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, Jan 16, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INTELLIGENCE KEY MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Steering, Jan 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BY ENGAGING THE PUSH-TO-START BUTTON BUT TO NO AVAIL. IN ADDITION, THE INTELLIGENT KEY MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 15, 2013
CAR FAILED TO START, INTELLIGENT KEY WOULD NOT WORK. AFTERMARKET REMOTE START SYSTEM WAS USED TO START CAR AND DRIVE HOME, PERHAPS 15 MILES. NEXT DAY, REMOTE START SYSTEM WAS USED TO START CAR AND DRIVE TO DEALER, 40 MILES AWAY. AFTER ABOUT 15 MILES, EVERYTHING DIED WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE AND HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. CAR WAS THEN TOWED REMAINDER OF WAY TO DEALER. DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE STEERING LOCK AND REPLACED. DEALER SAID AFTERMARKET REMOTE START SYSTEM PROBABLY TIMED OUT, WHICH IS WHY IT DIED ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR
Steering, Jan 15, 2013
I WENT TO WORK ON THE 7TH FOR 11-7 SHIFT. WHEN I TRY STARTING MY CAR TO LEAVE ON THE 8TH @ 7:07, IT WOULD NOT START. THE YELLOW WARNING KEY CAME UP ON THE DASH. THE LIGHTS, LOCKING THE CAR WORKS, THE HORN WORKS. I CALL AAA THEY COULD GET IT STARTED. I CALLED NISSAN AFTER I TOOK THE CAR HOME AS I HAVE STUFF IN IT THAT I COULDN'T LEAVE AT A SHOP. THEY SAID I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A NISSAN DEALER AND LET THEM KNOW THE COST AND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I WENT ON LINE AND SEARCH IT UP ONLY TO FIND SO MANY WITH THIS SAME OR VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM. I CALL BACK NISSAN AND LET THEM KNOW IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AM HAVING. THE DEALER KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN LESS THAN 30MIN. IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN NEED TO REPLACE. NOW I SPEND $910 AND NISSAN TELLING ME THEY CAN NOT FINANCE IT AS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE PART. PLEASE, EVERYONE, LET US JOIN TOGETHER AND CLAIM WHAT IS OURS. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 15, 2013
CAR WOULD NOT START. YELLOW KEY LIGHT AND FLASHING RED KEY LIGHT ON PANEL. SEEMED LIKE A SECURITY ANTI-THEFT PROBLEM BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A FAULTY STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. A $700 REPAIR. AND, WHAT'S WORSE IS, THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS ITEM EVEN WITH MANY COMPLAINTS REPORTED. THIS WAS RECALLED ON OTHER NISSAN MODELS (CUBE, 390, ETC) BUT NO ON THE ALTIMA. NOT HAPPY. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 14, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTELLIGENCE KEY MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Jan 14, 2013
ON 01/09/2013, I DROVE MY GRANDMOTHER TO AN APPT. AND CAME HOME. FIVE HOURS LATER, I GOT INTO THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. I MADE SOME CALLS AND RESEARCHED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM ISN'T WORKING. THE LITTLE YELLOW KEY APPEARS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. I HAVE BRAKE LIGHTS AND REPLACED THE BATTERY IN BOTH THE CAR AND THE KEY FOB. NOTHING HELPED TO START MY CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL ISN'T LOCKED SO IT MOVES FREELY AND THE IGNITION BUTTON ILLUMINATES BUT WILL NOT LEAVE THE LOCK POSITION. I PLACED A PHONE CALL TO THE NUMBER PROVIDED BY CONROE, TX. THE "CONSUMER AFFAIRS SPECIALIST", [XXX], HUNG UP ON ME!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Jan 11, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INTELLIGENCE KEY MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,320.
Electrical system, Jan 11, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE WITH THE INTELLIGENT KEY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,501.
Electrical system, Jan 10, 2013
PARKED CAR TURNED IT OFF THEN WHEN I RETURNED THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER DO ANYTHING. IT IS A PUSH TO START AND IS NOT CONTROLLED WITH A KEY. SO THEREFORE WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE STORE AND RETURNED TO THE CAR IT NO LONGER WORKED. IT IS SAID THAT THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY TO '09 ALTIMA'S YET THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PARTS TO MY CAR. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 10, 2013
[XXX], ATLANTA, GEORGIA MY DAUGHTER'S 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA DID THE SAME THING. SHE CAME OVER FOR A VISIT AND UPON LEAVING HER CAR WOULD NOT CRANK. MY HUSBAND AND I DID ALL OF THE TROUBLESHOOTING ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL TO NO AVAIL. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HE IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE WANTED TO SELL HERE ANOTHER ALTIMA, BECAUSE NISSAN KNEW THIS WAS AN ISSUE, SO THEY STOPPED PUTTING THIS MECHANISM ON THE 2012 MODELS. NISSAN WHO HAS A GOOD STANDING AND HAVE MILLIONS OF CARS ON THE ROAD SHOULD DO RIGHT BY CONSUMERS WHO PURCHASED THEIR VEHICLES AND HAD THIS PROBLEM. I AM GOING TO SEND THIS COMPLAINT SITE TO MY LOCAL NEWS STATION AND TRY TO PUT SOME FIRE UNDER NISSAN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND OTHER CONSUMERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE REPAIR COST OF OUR NISSAN ALTIMA WAS $919.00. I SEE SEVERAL DIFFERENCES IN THE REPAIR COST TOO. WE CANNOT SIT BY AND LET CONSUMERS CONTINUE TO BE CHARGED SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR REPAIR COST WHEN NISSAN KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Jan 10, 2013
I JUST WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THIS SAME SITUATION HAPPENED TO ME A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND IT IS NOT A CHEAP COST ($~1000). I CALLED NISSAN (1-800-647-7261) AND MADE A COMPLAINT AND THEY ARE GOING TO REIMBURSE ME 50%. IT SHOULD BE A 100% BUT IT'S BETTER THAN NOTHING. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CALL THEM AND MAKE A COMPLAINT AND FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOUR LOCAL BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE. THEY MUST RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PART! *TR
Electrical system, Jan 10, 2013
WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE THE CAR FAILED TO START. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN INDICATOR IN MY DASH THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN. IT WAS A RED INDICATOR THAT I WOULD LATER FIND OUT SHOWED A PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE PAST THE "LOCK" STAGE AND I HAD TO PROMPTLY HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THIS REPAIR COST $800.00 BEFORE TAXES. I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SIMILAR CLAIMS IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I WOULD JUST LIKE FOR MY CASE TO BE KNOWN WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD A SIMILAR POSITION. I HOPE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS ISSUE AS ITS A OBVIOUSLY A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION AND NOT SOMETHING AN OWNER SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR. *TR
Steering, Jan 9, 2013
MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO HER CLASS AND PARKED IT ON A PARKING LOT. THE CAR COULDN'T BE STARTED (PUSH BUTTON COULDN'T START THE CAR) WHEN SHE WAS DONE WITH THE CLASS AND WANTED TO GET BACK HOME. THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT SHOWED ON THE LEFT TOP PANEL AND RED SECURITY LIGHT FLASHED. THE FOB KEY STILL WORKED IN LOCKING/UNLOCKING THE CAR DOORS. THE AAA WAS CALLED AND THEY CAME TO TRY TO JUMP START THE CAR. IT DIDN'T START. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND IT WAS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ASSEMBLY PROBLEM. IT COST $700 TO REPAIR IT. I CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THE PART HAS NOT BE ON THE RECALL LIST. *TR
Steering, Jan 9, 2013
I GOT INTO MY CAR AFTER WORK(12-27-12) AND NOTICED THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE DASH. THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE JUST FINE. THEN THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO START MY CAR (12-30-12) THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. GOT THE CAR PLACED ON A TRAILER AND HAULED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN REPAIR SHOP AND MY STEERING COLUMN LOCK MECHANISM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH IS AN AWFULLY EXPENSIVE FIX. TO TOP THINGS OFF, THIS PART IS ON BACK ORDER SO I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH ISSUES. *TR
Steering, Jan 8, 2013
I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE FOR WORK AROUND 6:30AM AND LEFT TO GET GAS BEFORE CONTINUING TO WORK. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE GAS PUMP AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE AFTER PUMPING GAS THE CAR FAILED TO START. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN INDICATOR IN MY DASH THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN. IT WAS A RED INDICATOR THAT I WOULD LATER FIND OUT SHOWED A PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE PAST THE "LOCK" STAGE AND I HAD TO PROMPTLY HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS REPAIR WOULD COST ALMOST $800.00 BEFORE TAXES. AFTER RESEARCHING, I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY SIMILAR CLAIMS IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I WOULD JUST LIKE FOR MY CASE TO BE KNOWN WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD A SIMILAR POSITION. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 8, 2013
