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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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95,000 miles · Feb 3, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

WOULD NOT START, ELECTRONIC LOCKING MECH MALFUNCTION....PREGNANT WIFE GOT STRANDED WITHOUT WARNING IN NEGATIVE DEGREE WEATHER.....SAFETY ISSUE.....NOT TO MENTION , TOW BILL, TIME LOST FROM WORK, AND MAKING ARRANGEMENTS,OBTAINING,PAYING FOR ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION, WHILE THE PART IS CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER FOR GOING ON 2 WEEKS N…

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WOULD NOT START, ELECTRONIC LOCKING MECH MALFUNCTION....PREGNANT WIFE GOT STRANDED WITHOUT WARNING IN NEGATIVE DEGREE WEATHER.....SAFETY ISSUE.....NOT TO MENTION , TOW BILL, TIME LOST FROM WORK, AND MAKING ARRANGEMENTS,OBTAINING,PAYING FOR ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION, WHILE THE PART IS CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER FOR GOING ON 2 WEEKS NOW......LUCKILY WIFE WAS ONLY 30 MINUTES FROM HOME OR COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE BUT WAS STILL POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS GETTING STRANDED IN NEGATIVE DEGREE WEATHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562654

37,000 miles · Feb 3, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA ODI #10562649

73,000 miles · Jan 31, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE ON IT FAILED TO START DESPITE THE CONTACT ENGAGING THE PUSH TO START ENGINE BUTTON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE AP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE ON IT FAILED TO START DESPITE THE CONTACT ENGAGING THE PUSH TO START ENGINE BUTTON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA ODI #10562386

52,315 miles · Jan 30, 2014
Electrical System

WON'T START. WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS: 1) NISSAN INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT; 2) SECURITY INDICATOR LIGHT. CAR WAS AT CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHEN FAULT OCCURRED. I PAID FOR TOWING TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. BOTH DEALERSHIPS OWNED BY SAME OWNER. TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON KNOWN DEFECT IN THE 2009 ALTIMA AND PARTS ARE HARD TO GET DUE …

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WON'T START. WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS: 1) NISSAN INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT; 2) SECURITY INDICATOR LIGHT. CAR WAS AT CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHEN FAULT OCCURRED. I PAID FOR TOWING TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. BOTH DEALERSHIPS OWNED BY SAME OWNER. TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON KNOWN DEFECT IN THE 2009 ALTIMA AND PARTS ARE HARD TO GET DUE TO MANY CARS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT IT MAY TAKE A WEEK OR MORE TO GET A REPLACEMENT PART. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER A NISSAN "EXTENDED WARRANTY," NOT UNDER A RECALL. I HAVE READ OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS STATING THAT NISSAN DID NOT REIMBURSE FOR TOWING, SO I GUESS I AM OUT $90.00 FOR A KNOWN 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562232

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2014
Electrical System

CAR HAD BEEN SHOWING THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT JUST THOUGHT THE FOB NEEDED NEW BATTERY. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND LIT UP "LOCK" ABOVE THE PUSH START BUTTON. TRIED REPLACING THE BATTERY IN THE FOB, STUCK THE FOB INTO THE LITTLE PORT HOLE, AND NOTHING. LOOKED IN THE MANUAL AND IT SAI…

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CAR HAD BEEN SHOWING THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT JUST THOUGHT THE FOB NEEDED NEW BATTERY. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND LIT UP "LOCK" ABOVE THE PUSH START BUTTON. TRIED REPLACING THE BATTERY IN THE FOB, STUCK THE FOB INTO THE LITTLE PORT HOLE, AND NOTHING. LOOKED IN THE MANUAL AND IT SAID IT COULD BE A MALFUNCTION OF THE ELECTRICAL STEERING LOCK SYSTEM OR THE INTELLIGENT KEY SYSTEM. CALLED NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ME TO TRY EVERYTHING I HAD ALREADY TRIED TO GET IT TO START. THEY SAID IT WAS THE ELECTRICAL STEERING LOCK SYSTEM (WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM) AND I NEEDED TO BRING IT IN. SAID THERE WAS A RECALL THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART AND THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR NO CHARGE (WHY DIDN'T I GET A LETTER OR SOMETHING ABOUT THIS "RECALL?"). THEY WOULD SEND A WRECKER TO COME GET IT FOR A FEE OF COURSE, SO INSTEAD BORROWED SOMEONE'S TRAILER AND HAULED IT UP TO THE DEALERSHIP (WHICH IS 50 MILES FROM WHERE I LIVE). (FYI:TO GET IT OUT OF PARK INTO NEUTRAL, THERE'S A THING YOU POP OFF NEXT TO THE SHIFTER AND YOU HAVE TO PUSH SOMETHING DOWN INTO THAT HOLE.) ONCE WE GOT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY HAD NO RAMPS WE COULD USE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE TRAILER SO WE HAD TO USE FLIMSY FOUR-WHEELER RAMPS WE HAD. THEY CALLED ME AFTER HAVING MY CAR THERE ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF JUST TO TELL ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PART AND I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE THE CAR THERE FOR UP TO A WEEK. THIS WAS ON TUESDAY AND I HAD CALLED THAT PREVIOUS FRIDAY, SO THEY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND HAD MY VIN NUMBER. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY COULDN'T HAVE ORDERED THE PART AFTER I CALLED THAT FRIDAY. I ASKED IF THEY HAD A LOANER CAR I COULD DRIVE UNTIL I GOT MY CAR BACK, THEY SAID ALL THE LOANER CARS WERE OUT (WHICH MEANS THEY'RE WORKING ON A LOT OF VEHICLES). ALL IN ALL, I'M PRETTY TICKED OFF AT NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562134

116,000 miles · Jan 29, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

CAR WILL NOT START. THIS MODEL USES THE INTELLIGENT KEY SYSTEM WITH PUSH BUTTON START. THE KEY IS ACTUALLY DETECTED BY THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKS. BUT THE START BUTTON IS NOT ENABLED AND THE CAR DOES NOTHING WHEN TRYING TO START. LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL AND BATTERY TESTED FINE. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY F…

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CAR WILL NOT START. THIS MODEL USES THE INTELLIGENT KEY SYSTEM WITH PUSH BUTTON START. THE KEY IS ACTUALLY DETECTED BY THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKS. BUT THE START BUTTON IS NOT ENABLED AND THE CAR DOES NOTHING WHEN TRYING TO START. LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL AND BATTERY TESTED FINE. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND THE STEERING LOCK MODULE HAD FAILED. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS PART AND WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY WHICH WAS EXTENDED FOR UNLIMITED MILES FOR THIS PART ONLY. CURRENTLY, THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO HIGH LEVEL OF FAILURES ACROSS THE US. PART IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO HIGHER FAILURE IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER. ETA FOR PART DELIVERY IS UNKNOWN AND DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME AGAIN IN 2 WEEKS! NISSAN DID PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR DUE TO THE PART SHORTAGE. MY VEHICLE IS A 2009 MODEL YEAR BUT THIS PART HAS A PROBLEM ALSO IN THE 2010 AND 2011 MODEL YEARS FOR ALL NISSAN VEHICLES PER THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561960

73,000 miles · Jan 27, 2014
Electrical System

CAR WOULD NOT START. EQUIPPED WITH REMOTE ELECTRONIC KEY. EVIDENTLY NISSAN HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO COVER THIS, BUT I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF IT. LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE FOR SAME PROBLEM. NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL. DANGEROUS FROM SAFETY STANDPOINT BECAUSE WE ARE OLDER AND IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE, MIDDLE OF WINTER. HAD TO HAVE…

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CAR WOULD NOT START. EQUIPPED WITH REMOTE ELECTRONIC KEY. EVIDENTLY NISSAN HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO COVER THIS, BUT I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF IT. LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE FOR SAME PROBLEM. NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL. DANGEROUS FROM SAFETY STANDPOINT BECAUSE WE ARE OLDER AND IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE, MIDDLE OF WINTER. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED. DEALER WAS NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM FIX OVER THE PHONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561578

62,500 miles · Jan 25, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

CAR WOULD NOT START DUE TO FAILURE OF THE STEERING LOCK DEVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561437

42,000 miles · Jan 16, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A "SMART" KEY-LOCKING SYSTEM AS WELL AS A "SMART" IGNITION SYSTEM. THE KEY FOR THE CAR IS A WIRELESS FOB THAT WHEN AROUND THE VEHICLE WILL ALLOW THE CAR TO BE UNLOCKED AND STARTED. THE KEY WILL ALLOW THE CAR TO START, WHEN THE KEY IS DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ISSUE THAT AROSE WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCT…

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THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A "SMART" KEY-LOCKING SYSTEM AS WELL AS A "SMART" IGNITION SYSTEM. THE KEY FOR THE CAR IS A WIRELESS FOB THAT WHEN AROUND THE VEHICLE WILL ALLOW THE CAR TO BE UNLOCKED AND STARTED. THE KEY WILL ALLOW THE CAR TO START, WHEN THE KEY IS DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ISSUE THAT AROSE WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONING PART, THE PART WAS AN: ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK. THE PART FAILED DURING A SPELL OF COLD DAYS THAT AFFECTED MY STATE. DURING THE FIRST FEW DAYS BEFORE THE PART ULTIMATELY MALFUNCTIONED THE CAR BEGAN SHOWING ERROR LIGHTS FOR MANY SYSTEMS. THE CAR INDICATED THAT DOORS WERE OPEN, THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WERE APPLIED (WHEN THEY CLEARLY WERE NOT), THE INTERIOR LIGHTS IN THE CAR WOULD RANDOMLY COME ON WHEN DRIVING (AS IF DOORS WERE OPENING) AND FINALLY THE INDICATED THAT THE SMART KEY SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE CAR ULTIMATELY FAILED ON A COLD NIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE CAR, BUT THAT WAS IT. THE CAR DID NOT RECOGNIZE MY KEY AND THE CAR WAS RENDERED USELESS. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON, OR EVEN SWITCH IT TO ANY STANDBY MODE. BECAUSE THE CAR DOESN'T HAVE A TRADITIONAL KEY YOU ARE UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND PUSH IT IN NEUTRAL. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, AND DEPENDING ON HOW THE TIRES WERE LOCKED INITIALLY DETERMINES THE ONLY DIRECTION THAT THE CAR WILL MOVE. WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THE ISSUE I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE ISSUED A "WARRANTY EXTENSION" ON THAT SPECIFIC PART ONLY. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THEY KNOW A PROBLEM EXISTS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT I WAS ALSO TOLD BY NISSAN THAT THE PART IS ON BACKORDER AND ON RESTRICTED RELEASE. THEY HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT THEY CANNOT KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND. THIS ISSUE IS VERY REAL AND DANGEROUS. PEOPLE WILL BE LEFT STRANDED IN THEIR CAR. UNLESS THE PART FAILS THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THE PART WILL GO WRONG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560272

68,000 miles · Jan 15, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

ATTEMPTED TO START CAR, AND RECEIVED "STEERING WHEEL LOCK" LIGHT - DESPITE TRYING WITH BOTH FOBS (IT WAS NOT A FAULTY FOB). AFTER HALF HOUR OF TRYING, STILL CAN NOT TURN CAR ON DUE TO LOCKED STEERING WHEEL. ENGINE WON'T TURN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL NOT TURN ON, AND CAR IS STUCK. HAVE YET TO CONTACT DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560032

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