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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

Engine complaints

107 reports
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62,000 miles · Jun 4, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE …

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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 ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10723433

128,000 miles · May 14, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. CAR WILL NOT TURN ON AT ALL. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO SLAM ME WITH A $1100 REPAIR BILL. CAR WAS BOUGHT IN FEB 2009, AND EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR SAID SPECIFIC PART ENDED FEB 2015.

NHTSA ODI #10716590

81,000 miles · Apr 4, 2015
Engine

I'M STRANDED. IT WON'T RECOGNIZE MY KEY. THE INTERNET TELLS ME THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY OTHERS AND THAT NISSAN IS UNRESPONSIVE. UNLESS YOU COUNT BEING WILLING TO TAKE $1000.00 PLUS TO TAKE CARE OF WHAT SEEMS TO BE A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703714

81,500 miles · Mar 25, 2015
Engine

I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS NOW, AND MY MILEAGE IS ABOUT 81500 KM. IT HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES, I HAD SLOWED DOWN TO ENTER A TURNING LANE, AND MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND EVERYTHING SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART TH…

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I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS NOW, AND MY MILEAGE IS ABOUT 81500 KM. IT HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES, I HAD SLOWED DOWN TO ENTER A TURNING LANE, AND MY CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND EVERYTHING SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER. THANK GOODNESS THERE WAS NO CAR BEHIND ME. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THEY TOLD ME THE CRANKSHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED. I READ ONLINE THAT THERE HAS BEEN THE SAME ISSUE IN MULTIPLE NISSAN ALTIMAS AND THAT THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS FOR IT. I ASKED NISSAN ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID MY CAR YEAR DOES NOT QUALIFY UNDER THE RECALL AND THAT IT WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. IT WILL COST ME ~$400 PLUS FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO GET IT REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT CANNOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE SAME PROBLEM FULLY DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL IS HAPPENING TO MY CAR AND MY CAR IS ALSO A NISSAN ALTIMA. THE RECALLS WERE SPECIFICALLY FOR 2002-2006 YEARS. MINE IS 2009. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM ONLINE WITH THEIR 2009 MODEL. SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING AND HAVING YOUR CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THEY SHOULD MAKE THIS AN OFFICIAL RECALL FOR THE 2009 MODEL AND GIVE EVERYONE A REFUND FOR THE COSTS THAT WE HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT NISSAN HAS WITH THEIR ALTIMAS. [FROM EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA]. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10701781

38,385 miles · Mar 10, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PUSH ROD INSIDE OF THE ENGINE CYLINDER FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PUSH ROD INSIDE OF THE ENGINE CYLINDER FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,385.

NHTSA ODI #10693378

83,000 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITH THE PUSH TO START BUTTON FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STARTER, THE FUEL LINE, AND THE STEERING COLUMN WERE REPLACED, BUT FAILED TO REPAIR THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITH THE PUSH TO START BUTTON FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STARTER, THE FUEL LINE, AND THE STEERING COLUMN WERE REPLACED, BUT FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10682088

104,000 miles · Feb 3, 2015
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROX…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #10680944

67,000 miles · Jan 28, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ UPDATED 10/19/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10679562

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

I DROVE MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S TO WORK ON 11/27 AND IT STARTED UP JUST FINE AS USUAL. HOWEVER, WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE WORK FOR THE DAY THE CAR DID NOT START. THE KEYLESS REMOTE WILL ALLOW ME TO LOCK AND UNLOCK MY CAR, BUT WHEN I GO TO START THE CAR, IT WILL NOT REGISTER MY KEYLESS REMOTE. AN ERROR CODE SHOWS THAT THE ELECTRONI…

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I DROVE MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S TO WORK ON 11/27 AND IT STARTED UP JUST FINE AS USUAL. HOWEVER, WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE WORK FOR THE DAY THE CAR DID NOT START. THE KEYLESS REMOTE WILL ALLOW ME TO LOCK AND UNLOCK MY CAR, BUT WHEN I GO TO START THE CAR, IT WILL NOT REGISTER MY KEYLESS REMOTE. AN ERROR CODE SHOWS THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) MECHANISM WAS MALFUNCTIONING. ALSO, THERE IS A YELLOW KEY ICON ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH THAT INTERMITTENTLY FLASHES NO KEY. THE IGNITION IS INDICATING THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED ALTHOUGH I CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE ARE OR WERE NO PRIOR WARNING THAT THE PART WAS ABOUT TO FAIL INCLUDING ANYLIGHTS ON THE DASH PANEL. I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AND WAS STRANDED FOR SOMETIME TRYING TO FIND A WAY HOME. MY CAR IS STILL SITTING IN THE GARAGE AS I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE REPAIRS AT THIS TIME. AFTER DOING FURTHER RESEARCH INTO THE ISSUE I HAVE COME TO SEE THAT MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM. A VERY DISTURBING FACTOR SINCE NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND FOR SOME CUSTOMERS HAS ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH EITHER ISSUING A RECALL OR REMOVING THE PART FROM THE LATER MANUFACTURED MODELS TO AVOID THIS FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. HOPEFULLY, MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL OUTSIDE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WINDOW AS NISSAN IS NOT ASSISTING WITH THE REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662919

44,000 miles · Oct 23, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

I WAS TRYING TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE SWITCH WHICH ALLOWS THE CAR TO KNOW YOU ARE PUSHING THE BRAKE DID NOT WORK (PUSH BUTTON IGNITION). I TRIED TO PUT MY KEY IN THE SLOT TO START THE CAR, BUT THE CAR DOES NOT START IF THE CAR DOES NOT SENSE THE BRAKE IS BEING PUSHED. THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD. GOOD THING I WAS NO…

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I WAS TRYING TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE SWITCH WHICH ALLOWS THE CAR TO KNOW YOU ARE PUSHING THE BRAKE DID NOT WORK (PUSH BUTTON IGNITION). I TRIED TO PUT MY KEY IN THE SLOT TO START THE CAR, BUT THE CAR DOES NOT START IF THE CAR DOES NOT SENSE THE BRAKE IS BEING PUSHED. THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD. GOOD THING I WAS NOT STRANDED SOMEWHERE. I CALLED NISSAN WITH NO HELP AT ALL. A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALED THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. THE PART NUMBER REPLACED IS INTERMOTOR SL2110. PLEASE RESPOND WITH YOUR INVESTIGATION ON THIS. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649521

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