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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 →

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.

36 crash reports8 fire reports19 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

466 reports
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83,600 miles · Jul 6, 2016
Electrical System

ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE. THANKFULLY I WAS AT WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENED, SO I WAS IN A LIT PARKING LOT. HOWEVER, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF I WAS STRANDED, AS THE CAR IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE ONCE THIS OCCURS.

NHTSA ODI #10883039

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2016
Electrical System

ELECTRONIC IGNITION WONT START THE CAR WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY. MY FRIEND HAD SAME ISSUE COST HIM ALMOST 1000K TO REPAIR THE CAR. THEY TOLD HIM THAT A COMMON ISSUE ALL CARS HAVE BECAUSE ITS ONE MANUFACTURE WHO MAKES THIS KEY START

NHTSA ODI #10882695

134,000 miles · Jun 21, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAD A DEFECTIVE STEERING LOCK THAT CAUSED ME TO BE STRANDED ALONE LATE AT NIGHT ON JUNE 10, 2016 - NOT ABLE TO START MY CAR. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN BECAUSE I HAD NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND THIS TIME IT WAS NOT TOO COLD. …

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MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAD A DEFECTIVE STEERING LOCK THAT CAUSED ME TO BE STRANDED ALONE LATE AT NIGHT ON JUNE 10, 2016 - NOT ABLE TO START MY CAR. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN BECAUSE I HAD NO WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND THIS TIME IT WAS NOT TOO COLD. I WAS ABLE TO USE MY CELLPHONE TO CALL A FRIEND TO HELP. I HAD TO GET A RIDE BACK TO MY CAR THE NEXT DAY AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. I WAS WITHOUT MY VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS WAITING FOR IT TO BE SERVICED. THIS COST ME $900 TO FIX. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART IN THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA AND THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW IF IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10875667

90,000 miles · Jun 17, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

I WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AT A RELATIVES, HAD TO MOVE MY VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVEWAY TO THE STREETS. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT TO START MY VEHICLE TO GO HOME SIX HOURS LATER, IT WOULD NOT START. I CONTACTED TRIPLE A, THEY WASN'T SUCCESSFUL GETTING MY VEHICLE STARTED, SO I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO PEP BOYS WHICH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL, T…

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I WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AT A RELATIVES, HAD TO MOVE MY VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVEWAY TO THE STREETS. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT TO START MY VEHICLE TO GO HOME SIX HOURS LATER, IT WOULD NOT START. I CONTACTED TRIPLE A, THEY WASN'T SUCCESSFUL GETTING MY VEHICLE STARTED, SO I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO PEP BOYS WHICH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL, THEN I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #10874937

89,000 miles · Jun 10, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

DROVE TO WORK ON 6-4-2016. WENT OUT TO MOVE MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. LIGHTS WERE WORKING, ALARM WAS WORKING BUT CAR WOULD NOT START. I NOTICED A TINY KEY EMBLEM ON THE DASH THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE, COME TO FIND OUT IT IS THE STEERING LOCK WHICH THERE WAS A RECALL ON. CALLED NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT AND WAS TOLD THE…

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DROVE TO WORK ON 6-4-2016. WENT OUT TO MOVE MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. LIGHTS WERE WORKING, ALARM WAS WORKING BUT CAR WOULD NOT START. I NOTICED A TINY KEY EMBLEM ON THE DASH THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE, COME TO FIND OUT IT IS THE STEERING LOCK WHICH THERE WAS A RECALL ON. CALLED NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL EXPIRED IN JULY 2015 AND IT WOULD COST ME APPROXIMATELY $900 TO FIX. I CANNOT AFFORD 900 DOLLARS FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY SHOULD BE FIXING FOR FREE AS IT IS A NISSAN INDUCED ISSUE AND NOTHING PERSONAL. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR ALMOST A WEEK, HAVING TO BEG RIDES FROM PEOPLE JUST SO I CAN SUPPORT MY FAMILY WITH THE (2) JOBS THAT IM WORKING.

