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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

Power Train complaints

95 reports
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169,000 miles · Feb 9, 2017
Power TrainSteering

THE STEERING COLUMN RECALL WAS REPAIRED, BUT WARRANTY WAS OFF. HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STOPPED AND RECALL ON IT WAS OFF. AUTOMOBILE WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT SLOWED TO A CRAWL ON THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI #10953696

60,000 miles · Jan 28, 2017
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM: THE ALTIMA'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DOWN SHIFT AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR AN EXTENDED TIME (>1.5 HOURS). THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME MULTIPLE TIMES DRIVING ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY ON LONG ROAD TRIPS. THE ALTIMA IS IN OVERDRIVE, TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. THEN ONCE I AM DRIV…

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM: THE ALTIMA'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DOWN SHIFT AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR AN EXTENDED TIME (>1.5 HOURS). THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME MULTIPLE TIMES DRIVING ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY ON LONG ROAD TRIPS. THE ALTIMA IS IN OVERDRIVE, TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. THEN ONCE I AM DRIVING UP A FAIRLY STEEP HILL THE CAR WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT TO ACCOUNT FOR THE INCLINE. THE CAR SLOWS DOWN FROM 65 MPH TO LOW SPEEDS (E.G. 40 MPH) AND THE ENGINE WILL NOT GO ABOVE 2000 RPM. THE CAR DOES NOT COME OUT OF OVERDRIVE (6TH GEAR). ATTEMPTS AT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR ALL THE WAY DOWN OR MANUALLY SHIFTING TO A LOWER GEAR HAS NO EFFECT. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR TO SHIFT NORMALLY AGAIN ONCE THIS HAPPENS IS TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT. THIS PROBABLY INDICATES A REBOOT ON THE TRANSMISSION'S COMPUTER IS NEEDED. NISSAN HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR A FEW TIMES AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS IT CAN LEAD TO A REAR END ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10948135

69,527 miles · Jan 25, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

AS I WAS LEAVING WORK ON FRIDAY NIGHT AT ABOUT 11:35PM WHEN I GOT TO MY CAR, I FOUND MYSELF STUCK IN A PARKING LOT TRYING TO TURN ON MY IGNITION. THE CAR DIDN'T GIVE ME NO WARNING AS THE DASHBOARD GAVE ME A SYMBOL OF THE WORD "KEY" DISPLAY WITH A KEY BELOW IT. I WOULD PUSH THE BRAKE AND THE START BUTTON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MAK…

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AS I WAS LEAVING WORK ON FRIDAY NIGHT AT ABOUT 11:35PM WHEN I GOT TO MY CAR, I FOUND MYSELF STUCK IN A PARKING LOT TRYING TO TURN ON MY IGNITION. THE CAR DIDN'T GIVE ME NO WARNING AS THE DASHBOARD GAVE ME A SYMBOL OF THE WORD "KEY" DISPLAY WITH A KEY BELOW IT. I WOULD PUSH THE BRAKE AND THE START BUTTON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MAKE A SOUND. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE IN ORDER TO REMOVE IT FROM THE PARKING LOT. AS I WAS GOING THROUGH THE MANUAL I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS THE STEERING IGNITION LOCK THAT WAS CAUSING THIS ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION. I'M A 24 YEAR OLD PREGNANT WOMAN AND THIS IS REALLY UNSAFE. I WAS READING ONLINE AND IT SAID THAT NISSAN GAVE A 6 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE DEALER WHILE I WAS PAYING IT OFF AND NOW THAT THE ISSUE HAS POPPED OUT BEING 2017 THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED IN 2015 AND IT WILL COST ME $1,200 TO FIX THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10947498

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2017
Electrical SystemPower Train

I WAS AT A GAS STATION IN A UNSAFE AREA (HIGH CRIME) AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP. MY CAR WENT INTO "LOCK MODE", AFTER RESEARCH THE STEERING LOCK CAN MALFUNCTION ON THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. LOOKS LIKE THE WARRANTY USED TO BE 8 YEARS AND IT WAS CHANGED TO 6 YEARS. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE 8TH YEAR FOR ME. I WAS TERRIFIED BEI…

