 MONTHS OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY. SINCE THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE I FEEL THE PARTS AND LABOR SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. I WANT TO BE PAID FOR COST .I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF PROBLEM. I'M THE SECOND OWNER.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2016
LEAVING WORK I WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO GO HOME. WHEN I WENT TO THE START THE CAR, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. A YELLOW KEY LIGHT CAME ON. UNABLE TO START THE CAR, I LOOKED UP ONLINE POSSIBLE CAUSES AND FIGURED OUT IT WAS THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED WHICH COST $30+ AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED. NISSAN ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THIS PARTICULAR PART HAVING CAUSED PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. THE REPAIR COST $1092.
Steering, Jan 26, 2016
ONE MORNING WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK, MY CAR WOULD NOT START. A YELLOW KEY LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DASH THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE. THE STEERING WHEEL WASN'T COMPLETELY LOCKED UNTIL TRYING TO START IT SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR STAYED IN THE LOCK POSITION AND WOULD NOT SWITCH OVER TO ACCESSORY MODE OR START AT ALL. I QUICKLY FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH THE SIMILAR PROBLEM. I WAS ABLE TO PULL A VIDEO UP ON YOUTUBE THAT SHOWED ME HOW TO TEMPORARY FIX THIS ISSUE. WE REMOVED THE CASE OFF FROM UNDER THE WHEEL, USED A WRENCH OR STURDY METAL OBJECT AND LOCATED THE STEERING LOCK ITSELF AND SLOWLY TAPPED ON IT. SURE ENOUGH, WE WERE ABLE TO GET MY CAR STARTED AFTER A FEW TAPS. IT WORKED FINE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. AFTER DISCOVERING THIS PROBLEM I FOUND A WEBSITE THAT SHOWED THIS PART WAS NOT ON RECALL BUT DID HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. UNFORTUNATELY, MY STEERING LOCK WENT OUT 3 WEEKS AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. GO FIGURE.... AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS WITHOUT THE ISSUE, THE CAR LOCKED UP AGAIN ON WHILE I WENT TO HEAD HOME FROM WORK. I WAS ABLE TO DO THE SAME TAP AND GET IT STARTED TO GET MYSELF HOME AND IT WORKED A FEW WEEKS. NOW, MY CAR IS CURRENTLY STUCK AT MY WORK UNTIL I CAN AFFORD A TOW AND THE REPAIRS AT THE DEALERSHIP WHICH WILL COST ME $950-$1,200. I'VE CALLED OTHER LOCAL MECHANICS TO SEE IF THEY COULD GET ME A BETTER DEAL AND UNFORTUNATELY MOST OF THEM DO NOT HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS/EQUIPMENT TO COMPLETELY REPAIR THE PROBLEM. ONCE THEY REPLACE THE STEERING LOCK THE CAR WILL NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED WHICH ONLY A NISSAN DEALER CAN DO SUPPOSEDLY. IT'S PRETTY AWFUL NISSAN ISN'T DOING MORE TO HELP PEOPLE OUT IN THIS SITUATION WHEN THERE IS CASE AFTER CASE WITH THE SAME STORIES.
Steering, Jan 25, 2016
STEERING LOCK FAILURE, CAR WILL NOT START!
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2016
PARKED MY CAR IN A STORE PARKING LOT. WHEN I RETURNED MY CAR FAILED TO START WITH A FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE MY KEY FOB. I REPLACED THE FOB BATTERY STILL WON'T START. IT WAS GETTING DARK I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT. RETURNED THE NEXT DAY. NOTHING WILL START MY CAR. WHEN ONLINE TO SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED 03/15. I ONLY HAVE 44500 MILES ON MY CAR. NISSAN NEVER NOTIFIED ME THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. IT COST ME $964.00 TO GET IT FIXED. AND OF COURSE THIS ALL HAPPEN WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS OUT OF TOWN. WHY WAS THIS NOT A RECALL?
Electrical system, Jan 23, 2016
STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT FAILS TO DISENGAGE EVEN THOUGH KEY (FOB) IS PRESENT. DOORS AND TRUNK WILL UNLOCK/LOCK SO VEHICLE RECOGNIZES FOB/KEY. NISSAN HAD A WARRANTY FIX, BUT DID NOT NOTIFY OWNERS. NOW PERIOD HAS CLOSED LEAVING OWNER WIT H A $1000+ BILL SO CAR CAN BE USED.
Steering, Jan 22, 2016
TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE TO RUN ERRANDS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I NOTICED THE THE KEY LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD WAS ON. (HAD NEVER HAPPEN BEFORE) AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL.
