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, Mar 2, 2013
ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY FAILED PREVENTING THE CAR FROM POWERING ON OR STARTING. IT TOOK ALMOST TWO WEEKS FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT PART. FROM MY RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PART FAILURE. THE PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY AND WAS ALMOST $900 TO GET REPAIRED. NISSAN RECOMMENDED WE REPORT THE ISSUE FOR A POSSIBLE FUTURE RECALL. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 1, 2013
2009, NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. WOULD NOT START, YELLOW ILLUMINATING KEY IN LEFT HAND CORNER. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP SAID COULD BE ONE OF 3 THINGS. I TOLD HIM I LOOKED ONLINE AND IT WAS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM. HE CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY AND CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM. COST WOULD BE 900 WHICH INCLUDED A FREIGHT FEE OF 50.67. FIRST TIME EVER FOR A SHIPPING FEE AT A CAR DEALERSHIP. MILEAGE IS 60,149. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 1, 2013
LAST MONDAY FEB 4 I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR AN GO TO WORK . NOTHING HAPPENED. IT DIDN'T EVEN RECOGNIZE MY KEYFOB. THE KEY LIGHT WAS LIT UP ON DASH. I HAD MY BATTERY IN MY CAR REPLACED AND MY KEYFOB BATTERY REPLACED. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I FOUND THAT ITS THE STEERING CONTROL LOCK THAT WAS FAILING. I CALLED MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER IN OWENSBORO KY AND THEY SAID THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND DIDN'T KNOW WHEN IT WOULD BE IN? I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR OVER A WEEK . [XXX] AT NISSAN IN OWESBORO SAID NO RENTAL CARS WHERE AVAILABLE. I HAVE A SMALL CHILD AND I WORK SO I NEED MY VEHICLE IN WORKING ORDER. I CALLED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SHE SAID I WOULD ONLY BE REFUNDED IF THE PART WAS RECALLED WHICH IT ISN'T. SO I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE PART, LABOR, AND $90 TO HAVE IT TOWED 22 MILES TO OWENSBORO TO BE FIXED. IM SORRY BUT IN MY OPINION ITS NOT MY FAULT IT FAILED. I PAID OVER $12,000 FOR THE CAR NOW I HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER $800.00 TO BE FIXED? THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Feb 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE START BUTTON FOR THE IGNITION WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING LOCK LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE STEERING LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER RESPONDED AS IF THIS WAS AN ISOLATED ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,915. UPDATED 3/28/13 *CN UPDATED 05/10/2013 *JS
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Feb 27, 2013
HAD STOPPED TO GET BREAKFAST. LOCKED MY CAR AND UPON RETURNING UNLOCKED THE CAR AND TRIED TO START VEHICLE WITH NO SUCCESS. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM MY CAR. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED I THEN LEARNED THAT THE BRAKES WERE STIFF AND STEERING WHEEL DID NOT WANT TO TURN. WE HAD IT TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER. AFTER LEAVING IT THERE I DID SOME INVESTIGATING ONLINE ABOUT POTENTIAL PROBLEMS. WAS SHOCKED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME PRESENTLY AND PAST. APPARENTLY, SEVERAL PEOPLE FOUND THEMSELVES IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS WITH GETTING NO HELP FROM NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. I HAD YET TO HEAR IF THIS WAS MY PROBLEM BUT WAS GIVEN THE SAD/EXPENSIVE NEWS A DAY LATER THAT INDEED I WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE GROWING NUMBER OF NISSAN OWNERS WHO WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FAULTY PART REPLACED. BUT THE FUN DIDN'T STOP THERE. THE PART IS ON BACKORDER (BECAUSE SO MANY ARE NEEDED) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AND THERE ARE RECALLS ON MY CAR THAT NO ONE BOTHERED TO TELL ME ABOUT. I CALLED NISSAN AND LEFT A MESSAGE WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WHO WAS GOING TO FORWARD MY CONCERN ONTO A REGIONAL CONCERN SPECIALIST. WHEN SHE CALLED ME BACK TWO DAYS LATER SHE INFORMED ME THAT IT IS NOT NISSANS JOB TO LET THEIR OWNERS/DRIVERS KNOW ABOUT RECALLS BUT THE DEALERS JOB. IN ADDITION, SHE'S PRETTY SURE THAT NO HELP WILL BE GIVEN TO REPLACE THE PART THAT WILL COST ME 700 DOLLARS. BUT SHE WOULD ASK AND CALL ME BACK THREE DAYS LATER. SHE IS SUPPOSED TO CALL ME TOMORROW WITH THE ANSWER. SHOCKED IS THE ONLY WORD THAT COMES TO MIND ABOUT MY SITUATION. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS PART HAS CAUSED SO MANY PEOPLE SO MANY PROBLEMS BUT IT IS NOT ON A RECALL LIST SOMEWHERE. IS THERE NOTHING TO BE DONE FOR IT? EVEN THE SERVICE TECH AT THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL. MY CAR WAS PARKED WHEN IT QUIT RESPONDING BUT SOMEONE COULD BE DRIVING. HELP! *TR
Electrical system, Feb 27, 2013
AFTER I WAS FINISHED WORKING I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO HOME. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PUSHED THE START BUTTON. NOTHING HAPPENED. I SAW AN ICON OF A KEY IN THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE DASH. I TOOK OUT MY OWNERS MANUAL TO SEE WHAT THAT MEANT. I READ THAT THE REMOTE BATTERY MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WENT INTO THE HOME DEPOT WHERE I WORK AND BOUGHT NEW BATTERIES. I REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT NOW I WAS GETTING A NO KEY ICON. I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR FOR SOME ADVICE. THEY SAID MAYBE THE REMOTE LOST ITS MEMORY SO I CALLED MY HUSBAND TO BRING ME THE EXTRA KEY. HE CAME.WE TRIED AGAIN BUT IT DID NOT START. THE NO KEY CAME UP AGAIN. AFTER TRYING FOR TWO HOURS I CALLED AAA FOR A TOW TO MY MECHANIC. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO MY NISSAN DEALER.I TOLD HIM WHAT HAPPENED AND HE SAID IT IS THE STEERING LOCK COMPUTER. IT WOULD COST ABOUT $850. HE ALSO SAID THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED BY NISSAN. *TR
Steering, Feb 27, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUAL START BUTTON ON THE VEHICLE FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,316.
Steering, Feb 27, 2013
I GOT INTO MY CAR WITH MY 3 MONTH OLD SON TO BRING MY FIANC DINNER AT WORK. AFTER WE DROPPED DINNER OFF WE STOPPED BY THE GAS STATION TO GET GAS. I TURNED OFF MY CAR TO PUMP, AND WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DRIVER SEAT I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE LIKE NORMAL AND HIT THE START BUTTON AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I ASSUMED MY CAR HAD DIED, BUT MY LIGHTS WOULD STILL COME ON AND I NOTICED A WARNING LIGHT THAT SAID KEY. I HAD MY 3 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR AND IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE SO I QUICKLY FLIPPED THROUGH THE MANUAL TO FIND OUT WHAT THAT LIGHT MEANT. AFTER READING ABOUT IT IN THE MANUAL AND LOOKING IT UP ONLINE I QUICKLY REALIZED THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN THE ALTIMAS. I HAD TO CALL MY FIANCES FATHER TO COME PICK US UP AND HAVE MY CAR TOWED. SO NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CAR TO GET TOWED AND FROM EVERYONE ELSE'S COMPLAINTS IT WILL COST ATLEAST $700 TO FIX. NISSAN HAS A HUGE ISSUE THEY NEED TO RECALL. I TRAVEL A LOT WITH MY 3 MONTH OLD, AND WHAT IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT A RANDOM GAS STATION FAR AWAY FROM FAMILY. I DO NOT FEEL THE WE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES IN MAKING THIS VEHICLE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS NOW. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 26, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE IGNITION WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 26, 2013
PART 2 - CONFIRMATION NUMBER 10500119 PART 1 --- I WANTED TO ADD THAT I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2009. THIS WILL COST ME OUT OF POCKET $685 AND OF COURSE LIKE A SAID PREVIOUSLY THE WARRANTY OF 3/36,000 BEING THE YEARS THAT EXPIRED FIRST. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR 3 1/2 YEARS YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH A CAR THIS EARLY. THIS SHOULD BE A BIG RED FLAG TO THE NISSAN COMPANY!. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 26, 2013
FIRST PROBLEM STARTED WITH A FUNNY SOUND WHEN THE CAR WOULD START AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT START THE FIRST TIME WITH PUSHING THE AUTO START. THIS WAS ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I GOT THE VISUAL ON THE COLUMN THAT THE SMARTKEY WAS LOW AND HAD THEM REPLACE BY THE DEALERSHIP AND REPROGRAMMED IN BOTH KEYS. THIS IS WHEN ALL THE PROBLEMS STARTED DELAYED START NOT STARTING THEN I LEFT HOME AND ARRIVED AT WORK FINE THE MORNING OF 02/25/13 AND HAD TO TRAVEL TO ANOTHER SITE AND TRIED TO START CAR AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO START. I HAD A MECHANIC FRIEND COME LOOK AT IT AND THEN THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LOW KEY AND THE NO KEY SHOWED UP BUT STILL WOULD NOT START. WE TOOK SMARTKEY OUT TO DEALERSHIP AND REPLACED AGAIN TRIED THIS AND IT DIDN'T START. WE CHECKED EVERYTHING AND CALLED DEALERSHIP BACK AND THEY SAID WE COULD PUT THE SMARTKEY IN THE SLOT TO START CAR THIS DIDN'T WORK EITHER. I FINALLY HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT'S A STEERING LOCK MECHANISM AND ELECTRIC PROBLEMS. I'VE HAD THIS CAR ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS AND THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM WITH NUMEROUS OTHER NISSANS. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THEY ARE USING THE SAME PART TO FIX MY CAR AND IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. WHAT SCARES ME AND COULD PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER IS THE STEERING COULD GO OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING AND COULD KILL ME. I HAVE TOLD MY FAMILY IF I'M IN AN ACCIDENT TO TEST MY STEERING AND IF THAT'S THE REASON FOR THE ACCIDENT OR MY DEATH THEY ARE TO SUE NISSAN. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND FIXED WITH DEPENDABLE PARTS AND IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND AGAIN THEY SHOULD REPLACE WITH NO COST TO THE CONSUMER PARTS OR LABOR. OF COURSE, MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED BECAUSE OF THE 3 YR. ALWAYS THE CASE. I WANT FULL REIMBURSEMENT FROM NISSAN BECAUSE THIS DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL!!!!!!!! *TR
Steering, Feb 26, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH-TO-START WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE MOMENTARILY AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE STEERING MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000...UPDATED 04/25/13 *BF UPDATED 05/21/2013 *JS
Steering, Feb 25, 2013
ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK CONTROL BOARD - CAR WILL NOT START AND IS ILLUMINATING THE YELLOW KEY SYMBOL. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAILING ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK CONTROL BOARD. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PART IS AROUND $500 AND WITH LABOR THE TOTAL IS $724. I WAS TOLD THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER AND COULD TAKE UP TO 3 WEEKS TO COME IN. I WAS TOLD IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING A LOT WITH THIS MODEL AND MILEAGE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS. I FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN AND INQUIRED ABOUT RECALLS. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY IF SO MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING ISSUES WHY A RECALL HASN'T BEEN DONE. WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. REALLY UPSET AND FRUSTRATED. *TR
Steering, Feb 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE THAT THE PUSH-TO-START WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE STEERING LOCK UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 03/27/13*LJ UPDATED 3/28/13 *CN UPDATED 04/19/2013*JS
Steering, Feb 23, 2013
I PURCHASED THIS USED 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM A DEALER IN MY LOCAL TOWN. WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IT HAD AROUND 36-38,000 MILES ON IT (CAN'T REMEMBER AT THIS TIME). HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR, I DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON IT AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS. I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE APPROX 100 MILES A WEEK, AND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE WORK THE OTHER DAY THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T TURN ON. THE INTELLIGENCE KEY BATTERY WAS CHARGED, THE BATTERY FOR THE CAR WAS CHARGE, I UNHOOKED THE BATTERY AND RESET IT, STILL NOTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO GET IT TO TURN ON. I TOWED IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID IT WAS THE, "STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT" WHICH WOULD COST $717 FOR PART AND LABOR ALONG WITH A $70 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T STRANDED IN A BAD AREA OR WITHOUT A WAY TO REACH SOMEONE. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS PART, TOO MANY INCIDENTS WITH THIS PART IN NISSAN VEHICLES. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Feb 23, 2013
PARKED CAN IN FRONT OF STORE AND ATTMPTED TO START IT BUT IT WOULD NOT START. YELLOW "KEY MISSING" LIGHT COMES ON BUT IT WON'T START. KEY BATTERY IS NEW, CAR BATTERY IS NEW, WON'T JUMP START. CAR IS DEAD. TURNS OUT TO BE THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. ONLY 57, 000 MILES AND THIS IS ONLY ONE OF MANY ISSUES WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR. NEW BATTERY (2) NEW BRAKE SWITCH NEW ALTERNATOR NEW A/C PUMP NEW FRONT ROTOR. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 23, 2013
ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK CONTROL BOARD - CAR WILL NOT START AND IS ILLUMINATING THE YELLOW KEY SYMBOL. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAILING ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK CONTROL BOARD. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PART IS AROUND $500 AND WITH LABOR THE TOTAL IS $779. WAS TOLD IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING A LOT WITH THIS MODEL AND MILEAGE. MY CAR IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD SO I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SPEND THIS MUCH MONEY TO DRIVE IT. PLEASE INSIST ON THEM RECALLING THIS ISSUE AND REIMBURSING THE FULL AMOUNT TO ME. IF NOT, THIS WILL BE MY LAST NISSAN. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 23, 2013