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I WAS AT A GAS STATION IN A UNSAFE AREA (HIGH CRIME) AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP. MY CAR WENT INTO "LOCK MODE", AFTER RESEARCH THE STEERING LOCK CAN MALFUNCTION ON THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. LOOKS LIKE THE WARRANTY USED TO BE 8 YEARS AND IT WAS CHANGED TO 6 YEARS. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE 8TH YEAR FOR ME. I WAS TERRIFIED BEING STUCK WITH NO RIDE. IT TOOK ME AN HOUR TO FIND SOMEONE TO PICK ME UP. I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR OVERNIGHT. IF THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WHY WAS THE WARRANTY SHORTENED? OR WHY IS THERE NOT A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON THIS PART? BEING STRANDED FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS THE MANUFACTURERS FAULT IS UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE SCARED IN MY LIFE THAN I WAS LAST NIGHT. I SAT IN MY CAR WAITING FOR A TOW. I AM A FEMALE AND I HAD MULTIPLE MEN APPROACH MY CAR. TERRIFIED. UNSAFE. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MUCH WORSE BUT IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10945904

124,000 miles · Oct 29, 2016
Electrical SystemPower Train

PARKED IN GARAGE, WOULDN'T START, STEERING LOCK SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING SO THE ENGINE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE PUSH BUTTON START, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO AUTO MECHANIC TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED FOR $1,000 PLUS TOWING! NISSAN STOPPED USING THIS PART IN 2010 SO THEY MUST KNOW IT WAS A BAD PART. I COULD HAVE BEEN ANYWHERE WHEN THIS HAPP…

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PARKED IN GARAGE, WOULDN'T START, STEERING LOCK SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING SO THE ENGINE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE PUSH BUTTON START, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO AUTO MECHANIC TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED FOR $1,000 PLUS TOWING! NISSAN STOPPED USING THIS PART IN 2010 SO THEY MUST KNOW IT WAS A BAD PART. I COULD HAVE BEEN ANYWHERE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND BEEN STRANDED.

NHTSA ODI #10919962

75,000 miles · Sep 30, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AND THE SPEED WOULD REDUCE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AND THE SPEED WOULD REDUCE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10910819

210,000 miles · Aug 5, 2016
EnginePower TrainService BrakesCrash

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA VIN NUMBER [XXX] HAS MANY SAFETY ISSUES THAT ARE NOT BEING REPORTED WITH MY VIN NUMBER. THE STRUTS, STEERING LOCK BOX{WHICH I PAID 900.00 TO REPAIR], ABS SPEED CONTROL SENSOR,ENGINE OIL COOLANT AND MOST OF ALL THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAVE WENT OUT ON MY CAR AND NISSAN WILL NOT HELP ME REPAIR. SO I AM FORCED TO…

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MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA VIN NUMBER [XXX] HAS MANY SAFETY ISSUES THAT ARE NOT BEING REPORTED WITH MY VIN NUMBER. THE STRUTS, STEERING LOCK BOX{WHICH I PAID 900.00 TO REPAIR], ABS SPEED CONTROL SENSOR,ENGINE OIL COOLANT AND MOST OF ALL THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAVE WENT OUT ON MY CAR AND NISSAN WILL NOT HELP ME REPAIR. SO I AM FORCED TO ATTEMPT THIS LAST TRY BEFORE JOINING A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 2 YEARS AND NOW I AM OUT 9000.00 AND THE REPAIRS ARE MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO GIVE DETAIL ABOUT ALL THE EVENTS SO I PRAY SOMEONE AT NISSAN IS DECENT ENOUGH TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND MAKE THIS RIGHT I AM A SINGLE MOM OF THREE AND RIDE LESS . I HAVE CONTACTED ATT. GENERAL [XXX] AND BBB. MY CAR IS AT [XXX] MY NUMBER IS [XXX] MY NAME IS [XXX] I HAVE OPENED 5 CASES AND BEEN DENIED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10893349

130,000 miles · Jul 31, 2016
EnginePower Train

FIRST PROBLEM IS STATIONARY WHILE PARKED. CAR WAS BUMPED BY ANOTHER WHILE PARKED AND STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WITHOUT BEING BUMPED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. HAD TO TOW TO GARAGE TO UNLOCK. HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW. EXPENSIVE TO FIX . SECOND PROBLEM IS WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAYS. ON HOT DAY, DURING LONGER TRIPS WHERE…

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FIRST PROBLEM IS STATIONARY WHILE PARKED. CAR WAS BUMPED BY ANOTHER WHILE PARKED AND STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WITHOUT BEING BUMPED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. HAD TO TOW TO GARAGE TO UNLOCK. HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW. EXPENSIVE TO FIX . SECOND PROBLEM IS WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAYS. ON HOT DAY, DURING LONGER TRIPS WHERE UPHILL CLIMBING IS PRESENT, THE ENGINE STARTS TO LOSE POWER GOING UP HILL AND MANUAL STATES IT IS A BUILT IN SAFETY FEATURE TO PROTECT ENGINE HOWEVER THIS IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN FOR A WHILE BEFORE DRIVING AGAIN. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY 3 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10891865

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2016
Power Train

DROVE 40 MILES TO A SHOPPING CENTER ONE EVENING. RETURNING TO CAR A SIGNAL ON DASHBOARD RELAYED THAT MY CAR DID NOT RECOGNIZE MY CAR KEY. CAR WOULD NOT START. NO WAY TO BYPASS THE PUSH BUTTON START. DUE TO THE LATENESS OF THE HOUR AND THE FACT WE WERE FLYING OVERSEAS THE NEXT DAY, I HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME. MANUAL SA…

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DROVE 40 MILES TO A SHOPPING CENTER ONE EVENING. RETURNING TO CAR A SIGNAL ON DASHBOARD RELAYED THAT MY CAR DID NOT RECOGNIZE MY CAR KEY. CAR WOULD NOT START. NO WAY TO BYPASS THE PUSH BUTTON START. DUE TO THE LATENESS OF THE HOUR AND THE FACT WE WERE FLYING OVERSEAS THE NEXT DAY, I HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME. MANUAL SAID IF CAR STARTED I COULD DRIVE IT HOME BUT NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR A SAFETY CHECK. UPON GOOGLING THIS PROBLEM I FOUND MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSANS, THUS PEOPLE NEEDING HIS SERVICES. SEEMS THAT WE REALLY SHOULD BE CALLING TOW DRIVERS TO SEE WHICH VEHICLES ARE THE LEAST TOWED.

NHTSA ODI #10875682

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2016
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

STEERING LOCK 48700-9N00B WENT OUT NO WARRANTY NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID. WE DID NOT GET ANY INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE. ALL THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IS GIVING US THE RUNAROUND SAID WE COULD BRING IT IN AND IT WOULD COST US $1K DOLLARS AFTER PARTS AND LABOR. THIS IS THERE ISSUE DON'T SEE HOW THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. TH…

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STEERING LOCK 48700-9N00B WENT OUT NO WARRANTY NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID. WE DID NOT GET ANY INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE. ALL THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IS GIVING US THE RUNAROUND SAID WE COULD BRING IT IN AND IT WOULD COST US $1K DOLLARS AFTER PARTS AND LABOR. THIS IS THERE ISSUE DON'T SEE HOW THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. THEY SAID THERE WAS A WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THE NOISE WHILE WE DRIVE DON'T KNOW IF I WILL EVER BUY AN NISSAN AGAIN AFTER NOT RECEIVING ANY INFORMATION ON RECALLS.

NHTSA ODI #10872074

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