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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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24,300 miles · May 17, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

NISSAN NORTH AMERICA HAS SENT ME A LETTER INFORMING ME THAT OUR VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) UNIT THAT LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF TO HELP PREVENT THEFT. ON SOME VEHICLES, DUE TO A (MANUFACTURING IRREGULARITY) THAT HAS SINCE BEEN CORRECTE…

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NISSAN NORTH AMERICA HAS SENT ME A LETTER INFORMING ME THAT OUR VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) UNIT THAT LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF TO HELP PREVENT THEFT. ON SOME VEHICLES, DUE TO A (MANUFACTURING IRREGULARITY) THAT HAS SINCE BEEN CORRECTED, THE ESCL MAY MALFUNCTION AFTER THE VEHICLE IS LOCKED AND COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM STARTING. THE ONLY THING THAT THEY ARE WILLING TO DO IS THEY ARE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FROM 3 YEARS/ 36,000 TO 6 YEARS UNLIMITED MILES. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHICH VEHICLES HAS THIS DEFECTIVE ESCL. MY ARGUMENT IS THAT WHAT IF MYSELF OR BOTH OF US ARE ON A TRIP AND WHETHER WE ARE ONE MILE OR 500 FROM OUT HOME WE ARE STRANDED THIS COULD BECOME A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR US OR IF WE HAVE SOLD THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER PARTY OUT IN NO WHERE. WE DO NOT OWN A SELL PHONE. SINCE THEY CANNOT TELL US IF OUR VEHICLE IS ONE THAT MIGHT HAVE THE DEFECTIVE ESCL THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE CURRENT ESCL IN OUR NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512572

90,000 miles · May 10, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGED ERRONEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGED ERRONEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511451

40,100 miles · Apr 29, 2013
Electrical System

MY VEHICLE WAS STARTING AND DRIVING APPROPRIATELY ALL DAY UNTIL AROUND 5PM ON APRIL 24 2013, WHEN I ENTERED MY VEHICLE TO DRIVE IT WAS NOT RESPONSIVE. IT DID CYCLE FROM ACC TO ON BUT WOULD NOT START. ALL ELECTRICAL WAS WORKING WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OF ANY KIND BEING DISPLAYED. I PURCHASED NEW BATTERIES AND REPLACED THEM IN BOTH…

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MY VEHICLE WAS STARTING AND DRIVING APPROPRIATELY ALL DAY UNTIL AROUND 5PM ON APRIL 24 2013, WHEN I ENTERED MY VEHICLE TO DRIVE IT WAS NOT RESPONSIVE. IT DID CYCLE FROM ACC TO ON BUT WOULD NOT START. ALL ELECTRICAL WAS WORKING WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OF ANY KIND BEING DISPLAYED. I PURCHASED NEW BATTERIES AND REPLACED THEM IN BOTH OF THE KEY REMOTES, THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS OF STARTING MY VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509865

46,711 miles · Apr 24, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

AFTER ARRIVING HOME, I PARKED MY CAR AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RE-ENTER MY CAR APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR LATER, I PRESSED THE BRAKE AND PUSHED THE START BUTTON AS I HAVE DONE SINCE PURCHASING MY CAR APPROX. 4 MONTHS AGO. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE PUSH BRAKE SIGN WAS STILL ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD…

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AFTER ARRIVING HOME, I PARKED MY CAR AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RE-ENTER MY CAR APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR LATER, I PRESSED THE BRAKE AND PUSHED THE START BUTTON AS I HAVE DONE SINCE PURCHASING MY CAR APPROX. 4 MONTHS AGO. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE PUSH BRAKE SIGN WAS STILL ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. THE BRAKE WAS VERY HARD. I LEFT THE CAR ALONE AND SAID I WOULD TRY AGAIN IN THE MORNING. I WENT TO MY VEHICLE AT ABOUT 8:30AM IN THE MORNING AND PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FINALLY STARTED ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE TO BE A FAULTY BREAK SWITCH. SINCE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY (36 MONTHS/ 36000 MILES) I HAD TO PAY $173.00 TO FIX THIS ISSUE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE IF I HAD NOT COMPLAINED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS CHARGING 2 HOURS LABOR AND DIAGNOSIS FOR A 1 HOUR JOB. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. NISSAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN A REMOTE LOCATION OR OVERNIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509421

93,000 miles · Apr 23, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INTELLIGENT KEY WAS LOCKED AND IT WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INTELLIGENT KEY WAS LOCKED AND IT WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509239

105,000 miles · Apr 22, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS HE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUES. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE PUSH-BUTTON START BUT THE ENGINE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER FOR THE CONTACT TO COAST TO A SAFE LOC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS HE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR PERSONAL HEALTH ISSUES. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE PUSH-BUTTON START BUT THE ENGINE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER FOR THE CONTACT TO COAST TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR SERVICE UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE WARRANTY EXTENSION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #10509145

94,430 miles · Apr 10, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL LOCK MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC HAD TO PULL THE FUEL PUMP FUSE TO STOP THE ENGINE. DANGEROUS. COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE AFTER SHUT DOWN. NEARLY $1000.00 IN REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505750

84,000 miles · Apr 8, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ENGAGED THE AUTOMATIC PUSH-TO-START BUTTON HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING KEY LOCK WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ENGAGED THE AUTOMATIC PUSH-TO-START BUTTON HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING KEY LOCK WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10507499

71,000 miles · Mar 26, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

INCLUDE MY 2009 ALTIMA 2.5SL TO THE GROWING LIST OF STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL SHORT PROBLEMS. I TOO HAD JUST TURNED OFF THE CAR AND 20 MINUTES LATER RETURNED TO FIND IT WOULD NOT START. BRAKE FELT DEPRESSED WHEN I FIRST PUT MY FOOT ON IT. PUSHED THE BUTTON AND NOTHING HAPPENED. TRIED THE KEY IN THE DASH SLOT, AND NOTHING. CALLE…

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INCLUDE MY 2009 ALTIMA 2.5SL TO THE GROWING LIST OF STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL SHORT PROBLEMS. I TOO HAD JUST TURNED OFF THE CAR AND 20 MINUTES LATER RETURNED TO FIND IT WOULD NOT START. BRAKE FELT DEPRESSED WHEN I FIRST PUT MY FOOT ON IT. PUSHED THE BUTTON AND NOTHING HAPPENED. TRIED THE KEY IN THE DASH SLOT, AND NOTHING. CALLED DEALER, HE TOLD ME TO TRY AND JUMP START WITH CABLES AND THAT DIDN'T WORK. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER. WAS TOLD IT WAS THE VERY COMMON ELECTRICAL STEERING COLUMN SHORT, AND THE FIX WAS 1100.00. LUCKILY I HAD PURCHASED A SERVICE CONTRACT WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2011. PAID DEDUCTIBLE OF 100.00. THIS ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE A NISSAN RECALL. DEALER TOLD ME THE PROBLEM IS ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE 370Z, BUT HAD NOT MADE IT YET FOR ALTIMA. I DID SEE THROUGH RESEARCH AND A FRIEND WHO WORKS FOR NISSAN, THAT THEY CHANGED THAT WIRING IN THE MODEL YEARS THAT FOLLOWED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504585

36,000 miles · Mar 25, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC KEY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE PUSH TO START BUTTON FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 5/7/13 *CN UPDATED 05/22/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10504356

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