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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

Service Brakes complaints

32 reports
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82,820 miles · Oct 7, 2013
Electrical SystemService Brakes

WHEN I TRIED TO TURN ON MY 2009 ALTIMA WHICH IS 4 YEARS OLD AND PURCHASED BY ME NEW FROM THE DEALER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE STARTS BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE WHILE PUSHING THE START SWITCH. AFTER TRYING SEVERAL TIMES TO START THE CAR, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BRAKE S…

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WHEN I TRIED TO TURN ON MY 2009 ALTIMA WHICH IS 4 YEARS OLD AND PURCHASED BY ME NEW FROM THE DEALER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE STARTS BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE WHILE PUSHING THE START SWITCH. AFTER TRYING SEVERAL TIMES TO START THE CAR, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE. ACCORDING THE SERVICED REP AT NISSAN AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER, THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRING MORE AND MORE. THE CHARGE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WAS $526.81. PER THE INVOICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THE SUB-HARNESS, THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY, AND THE BAND HOSE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547106

60,000 miles · Sep 5, 2013
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

THE CAR FAILED TO START; I SEE LOTS OF COMPLAINS WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS IN PLACE AND SO DOES THE BRAKE AND THE CAR FAILS TO START. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TWICE ALREADY AND THE DEALER TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE KEY LESS SWITCH HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES AND I SEE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE KEY. AS I CAN SEE OTHERS ARE…

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THE CAR FAILED TO START; I SEE LOTS OF COMPLAINS WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS IN PLACE AND SO DOES THE BRAKE AND THE CAR FAILS TO START. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TWICE ALREADY AND THE DEALER TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE KEY LESS SWITCH HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES AND I SEE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE KEY. AS I CAN SEE OTHERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES OF THE CAR LOCKING IN PLACE AND THE PROBLEM IS MORE THAN JUST THE KEY PROBLEM.. THIS SHOULD BE DEFINITELY RECALLED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10541991

56,000 miles · May 22, 2013
Service Brakes

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE DASHBOARD BRAKE WARNING LIGHT IS TURNING ON. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY. I CHECKED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE FLUID LEVEL WAS IOW SO I ADDED DOT 4 BRAKE FLUID. THIS CAR IS REGULARLY SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES AND THE DEALER AT MOSSY NISSAN OCEANSIDE, CA, DID NOT MENTION THE ISS…

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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE DASHBOARD BRAKE WARNING LIGHT IS TURNING ON. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY. I CHECKED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE FLUID LEVEL WAS IOW SO I ADDED DOT 4 BRAKE FLUID. THIS CAR IS REGULARLY SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES AND THE DEALER AT MOSSY NISSAN OCEANSIDE, CA, DID NOT MENTION THE ISSUE AT 55000 MILES. I HAVE INFORMED THE DEALER VIA APPOINTMENT YESTERDAY, NO REPLY AS OF THIS MORNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513097

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

48,000 miles · Feb 27, 2013
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

HAD STOPPED TO GET BREAKFAST. LOCKED MY CAR AND UPON RETURNING UNLOCKED THE CAR AND TRIED TO START VEHICLE WITH NO SUCCESS. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM MY CAR. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED I THEN LEARNED THAT THE BRAKES WERE STIFF AND STEERING WHEEL DID NOT WANT TO TURN. WE HAD IT TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER. AFTER LEAVING IT THERE I DI…

