FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSORS FAULTY, LIGHT INDICATES AIR BAG OFF (CONSOLE AMBER), ALSO FLASHING RED LIGHT IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE, NO RECALLS YET BUT IN THE FORUMS IT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT, ALSO THE WHOLE SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE COST IT'S MORE THAN $3,000.00.
2009 Nissan Altima
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Altima years
Owner complaints for the 2009 Nissan Altima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1,239 reports with mileage · 308 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 859 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 466 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 107 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
91 reportsTAKATA 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. T…
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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 ##
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…
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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.
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.
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY 'NO AIRBAG'. PROBLEM SINCE 2014; ALONG WITH STEERING LOCK FAILURE (FIXED), ALONG WITH MANIFOLD EXHAUST PROBLEM(FIXED). WINDSHIELD WIPERS KEEP WEARING OUT, LEFT DRIVER SIDE BECAUSE BLADE IS TOO TIGHT; BRAKES VIBRATE WHEN STOPPING,;CAR VIBRATES AT 70 MPH, AND CAR SOUNDS LIKE WIND TUNNEL WHEN DR…
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AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY 'NO AIRBAG'. PROBLEM SINCE 2014; ALONG WITH STEERING LOCK FAILURE (FIXED), ALONG WITH MANIFOLD EXHAUST PROBLEM(FIXED). WINDSHIELD WIPERS KEEP WEARING OUT, LEFT DRIVER SIDE BECAUSE BLADE IS TOO TIGHT; BRAKES VIBRATE WHEN STOPPING,;CAR VIBRATES AT 70 MPH, AND CAR SOUNDS LIKE WIND TUNNEL WHEN DRIVING HIGHWAY YET WINDOWS ARE UP.
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIT BELL. AND MY AIR BAG GOING OFF NO ACCIDENT I WENT TO THE DEALER FOR DAT THE RESET THAT FOR $ 125.00 THE TELL ME NEXT TIME I HAVE TO PAY $ 2745.00 TO FIX THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG, IF THE AIR BAG GOING OFF AGAIN I WONT TO NO WHY BECAUSE MY CAR NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT
ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THAT MY AIR BAG DASH LIGHT WAS BLINKING. SO I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE SHOP AND HAD IT DIAGNOSED FOR $125 (OF COURSE) THEN THE SERVICE ADVISER STATES THAT A SENSOR IN MY PASSENGER SEAT IS NOT WORKING AND IT CANNOT DETERMINE IF AN ADULT OR A CHILD IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER CHAIR. IN ORDER FOR ME TO FIX …
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ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THAT MY AIR BAG DASH LIGHT WAS BLINKING. SO I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE SHOP AND HAD IT DIAGNOSED FOR $125 (OF COURSE) THEN THE SERVICE ADVISER STATES THAT A SENSOR IN MY PASSENGER SEAT IS NOT WORKING AND IT CANNOT DETERMINE IF AN ADULT OR A CHILD IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER CHAIR. IN ORDER FOR ME TO FIX IT I'D HAVE TO CHANGE OUT THE WHOLE CHAIR ASSEMBLY. I SAID WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SO IF THE AIR BAGS DON'T DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT WHY SHOULD I BE LIABLE WHEN IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL AND NOT THE OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY. I MAINTENANCE MY VEHICLE EVERY TIME ON THE MONEY AND TO HAVE A SIMPLE SENSOR COST ALMOST $3,000 I DON'T THINK SO.
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON MY DASHBOARD, AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE OCS SYSTEM FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD FAILED, AND I WOULD NEED TO PAY $2500 TO REPLACE THE CUSHION SEAT. THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO AN AIRBAG RECALL INVOLVING 2013-2016 ALTIMA, AS WELL AS OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES TH…
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THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON MY DASHBOARD, AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE OCS SYSTEM FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD FAILED, AND I WOULD NEED TO PAY $2500 TO REPLACE THE CUSHION SEAT. THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO AN AIRBAG RECALL INVOLVING 2013-2016 ALTIMA, AS WELL AS OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DISABLE DUE TO A SENSOR MALFUNTION THAT IS VERY DANGWRKUS IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS BLINKING ON AND OFF. I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SENSOR
MY AIR BAGS DO NOT WORK ON THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE. THEY HAVE STOPPED WORKING FOR SOME TIME NOW. THE LIGHT IS STEADY BLEAKING ON THE DASH SHOWING ITS NOT WORKING.
Official recalls
410V401000 · 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.
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.
09V358000 · Suspension
Sep 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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).
09V006000 · Structure:body:door
Jan 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIPS AND REMEDIED AT THE FACTORY. NO VEHICLES HAD BEEN RETAILED.
08V464000 · Wheels
Sep 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE LUG NUTS BECOME LOOSE, IT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: 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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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