NHTSA ODI #10873623

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2016
Electrical System

MY 2009 NISSAN ULTIMA WAS PARKED IN MY WORK PARKING LOT AND WOULD NOT START KEYLESS ENTRY PAD MOUNT FUNCTION AND HAD THE LOCK STEERING GAVE ME PROBLEMS AND IT WOULD NOT START I FELT ENDANGERED BECAUSE EVERYONE AT WORK LEFT AND I WAS ALL ALONE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI #10873544

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

NOT TOO LONG AGO MY CAR WOULD NOT START IN SEVERAL OCASSIONS I HAD MY CHILDREN WITH ME AGES 4 & 7 IN THE HEAT STRANDED BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE MY KEY... I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMERS AFFAIRS AT ONE POINT THEIR WAS A RECALL BUT HAS EXPIRE IN 2015 ..NOW ITS JUNE 2016 AND MY CAR JUST STARTED DOING THIS I MADE 1YR WIT…

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NOT TOO LONG AGO MY CAR WOULD NOT START IN SEVERAL OCASSIONS I HAD MY CHILDREN WITH ME AGES 4 & 7 IN THE HEAT STRANDED BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE MY KEY... I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMERS AFFAIRS AT ONE POINT THEIR WAS A RECALL BUT HAS EXPIRE IN 2015 ..NOW ITS JUNE 2016 AND MY CAR JUST STARTED DOING THIS I MADE 1YR WITH MY PRE OWNED CAR STILL MAKIN PAYMENTS NOT ONCE WAS I NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS RECALL..I JUST FELT SCARED AND THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN.IT COULD LEAVE US STRANDED ANY TIME AND ITS JUNE I CANNOT RISK IT IN THIS HEAT.... THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE... NISSAN DID STATE TO ME THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL AND THEIR SORRY BUT IT HAS EXPIRED AND IM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PART... THIS IS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE THEY KNEW THEIR VECHICLES HAD A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THEY MADE THEM I BELIEVE THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS COSTLY MATTER... I AM A SINGLE MOM OF 2 STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT WONT UNLOCK AND READ MY KEY I NEED HELP PLEASE SOMEONE..... THIS PART IS $680+ LABOR=$1150!!!! I BELIEVE NISSAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE ...

NHTSA ODI #10873111

83,000 miles · Jun 5, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSOR HAS FAILED. THE AMBER PASSENGER OCCUPANT DASHBOARD LIGHT ALWAYS REMAINS ON. THIS MEANS THAT EVEN WITH THE SEAT OCCUPIED BY AN APPROPRIATE SIZED ADULT, THE LIGHT SAYS THE OCCUPANT IS NOT BEING 'SENSED'. ALSO, THE CONTROL PANEL ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A RED FLASHING AIRBAG LIGHT. THE NISSAN DEA…

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PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSOR HAS FAILED. THE AMBER PASSENGER OCCUPANT DASHBOARD LIGHT ALWAYS REMAINS ON. THIS MEANS THAT EVEN WITH THE SEAT OCCUPIED BY AN APPROPRIATE SIZED ADULT, THE LIGHT SAYS THE OCCUPANT IS NOT BEING 'SENSED'. ALSO, THE CONTROL PANEL ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A RED FLASHING AIRBAG LIGHT. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAYS THE ERROR CODE INDICATES A FAILURE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT AIRBAG SENSOR. MY COST IS AT LEAST $2400 TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT. I AM UNABLE TO PAY THAT KIND OF MONEY. I AM HOPING FOR A NISSAN RECALL OR TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON THAT MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. I SEE MANY OTHER YEARS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAD THE ISSUE AND THE MANUFACTURER FIXED THEM AT NO COST. THAT IS WHAT I AM HOPING FOR. THIS CAR HAS NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT. THIS JUST HAPPENED OUT OF THE BLUE.

NHTSA ODI #10872634

80,000 miles · Jun 3, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK IS DEFECTIVE AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START LEAVING ME STRANDED WITH MY FAMILY WITHOUT ANY OTHER WAY OR FORM OF STARTING MY CAR. NISSAN WILL NOT RESPOND OR FIX THE ISSUE DUE TO EXPIRED WARRANTY WITH ONLY 80K ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10872338

43,918 miles · Jun 2, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AS THE KEY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AS THE KEY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,918.

NHTSA ODI #10872154

Official recalls

4

10V401000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems