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.
Air bags, Jan 29, 2010
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT RANDOMLY STAYS ON WHEN A PASSENGER IN SEAT. MEANS THE PASSENGER IS NOT PROTECTED BY THE AIR BAG. THIS HAPPENS TO PASSENGER OVER 110 LBS. THIS IS WORKING AS IT SUPPOSED TO, ACCORDING TO NISSAN DEALER, ANYMORE OVER 80 LBS SIT IN PASSENGER SEAT, THE LIGHT SHOULD BE OFF AND THE AIRBAG SHOULD BE ON. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. I SEARCH COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON 07-09 MODEL. PLEASE HELP US OUT, THERE IS A TRULY A LIFE RELATED SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 22, 2010, fire
HTTP://CLUB.AUTOHOME.COM.CN/BBS/THREAD-A-100012-5640635-1.HTML THE FUEL INJECTOR STEEL HOSE CONNECT WITH RUBBER FUEL LINE THAT CONNECT POINT NOT USED CLAMP ,IS WOULD BE SEPARATED AFTER LONG JOURNEY THE CAR SHAKE .THE SPRINKLE OUT GASOLINE EASY CAUSE FIRE . *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Jan 22, 2010, crash
I'VE GOTTEN INTO A CAR ACCIDENT INVOLVING 2 OTHER CARS, AND COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. ON OCTOBER 8, 2009, I WAS DRIVING BY CARSON BEACH, LOCATED IN SOUTH BOSTON, MA, TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING TO EAT WITH A FRIEND. I HAVE SEEN THAT I WAS GOING ONLY 28 MPH'S WITH NO CARS AHEAD OF ME. HOWEVER, I KNEW THE AREA WAS NEAR THE SOUTH BOSTON STATE POLICE HEADQUARTERS, AND I DID NOT WANT ANY RELATIONS WITH A SPEEDING TICKET. I KNEW THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT WAS 30MPH BUT MY INTENT WAS TO GO AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THIS IS MY SAFETY MARGIN INCASE THE SPEEDOMETER GOES UP. AT THIS POINT, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. WHEN I STEPPED ON IT ONCE, AND NUMEROUS TIMES TO COME, I REMEMBER THE CLUNKING NOISES AS IF SOMEONE WAS PUTTING THEIR FEET TO THE GROUND, FOLLOWING A MUSICAL BEAT. SO I LOOK UP AND SEE HOW MUCH SPACE I GOT IN FRONT OF ME AND NOTICED THERE WAS AT LEAST ANOTHER 1/4 MILE WITH NO CAR IN SIGHT. I THEN LOOK DOWN TO DEFINITELY MAKE SURE I WAS TOUCHING THE BRAKE AND THAT IT WOULD STOP. I LOOKED DOWN AND KEPT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE, AND END UP STRETCHING FORWARD MY RIGHT FOOT TO PUSH THE BRAKES. THAT DID NOT WORK. FOR FIRST THOUGHT, I WAS THINKING I SHOULD IF TURN OFF THE CAR BUT I DOUBT THAT WOULD'VE WORK; IT WOULD'VE LOCKED MY STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKING WOULD BE HARDER. I PANICKED WHEN I SAW THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SITTING AT RED, WITH 2 CARS ON THE LEFT LANE, AND ONE ON THE RIGHT. I THOUGHT ABOUT HAVING TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT LANE, BUT THERE WAS ANOTHER CAR RIGHT BEHIND MY BLINDSIDE, SO I DID NOT GO INTO THE OTHER LANE. SITTING IN A BRAND NEW CAR, WITH BRAKE FAILURES, MY FRIEND AND I WERE HOPELESS AND RESULTED IN REAR-ENDING 2 COMPLETELY STOPPED VEHICLES INNOCENTLY WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN. MY CAR'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT WE DIDN'T GET HURT. HOWEVER, THE PASS. DOOR WAS KEEPING MY FRIEND FROM GETTING OUT UNTIL SOMEONE OUTSIDE RIPPED THROUGH AND YANKED THE DOOR OPEN FOR HIM. AT A CRUISING RATE ~29 MPH, I CRASHED INTO THE OTHER CARS WHO WERE ALREADY STOPPED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 14, 2010
THIS IS EXTREMELY URGENT AND IMPORTANT! I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE OTHER EVENING, I PARKED INSIDE THE LOWER LEVEL GARAGE OF MY CONDOMINIUM. IT IS QUITE NOISY. I HAVE THE KEYLESS FEATURE. I PARKED, PULLED THE STARTER INSTRUMENT FROM ITS HOLDER, GOT OUT OF MY CAR, HIT LOCK ON MY INSTRUMENT. AND WENT TO MY UNIT. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, AND RAN ALL NIGHT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. THERE SHOULD BE SOME SAFETY FEATURE, A WARNING DEVICE, OR AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF UPON EXITING THE CAR. THERE IS NOTHING. SOMEONE EVENTUALLY GOING TO LEAVE THIS MODEL CAR RUNNING IN THEIR HOME BECAUSE OF THIS AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE. PLEASE ACT ON THIS IMMEDIATELY! *TR
Suspension, Jan 13, 2010
STRUT INSULATORS, PART OF SUSPENSION. THIS COULD CAUSE STRUT INSULATORS TO CREAK. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 7, 2010, crash
