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, Nov 6, 2012
THIS MORNING WAS VERY COLD. I WARMED MY CAR UP, WENT TO VOTE. WHEN I LEFT THE POLL, I GET TO MY CAR AND IT WON'T START, SAYS THAT THERE IS NO FOB IN THE CAR. THE RED SECURITY LIGHT IS FLASHING. SO I PUT THE FOB IN THE "DOGHOUSE" THAT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK AS A BACK UP METHOD.. NOTHING.. STILL WON'T START.. DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, RECONNECTED AND TRIED AGAIN.. NOTHING. DID ALL MY RESEARCH TO FIND MANY MANY PAGE SO COMPLAINS ABOUT IT.. IT'S THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. SEEMS THEY DID AWAY WITH THAT FEATURE IN LATE 2010 MODELS.. GUESS THEY KNOW WHY.. SO NOW I'M STUCK WITH A $700 BILL FOR AN ISSUE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING. AS A MATTER OF FACT, MY CAR WAS THE SECOND 09 OF THE DAY WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. COINCIDENCE?? I THINK NOT. *TR
Steering, Nov 6, 2012
I WENT TO THE STORE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON. I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. I READ THE OWNERS MANUAL AND REALIZED THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO EXCEPT HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MY CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD AND I TAKE GREAT CARE OF IT. BECAUSE IT WAS SUNDAY, THERE WAS NOBODY AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT COULD LOOK AT MY CAR UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY AND SAID I NEED A NEW STEERING LOCK. HE SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, BUT IT IS TREATED AS A MECHANICAL ISSUE. THAT'S FUNNY BECAUSE THE MECHANICAL WARRANTY RAN OUT 3 MONTHS PRIOR, BUT THE ELECTRICAL WARRANTY IS A 5 YEAR WARRANTY. HE SAID IT ISN'T COVERED, THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A COURTESY VEHICLE, AND THAT IT WOULD BE $812+ TO FIX. THIS IS FAULTY EQUIPMENT FROM NISSAN AND THIS ISSUE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY ANYTHING I COULD HAVE DONE OR NOT DONE. NOT ONLY AM I OUT $812+ FOR THE PART AND LABOR, I WAS STRANDED ALONE, I HAVE MISSED WORK BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANOTHER MODE OF TRANSPORTATION, MY INSURANCE COVERS NOTHING EXCEPT $75 FOR THE TOW (I PAID $115), AND I HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS ON MY PHONE WITH NISSAN. I'M OUT TIME, MONEY, DATA (ON MY PHONE PLAN), A PAYCHECK, AND A CAR!!! I WILL NEVER EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN! I REALLY DON'T WANT THE ONE I HAVE NOW ANYMORE! THIS FAULTY PART SHOULD BE RECALLED!!! THERE SHOULD BE A WAY TO OVERRIDE THIS IF/WHEN IT HAPPENS SO YOU ARE NOT JUST STRANDED. INTELLIGENT KEY??? YEA RIGHT! *TR
Steering, Nov 6, 2012
DROVE CAR 35 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. WHEN READY TO LEAVE LOCATION, CAR WOULDN'T START. INTELLIGENT KEY WOULD OPEN DOORS & TRUNK BUT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY NOR THE SPARE. THE BRAKES WERE STIFF, ONLY LIGHT DISPLAYED ON DASH WAS INTELLIGENT KEY LIGHT. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. IT TOOK 2 DAYS FOR THEM TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THE LOCK STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED. $600+ FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Oct 31, 2012
MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ACTIVATION OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM. AFTER FOLLOWING ALL TROUBLE SHOOTING ADVICE IN THE CAR'S MANUAL, I TOWED THE CAR TO DEALER WHERE THEY STATED AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN STEERING CONTROL UNIT IS NOT TELLING THE CONTROL UNIT THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS UNLOCKED AND READY TO START. THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART# 487009N00B) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS ALL PART OF THE VEHICLE ANTI-THEFT IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS UNIT WAS $1,062.90. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW IN THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. 1. THIS WAS A FULLY FUNCTIONING CAR (EXCEPT FOR ANTI-THEFT GLITCH) THAT LEFT ME AND MY DAUGHTER STRANDED IN A VERY REMOTE AREA. 2. NISSAN PROMOTES HOW SAFE, RELIABLE AND ECONOMICAL THEIR CARS ARE, BUT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM CAN DISABLE THE VEHICLE LEAVING DRIVER STRANDED WITH ONLY ONE OPTION, WHICH IS, TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER BECAUSE OF ANT-THEFT SYSTEM GLITCHES. 