WHEN MY DAUGHTER WENT OUT TO START THE VEHICLE,THE SECURITY SYSTEM FOR THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK/UNLOCK WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO BE STARTED DUE TO IT SAYING THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED WHEN IT ACTUALLY WASN'T.THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN ALL OF THE 2008-2009 NISSAN ALTIMAS.IT HAS BEEN AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR 5 DAYS NOW,AND THEY ARE TELLING ME IT WILL BE ANOTHER 5 DAYS BEFORE THEY CAN GET THE PART NEEDED DUE TO IT BEING ON BACKORDER.THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED BY NISSAN BEFORE SOMEONE GETS STRANDED.THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BE DONE WHEN THIS RELAY QUITS IS TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE CLOSET DEALERSHIP.THIS REPAIR COSTS AROUND 1000.00 (LABOR,PARTS,TOWING),AND THAT IS IF AND WHEN THEY CAN GET THE PART. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 22, 2013
CAR WILL NOT START AND IS ILLUMINATING THE YELLOW KEY SYMBOL. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAILING ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK CONTROL BOARD. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PART IS AROUND $500 AND WITH LABOR THE TOTAL IS $950. FURTHERMORE, THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. THEY INDICATED POSSIBLY TWO WEEKS. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS PART AND THAT I SHOULD CALL NISSAN TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AT 800-NISSAN1. IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE TONS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE, SO IF YOU ARE AS WELL, PLEASE LOG YOUR INCIDENT/COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN AT THE NUMBER ABOVE AS WELL ENTERING IT ON THIS WEBSITE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 20, 2013
I PURCHASED THIS USED 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM A DEALER IN MY LOCAL TOWN. WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IT HAD AROUND 36-38,000 MILES ON IT (CAN'T REMEMBER AT THIS TIME). HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR, I DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON IT AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS. I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE APPROX 100 MILES A WEEK, AND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE WORK THE OTHER DAY THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T TURN ON. THE INTELLIGENCE KEY BATTERY WAS CHARGED, THE BATTERY FOR THE CAR WAS CHARGE, I UNHOOKED THE BATTERY AND RESET IT, STILL NOTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO GET IT TO TURN ON. I TOWED IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID IT WAS THE, "STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT" WHICH WOULD COST $717 FOR PART AND LABOR ALONG WITH A $70 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T STRANDED IN A BAD AREA OR WITHOUT A WAY TO REACH SOMEONE. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS PART, TOO MANY INCIDENTS WITH THIS PART IN NISSAN VEHICLES. *TR
Steering, Feb 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED IN THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Steering, Feb 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE KEY WARNING ICON WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,291.
Steering, Feb 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEERING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED UPON THE ARRIVAL OF THE PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Steering, Feb 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, A WARNING ERRONEOUSLY APPEARED STATING THAT THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT A SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 117,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Feb 19, 2013
WALKED OUT OF WORK AND THE KEY INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON MY DASHBOARD AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER REPLACING THE KEY FOB BATTERY, CHECKING THE ACTUAL CAR BATTERY, AND TRYING MY SPARE KEY FOB, I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND MANUFACTURING DEFECT FOR THIS MODEL (CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, WEAR AND TEAR ETC) AND A CASUAL GOOGLE SEARCH RETURNS COUNTLESS ISSUES OF THE VERY SAME THING. IF NISSAN CARES ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS, A RECALL SHOULD BE IN ORDER. *TR