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, Feb 1, 2019
HAD THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL LOCK REPLACED JANUARY OF 2019 FOR THE SECOND TIME. REPLACE IN 2013 ALSO. SERVUCE CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT TOLD NOT MY SPECIFIC MODEL ALTIMA. ALL MODES USE THE SAME PART. CAR WONT START WHEN IT FAILS AND CAN OCCUR ANY TIME. WORRIED IT WILL FAIL IN A DANGEROUS PART OF TOWN. WHEN PART FAILED I WAS OUT OF STATE AND LUCKILY IN A PARKING LOT. WHY IS TIS PART COVERED BY A SERVICE CAMPAIGN BUT ONLY CERTAIN MODELS THAT USE THE SAME PART?
Power train, Jan 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEFFERY NISSAN (30800 GRATIOT AVE, ROSEVILLE, MI 48066, 586-510-1378) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 131,000.
Steering, Jan 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOCH NISSAN (525 BOSTON PROVIDENCE HWY, NORWOOD, MA 02062, 781-619-7200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.
Structure, Jan 2, 2019
RAIN WATER IS LEAKING FROM MY DASHBOARD AND GETTING ON MY FLOORBOARD. IT WAS STATIONARY AT THE MOMENT
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 29, 2018, crash
TAKATA RECALL... I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A COMMERCIAL TRK DOING 50 MPH I WAS GOING 5 MPH GETTING READY TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, WHEN HIT. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED & THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. RESULTING IN CONCUSSION, SERIOUS BACK, NECK & HIP INJURIES.. TWO COMPLETE SAFETY FAILIERS WHEN HIT AT 50+ MPH. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. ## VIN FAILED ## NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 ##
Steering, Dec 27, 2018
"STEERING LOCK" WHICH CAUSES ME TO BE UNABLE TO START THEIR VEHICLES. THIS DEFECT HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT CAUSE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 24, 2018
WITHOUT WARNING OUR NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 WOULD NOT START. UPON MY RESEARCH I FIGURED OUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM WHICH IS PART OF THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IS FAULTY. THE TEMPORARY FIX IS TO BANG ON THE MECHANISM WITH A WRENCH UNTIL THE CAR STARTS.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 15, 2018
TAKATA RECALL . NISSAN ALTIMA WHILE PARKED AT A GAS STATION, THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED. KEY FOB WAS STILL WORKING AND COULD OPEN AND LOCK THE CAR BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED THE KEY ALERT. I TRIED PUTTING THE KEY IN THE SLOT WHILE DOOR WAS OPEN, NOTHING HAPPENED. CAME TO FIND OUT IT' A DEFECTIVE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCK. REPLACED IT BUT SCARED TO DRIVE IT AS IT IS STILL SHOWING THE KEY ALERT AND MIGHT LEAVE ME STRANDED LIKE IT DID THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES AN HOUR AWAY FROM HOME. A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PART THAT NISSAN IS NOT COVERING FOR ALL 09 ALTIMAS. THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AND NISSAN WANTS UP TO 1200$ TO REPLACE IT. EXPENSIVE COST FOR AN OLDER CAR AND FOR THE FACT THAT IT'S NISSAN'S FAULT FOR SELLING A CAR WITH A DEFECTIVE PART.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 10, 2018
STEERING LOCK MODULE KEEPS LOCK AND I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 6, 2018
THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A DEFECTIVE "STEERING LOCK" WHICH CAUSES OWNERS TO BE UNABLE TO START THEIR VEHICLES. THIS DEFECT CAN AFFECT OWNERS OF THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT CAUSE. WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE IS TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE FAULTY STEERING LOCK REPLACED. THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED AT ALL. THUS, OWNERS OF THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA CONTINUOUSLY FIND THEMSELVES STUCK IN VERY INCONVENIANT CIRCUMSTANCES WITH NO ABILITY TO DRIVE THEIR CAR. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR DRIVERS WHO ARE IN REMOTE OR DANGEROUS AREAS. THIS SAME OCCURANCE HAPPEN TO FOLLOW ME THIS WEEK WHEN AT WORK. MY CAR WOULD NOT START AND AFTER SWAPPING REMOTE KEYS PLUS LOOKING AT ONLINE FORUMS, I REALIZED THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS YEAR/MAKE/MODEL. THE STREERING LOCK WAS SWAPPED IN 2010 BY NISSAN. HOPEFULLY THIS CAN HELP A LARGE GROUP BECAUSE I'M ABOUT TO SPEND MONEY ON REPARIING MY VEHICLE AND THIS COULD COST APPROX MORE THAN 500.00 IN PARTS ALONE. MY CAR IS STILL NOT STARTING AFTER 4 DAYS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN IT ON.
