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, Jan 19, 2021
STEERING LOCK MODULE FAILURE, NO START CONDITION. SECOND OCCURRENCE, STRANDED AGAIN. VEHICLE PARKED.
Air bags, Dec 28, 2020
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SEVERAL TIMES EVEN IF SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN IT. THE LIGHT WOULD FLASH OFF AND ON AND THEN GO OFF. NOW THE LIGHT STAYS ON AND ALSO SHOWS THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NOW AS WELL. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE SENSOR IS FAULTY. THEY WANT AROUND $2500 TO REPLACE THE SEAT CUSHION AND CANT ENSURE THAT IT WILL MATCH. THIS IS A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT AS WELL AS A SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM AMONG NUMEROUS NISSAN OWNERS OF THIS YEAR. THE CARS VALUE IS NOT WORTH IT AND IT CANT BE SOLD TO ANYONE ELSE DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE OF THE AIRBAG LIGHT. THE CONNECTIONS HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND NOTHING IS LOOSE OR BROKEN. I BELIEVE A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE ON ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A LIABILITY THAT WOULD FALL ON NISSAN DUE TO THEY HAVE RECALLED SOME MODELS AND YEARS ALREADY WITH THIS ISSUE BUT REFUSE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET A REMEDY TO THIS ISSUE FOR MANY MONTHS NOW ONLY TO BE TOLD BY NISSAN THEY CANT DO NOTHING.
Steering, Dec 27, 2020
THE ELECTRIC COLUMN STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTIONED CAR CANNOT BE STARTED. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY WILL NOT COVER REPAIR COSTS
Steering, Dec 14, 2020
OUT OF NOWHERE A KEY LIGHT TURNED ON THE DASHBOARD. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC & WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY THE REMOTE. REPROGRAMMED THE REMOTE & CHANGED BATTERIES BUT THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. I'VE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER LOCKS. THEY TOLD ME IT'LL COST TO GET IT REPAIRED. THE CAR RUNS PERFECTLY FINE THE ONLY ISSUE IS THAT THE LIGHT IS ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T LOCK. I WAS TOLD IF I DON'T GET IT FIXED IT CAN TURN INTO A BIGGER PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I'VE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CAUSE BY ME NOR MY DRIVING. THE PART IS FAULTY AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. AGAIN. SINCE THE RECALL FOR THE STEERING WHEEL EXPIRED IN MAY.
Steering, Dec 8, 2020
WILL NOT START STEERING WHEEL LOCK DEFECTIVE LEFT ME STRANDED
Steering, Dec 7, 2020
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED THIS AS A USED CAR.WE HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR A FEW WEEKS WITH IT WORKING JUST FINE UP UNTIL LAST THURSDAY WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS ON HIS WAY TO WORK AND STOPPED FOR GAS.HE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WHEN HE WENT TO TURN IT BACK ON, THE CAR WOULD NOT BUDGE.WE TRIED TO JUMP IT AND GOT NOTHING. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND GOT NOTHING.LOOKED ON YOUTUBE TO SEE WHAT ELSE IT COULD BE.CAME ACROSS A VIDEO TALKING ABOUT THE STEERING LOCK ON 2009 NISSANS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR GOING OUT AND PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING. HE TRIED TO FIX IT AND CHECK THE FUSES UNDER THE STEERING AND GOT IT TO START. WE WERE SO HAPPY AND THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FLUKE UNTIL HE TRIED DRIVING IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. HE LEFT THE HOUSE, STARTED JUST FINE AND WENT TO HIS DESTINATION. ONCE HE WAS DONE AND TRIED TO LEAVE. THERE IT WAS AGAIN. CAR DID NOT START. THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. STUCK.TURNS OUT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT ENDED IN MAY OF 2020 OF THIS EXACT ISSUE.I CALL NISSAN CORPORATE OFFICE TO SEE WHAT I CAN DO TO GET THEM TO REPLACE IT SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A MANUFACTURED ISSUE AND THEY WERE TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED AND THE ISSUES THAT I'M READING A LOT OF PEOPLE STILL HAVING WITH THIS IS NO LONGER VALID.AND WE WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET.THIS IS NOT RIGHT.BEING THAT'S IT'S NOT OUR ISSUE.I CAN UNDERSTAND IF IT WAS SOMETHING WE CAUSED BUT WE DIDN'T, THE PREVIOUS OWNER NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE RECALL. AND NOW WE HAVE IT AND IT FALLS ON US BECAUSE NISSAN DECIDES TO EXPIRE A KNOWN RECALL THAT IS STILL HAPPENING. THIS IS SUCH A SAFETY CONCERN. WE HAVE CHILDREN AND LIKE TO GO ON ROAD TRIPS. WHAT IF WE GET STRANDED WITH OUR CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE, NO FOOD NO DRINKS NO NOTHING AND SOMETHING BAD HAPPENED BECAUSE NISSAN REFUSED TO FIX AN ISSUE THAT WAS THEIR FAULT. LET ME TELL YOU. HUGE LAW SUIT. I WILL NOT STOP UNTIL SOMEONE GETS THIS ISSUES RESOLVED.