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HAD STOPPED TO GET BREAKFAST. LOCKED MY CAR AND UPON RETURNING UNLOCKED THE CAR AND TRIED TO START VEHICLE WITH NO SUCCESS. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM MY CAR. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED I THEN LEARNED THAT THE BRAKES WERE STIFF AND STEERING WHEEL DID NOT WANT TO TURN. WE HAD IT TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER. AFTER LEAVING IT THERE I DID SOME INVESTIGATING ONLINE ABOUT POTENTIAL PROBLEMS. WAS SHOCKED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME PRESENTLY AND PAST. APPARENTLY, SEVERAL PEOPLE FOUND THEMSELVES IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS WITH GETTING NO HELP FROM NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. I HAD YET TO HEAR IF THIS WAS MY PROBLEM BUT WAS GIVEN THE SAD/EXPENSIVE NEWS A DAY LATER THAT INDEED I WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE GROWING NUMBER OF NISSAN OWNERS WHO WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FAULTY PART REPLACED. BUT THE FUN DIDN'T STOP THERE. THE PART IS ON BACKORDER (BECAUSE SO MANY ARE NEEDED) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AND THERE ARE RECALLS ON MY CAR THAT NO ONE BOTHERED TO TELL ME ABOUT. I CALLED NISSAN AND LEFT A MESSAGE WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WHO WAS GOING TO FORWARD MY CONCERN ONTO A REGIONAL CONCERN SPECIALIST. WHEN SHE CALLED ME BACK TWO DAYS LATER SHE INFORMED ME THAT IT IS NOT NISSANS JOB TO LET THEIR OWNERS/DRIVERS KNOW ABOUT RECALLS BUT THE DEALERS JOB. IN ADDITION, SHE'S PRETTY SURE THAT NO HELP WILL BE GIVEN TO REPLACE THE PART THAT WILL COST ME 700 DOLLARS. BUT SHE WOULD ASK AND CALL ME BACK THREE DAYS LATER. SHE IS SUPPOSED TO CALL ME TOMORROW WITH THE ANSWER. SHOCKED IS THE ONLY WORD THAT COMES TO MIND ABOUT MY SITUATION. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS PART HAS CAUSED SO MANY PEOPLE SO MANY PROBLEMS BUT IT IS NOT ON A RECALL LIST SOMEWHERE. IS THERE NOTHING TO BE DONE FOR IT? EVEN THE SERVICE TECH AT THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL. MY CAR WAS PARKED WHEN IT QUIT RESPONDING BUT SOMEONE COULD BE DRIVING. HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500711

50,000 miles · Feb 17, 2013
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

THE KEY WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH; REPLACED BATTERIES IN BOTH OF THE KEYS AND THE WARNING LIGHT DISAPPEARED. ONE WEEK LATER, WITH NO ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS OR WARNING, I PARKED THE CAR TO GO TO A DOCTOR APPOINTMENT AND WHEN I RETURNED LESS THAN 1 HOUR LATER, I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE CAR, BUT THE BRAKE WOULD NOT DEPRESS,…

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THE KEY WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH; REPLACED BATTERIES IN BOTH OF THE KEYS AND THE WARNING LIGHT DISAPPEARED. ONE WEEK LATER, WITH NO ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS OR WARNING, I PARKED THE CAR TO GO TO A DOCTOR APPOINTMENT AND WHEN I RETURNED LESS THAN 1 HOUR LATER, I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE CAR, BUT THE BRAKE WOULD NOT DEPRESS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT LOCK, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. CAR WILL NOT GO INTO ACCESSORY MODE EITHER NOR DOES THE OTHER KEY START THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498434

7,500 miles · Feb 17, 2013
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. SOME LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID WITH NO APPARENT LEAKS. SUSPECT MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING INTO VACUUM BOOSTER, JUST AS MANY OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW, AND I DON'T WANT TO BUY ANOTHER MASTER CYLINDER OUT-OF-POCKET FROM NISSAN SINCE I HAVE READ O…

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BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. SOME LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID WITH NO APPARENT LEAKS. SUSPECT MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING INTO VACUUM BOOSTER, JUST AS MANY OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW, AND I DON'T WANT TO BUY ANOTHER MASTER CYLINDER OUT-OF-POCKET FROM NISSAN SINCE I HAVE READ ON THE NET WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD REPLACEMENT UNIT FAILURES (SUCH AS NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11020). WHAT AM I TO DO? NISSAN SHOULD PAY FOR A PERMANENT REPAIR FOR THIS OBVIOUS PRODUCT DEFECT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498426

26,000 miles · Feb 8, 2013
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

ON A REGULAR DAY, I DROVE MY CAR TO WORK IN THE MORNING. AND IT WAS PARKED AT MY WORKPLACE PARKING LOT (LUCKILY). IN THE EVENING, MY KEYLESS ENTRY GOT ME INSIDE THE CAR. BUT THE BRAKES WOULDN'T ENGAGE AND OFCOURSE, THE PUSH BUTTON WOULDN'T START THE CAR. THERE IS AN AMBER LIGHT WITH A KEY SIGN INSIDE IT FLASHING ON MY DASH SCRE…