Steering, Dec 2, 2018
ON DECEMBER 2, 2013 STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND CAR WOULDN'T START IT WAS STATIONARY. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT AN INTERNAL FAILURE WAS FOUND IN THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT AND REPROGRAMMED KEYS NO CHARGE DUE TO A RECALL AND UNDER WARRANTY. 5 YEARS LATER, NOV 30, 2018 STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AGAIN AND CAR WOULDN'T START ALSO STATIONARY, AGAIN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS BATTERY ISSUES, ONCE BATTERY WAS REPLACED I WAS THEN TOLD THAT IT WAS SAME SITUATION AS BEFORE(STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT) AND I WOULD BE CHARGED FOR REPAIR. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REVIEWED FOR AN EXTENDED RECALL IN THE STEERING SYSTEM BECAUSE THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS AND CAUSE VEHICLE TO SOMEDAY SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC AT A LIGHT OR ON THE ROAD CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT IF IT WAS REPLACED DUE TO RECALL, THEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. ALSO DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE CHARGED FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS ORIGINALLY REPAIRED AND TO HAPPEN AGAIN A FEW YEARS LATER. CALLED NISSAN MANUFACTURER OFFICE ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2018 AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I FEEL THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE STEERING SYSTEM FOR MY MAKE/MODEL VEHICLE. I HAVE A COPY OF MY INVOICE REPAIRS AND WILL SUBMIT IF NEEDED.
Steering, Nov 22, 2018
NISSAN WEBSITE AT HTTPS://NISSANASSIST.WPENGINE.COM/CAMPAIGNS/ELECTRONIC-STEERING-COLUMN-LOCK-ESCL-SERVICE-CAMPAIGN/ STATED THAT NISSAN IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN ON SPECIFIC MY2009-10 NISSAN ALTIMA, ALTIMA COUPE, ALTIMA HYBRID, AND MAXIMA VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) WITH AN ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN BOX (ESCB). MY 2009 ALTIMA IS HAVING PROBLEM WITH THIS DEFECTIVE ESCL THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM OF LOCKING UP THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAN'T START AFTER PARKED. THE NISSAN DEALERS IN CERRITOS AND SIGNAL HILL CALIFORNIA WILL CHARGE ME TO FIX IT FOR MORE $1220 BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT ON A RECALL LIST. I TOLD THE DEALERS THAT IT IS NOT A RECALL AS IT STATED ON THE NISSAN WEBSITE, AND IS A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN. SO FAR, I COULDN'T START MY CAR AFTER PARKED FOR FOUR TIMES FROM MID OCTOBER TO THIS NOVEMBER 2018. THE FIRST TWO TIMES, AAA TOW TRUCK DRIVERS HAD TO REMOVE THE PANEL UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET TO ESCL AND PUSH A MIDDLE PIECE OF METAL INSIDE THE ESCL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF ITS BOX, THEN THEY COULD START THE CAR. NOW I HAVE DO THE SAME THINGS AS AAA TOW TRUCK DRIVERS DID IT. I WAS SO SCARED TWO DAYS AGO IN 7 ELEVEN PARKING LOT AT AROUND 11:30 PM, WHEN ONE PERSON APPROACHED ME AND TALKING TO ME, AND ANOTHER OPEN MY CAR'S DOOR AT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND TOOK MY ITEMS THAT I JUST BOUGHT FROM WALMART AND BOTH RAN AWAY. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR, AND TAKING PUBLIC BUSES TO WORK IN THE DAY TIME AND AFRAID NOT TO GO ANY WHERE AT NIGHT TIME. A DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) FOR YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN WIDESPREAD DEFECTS IN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) THAT DISABLED THE PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION IN A WIDE RANGE OF NISSAN AND INFINITI VEHICLES.