3. THE CAR, BEING ECONOMICAL, SHOULD NOT REQUIRE AN OVER $1,000 REPAIR BECAUSE OF AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. 4. THERE ARE SEVERAL CONDITIONS THAT CAN OCCUR THAT WILL RESULT IN THE NISSAN ALTIMA BECOMING IMMOBILIZED STRANDING DRIVERS. I AM STATING ONLY ONE. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY TO FEMALE DRIVERS. 5. I FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD COME UP WITH AN OVERRIDE CODE OR DEVICE THAT WILL ALLOW A DRIVER TO ESCAPE FROM POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS THAT WERE CREATED BY NISSAN'S VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS FULLY FUNCTIONAL EXCEPT FOR AN ANTI-THEFT IMMOBILIZING CIRCUIT FALSELY TELLING THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT READY TO START. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW IN THEIR VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM. *TR
Power train, Oct 30, 2012
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2009 ALTIMA BEGAN TO MAKE A WHINING NOISE. IT BEGAN TO SHUTTER AND MADE THE WHOLE VEHICLE RESPOND ERRATICALLY. WHEN STOPPED, THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD. NISSAN APPARENTLY KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND EXTENDED THE TRANSMISSION WARRANTY TO 120,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM IS NISSAN IS REPLACING THE FAULTY CVT TRANSMISSION WITH A "NEW" REPLACEMENT FAULTY TRANSMISSION. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THERE ARE EVEN VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE DOCUMENTING PROBLEMS WITH THE 2009 ALTIMA TRANSMISSIONS. EVEN AFTER AN INITIAL REPLACEMENT, MANY VEHICLES ARE NEEDING MULTIPLE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, NO ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE BY NISSAN TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, THEY JUST REPLACE TRANSMISSIONS. A RECALL NEEDS TO OCCUR, AND NISSAN NEEDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF REPLACING IT. ONCE AGAIN, THERE IS NO RECALL. *TR
Steering, Oct 23, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE FAILED TO START AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A PUSH TO START IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISMS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Steering, Oct 23, 2012
CAR ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTION. WAS STRANDED. CAR WON'T EVEN START. HAD TO HAVE TOWED. PART IS SUPER EXPENSIVE. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE ON RELATIVELY NEW CAR? *TR
Steering, Oct 19, 2012
I'M A FEMALE WHO WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A DARK PARKING LOT BECAUSE CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD TO BE TOWED. PROBLEM WAS STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM. $811.00 FOR REPAIR AND 75.00 TOWING. PLEASE RECALL. PARTICULARLY SCARY BECAUSE WHEN I WAS PLAYING AROUND WITH REMOTE TRYING ANYTHING TO GET THE CAR TO START, I ROLLED THE WINDOWS ALL THE WAY DOWN WITH THE REMOTE AND COULD NOT GET THEM BACK UP. SO I WAS ALONE IN A DARK PARKING LOT WITH THE FRONT WINDOWS COMPLETELY ROLLED DOWN WAITING AN HOUR FOR THE TOW TRUCK. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 13, 2012
CAR WILL NOT START. THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND PREVENTING ME FROM STARTING THE CAR. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 8, 2012
09 NISSAN ALTIMA JUST OVER 44K MILES THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. NO LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD, BRAKE PEDAL VERY STIFF, THE VEHICLE WILL RECOGNIZE THAT THE KEY IS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AND IS INSERTED AT THE LOCATION ON THE LEFT SIDE ON DRIVER AND IS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK BUT IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. TOWED TO DEALER AND AS I AM OVER MY 36K WARRANTY BUT NOT OVER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY I HAD TO PAY OVER $800 TO FIX FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT EVEN OVER 3 YEARS OLD. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 29, 2012