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ON A REGULAR DAY, I DROVE MY CAR TO WORK IN THE MORNING. AND IT WAS PARKED AT MY WORKPLACE PARKING LOT (LUCKILY). IN THE EVENING, MY KEYLESS ENTRY GOT ME INSIDE THE CAR. BUT THE BRAKES WOULDN'T ENGAGE AND OFCOURSE, THE PUSH BUTTON WOULDN'T START THE CAR. THERE IS AN AMBER LIGHT WITH A KEY SIGN INSIDE IT FLASHING ON MY DASH SCREEN. LIGHTS WOULD TURN ON SO I WAS CONVINCED IT MUST NOT BE THE BATTERY. WHEN I LOOKED IT UP IN THE CAR MANUAL, IT'S SUPPOSEDLY AN INTELLIGENT KEY SIGN. SINCE IT WAS AROUND 7:30PM, I COULDN'T GET IT TOWED IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER WORKSHOP SINCE THEY WERE CLOSED. THE NEXT MORNING, I GOT IT TOWED AND THE DEALER WORKSHOP DIAGNOSED IT AS "STEERING WHEEL LOCK UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED" AND IT WOULD COST A WHOPPING $850 (NOT INCLUDING TOWING). NOT JUST THAT, THE PART IS BACK-ORDERED! SO MY CAR IS IN THE WORKSHOP INDEFINITELY AS OF NOW! I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED DEALER JUST SIX MONTHS AGO AND I HAVE THE SEVEN YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY ON IT TOO. THE WORKSHOP SAID THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING MY WARRANTY CAN COVER! MY CURRENT MILEAGE IS 26000. AND NISSAN IS SUPPOSED TO BE RELIABLE? THIS PROBLEM IS NOT SOMETHING I HAVE BROUGHT TO MY CAR AND WHEN I RESEARCHED IT ON THIS VERY WEBSITE, HUNDREDS OF OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA USERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND I TRULY HOPE NISSAN ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM ASAP AND REIMBURSE OUR HARD EARNED MONEY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496818

73,800 miles · Feb 8, 2013
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

I PARKED THE CAR AND LOCKED IT WITH INTELLIGENT KEY. CAME BACK, WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE CAR WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS, USED THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. WHILE INSIDE, THE DASHBOARD HAD TWO WARNING LIGHTS ON: KEY LIGHT(YELLOW) TO THE FAR LEFT CORNER AND FLASHING SECURITY LIGHT(RED) TO THE FAR RIGHT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IGNITION BUT…

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I PARKED THE CAR AND LOCKED IT WITH INTELLIGENT KEY. CAME BACK, WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE CAR WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS, USED THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. WHILE INSIDE, THE DASHBOARD HAD TWO WARNING LIGHTS ON: KEY LIGHT(YELLOW) TO THE FAR LEFT CORNER AND FLASHING SECURITY LIGHT(RED) TO THE FAR RIGHT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IGNITION BUTTON IS ON LOCK AND THE STEERING IS STIFF UNABLE TO TURN. ENGINE SEEMS TO BE LOCKED, NO OTHER LIGHTS ARE ON. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING BY THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND NOTHING WORKS. I CALLED THE DEALERS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND QUOTED ME $600 TO FIX THE PROBLEM, PARTS WILL TAKE A COUPLE OF DAYS, NO GUARANTEE PROBLEM WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. FOR A RECENT BOUGHT VEHICLE, THERE ARE MANY ISSUES WITH THE CAR'S INTELLIGENT KEY AND IN THIS CASE I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. TOWING CHARGES AND EVERYTHING WILL MAKE AMOUNT CLOSE TO $1000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496805

102,000 miles · Jan 20, 2013
Service BrakesSteering

MY DAUGHTER STOPPED TO FILL UP WITH FUEL AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO START THE CAR THE BRAKE AND STEERING WHEEL REMAINED LOCKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493577

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