Power train, Nov 9, 2018
TAKATA RECALL TRANSMISSIONS ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA. DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY CAR STALLS, PUT MY FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE PEDAL AND NOTHING, EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD, COULD OF EASILY BEEN HIT BY SOMEONE GOING FULL SPEED FROM BEHIND. I WAS AT A RED LIGHT WAITING FOR IT TO TURN GREEN AND WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO GO NOTHING WAS HAPPENING. HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. FOUND OUT THAT NISSAN ALTIMAS HAVE THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND TAKATA WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ISSUE A RECALL. GUESS THEY DON'T CARE IF THEY LEAVE SOMEONE'S KIDS POTENTIALLY ORPHANED 🤷🏻‍♀️
Visibility, Nov 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. SUDDENLY, THE SUN ROOF DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND LANDED ON THE ROAD. THE SUN ROOF WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. DON FRANKLIN LEXINGTON NISSAN (3360 RICHMOND RD, LEXINGTON, KY 40509, 1-(859) 263-5020) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 8, 2018. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE SUBSTANCE USED TO HOLD THE FRAME AND GLASS FAILED TO SECURE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUN ROOF, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE SEALANT TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Suspension, Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 3, 2018
P0776 CODES POPULATES AFTER 02 SENSORS WERE CHANGED. IT'S THE SOLENOID B PRESSURE LINE LOCATED IN THE VALVE BODY. IT AFFECTS THE CAR TO THE POINT WE'RE IT'S UNDRIVEABLE AND LOSES POWER. CAR WILL NOT GO OVER 3000RPMS IF IT DOES IT CAUSES THE CAR TO GO INTO LYMP MODE. THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE ISSUE AND NISSAN HAS YET TO MAKE ANY EFFORT TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE. NOBODY HAS $3000 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION, WHEN IT'S ONLY A LITTLE COMPONENT THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND NOT THE ENTIRE TRANNY. RECTIFY THE ISSUE AND STOP SELLING LEMON CARS WITH HORRIBLE PARTS.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 26, 2018
THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AND SPEEDS UP ON ITS OWN AND MAKES A WHINING SOUND WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY AND ON THE HIGHWAY.
Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2018
MY DASHBOARD ON MY CAR IS MELTING. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AND IT. IT IS SO SHINY IT IS BLINDING ME WHILE I DRIVE DURING THE DAY.
Power train, Oct 6, 2018
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING 55MPH ON HIGHWAY. SUDDENLY STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS I GAVE IT. I HAD MY 3 KIDS AND WIFE IN THE CAR. WE'RE LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO SOMEHOW COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAIT FOR A TOW. THIS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE ON LOCAL ROADS.
Other or unspecified, Sep 27, 2018
THE DASH HAS STARTED MELTING AS I AM FROM TEXAS, WHERE THE HEAT IS INTENSE IN THE SUMMERS. I DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE OPTION TO PARK IN A GARAGE LIKE AT WORK 8 HOURS A DAY IN A PARKING LOT. I HAD LAID A FILE ON MY DASH AND IT STUCK TOO THE DASH. I THOUGHT THAT WAS VERY UNUSUAL. WHEN I AM DRIVING IN THE EVENING THE SUN REFLECTS OFF OF IT SO BAD I HAVE TO PULL OVER SOMETIMES. THE WAY THAT THEY PUT THE WINDSHIELD THEY SET THE WINDOW OFF OF THE DASH BEING THE BOTTOM OR BASE. MY WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING WHEN IT RAINS, CAUSE MY DASH IS MELTING AND NOT SUPPORTING THE WINDSHIELD AT THE BASE.