Steering, Dec 2, 2020
A FAULTY STEERING LOCK ON THE ALTIMA PREVENTED ME FROM STARTING MY CAR. I WAS STRANDED IN A REMOTE AREA FOR 7.5 HOURS AT NEAR FREEZING WEATHER.
Power train, Dec 1, 2020
II WAS JUST DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND MY TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT, NO WARNING OR ANYTHING
Power train, Nov 20, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER PULLED OFF THE ROADWAY, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE DROVE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-10052883-6508 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Steering, Nov 15, 2020
SOME TIMES DONT START THE KEY SIBOL APPESRS ALTIMA 2009 COUPE I LIVED IN PURTO RICO
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Nov 3, 2020
DASHBOARD IS MELTING. STICKY AND SHINY IN HOT SUN CAUSING SEVERE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS.
Air bags, Oct 26, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BELLEVUE NISSAN (14762 SE EASTGATE WAY, BELLEVUE, WA 98007, (425) 289-1200) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 23, 2020
MODEL 09 ALTIMA HAS A KNOWN DEFECT WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCKS BECAUSE IT IS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ITS OWN KEY. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT BUT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPEND ANYWHERE IF THIS PART HAD FAILED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR EXAMPLE. THE VEHICLE OPERATES USING PUSH START AND THERE IS NO PHYSICAL KEY TO START THE ENGINE OUTSIDE OF INSERTING THE FOB, WHICH ALSO DIDNT WORK. ON 10/21/2020 THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE KEY/FOB AND THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO TURN ON THE CAR AND IT HAS TO BE TOWED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS PART FAILED RANDOMLY AND RENDERED THE CAR INOPERABLE, THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 2014. NISSAN COVERED REPLACING THIS PART THE FIRST TIME AFTER A SERVICE CAMPAIGN BUT IS NOW REFUSING TO DO SO FOR THIS NON WEAR AND TEAR PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY CONCERNING AND FRUSTRATING SAFETY PROBLEM AS THIS PART CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME AND PREVENT THE CAR FROM STARTING OR MOVING, OUTSIDE OF TOWING AND THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS ISSUE HAVE HAPPENED. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY REFUSE TO FINANCIALLY HELP, WARRANTY OR REIMBURSE US FOR A SAFETY MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT PREVENTS THE CAR FROM RECOGNIZING ITS OWN KEY/FOB WITH NO ALTERNATIVE WAY TO START THE CAR. THE COST OF REPAIR AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WAS $800+ TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO OUR OWN CAR AFTER NISSAN REFUSED TO HELP US FOR THEIR OWN MANUFACTURER FAILURE. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM FOR MANY DRIVERS ON THE ROAD WHO OWN THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR AND MAYBE SUSPECT TO THEIR CAR GETTING COMPLETELY DISABLED AT ANY TIME FROM THIS PART'S FAILURE WITH NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO TOW IT OUT OF THE WAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEW
Suspension, Oct 5, 2020
THE CAR STARTED DRIVING FUNNY AND I TOOK IT IN AND THEY TOLD ME IT HAS TO DO WITH THE STRUTS.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 4, 2020
MY CVT TRANSMISSION BELT BROKE BUT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED MY SPEED SENSOR WAS FAILING AND ALSO MY STEP MOTOR I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS WITH VERY LITTLE PROBLEMS ALSO THE CAR IS STUCK IN NEUTRAL.
Steering, Sep 27, 2020
I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM GOING OUT WITH FRIENDS AND I GOT IN MY CAR TO LEAVE WHICH I DROVE TO MY FRIENDS HOUSE A FEW HOURS BEFORE RETURNING. SHE LIVES IN AN APARTMENT COMPLEX SO I WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT. I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. THERE WAS A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD THAT SAID KEY(IT'S YELLOW) . I COULD BARELY PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE AND I WASN'T ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. I CALLED MY FRIEND WHO HAS THE EXACT SAME MAKE , MODEL AND YEAR NISSAN AS ME AND HE SAID HE HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH HIS CAR A FEW MONTHS AGO. THANK GOD I WASN'T AT AN UNKNOWN PLACE OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO GET HOME. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO.