LEASED A NEW 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2009 AND ON DECEMBER 29, 2009 WHILE MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT HER COMPANY'S PARKING LOT OUR CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED JUMPED A SIDE WALK, SKIMMED A TREE AND CRASHED INTO A SECOND TREE. THIS WAS VIEW BY A WITNESS WHO SAW HER BRAKES LIGHTS ON WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED. THIS IS ALSO THE SECOND ACCIDENT WITHIN A FOUR MONTH TIME FRAME. SHE WAS VERY LUCK AND NOT INJURED EVEN THOUGH THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. TO DATE NISSAN USA HAS TAKEN THE POSITION THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 7, 2010, crash
LEASED A NEW 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2009 AND ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2009 WHILE MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A LOCAL SUPERMARKET OUR CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF THE MARKET. SHE WAS BURNT ON AN ARM BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING AND SUFFERED FROM A BLOOD CLOT, BOTH OF WHICH HAVE HEALED. *TR
Equipment, Dec 21, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON 12-7-2009. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED ON 12-8-2009. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT NISSAN THE MANUFACTURER HAS SUSPENDED THE ORDERING OF THE PART. HE CALLED THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER AND A REPRESENTATIVE OPENED A CASE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.
Suspension, Nov 20, 2009
LOUD NOISES FROM FRONT SUSPENSION OF VEHICLE AND IT WAS DUE TO THE FRONT STRUT INSULATORS RESULTING IN A LOUD NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE BRAND NEW VEHICLE WHEN DRIVEN. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 29, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, SHE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION. AS A CONSEQUENCE, SHE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING AND SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER, AND IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 200.
Air bags, Sep 1, 2009
PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS ON AND OFF EVEN WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT. IT OCCURS FREQUENTLY AND DAILY. SO FAR NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED ANY RECALLS, HEARD THERE WAS THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THE 2008. THIS WAS ON A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 19, 2009
PURCHASED NEW 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA ON JULY 31ST 2009, CAR DIED ON AUGUST 13TH 2009. DEALER STATED FUSIBLE LINK FAILURE, TO DATE (AUG 19 09) NO RESPONSE FROM DEALER PER STATUS ON THE VEHICLE. IS THERE A PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THIS AS IT RELATES TO THIS VEHICLE ??. PLEASE LET ME KNOW. *TR UPDATED 08/27/09 *BF THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED ENGINE FROM THE MANUFACTURING. UPDATED 08/31/09.*JB
Tires, Jul 12, 2009
LOOSING AIR PRESSURE ON TIRES. MADE LIGHT ON DASH TO COME ON. FOUND OUT, USING SOAP WITH WATER THAT IT WAS LEAKING AROUND THE VALVE STEMS OF TWO TIRES DUE TO FACTORY IMPROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE PROCEDURES OF THE VEHICLE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORS OR BAD O-RING. *TR
Tires, Jun 18, 2009
4 WEEK OLD NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL, TIRES WOULD LOSE AIR PRESSURE IN 1 WEEK. WENT TO DEALER, DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND STATED THE ALL THE TIRE SENSORS WERE LEAKING. DEALER REPLACED ALL SENSORS. DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST NOTED PROBLEM WITH THE SENSORS. *TR
Air bags, May 29, 2009
I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS ARE BEING DISABLED WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE CAR. A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD SHOWS THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE TURNED OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO DIFFERENT PASSENGERS, OF A VARIETY OF WEIGHT AND SIZE. NONE OF THE PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN SMALL CHILDREN. THE LIGHTEST PASSENGER WAS 110 POUNDS AND THE HEAVIEST WAS 188 POUNDS. THIS HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN 6 TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO A NISSAN DEALER TWICE AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT OTHER NISSAN OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I DO HAVE VIDEO PROOF THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE TURNED OFF WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. I AM HORRIFIED THAT NISSAN WILL NOT AUTHORIZE A REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG SENSORS. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME? I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS FACTORY DEFECT. *TR