Air bags, Sep 20, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR FLASHED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WESTON NISSAN (3650 WESTON RD, DAVIE, FL 33331, (954) 888-6800) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED INITIALLY THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE COVERED SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT BACK IN 2012. WHEN THE CONTACT FINALLY CALLED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.
Steering, Sep 17, 2018
CAR WILL NOT START BECAUSE OF STEERING LOCK SYSTEM WILL NOT COME UNLOCK NO WARNING NOTHING
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2018
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND IS CAUSING SUCH A GLARE, DURING THE DAY BUT ALSO AT NIGHT MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Air bags, Sep 7, 2018
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD. HAVE REPLACED PASSENGER SEAT WITH MALFUNCTIONING SEAT SENSOR TWICE WITHIN LAST 5 YEARS. NOW GETTING A WARNING OF AIRBAG MALFUNTION FOR THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. VEHICLE DOES THIS AT REST AND DRIVING. MY VEHICLE DOESN'T FALL UNDER TAKATA RECALL, BUT RIGHT NOW CAR IS UNSAFE FOR MY ENTIRE FAMILY.
Electrical system, Sep 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICE, THE MESSAGE "NO KEY" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEFFERY NISSAN (LOCATED AT 30800 GRATIOT AVE, ROSEVILLE, MI 48066, (586) 510-1378) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCKING MECHANISM THAT RECEIVED THE SIGNAL FROM THE KEYS FOR THE TOUCH START NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Sep 3, 2018
I WAS ABOUT TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER (A 10 YR OLD CHILD) SUFFERING FROM AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, WHEN THE VEHICLE DID NOT TURN ON. MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 (SEDAN) HAD BEEN USED WITHOUT ISSUES JUST THE DAY BEFORE AND I HAD PARKED IT AT HOME. IT WAS PARKED AND WHEN I TRIED TURNING IT ON, IT DID NOT READ THE KEY, THE IGNITION DID NOT EVEN NOTICE THERE WAS A KEY, THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. WE WERE LEFT STRANDED UNABLE TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE AND GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND GET TREATED ASAP. I HAD TO GET A CAB WITH THE SICK CHILD AND COME BACK FROM THE HOSPITAL THE SAME WAY. THE DAYS THAT FOLLOWED, I ALSO HAD TO SEE HER DOCTOR AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT TURN ON. FINALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT HAS A STEERING LOCK PROBLEM AND THEY SEE THIS OFTEN IN THAT MODEL(!). I LOOKED ONLINE AND WAS AMAZED TO FIND SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS! I SAW NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ON THIS MODEL AND HAD A CAMPAIGN BUT MY VIN WAS NOT AMONG THE SUPPOSED VEHICLES UNDER THE COVERAGE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, BEING A WOMAN (AND EVEN WORSE, A WOMAN WITH A MINOR) I WAS UNABLE TO USE A VEHICLE THAT IS OTHERWISE MECHANICALLY COMPLETELY SOUND (IT HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED NOT EVEN 2 WEEKS BEFORE!), THIS CAR HAS VERY FEW MILES, IT WAS THE LAST THING I WAS EXPECTING IN A STRESSFUL SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE GONE MAJORLY WRONG. LUCKILY MY DAUGHTER'S ALLERGIC REACTION WAS TENDED TO AT THE HOSPITAL IN TIME BECAUSE I TOOK A CAR SERVICE AND I DON'T LIVE IN A RURAL AREA, BUT I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO OTHER PEOPLE OR EVEN TO MYSELF IF I WERE TO BE IN A REMOTE LOCATION OR IN A PERILOUS SITUATION AND NOT ABLE TO TURN ON MY CAR AND USE IT. I AM NOW VERY WARY AND WORRIED THAT (ONCE CORRECTED) THIS ISSUE WILL AGAIN TAKE PLACE. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION, THOUGH IT DOES NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, IT DOES PUT THE OWNER'S SAFETY AT PLAUSIBLE RISK.