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.
Power train, Nov 13, 2015
FLARE AND SLIP ON HIGHWAY MERGE. INTERMITTENTLY SHUDDER, SURGE AND VIBRATE WHEN ACCELERATE FROM 0-30 OR DECELERATE FROM 30-0 IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS BELT TYPE(CVT) TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT 'S LOGIC IS NOT SYNCHRONIZED WITH GAS THROTTLE INPUT. IT IS NOT AS PRECISE AND RESPONSIVE AS STEP AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION USED BY NISSAN'S INFINITI OR GMC AND TOYOTA ETC. THEREFORE, IT WILL CREATE MANY DANGEROUS DELAYS IN HIGHWAY MERGE SCENARIO FROM 0-60, WITH POTENTIAL OF GETTING HIT AT 60 MPH SPEED.
Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2015
DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND MELTING CAUSING A GLARE ACROSS WINDSHIELD MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN DRIVING.
Wheels, Nov 12, 2015
ALL FOUR TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING UNITS MADE BY SCHRADER COMPANY EQUIPPED ON MY 2009 ALTIMA SE V6 MODEL FAILED AFTER 4 YEARS OR 31,000 MILES. THE GOVERNMENT MANDATED UNIT SHOULD HAVE LASTED AT LEAST HALF THE VEHICLE'S LIFE WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES OR 5 YEARS.
Steering, Nov 11, 2015
WHEN PURCHASING SUCH VEHICLE SALES REP AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE ADDED EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE PART(STEERING LOCK ) NEEDED, HOWEVER ON 11-10-15 NISSAN REGIONAL OFFICE SAID OUT OF COURTESY ADDED TO WARRANTY DUE TO THE FACT OF KNOWING THIS WAS A FAULTY PART. STEERING COLUMN LOCK, LOCK UP ON SAID VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFER OF EXTENDED WARRANTY ON SAID PART. DUE TO THE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE THERE SHOULD OF BE A RECALL, RATHER THAN EXPECTING CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT. SAID VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY
Steering, Nov 10, 2015
THE STEERING LOCK ACCORDING TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WAS FAULTY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. UNFORTUNATELY OUR CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. ENDED UP COSTING US $1300 TO REPLACE. CALL NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY DID NOTHING BUT MAKE US WAIT 5 DAYS TO TELL US THEY WILL DO NOTHING.
Steering, Nov 10, 2015
ON 11-4-2015 AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM WORK THAT EVENING I PARKED MY 2009 NISSIAN ALTIMA IN FRONT OF MY RESIDENTS,ON THE FOLLOWING MORNING 11-5-2015 I WENT TO GET IN MY VEHICLE TO GO TO WORK BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START, IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE CAR WAS SEARCHING FOR MY KEY FOB BECAUSE THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WAS ALUMINATED WITH THE PICTURE OF THE KEY ENCIRCLED,AFTER TRYING FOR ABOUT 30-45 MINUTES I GAVE UP AND HAD TO CALL MY EMPLOYER TO INFORM THEM THAT I WOULD BE LATE NOT ONLY WAS I LATE FOR WORK BUT I ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC TO FIND OUT AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT THE STEERING LOCK FAILURE WAS THE PROBLEM, AFTER SPEAKING WITH A SERVICE ADVISER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND GETTING NO RESOLVE AND 750.00 LATER I'M OUT OF POCKET FOR A FAULTY MECHANICAL STEERING LOCK MECHANISM.AS I RESEARCHED ALL THE POSSIBILTIES AND REALIZED THAT THIS PART IS KNOWN TO BE A FAULTY PART IT'S VERY APPARENT THAT NISSIAN IS AWARE OF THE ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR PART THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ELECTRONIC STEERING KEY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Steering, Nov 9, 2015
I HAD A FAILURE IN THE STEERING COLUMN SENSOR FOR MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA RESULTING IN MY CAR BEING UNABLE TO START. MY CAR HAD BEEN PARKED WHILE I WAS AT WORK AND THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN WIDESPREAD ENOUGH FOR NISSAN TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY, WHICH ENDED OCT 2014. MY ISSUE OCCURRED 11/1/15. I PAID OUT OF POCKET TO TAKE A CAB, GET MY VEHICLE TOWED, AND THEN FIXED. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT (CASE # 20709999) AND WAS INFORMED NISSAN WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I HAD THE CAR SERVICED AT RICART NISSAN IN COLUMBUS, OH.
Electrical system, Nov 6, 2015
ESCL LOCKED UP WITH NO WARNING. CAR WOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO START AFTER GETTING GAS BECAUSE THE SYSTEM THOUGHT THE ESCL WAS ENGAGED. STRANDED AT A GAS STATION PUMP FOR 3 HOURS UNTIL A TOW COULD BE DONE TO A DEALER.
Electrical system, Nov 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH OTHER CONSUMERS WHO STOPPED TO HELP THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Power train, Nov 5, 2015
VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO WHINE AND LOSES POWER WITHIN A HOUR OF HIGHWAY DRIVING ON A HOT DAY. VEHICLE CANNOT ACCELERATE AFTER, THUS CREATING A HAZARD TOWARDS OTHER VEHICLES. NISSAN WONT COVER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM IF IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. MOST ALTIMA MODELS FROM 2007 - 2009 ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM SURPRISED THEIR ISNT A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Nov 5, 2015
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMAS DASHBOARD GOT A SHINY STICKY SUBSTANCE WHICH I THOUGHT I MAY HAVE USED A BAD DASH CLEANER, BUT IT APPEARS IT IS ACTUALLY MELTING. IT IS STICKY TO TOUCH, AND THE REFLECTION FROM THE SUN MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING.
Electrical system, Nov 4, 2015
CAR WON'T START AT ALL. TRIED TWO DIFFERENT KEY FOBS WITH WORKING BATTERIES, AND ALSO TRIED PLUGGING THEM INTO THE KEY FOB PORT, BUT NO LUCK. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I REALIZED THE "IGNITION STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE" IS EXTREMELY COMMON WITH 2009-2010 NISSAN VEHICLES. I'M WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK AT THE OFFICE BECAUSE I CAN DRIVE HOME FROM WORK!
Steering, Nov 4, 2015
STRANDED AT NIGHT IN PARKING LOT 10/30 DUE TO CAR NOT STARTING. HAD CAR TOWED TO NISSAN AND REPAIRED 10/31 (STEERING WHEEL LOCK COLUMN MALFUNCTION). COST 800+$. NOT COVERED IN WARRANTY, ALTHOUGH THE WARRANTY EXTENSION LETTER STATES: "NISSAN BELIEVES MAJORITY OF ITS OWNERS WILL NOT EXPERIENCE THIS UNIQUE CONDITION" CONTRADICTORY, IF YOU ASK ME. THE NEXT DAY (OCTOBER 31) THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO NISSAN DEALER, WHERE THEY SAID I WAS MISSING A TRANSMISSION FUSE? DID NOT CHARGE ME TO REPLACE SAID MISSING FUSE.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Nov 3, 2015
I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW. MY CAR HAS ONLY 76K MILES. THE PROBLEM IS THERE IS RUST FORMING AT THE FLOORBEDS WHICH IS MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE AND IS CAUSING BRAKES ISSUES. I WAS TOLD NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THE RUST PROBLEM FROM A VERY LONGTIME. LAST WEEK, I SPEND $210 TO FIX AIR LEAKS DUE TO FAILED SENSORS. THE PROBLEM IS AFFECTING BRAKES AND SENSORS OF THE CAR WHICH IS MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE.
