NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
37 reportsClear category filter126,000 miles · Jul 29, 2017
Steering
I WENT TO ANOTHER COUNTY WITH MY KIDS TO VISIT MY MOM AND WHEN I TRIED TO LEAVE THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND THERE WAS A LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD THAT INDICATED A KEY IN AN AMBER COLOR, I TRIED GIVING IT A JUMPSTART TO SEE IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM AND CHANGING THE BATTERY OF THE SMART KEY AND NOTHING WORKED. I ENDED UP HAVING TO LEAV…
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I WENT TO ANOTHER COUNTY WITH MY KIDS TO VISIT MY MOM AND WHEN I TRIED TO LEAVE THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND THERE WAS A LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD THAT INDICATED A KEY IN AN AMBER COLOR, I TRIED GIVING IT A JUMPSTART TO SEE IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM AND CHANGING THE BATTERY OF THE SMART KEY AND NOTHING WORKED. I ENDED UP HAVING TO LEAVE MY CAR PARKED IN THE STREET WHERE MY MOM LIVES AND SPENT THE NIGHT WITH MY MOTHER AND THE NEXT DAY I CALLED MY NEAREST NISSAN DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK BUT MY CAR WASN'T COVERED IN THE RECENT RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11011471
90,000 miles · Aug 8, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,00…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10894214
140,000 miles · Jul 6, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering
MY CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I TRIED TO START IT. A YELLOW LIGHT WITH A KEY APPEARED IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE DASH. THE CAR WOULDN'T START. WE RESEARCHED THE WARNING LIGHT AND TRIED EVERYTHING SUGGESTED SUCH AS DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY, DISCONNECTING THE NEGATIVE BATTERY, ETC. WITH NO LUCK. I HAVE TO DRIVE TO A CONFERE…
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MY CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I TRIED TO START IT. A YELLOW LIGHT WITH A KEY APPEARED IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE DASH. THE CAR WOULDN'T START. WE RESEARCHED THE WARNING LIGHT AND TRIED EVERYTHING SUGGESTED SUCH AS DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY, DISCONNECTING THE NEGATIVE BATTERY, ETC. WITH NO LUCK. I HAVE TO DRIVE TO A CONFERENCE 4 HOURS AWAY TOMORROW AND NOW HAVE NO CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10882846
75,000 miles · Jun 24, 2016
SteeringStructureVisibility/wiper
DASHBOARD, STEERING WHEEL, AND SHIFT HANDLE HAVE ALL MELTED FROM HEAT. THE DASHBOARD HAS BECOME ALMOST LIQUIFIED, AND THE GLARE FROM THE NOW SHINY SURFACE CREATES A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME GUMMY, MAKING STEERING UNSAFE, AND THE RUBBERY MATERIAL ON THE SHIFT HANDLE HAS…
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DASHBOARD, STEERING WHEEL, AND SHIFT HANDLE HAVE ALL MELTED FROM HEAT. THE DASHBOARD HAS BECOME ALMOST LIQUIFIED, AND THE GLARE FROM THE NOW SHINY SURFACE CREATES A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME GUMMY, MAKING STEERING UNSAFE, AND THE RUBBERY MATERIAL ON THE SHIFT HANDLE HAS BECOME GUMMY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SAFELY SHIFT GEARS ACCUARATELY.
NHTSA ODI #10876375
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2016
SteeringVehicle Speed Control
HOLA ME LLAMO[XXX] TENGOI UN NISSAN ALTIMA 2008 CUYO LO COMPLE CON 81 MILLAS E CUAL AH EMPESADO A TENER PLOBLEMA LA PISARRA ESTA DERETIDA COMPLETA RAJADA TIENE OLOR A PLASTICO DERRETIDO CUANDO EN LA TARDE SALGO DEL TRABJO TIEN UN OLOR SUPER FUERTE NO PUEDO ANDARCON MI NINA EN EL AUTO ME DIRIGI ALA NISSAN Y ME TR…
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HOLA ME LLAMO[XXX] TENGOI UN NISSAN ALTIMA 2008 CUYO LO COMPLE CON 81 MILLAS E CUAL AH EMPESADO A TENER PLOBLEMA LA PISARRA ESTA DERETIDA COMPLETA RAJADA TIENE OLOR A PLASTICO DERRETIDO CUANDO EN LA TARDE SALGO DEL TRABJO TIEN UN OLOR SUPER FUERTE NO PUEDO ANDARCON MI NINA EN EL AUTO ME DIRIGI ALA NISSAN Y ME TRATARON SUPER MAL QUE PAGAR 4.000 MIL DOLARES CREO QUE NO ES JUSTO CUANDO LA CULPA ES DE ELLOS VI EN TELEMUNDO LO CASOO PERO LA MARCA DE MI CARRO NO ESTA INCLUIDA SO POR FAVOR SI PUDIERAN AYUDARME SE LO AGRADESERIA SE LE PUEDO ENVIARE FOTOS SIN PLOBLEMA ESTOY BASTANTE DIJUSTADO CON EL FABRIVCANTE ALTUALMET ESTOY PAGANDO EL CARRO CON EL BANCO ES ESTRESANTE ANDAR ASI EN LA CALLE EH VISTO BARIOS MODELO 2008 IGUALES CON LA PISARRA DERETIDA HABLE CON LO DUENO Y LE COMENTE QUE YO HABIA IDO AL DILE QUE ERAS PLOBLEMA DE FACTORIA QUE EL DILE ME AVIAN TRATDO SUPER MAL PERO BUENO ESPERO QUEALGUIEN LEA ESTO GRACIAS 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
NHTSA ODI #10825477
124,809 miles · Nov 3, 2015
Steering
CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START - WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO CALL TO HAVE IT FLAT BEDDED TO A DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THE STEERING LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WAS PROVIDED EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PART SINCE IF A DEFECT, I WAS TWO WEEKS OVERDUE AND THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE WORK TO BE COMPLETED.
