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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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42,000 miles · Dec 9, 2015
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

MY FAMILY AND I WERE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT LAST WEEK FOR SEVERAL HOURS FOR MY CAR TO BE TOWED CAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND JUMP START THE BATTERY DID NOT WORK. AFTER TOWED IT HOME AND RESEARCH / DIAGNOSTIC, FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A WELL KNOW THAT THE STEERING LOCK BOX IS DEFECTIVE. HOWEVER, CALLING NISSAN …

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MY FAMILY AND I WERE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT LAST WEEK FOR SEVERAL HOURS FOR MY CAR TO BE TOWED CAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND JUMP START THE BATTERY DID NOT WORK. AFTER TOWED IT HOME AND RESEARCH / DIAGNOSTIC, FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A WELL KNOW THAT THE STEERING LOCK BOX IS DEFECTIVE. HOWEVER, CALLING NISSAN DEALER ABOUT IT AND WILL NOT MAKE THE RECALL ON THE PART. MY CAR JUST DIE AFTER 5 YEARS. 3 MONTHS AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY DEALER WILL NOT FIX IT AND NISSAN WILL NOT ASSIST TO GET IT FIX EITHER. THEY KEEP WANTING ME TO BRING IT TO THE DEAL FOR DIAGNOSTIC, WHEN IN-FACT IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE STEERING LOCK BOCK IS DISABLED THE CAR FROM STARTING. I BROUGHT IT IN, AND THEY KEPT TELLING ME NO RECALL AND WANT ME TO PAY FOR IT (ALMOST $1,000), YET RECOMMENDING ME TO FIX OTHER ISSUES SAYING IT COULD HAVE BEEN TUNE UP NEEDED THAT WHY MY CAR WOULD NOT START.. UGH!!!

NHTSA ODI #10809326

99,000 miles · Dec 8, 2015
Electrical System

WIFE WENT TO DRIVE TO WORK IN MORNING CAR WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. TURN OVER OR SENSE THE KEY. SHE TRIED OTHER KEY AND SAME THING NOTHING. GOOGLED ISSUE AND NISSAN ADMITTED THERE IS A ISSUE WITH ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK COLUMN. INSTEAD OF FIXING ISSUE THEY JUST EXTENDED WARRANTY IN HOPES THAT WHEN NOT IF IT WENT OUT WARRANTY WOULD…

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WIFE WENT TO DRIVE TO WORK IN MORNING CAR WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. TURN OVER OR SENSE THE KEY. SHE TRIED OTHER KEY AND SAME THING NOTHING. GOOGLED ISSUE AND NISSAN ADMITTED THERE IS A ISSUE WITH ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK COLUMN. INSTEAD OF FIXING ISSUE THEY JUST EXTENDED WARRANTY IN HOPES THAT WHEN NOT IF IT WENT OUT WARRANTY WOULD BE UP. CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA THEY TOLD ME CAR IS OVER WARRANTY BUT IF I TAKE IT AND GET IT DIAGNOSED AND THERE ARE NO OTHER PROBLEMS THEY MAY HELP COVER REPAIR COST. DID JUST WHAT THEY SAID LOCAL DEALER CONFIRMED IT WAS MY ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCKING UNIT. CALLED NISSAN BACK THEY CALLED DEALERSHIP AND CONFIRMED. THEY THEN CALLED ME BACK AND SAID WE CANT DO ANYTHING ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. WHY MAKE ME PAY MORE THEN SAY OH NO WE CANT HELP YOU. SO I HAD TO WAIT FOR NISASAN TO TELL ME EITHER YES OR NO THEY WOULD HELP AFTER THEY SAID NO I CALLED DEALERSHIP TO GO AHEAD WITH WORK THEY NO LONGER HAD PART ANOTHER 2009 CAME IN WITH SAME PROBLEM. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS COAST NISSAN OF SAN LUIS OBISPO. CAR GAVE NO WARNING ESCL WAS GOING OUT AND ONCE IT GOES OUT YOUR STRANDED THIS IS A ISSUE NISSAN SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED BUT WOULD RATHER SAVE MONEY AND NOT FIX DEFECTIVE ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #10809124

153,000 miles · Dec 8, 2015
Electrical System

CAR WAS PARKED IN GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT. CAR WOULD NOT START. DASHBOARD WARNING INDICATED KEY ICON. HAD CAR TOWED 50 MILES TO NISSAN CAR DEALERSHIP. ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK UNIT (ESLU) REPLACED. TOTAL COST: $1006 AND ONE SLEEPLESS NIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #10809111

100,000 miles · Dec 7, 2015
Electrical System

ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK (ECSL), IS WELL-KNOWN DEFECT THAT IS KNOWN ACROSS ALL 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, MAXIMA, AND EARLY 2010 350Z. I WAS FILLING UP AT A GAS STATION WHEN MY CAR DID NOT START. I WAS LEFT STRANDED AT A LOCATION THAT WAS UNSAFE LOCATION DUE TO THIS DEFECT. THIS LOCK WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO START MY VEHICLE NOR GO ON…