FAILURE OF CAR BATTERY 18,730 MILES I NOTED A STRONG SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS A FEW MONTHS AGO AND FOUND THAT THE POSITIVE POST ON THE BATTERY HAD CONSIDERABLE CORROSION. I CLEANED IT OFF AS BEST I COULD AND HOPED THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS HAS CONTINUED AND THE CORROSION RETURNED AND EVEN MORE. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE POSITIVE POST IS NO LONGER SEALED INTO THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY IS NO LONGER A SEALED MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY AND THUS IS ALLOWING SULFURIC ACID FUMES TO LEAK OUT AROUND THE POST AND CORRODE THE TERMINAL AND ALL CONNECTING CABLES. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Sep 25, 2012
BRAKE LIGHTS NOT LIGHTING & PUSH TO START NOT WORKING AT TIMES. NISSAN SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH & SUB HARNESS. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE ON THE INTERNET I FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE SWITCH FAILS YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 10, 2012
MY BRAKE SWITCH AND HARNESS SHORTED OUT. I DID NOT KNOW IT HAPPENED UNTIL AFTER I STOPPED FOR GAS. IF THEY BOTH SHORTED OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THAT MEANS THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT RESPONDING TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH MADE IT VERY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED OR CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I FOUND SO MANY OTHER SIMILAR CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS, THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM NISSAN IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. NOT TO MENTION, ITS A VERY EXPENSIVE $500 FIX ONLY THEY CAN DO. PLEASE LOOK INTO IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR
Wheels, Jul 31, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE TIRES CHANGED AT A LOCAL TIRE DEALER, THE DEALER NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR VALVES STEMS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE VALVE STEMS WHO STATED THAT THE VALVE STEMS WERE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER BUT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Steering, Jul 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL STEERING LOCK WAS NOT OPERATING. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE DEALER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COSTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,300.
Steering, Jul 12, 2012
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INTELLIGENT KEY STARTING SYSTEM ,AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON THE DASH.I LOOKED UP THE CODE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. IT STATED STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTIONING. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALER. A FAULTY STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART #48700-9N00B) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WITH PARTS ($470.00) AND LABOR ($300.00) PLUS TAXES THE TOTAL COST FOR THIS REPAIR IS $730.00. THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON COSTLY ISSUE WITH 2008-2009 NISSAN ALTIMA'S AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES PRODUCED IN THOSE YEARS. A RECALL SHOULD BE STARTED! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, May 21, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, May 11, 2012
I DROVE MY 09 ALTIMA TO THE MALL PARKED IT, AN HOUR LATER I TRIED TURNING IT ON AND IT WOULDN'T START. NO CRANK, AND IT WOULDN'T EVEN GO TO ACC. I TRIED JUMP STARTING IT AND EVEN CHANGE OUT THE BATTERY BUT NO LUCK. *TR
Steering, Apr 27, 2012, crash
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND I HIT A CURB AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP THE ENTIRE SECURITY SYSTEM CAUSING MY CAR TO SHUT DOWN. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 24, 2012
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INTELLIGENT KEY STARTING SYSTEM ,AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON THE DASH.HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALER. A FAULTY STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART #48700-9N00B) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2008-2009 NISSAN ALTIMA'S AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES PRODUCED IN THOSE YEARS. A RECALL SHOULD BE STARTED! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 21, 2012