DROVE THE CAR INTO WORK JUST FINE. SEVEN HOURS LATER WHEN I WAS LEAVING TO GO HOME CAR WOULD NOT START. KEY LIGHT WAS ON IN DASHBOARD BUT NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. JUMPED THE BATTERY, RESET THE BATTER, EVEN TOOK OUT THE BATTERY TO GET IT TESTED. STILL NOTHING. FINALLY PAID $70 TO GET IT TOWED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP (LESS THAN 3 MILES) AND IT IS THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT, WHICH COST $978 TO REPLACE. APPARENTLY THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT IS COLD OUT. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND REIMBURSE EVERYONE WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AND YOU BET I'M GOING TO TELL EVERYONE I KNOW!! *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 8, 2013
VEH WAS DRIVEN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN STOPPED TO GET GAS. VEH WOULD NOT START AGAIN. A YELLOW KEY INDICATOR CAME ON THE DASH AND VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS THE STEERING LOCK MODULE. *TR
Steering, Jan 8, 2013
STEERING LOCK UNIT ON JAN 2, 2012, I DROVE MY CAR TO WORK. I DID NOT NOTICE AT THAT TIME ANY LIGHTS ON HOWEVER 5 HOURS LATER I GO TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. IT WAS AT THAT TIME I NOTICED THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT. I HAD NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE. I TRIED JUMPING THE BATTERY AND WHEN THAT DIDN'T WORK I WENT AND BOUGHT A BRAND NEW BATTERY. STILL, I GOT NO RESULTS. I TOWED THE CAR TO NISSAN TO FIND OUT THAT MY STEERING LOCK UNIT WENT OUT ON THE CAR. I TOO AM BAFFLED BY THE FACT THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART AS IT HAS BEEN A COMMON ISSUE WITH A LOT OF CUSTOMERS. THIS IS MY FIRST NISSAN AND I AM EXTREMELY UNHAPPY KNOWING THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY DOCUMENTED ISSUES YET NISSAN HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. *TR
Steering, Jan 7, 2013
THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING TO MY DESTINATION. WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE, I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK MY DOORS BUT COULD NOT START THE CAR. LIGHTS WERE WORKING BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO ENGAGE BRAKE PEDAL OR PUSH THE BUTTON TO START THE CAR. TRIED TO JUMP THE CAR OFF THINKING IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT DID NOT WORK. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO OTHER WARNING SIGNS ONLY THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM ON THE 2009 NISSAN 370 Z. *TR
Steering, Jan 7, 2013
ON A COLD JAN DAY(BELOW FREEZING) A NOTORIOUSLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA OCCURRED. THE STEERING WHEEL ACTUATOR FAILED ADDING TO THE 1000S OF OTHER REPORTED STEERING WHEEL ACTUATORS ALREADY POSTED ON THIS WEB SITE. SEEMS THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS 1-3 YEAR OLD CARS IN COLDER WEATHER. THE CAR WILL NOT START NOR CAN THE STEERING COLUMN BE UNLOCKED WHICH COMPLICATES THE TOWING. THE "PUSH TO START" KEY FOB THAT NISSAN HAS ENGINEERED IS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. THERE IS NOT A MECHANICAL STEERING LOCK AS YOU WOULD HAVE IN A NORMAL KEY OPERATED CAR AND THE LOCKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL OCCURS AS A THEFT SECURITY DEVICE. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING THE IMPACT COULD BE DEADLY. THE COMPANY HAS NOT RECALLED THE CAR FOR THIS AND IT WILL TAKE A SERIOUS INJURY LAWSUIT FOR NISSAN TO UNDERSTAND THE PRODUCT THEY PUT ON THE HIGHWAY PUTS ALL AT RISK. DON'T BUY A CAR WITH THIS TYPE KEY START MECHANISM FROM NISSAN. THE COST TO REPAIR IS 1100 DOLLARS............ *TR
Steering, Jan 7, 2013
COLD DAY 2009 ALTIMA STARTED FINE. WENT TO WORK, BUT AT LUNCH TIME TRIED TO START CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. FOB KEY WOULD STILL OPEN LOCKS AND WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BUY CAR AND LIGHTS STILL WORKED SO IT WAS NOT BATTERY OR KEY. BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO WORKED. YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON DASH WAS LIT AND STEERING WHEEL AND GEARS WERE LOCKED. CAR WAS TOWED ON FLATBED TO DEALER. DEALER INITIALLY SAID IT MAY BE JUST FOB KEY REPROGRAMMING. HOWEVER AFTER 4 HOURS THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE STEERING LOCK SWITCH. COST $700 DOLLARS TO REPAIR!! NISSAN RECALL THIS PART NOW AND REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS! *TR
Steering, Jan 6, 2013
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL ACTUATOR HAD FAILED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE ACTUATOR IS APPX: $800. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM USING A GOOGLE SEARCH, IT APPEARS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD RECENT ISSUE WITH THE NISSAN ALTIMA. THIS PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, HOWEVER, IT SEEMS TO BE A COLD WEATHER ISSUE. THE ACTUATOR IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD NOT BE FAILING IN A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 6, 2013
WENT TO GO START MY CAR AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. COULDN'T START IN NEUTRAL. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR IN THE MORNING. THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE BY STOPPING AND STARTING NUMEROUS TIMES. IT APPEARS THAT THE STEERING LOCK UNIT WAS FAILING. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE DETERMINED THIS IS A COMMON AND COSTLY PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NO RE RECALL FOR IT. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Power train, Jan 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.