Steering, Nov 3, 2015
I COULDNOT ABLE TO START THE CAR , IT WAS SHOWING THE LOCK LIGHT AND KEY MALFUNCTION LIGHTS ARE DISPLAYING. IT WOULD BE BASICALLY A STEERING LOCK ISSUE.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 3, 2015
2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM BEING STUCK. WENT TO NISSAN USA'S WEBSITE AND SAW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS ISSUE, AND IT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT ALL OVER THE INTERNET. SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE THAT IT LOOKS LIKE NISSAN EXTENDED A WARRANTY COVERING THE COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM IF THIS HAPPENED TO YOUR VEHICLE. THE CAVEAT, THEY ONLY EXTENDED THIS BY 6 YEARS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK. I CALLED NISSAN, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I MISSED THE COVERAGE BY TWO MONTHS. IF THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS VERY ISSUE, WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL. IT'S A CLEAR PRODUCT DEFECT.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 3, 2015
THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK. I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 3, 2015
THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK ISSUE IS PREVALENT IN NISSAN ALTIMA MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 AND NISSAN HAS FAILED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS KNOWN ISSUE. I EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE CONVENIENTLY OUTSIDE OF NISSAN'S "EXTENDED WARRANTY CLAIM PERIOD" AND AS A RESULT I AM STUCK WITH A $1000 REPAIR THAT I HAVE TAKEN FULL FINANCIAL BURDEN FROM. THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY NISSAN UNDER A RECALL AS THIS IS IN FACT A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE NOBODY SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR CAR NOT STARTING ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION AND NEED TO GET TO SAFETY QUICKLY. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND THAT BY NO MEANS EXCUSES IT FROM BEING A SAFETY CONCERN, BECAUSE IT IS VERY MUCH A SAFETY CONCERN. HTTP://WWW.NISSANPROBLEMS.COM/TRENDS/STEERING-WHEEL-LOCKS/
Steering, Engine, Nov 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Electrical system, Nov 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE PUSH TO START FEATURE FAILED TO START THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
Tires, Oct 28, 2015
YOKOHAMA AVID TOURING S TIRE RECALL. I AM UNABLE TO DECIPHER THE DOT CODE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 28, 2015
NISSAN WILL NOT HONOR A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE STEERING LOCK DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE EXTENSION FOR THE RECALL HAS ENDED EVEN THOUGH IT END ON 02/04/2015 OF THIS YEAR AND IT IS NOW OCTOBER 2015 AND WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AND ALL RECALLS ON THERE BRAND EVEN AFTER THE END DATES.
Electrical system, Oct 27, 2015
THE STEERING LOCK UNIT CAUSE THE CAR NOT TO START. THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE UNIT. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND HAVE OPEN TWO CASE FILES(CASE#16923576 & CASE# 19538658) ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NOT FOR MY VIN#. LAST NIGHT I WAS STRANDED AT WORK IN A DARK PARKING LOT FOR 4 HOURS BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT START AND IT IS STILL IN THE PARKING LOT. I CALLED NISSAN ONLY TO BE TOLD THE SAME THING THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY VIN#. NISSAN KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS STEERING DEVICE AND SHOULD BE RECALLING ALL OF THE CARS. TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS AROUND $1200.00 WHICH I DO NOT HAVE. I AM THE CONSUMER WHO PURCHASED THE VECHICLE AND IT IS THE RESPONSIBILTY OF MANUFACTOR TO FIX AND REPAIR THERE DEFECTS. I GOOGLE MY ISSUE ON YOU TUBE AND FOUND SEVERAL VIDEOS WITH PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. TO GET MY CAR STARTED I HAVE TO REMOVE THE DASH UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND BEAT ON THE STEERING LOCK UNIT UNTIL IT UNLOCKS SO THAT THE CAR WILL START.I AM 63 YEAR OLD FEMALE AND THIS IS SOMETHING I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO TO START MY CAR. WHAT IF THIS LOCKS WHILE I AM DRIVING, WILL SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH I AM AFRAID TO STOP AND TURN MY CAR OFF FOR FEAR IT WILL NOT START. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM THAT BEGAN 12/23/2014 AND CONTINUES EVERY DAY.
Steering, Oct 26, 2015
I HAVE AN 09 ALTIMA AND THE STEERING LOCK MODULE HAS GONE BAD. STARTED IT UP FOR WORK GOT LEFT STRANDED. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME, AND DID SOME INTERNET WORK AND THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS LOCKING UP ON PEOPLE LEAVING THEM STRANDED. NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 6 YEARS BUT THE PART GOES AFTER THE WARRANTY ENDS. IF YOU SEARCHED THE INTERNET THERE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. SO WHY ARE WE BEING STRANDED FOR A FAULTY PART THAN NISSANS ALL KNOWS TO WELL. AND IT'S NOT CHEAP TO FIX THIS EITHER. WHY ARE WE PAYING FOR THEIR CRAFTSMANSHIP. THERE ARE A LOT OF STORIES OF WOMEN, CHILDREN BRING STRANDED. AS I WAS ONE (FEMALE) THAT HAD TO FIND A WAY TO TOW MY CAR HOME. PLEASE HEAR US WE NEED HELP, WE NEED YOUR HELP.