2009 ALTIMA 2.5 SL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENTERING NISSAN'S CONSUMER ARBITRATION PROCESS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE ON NOVEMBER 15, AND 16, 2011 TO INSPECT AND REPAIR A CHRONIC MECHANICAL ISSUE THAT HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST 16 MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A POPPING SOUND AFTER THE ENGINE WAS WARM, WHEN THE VEHICLE SAT IDLE OR TURNED OFF. WHILE REMOVING THE INITIAL HEAT SHIELD RIVETS AND REPLACING THEM WITH LARGER RIVETS, IT RESULTED IN A SLIGHTLY MUTED POPPING NOISE. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT OVERTIME, THE EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF THE METAL SURFACES WILL WEAKEN AND POTENTIALLY FAIL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEPENTINE BELT, TENSIONER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. *JB
Power train, Feb 12, 2012
I PURCHASED A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2 YEARS AGO AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEING NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE THE BEGINNING, ON TOP OF THAT THE MAINTENANCE IS VERY COSTLY IF YOU TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I TAKE MY CAR TO ASE CERTIFIED MECHANICS AT PEP-BOYS AND THE LABOR IS ALLOT CHEAPER THAN DEALER PRICING, MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEING MAINTAINED BY THE SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL AND RECENTLY I HAD MY TRANSMISSION SERVICE BY THE PEP-BOYS AND THEY SELL BY MY STANDARDS BETTER QUALITY OIL LIKE VALVOLINE CVT OIL BEING THAT I SAVED SOME MONEY THROUGH PEP-BOYS THEY DID THE SERVICE AND EVERYTHING WENT WELL TILL RECENTLY MY TRANNY, WENT OUT AND HEY BLAMED THE OIL WASN'T THE RIGHT COLOR ACCORDING TO THE NISSAN TECH, NOW I WANT TO KNOW HOW CAN VALVOLINE SELL A CERTIFIED NISSAN PRODUCT TO MILLIONS OF CONSUMERS AND THEY SAY IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER THE MFG, WARRANTY. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Feb 12, 2012
AFTER ABOUT 37000 MILES I STARTED TO HEAR A "WHIRRING" OR KIND OF "ROARING" NOISE WHILE DRIVING. I NOTICED THE NOISE SPED UP AND GOT A BIT LOUDER AS I ACCELERATED. I ASKED A MECHANIC TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND THOSE WERE FINE. AT THE NEXT OIL CHANGE, I ASKED THE MECHANIC TO RIDE IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE NOISE HAD GOTTEN LOUDER. THEY FOUND ONE OF THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS TO BE WORN OUT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER, BECAUSE THE WHEEL BEARINGS ARE COVERED UNDER THE POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY UNTIL 60000 MILES. THE DEALER FOUND BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS "COMPLETELY WORN OUT" (PER THEIR NOTES ON THE WORK ORDER). WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD NOT BE WEARING OUT THIS EARLY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 6, 2012
POPPING NOISE FROM UNDER CAR. TOOK IT IN AND DEALER FIRST TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL THAT IT WAS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM COOLING OFF. I DID NOT ACCEPT HIS RESPONSE BECAUSE THE POPPING WAS MUST TOO LOUD AND I CONTACTED NISSAN AMERICA WHO GOT ENGINEERS INVOLVED. THEY FINALLY CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS THE HEAT SHIELD. THE DEALER WORKED ON IT AND IT SEEMINGLY GOT BETTER FOR A WHILE BUT IT HAS KEPT RECURRING SINCE THEN. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REWORK SEVERAL TIMES AND IT HELPS FOR A WHILE BUT RETURNS. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AMERICAN AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY GETTING ENGINEERING INVOLVED AGAIN. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL COME UP WITH A FIX. VERY LOUD AND ANNOYING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 2, 2012
THE LOW BRAKE FLUID LIGHT CAME ON AND I FOUND OUT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS BRAKE FLUID INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THERE ARE NO LEAKS AT THE CALIPERS, HOSES, OR ANY OTHER AREAS. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2007 AND 2008 AND THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION FOR THOSE YEARS NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11020, BUT IT DOES NOT THE INCLUDE 2009. *KB