Steering, Sep 25, 2020
STEERING COLUMN ACTUATOR LOCKED
Power train, Sep 15, 2020
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 149,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 6, 2020
WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO GO TO WORK AND TRY TO TURN THE CAR, THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO TURN ON, THE CAR LOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL, I HAVE THE KEY PRESENT AND IT'S TELLING ME IT'S LOCKED, THE STEERING WHEEL IS REALLY HARD (LOCKED) AND THE BREAK GOT REALLY HARD TO PRESS DOWN. I WAS DOING SOME RESEARCH AND IT'S TELLING ME IT'S THE ESCL (DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK)
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Sep 2, 2020
WHILE IN MOTION AND MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO AN INTERSECTION MY STEERING WHEEL WAS MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE TURNING LEFT AND THEN IT LOCKED. WAS GOING TO HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER BETWEEN ROAD AND SIDEWALK WHERE PEDESTRIANS WALK, HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES TO PREVENT A CRASH. AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS THE CAR ILUMINATED ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH AND TOLD ME THE CAR WAS OFF. I WAS ABLE TO TURN ON THE CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED AND WAS ABLE TO GO IN REVERSE A BIT TO COMPLETE MY LEFT TURN. HAD A SIMILAR SCENARIO MANY YEARS AGO WHEN FIRST PURCHASING THE CAR, WHEN ACCELERATING IN THE HIGHWAY ND DRIVING STRAIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL LOCKED, COULDNT TURN TGE STEERIBG WHEEL AT ALL. FELT AS IF THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OF EVEN THOUGH CAR ELECTRONICS WERE ON SUCH AS THE RADIO. SECONDS LATER THE LIGHTS ILUMINATED IN THE DASH AND WAS ABLE TO TURN ON THE CAR AND STEERIBG WHEEL UNLOCKED. BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES, SO THEY DECIDED TO RESTART THE COMPUTER AND DID NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM AGAIN UNTIL LAST THURSDAY WHERE IT TURNED OFF ON ME WHILE TURNING. EXRREMELY DANGEROUS AND CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Power train, Aug 30, 2020
ITS MAKING ALOT NOISE JERKING WHEN DRIVING.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 12, 2020
WHEN DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME IN HEAT, THE CAR LOSES SPEED AND BEGINS TO DROP ON ITS OWN. AND IF UTILIZING MANUAL, THE GEARS WON'T DOWNSHIFT. I'VE HAD TO PULL OVER NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAIT ABOUT 15 MINS BEFORE DRIVING AGAIN AND IT'S FINE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAR NEEDS A TRANSMISSION COOLER KIT INSTALLED. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE AND WONDER WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN DONE ON THIS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSES SPEED. DATE LISTED BELOW IS THE LAST TIME THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED. BUT, HAS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY A YEAR AGO ON A TRIP AND RECENTLY PRIOR TO LAST TIME, A MONTH AGO.
Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2020
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. WHICH CAUSES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD AND IS HARD TO SEE OUT. WHILE DRIVING HARD TO SEE ANYTHING. WHILE IN TRAFFIC HARD TO SEE OTHER CARS. THE GLARE FROM THE DASHBOARD CAN BE BLINDING AS WELL IF THE SUN OR LIGHTS REFLECT..
Steering, Aug 9, 2020
INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. BASED ON REPLACING THE BRAKE SWITCH, KEY FOB, AND BATTERY THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINT FALLS WITH THE ESCL FAILING TO ENGAGE AND REPORT IT'S STATUS. SINCE THIS IS A PUSH BUTTON START AND THERE IS NO MANUAL BACKUP, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START WITHOUT THIS PROPERLY REPORTING. CURRENTLY, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER OR NOT MY CAR WILL START ON ANY GIVEN DAY AND I HAVE HAD TO LEAVE IT IN PARKING LOTS AND GET RIDES WHEN IT FAILS TO START IN THE PAST.
Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2020
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THIS IS CAUSING A VERY SHINY SURFACE THAT REFLECTS LIGHT ON TO THE WINDSHIELD. WHICH MAKES VISIBILITY GREATLY IMPAIRED WHEN DRIVING TOWARD ANY BRIGHT LIGHT.