NHTSA ODI #10788002
62,500 miles · Mar 19, 2015
Steering
THIS IS THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 4 WEEKS AND EACH TIME I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED. THE ESCL - ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK HAS FAILED. MY CAR UNLOCKS/LOCKS PROPERLY WITH THE KEY FOB, AUX ELECTRICAL WORKS FINE, HEADLIGHTS, RADIO ECT.. HOWEVER THE BRAKE WILL NOT DEPRESS AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED NOT ALLO…
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THIS IS THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 4 WEEKS AND EACH TIME I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED. THE ESCL - ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK HAS FAILED. MY CAR UNLOCKS/LOCKS PROPERLY WITH THE KEY FOB, AUX ELECTRICAL WORKS FINE, HEADLIGHTS, RADIO ECT.. HOWEVER THE BRAKE WILL NOT DEPRESS AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED NOT ALLOWING ME TO START MY VEHICLE LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS IS BS! I AM VERY UPSETNISSAN SHOULD HAVE A RECALL AND REPLACE THIS PART, BUT INSTEAD I WAS TOLD THIS WILL COST ME UPWARD OF $1,000 TO REPAIR. PLEASE HELP!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10695480
123,000 miles · Dec 24, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
WENT TO A SMOKE SHOP WENT BACK OUT AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START.. MY KEY YELLOW LOGO ON DASH IS ON SO I'M POSITIVE IT STEERING LOCK SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10668129
70,000 miles · Aug 25, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
I PARKED MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE AT MY DOOR TOOK GROCERIES INSIDE AND WENT BACK TO PARK MY CAR,AND IT WOULD NOT START I COULD GO THRU THE DIFFERENT MODES OF THE PUSH BUTTON START BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I GET IT TOWED TO NISSAN AND THE TELL ME MY ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK HAS GONE BAD THEY ALSO TELL ME THEY HAVE …
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I PARKED MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE AT MY DOOR TOOK GROCERIES INSIDE AND WENT BACK TO PARK MY CAR,AND IT WOULD NOT START I COULD GO THRU THE DIFFERENT MODES OF THE PUSH BUTTON START BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I GET IT TOWED TO NISSAN AND THE TELL ME MY ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK HAS GONE BAD THEY ALSO TELL ME THEY HAVE A RECALL ON THE SAME PART ON THE 2009 MODELS. PRICE TAG TO FIX THE E.S.C.L $800 THIS IS SO UNFAIR I BELIEVE THE 08 MODELS ALTIMA SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE ALREADY INEFFECT RECALL FOR THE SAME EXACT PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10628271
69,000 miles · Aug 12, 2014
EngineExterior LightingSteering
I PARKED MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 SE IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE TOOK GROCERIES INTO THE HOUSE I RETURN TO THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE KEY SYMBOL WAS ON. I CAN WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE CHANGE MODES JUST WONT START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10621865
Official recalls
4Sep 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
Oct 7, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Air Bags
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Jul 31, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 1,018 MY 2008 ALTIMA VEHICLES. THE LEFT SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE BOLT WERE TO COME OUT, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT TO SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Dec 28, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) REPLACED DURING SERVICE AT A DEALERSHIP, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY DEACTIVATED DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE SOFTWARE. IF THE TPMS IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT ALERT THE DRIVER TO A DECREASE IN THE TIRE PRESSURE AS DESIGNED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TPMS FUNCTION AND REACTIVATE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE11020 · Brake Master Cylinder Internal Leak
Opened May 23, 2011 · Closed Mar 14, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE11-020 to investigate possible brake performance loss due to brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster in the subject vehicles.A total of 237 complaints were identified by ODI and Nissan.The majority of complaints and warranty claims reported that brake malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination as the only symptom of a problem.Only 12 complaints alleged any effect on brake performance and in each of these the drivers were able to stop the vehicles without incident.No crash claims could be attributed to the alleged defect. Returned part analysis data provided by Nissan showed that most of the master cylinders replaced under warranty did not have a leak condition.These replacements may have resulted from brake MIL illumination due to pad wear.For most of the warranty claims, in a few cases where a master cylinder leak was found, Nissan's testing showed that the leaks were extremely slow and would require thousands of miles or months of driving before brake performance could be affected.After an extensive study of replaced master cylinders for a presumed leak, Nissan was unable to identify any concern with the parts or design of the subject components that could affect brake performance. Nevertheless, Nissan does recognize a concern with premature brake MIL illumination and has decided to address this problem by conducting a voluntary service campaign covering approximately 1.17 million model year 2007 through 2012 Altima vehicles (up to June 25, 2011 production, the date of Nissan's running change for the longer life brake pad).Nissan's owner letter for the service campaign states, As your brake pads wear over time, the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir will drop and may cause the brake warning lamp to illuminate.?Although this is a normal condition, there has been concern that the brake warning light illumination may be caused by a slow fluid leak over time.Nissan's service campaign will inspect the brake pads and test the master cylinder for leakage.If leakage is detected, Nissan will replace the master cylinder at no charge.If excessive pad wear is observed, customers will be notified and will be responsible for repairs.For more details concerning Nissan's service campaign, see the PE11-020 file on www.Safercar.gov. Based on the low failure rate for confirmed master cylinder leakage in the subject vehicles and the low probability that the condition would affect brake performance, this investigation is closed.
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