Power train, Feb 20, 2009
RENTED A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM AVIS LOS ANGELES AIRPORT. LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD A WINING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WOULD REV WHEN EXCESS ACCELERATION AND ON A HILL WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND POPPED OUT OF GEAR. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ENGAGE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
Air bags, Feb 1, 2009
TRAVELING 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, MY DAUGHTER NOTICED HER MOM'S "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT WAS ON. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE, NISSAN-USA CHECKED THE SYSTEM AT MOSSY NISSAN AND STATED THE SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY. NISSAN-USA DID NOT USE WEIGHTS TO CHECK THE WEIGHT SENSOR, THEY DROVE AROUND WITH A 125 LB PASSENGER AND CONCLUDED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS OK. NISSAN COUNTERED MY SAFETY SUGGESTIONS BELOW STATING IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO IMPROVE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DUE TO NHTSA, AND THEY WOULD ALSO NEED TO CRASH TEST THE CAR. MOSSY NISSAN IS KNEW MY WIFE IS ~117 LBS AND DID NOT DISCLOSE TO ME THE AIRBAG SAFETY DEFICIENCY PRIOR TO THE SALE. MOSSY NISSAN STATED THAT BECAUSE THIS SYSTEM PASSED THE NHTSA, THEY ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANYTHING. I COUNTER THAT BASED ON NISSAN'S POSITION, I AM HOLDING NISSAN CORPORATION, MOSSY NISSAN, AND NHTSA LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES WHICH RESULT FROM INJURY FROM AN ACCIDENT AND ALSO PAIN AND SUFFERING AND ANY ADDITIONAL DISTRESS, ESPECIALLY IF THE AIRBAG OR OTHER SAFETY SYSTEM FAILS. THE NISSAN AIRBAG SYSTEM CAN LEAD TO A FATALITY EVEN WITH AN ADULT 150+ LBS. JUST PRIOR TO AN ACCIDENT, THE DRIVE MAY BECOME ROUGH AND THE PASSENGER CAN SHIFT AROUND. FOR A 150+ LB ADULT TO DEFEAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, MOMENTARILY LIFT 1/2 YOUR WEIGHT OFF THE SEAT, AS CAN OCCUR DUE TO MOVEMENT JUST PRIOR TO AN ACCIDENT. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WILL TURN ON. IMMEDIATELY DROP YOUR WEIGHT BACK INTO THE SEAT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL REMAIN OFF FOR 10 SECONDS, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WON'T DEPLOY IN THE CRASH. NHTSA SHOULD REQUIRE NISSAN TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND LOWER THE WEIGHT SENSOR TO 80 LBS - AND ALSO PROGRAM THE FLASH MEMORY SO THAT THE ONCE THE SEATBELT IS FASTENED, THE PASSENGER WEIGHT IS DETERMINED AND DOESN'T CHANGE (A PASSENGER DOESN'T LOSE 40 LBS JUST BECAUSE THE ROAD IS BUMPY) - SENSORS SHOULD MAINLY DETERMINE PASSENGER POSITION, NOT WEIGHT. A BETTER SYSTEM WOULD HAVE WEIGHT SENSORS IN THE BACK SEAT FLOOR. *TR
Air bags, Jan 29, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATES WHENEVER A LIGHT WEIGHT PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT ANYONE OVER 110 LBS. WAS MEANT TO SIT IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2009
THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS AN ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE DESIGN FLAW. THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY AFTER 5 MINUTES, APPARENTLY THE BATTERY RAPIDLY DRAINS EVEN AFTER THE AUTO-HEADLIGHT SHUTOFF WITH THE CAR TURNED OFF. I PURCHASED A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2500S DECEMBER 7TH, 2008, THE CAR DIED JANUARY 23RD, 2009. I DROVE THE CAR FROM HOME TO WORK IN THE RAIN. THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR AROUND 10 HOURS, AFTER RETURNING TO DRIVE HOME, THE CAR WAS DEAD - THE KEYLESS ENTRY DIDN'T WORK, USING THE MECHANICAL KEY TO ENTER THE CAR, THE START BUTTON DIDN'T WORK. AAA COULDN'T TOW THE CAR DUE TO A HEIGHT BEAM BLOCKING THE TOW TRUCK - THE CAR COULDN'T BE MOVED BECAUSE THE CAR WAS FROZEN IN PARK DUE TO THE DEAD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - THE TRUNK COULDN'T BE OPENED WITH THE SWITCH ON THE TRUNK OR BY THE SWITCH ON THE DASH. AAA JUMPED THE BATTERY AND THE CAR HAS RUN FOR 3 DAYS NOW WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THE BATTERY WAS SO FULLY DRAINED THAT THE RADIO NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED WITH THE TIME AND STATIONS. THIS RAISES QUESTIONS OF HOW MANY SAFETY SYSTEMS RELYING ON THE BATTERY WILL FAIL - FOR EXAMPLE THE CAR CAN ROLL AWAY IF SHUTOFF IN NEUTRAL - IF THE BATTERY DISCHARGES, IS THE SHIFT GEAR THEN FROZEN IN NEUTRAL? THE RAPID DISCHARGE OF THE BATTERY WITH THE CAR OFF IS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH LEAVES THE CONSUMER STRANDED, POTENTIALLY IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Equipment, Jan 16, 2009