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ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK (ECSL), IS WELL-KNOWN DEFECT THAT IS KNOWN ACROSS ALL 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, MAXIMA, AND EARLY 2010 350Z. I WAS FILLING UP AT A GAS STATION WHEN MY CAR DID NOT START. I WAS LEFT STRANDED AT A LOCATION THAT WAS UNSAFE LOCATION DUE TO THIS DEFECT. THIS LOCK WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO START MY VEHICLE NOR GO ON ACCESSORY MODE, THUS I WAS NOT ABLE TO ROLL UP MY WINDOWS. I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS DEFECT OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED LAST MONTH. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA REJECTED MY CLAIM TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10808921

81,000 miles · Dec 3, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYLESS IGNITION FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, THE INTELLIGENT KEY FAILED TO START THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE SECOND TIME BUT THE DETA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYLESS IGNITION FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, THE INTELLIGENT KEY FAILED TO START THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE SECOND TIME BUT THE DETAILS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 02/19/16*LJ UPDATED 5/20/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #10808258

40,100 miles · Dec 2, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK SYSTEM DIDN'T ENGAGE ON MY 2009 ALTIMA. THIS WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO BE STARTED. NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART BUT MINE EXPIRED IN AUGUST OF 2015. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU COULD BE STRANDED AT ANYTIME ANWHERE WITH THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. THERE WAS A …

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THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK SYSTEM DIDN'T ENGAGE ON MY 2009 ALTIMA. THIS WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO BE STARTED. NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART BUT MINE EXPIRED IN AUGUST OF 2015. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU COULD BE STRANDED AT ANYTIME ANWHERE WITH THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. THERE WAS A BAD SNOW STORM IN DENVER ON SUNDAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND IF IT HAD HAPPENED UP IN THE MOUNTAINS CROSS COUNTRY SKIING I WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK IN A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME AS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. HOWEVER THEY NEVER CONTACTED ME STATING IT WOULD BE COVERED AND HAD I KNOW I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN BEFORE IT LEFT ME STRANDED WITHOUT A CAR FOR 4 DAYS. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT WORKED ON. THIS ISSUE IS SO BAD THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART AND WON'T GET IT IN UNTIL 2 DAYS AFTER I HAD BROUGHT IT IN TO GET FIXED. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE PEOPLE START GETTING HURT OR WORSE STRANDED AND DIE SOMEWHERE.

NHTSA ODI #10807954

54,000 miles · Dec 1, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

THE STEERING LOCK FAILED, AND I COULD NOT START MY CAR. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE TOPEKA NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED. IT COST $973.00

NHTSA ODI #10807793

61,000 miles · Nov 30, 2015
Electrical System

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, STATIONARY WHEN I WENT TO START IT. NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN START BUTTON WAS PRESSED. THE CAR WAS RECOGNIZING THE KEY FOB, DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHEN I DIDN'T HAVE IT, IT WAS SAYING NO KEY. HOWEVER WOULD NOT START EVEN WHEN FOB WAS PRESENT. CONTACTED NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, …

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VEHICLE WAS PARKED, STATIONARY WHEN I WENT TO START IT. NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN START BUTTON WAS PRESSED. THE CAR WAS RECOGNIZING THE KEY FOB, DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHEN I DIDN'T HAVE IT, IT WAS SAYING NO KEY. HOWEVER WOULD NOT START EVEN WHEN FOB WAS PRESENT. CONTACTED NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, AFTER GOOGLING THE ISSUE I WAS SURPRISED AT HOW MANY SHEER NUMBERS OF THE SAME EXACT THING WAS HAPPENING. $1200 LATER, MY CAR IS FIXED JUST BECAUSE OF A FAULTY STEERING COLUMN LOCK, WHICH EVEN THE PRIVATE MECHANIC STATED WAS A BIG PROBLEM, ADDING THAT NISSAN RESPONDED BY CHANGING THE LOCK ON THE 2010 AND UP MODELS, HOWEVER NOT COMPENSATING ANY CURRENT OWNERS. MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THAT THE PART IS SO FAULTY THAT IT WILL GO OUT AGAIN IN TIME. IM TAKING CAR BACK TO DEALER THE CAR HAD 50K ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANT I CANT AFFORD 1200 BUCKS IF NOT FIXED IM NOT PAYING FOR A LEMON CAR

NHTSA ODI #10807477

74,000 miles · Nov 30, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND DISPLAYED A MESSAGE. THE CONTACT WAS STRANDED FOR OVER AN HOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND DISPLAYED A MESSAGE. THE CONTACT WAS STRANDED FOR OVER AN HOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10807473

70,000 miles · Nov 18, 2015
Electrical System

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN 2009. ON 11/18/2015, MY WIFE BECAME STRANDED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. WHEN THE MECHANISM FAILS, IT GENERATES A FAULT IN THE COMPUTER THAT DISABLES THE VEHICL…

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WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN 2009. ON 11/18/2015, MY WIFE BECAME STRANDED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. WHEN THE MECHANISM FAILS, IT GENERATES A FAULT IN THE COMPUTER THAT DISABLES THE VEHICLE. NISSAN HAS KNOWN OF THE PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY, BUT DID NOT NOTIFY OWNERS. THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE. THE FAILED PART IS 48700-JF00A. LET ME STRESS THAT NISSAN HAS KNOWN OF THIS PART DEFECTIVENESS FOR YEARS, BUT HAS NOT BEEN PROACTIVE TO AVOID OWNERS FROM BEING STRANDED. THE VEHICLE WAS OBVIOUSLY STATIONARY WHEN THIS PROBLEM WAS REALIZED.

NHTSA ODI #10794759

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