Engine, Jan 22, 2016
KEYLESS START MALFUNCTIONED, STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND RENDERED THE CAR UNABLE TO START. PART:LOCK ASSY STRG 48700-9N00B REPLACEMENT PART USED AT THE COST OF TOWING AND 899.95 AT MENTOR NISSAN OHIO. THROUGH RESEARCH FOUND THIS IS A WIDELY KNOW ISSUE, MANY CASES INVOLVED THIS. 250,000 HITS ON INTERNET. CERTAINLY THE CONSUMER SHOULD BE PROTECTED AND REIMBURSED BY NISSAN.
Steering, Jan 19, 2016
YESTERDAY, AFTER DRIVING TO LUNCH, MY CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER IT WAS PARKED FOR APPS. 1 HOUR. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THERE WAS ANY SORT OF MALFUNCTION ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IT WAS NOT RECOGNIZING MY KEY FOB INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE MANUAL SLOT. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THE BREAKS WOULDN'T DEPRESS, NOTHING HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER TO THE TUNE OF $125. THEN HAD THE DEALER RUN DIAGNOSTICS AT $75. ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THIS WAS WHAT I HAD EXPECTED, THE STEERING LOCK. THIS MUST BE REPLACED AND WILL COST $946. AFTER CONTACTING NISSAN, I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT BE HELPING OUT IN ANY WAY, DESPITE THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED FLAW. WHEN ASKED WHY I WASN'T CONTACTED BY THEN SOONER, THEY SAID I SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUT HAD NO DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF CONTACTING ME. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AND THE AG. WILL NEVER PURCHASE FROM NISSAN AGAIN.
Steering, Jan 13, 2016
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA STEERING LOCK HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE. NISSAN FAILED TO RECALL THIS PART SO NO INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED TO CONSUMERS OWNING THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHICH THEY OF COURSE DENIED, BUT AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF ME REQUESTING THEM TO LET ME KNOW WHEN I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY REGARDING THIS PART, I WAS TOLD NO LETTER WAS SENT TO ME. I PURCHASED MY 2009 NISSAN BRAND NEW IN 2010, SO UNLESS THE NISSAN PART WENT BAD EARLY IN OWNERSHIP I WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE COVERED UNDER THIS SO CALLED EXTENDED WARRANTY. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THIS IS A BAD NISSAN PART, THEY ARE CHARGING $700 JUST FOR THE PART ALONE TO BE REPAIRED, AND ONLY GUARANTEEING THE PART FOR 12 MONTHS, CAN'T MAKE THIS UP. IT APPEARS THAT NISSAN MADE THE ADJUSTMENTS IN LATER MODELS AND THAT 2009 OWNERS ARE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG. I UNDERSTAND PARTS GOING BAD, AND IN SOME CASES PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE STRANDED (AS I WAS IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION) DUE TO UNFORESEEN ISSUES. BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR SOMEONE TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY ALL OF THESE PEOPLE POSTING THE SAME COMPLAINT (AND THERE ARE TONS) ARE BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BY NISSAN THAT THIS (THE PART THEY BUILT INTO THE CAR) PART IS SOMEHOW DIFFERENT THAN MOST PARTS BEING RECALLED EVEN AT THIS VERY MOMENT. SHAME ON YOU NHTSA FOR NOT HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS HORRIBLE BUSINESS AND SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR WILL NOT START WITHOUT THIS PART, BECAUSE IT IS SO EXPENSIVE IT IS REQUIRING PEOPLE TO TRY AND REPAIR THIS THEMSELVES, WHICH IS GOING TO CAUSE EVEN FURTHER SAFETY ISSUES IN MY MIND. WE OWN 2 NISSAN'S IN MY HOUSE, DO ALL OF OUR SERVICING THERE, WE WILL NEVER PURCHASE NISSAN AGAIN.
Steering, Jan 13, 2016
DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK WIDESPREAD DEFECTS IN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) CAN DISABLE THE PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION. THE ESCL'S PRIMARY JOB IS TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UNTIL YOU BRING YOUR KEY FOB IN RANGE OF THE VEHICLE. IT'S MEANT TO PREVENT THEFT. ONCE THE ESCL DETECTS THE YOUR KEY FOB, IT UNLOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL AND LETS YOU GO. EVEN WITH THE FOB PRESENT AND WORKING, THE ESCL WON'T DETECT IT AND, THEREFORE, WON'T RELEASE IT'S IRON GRIP ON THE WHEEL. THIS DEFECT CAN AFFECT OWNERS OF THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT CAUSE. WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE IS TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE FAULTY STEERING LOCK REPLACED. THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED AT ALL. THE PROBLEM CAN BE QUITE EXPENSIVE TO FIX. A NEW ESCL WILL SET YOU BACK ABOUT $1100 AND IT TAKES A COUPLE HOURS OF EXPENSIVE-MECHANIC-WORK TO REPLACE. THAT'S NOT TO MENTION THE COST OF A TOW TRUCK, OR THE SAFETY ISSUE OF BEING COMPLETELY STRANDED WHERE YOUR CARS TO STOP WORKING. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR DRIVERS WHO ARE IN REMOTE OR DANGEROUS AREAS. I PERSONALLY WAS ATTENDING A PRENATAL DOCTORS APPOINTMENT WHEN I LEFT TO FIND MY CAR WOULD NOT START NOR GO IN NEUTRAL, I WAS STUCK FOR 4 HOURS WAITING ON A TOW TRUCK 30 20 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME SO THIS WAS VERY SCARY FOR ME. I HAD TO PAY $50 THANKS TO TRIPLE A TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED- I HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR TWO WEEKS WHILE I TRIED WORKING WITH NISSAN TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS ONLY TO BE TOLD MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED FEB. 2015 (THIS OCCURRED JANUARY 2016). THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $1100 TO REPAIR ONLY A FEW WEEKS AFTER CHRISTMAS. WHY THE DECISION FOR A EXTENDED WARRANTY VERSES A RECALL I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ONE FOR THE SIMPLE FACT IT COMES WITH NO WARNING, SO HOPEFULLY YOUR NOT IN A BAD AREA OF TOWN. ...UPDATED 01/25/16 *BF
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 12, 2016
MY CAR WAS STATIONARY IN A GROCERY PARKING LOT AND PUSH BUTTON STARTER WOULD NOT START. IT WAS THE DEAD OF WINTER WITH SUB ZERO TEMPERATURES. THE DASH DISPLAYED AN ILLUMINATED KEY INDICATING THERE MAY BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE INTELLIGENT KEY, SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY IN BOTH KEYS AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. I THEN TRIED TO JUMP THE CAR WITH NO SUCCESS. SO I GOOGLED "CAR WON'T START, 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA" AND THAT OPENED THE FLOOD GATES. I READ TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PART MALFUNCTIONING ON THE 2009 TO 2011 NISSAN. WHEN I FINALLY TOWED MY CAR TO THE DEALER, GUESS WHAT--I HAD THAT VERY ISSUE, SOMETHING CALLED THE "STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTION". DURING MY RESEARCH, I EVEN READ AN ARTICLE THAT INDICATED NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND HAD EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY TO HELP, BUT THAT EXTENSION ENDED IN MARCH 2015 AND NISSAN WOULD NOT COMPLETE A RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I SAY IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. AGAIN, MY CAR STOPPED ON ME IN THE DEAD OF WINTER IN THE MIDDLE OF A COLD SNAP. WHAT I ALSO READ WAS THAT NISSAN KNEW THAT AT LEAST 50% OF THESE CARS MANUFACTURED WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED AND DECIDED TO LEAVE THE CONSUMER ON THEIR OWN TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I VIEWED YOUTUBE VIDEOS WHERE TONS OF CONSUMERS WERE DOING DESPERATE THINGS TO AVOID SPENDING THE $1000 FOR THIS REPAIR. THEY WERE PULLING THEIR FUSES FOR THE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM. THEY WERE PULLING OUT THE PART AND BANGING ON IT. THEY WERE STICKING A SCREW DRIVER IN THE PART TO RELEASE THE STUCK MECHANISM TO GET THE CAR TO START. IT'S A SHAME THAT NISSAN IS AWARE THAT THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS THE TENDENCY TO GET STUCK, RESULTING IN DISABLING THE PUSH BUTTON STARTER AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WILL NEVER, EVER, EVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN CAR, ESPECIALLY NOT A 2009 THROUGH 2011. I WOULDN'T OWN ANOTHER NISSAN IF THEY WERE GIVING THEM AWAY. THIS COMPANY IS UNETHICAL.
Electrical system, Jan 12, 2016
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT A GAS STATION AFTER GETTING FUEL. I ATTEMPTED TO START MY VEHICLE BUT HAD NO RESPONSE FROM PUSH BUTTON START. AFTER SOME ONLINE INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT NISSAN HAD A DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK CAUSING THE ISSUE. THIS DEFECTIVE PART LEFT ME STRANDED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP I ENDED UP AT TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON MODELS WITHIN A CERTAIN RANGE WITH OF VINS. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE AND INFORMED ME THEY HAD NOW OBTAINED AN UPGRADED PART TO PREVENT THIS ISSUE. IF THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART THAT PLACES OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES IN A POSITION OF BEING STRANDED AT ANY TIME IN ANY TYPES AREA IT THEN BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE. NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO INSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THIS PART ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED.
Electrical system, Jan 12, 2016
ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK FAILED AND RENDERED CAR USELESS AND UNABLE TO START. WHEELS LOCKED IN PLACE. THE CAR WAS PARKED. NISSAN ULTIMATELY REMOVED THE MECHANISM IN FURTHER GENERATIONS OF CARS AND DENIES ALL RESPONSIBILITY AFTER AN ARBITRARY 3 YEAR WARRANTY EXTENSION. NO SCIENCE BEHIND THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY EXTENSION AND NO HELP PAST THE DEADLINE. CARS CONTINUE TO FAIL BEYOND THE INITIAL 3 YEAR WARRANTY AND BECOME INOPERABLE UNLESS A >$1000 REPAIR IS PERFORMED. A CAR NOT STARTING IS A SAFETY ISSUE DEPENDING UPON WHERE THIS ISSUE OCCURS.
Steering, Jan 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE FUEL STATION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER BOX IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 02/18/16*LJ *CN
Steering, Jan 11, 2016
DAUGHTER USED CAR TO GO TO WORK, PICK MY SON AND FOURTUNATELY DID NOT HAVE EVENING CLASSES. WHEN SHE WENT TO VISIT FRIEND THE CAR WOULD NOT START,AND IT IS FREEZING OUTSIDE. LUCKY SHE WAS HOME. 3 NISSIANS WE HAVE PURCHASED OVER 10 YEARS. VERY DISSAPOINTED ABOUT NO RECALL, CONSIDERING ALL THE COMPLAINTS I SEE POSTED..NO MORE NISSIANS FOR ME..
Steering, Jan 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ *CN
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 11, 2016
THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULE IN MY 2009 ALTIMA LOCKED LEAVING ME STRANDED AND UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. NISSAN RECEIVED SO MANY COMPLAINTS THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR A LIMITED TIME (TO 2014). I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS DATE FROM A NISSAN DEALER WHERE I'VE TAKEN IT FOR EVERY SERVICE AND WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE UNTIL I COULDN'T START MY VEHICLE AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I FILED A CLAIM WITH NISSAN AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO REIMBURSE ME THE $1076 I PAID OUT OF POCKET STATING THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF MY VEHICLE WAS INFORMED BY MAIL OF THE ISSUE (MY CAR HAD JUST ONE PREVIOUS OWNER WHO PERFORMED ALL MAINTENANCE AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP). THIS INFORMATION WAS NEVER PASSED ONTO ME. NISSAN IS SAYING THAT SINCE THEY INFORMED THE LAST OWNER, THEY ARE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE AND ARE REFUSING REIMBURSEMENT. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY OR THEY SHOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART INDEFINITELY. NISSAN SHOULD ALSO BE CONTACTING THEIR CONSUMERS TO NOTIFY THE CURRENT VEHICLE OWNERS OF THESE SERIOUS TYPES OF ISSUES. CONTACTING A PREVIOUS OWNER IS NOT ENOUGH. THIS IS OUR THIRD NISSAN BUT I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER WITH BLATANT DISREGARD FOR THEIR CONSUMERS IN CASES SUCH AS THESE. HAVE SOME RESPECT FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS SAFETY AND RECALL PARTS THAT YOU KNOW ARE DEFECTIVE AND COULD LEAVE PEOPLE IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS!!
Electrical system, Jan 11, 2016
I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE NISSAN INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WAS ON WHICH THE MANUAL WARNS OF A MALFUNCTION WITH THE ELECTRICAL STEERING LOCK SYSTEM. THE CAR WILL NOT START AND SO I WILL HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED. WHEN I CHECK TO SEE IF IT IS ON RECALL IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE HOWEVER THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS JUST WITHIN THE PAST FEW WEEKS OF THIS PROBLEM . I THINK NISSAN SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AND RECALL THE FAULTY PART.
Steering, Jan 9, 2016
MY CAR STARTED JUST FINE WHEN LEAVING MY HOUSE, I DROVE IT TO A GAS STATION, PARKED AT THE PUMP, TURNED OFF ENGINE AND FILLED UP MY TANK. UPON RESTARTING MY VEHICLE, THE ENGINE NEVER TURNED OVER, CAR WILL NOT START, OR RECOGNIZE KEY FOB. MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE RED CAR ICON WITH A KEY INSIDE OF IT WAS BLINKING "SECURITY DEVICE ICON" AS WELL AS THE ORANGE "NO KEY" WARNING LIT UP ON CONSOLE. EVEN AFTER DEPRESSING MY BRAKES, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO TOW MY CAR, AS IT STILL WILL NOT START.