I RECENTLY (12/30/08) BOUGHT A 09 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5SL WITH CONNECTION PACKAGE AND WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF DRIVING THE CAR I CAME ACROSS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEREO. I TURNED ON THE CAR AS I HAVE FOR THE PAST WEEK BY PRESSING THE START BUTTON, BUT THIS TIME THE STEREO SOUND WASN'T COMING THROUGH THE SPEAKERS. I CYCLED THROUGH THE STEREO MODES (AM/FM/XM/CD) AND ADJUSTED THE VOLUME UP AND ALL I HEARD WAS A CONSISTENT BUZZ COMING THROUGH THE SPEAKERS. I THEN TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WHERE THE STEREO WORKED PERFECTLY. I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK THIS ISSUE IS ATTRIBUTED TO AN INITIALIZATION PROBLEM WITH THE STEREO/CAR. SINCE THIS ISSUE OCCURRED I HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE AGAIN AS OF THE TIME THAT I AM WRITING THIS (2 WEEKS LATER). I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS, BUT THEY HAVEN'T HAD ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT A SIMILAR ISSUE AT THIS TIME. I JUST WANTED TO DOCUMENT THIS ISSUE IN CASE ANYBODY ELSE HAS EXPERIENCED SOMETHING SIMILAR. *TR
Air bags, Jan 2, 2009
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA IN WHICH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF (INDICATED BY A PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT), WHILE AN ADULT PASSENGER OVER 100 LBS IS CORRECTLY SEATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, SITTING SQUARE WITH SEATBELTS FASTENED. IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE THE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF, THE PASSENGER IS NOT PROTECTED IN NISSAN ALTIMAS. AT THE LEAST, AN OVERRIDE ON OR OFF IS NEEDED BECAUSE THE WEIGHT SENSOR DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA, BASED ON THE FIRST MONTH OF DRIVING ON MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, WITH A 108 POUND PASSENGER. I PURCHASED A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM MOSSY NISSAN OCEANSIDE LAST MONTH. TODAY ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNED OFF. THE FIRST TIME IT TURNED OFF, I CHECKED THE MANUAL WHICH STATED THAT THE PASSENGER NEEDS TO SIT CORRECTLY FOR THE AIRBAG TO TURN ON. WE BELIEVE SHE WAS, HOWEVER HER FEET WERE ON THE RIGHT SIDE RATHER THAN THE CENTER OF THE FLOOR. LATER THIS EVENING, WE MADE CERTAIN THE PASSENGER WAS SITTING CORRECTLY WHEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT TURN ON AGAIN. IN BOTH CASES, WITHIN 10 MINUTES THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT THEN TURNED OFF. IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS DURING THE AIRBAG FAILURE PERIOD ABOVE, A FATALITY CAN EASILY OCCUR. *TR
Power train, Nov 17, 2008, crash
A TRAFFIC OFFICER AND INVESTIGATED AN INCIDENT WHERE A VEHICLE OWNER WAS RUM OVER BY HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A PHYSICAL KEY TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THERE IS AN ELECTRONIC "KEY" AND A PUSH BUTTON START/SHUT OFF SWITCH. THE DRIVER PARKED THE VEHICLE IN A DRIVEWAY WITH A STEEP GRADE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN "DRIVE" WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE DRIVER EXITED AND STARTED TO WALK AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS, DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THE DRIVER RAN TO THE VEHICLE TO TRY TO STOP IT AND WAS RUN OVER BY THE VEHICLE. IT IS POSSIBLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND EXIT THE VEHICLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION ANY GEAR SELECTION AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WITH THIS SAME MODEL VEHICLE, BUT DIFFERENT YEARS, THAT THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEFT IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE RAN OVER THE DRIVER. IN BOTH INSTANCES THE VEHICLE WAS OWNED BY THE DRIVER FOR A SHORT TIME. *TR