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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.

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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

Structure complaints

90 reports
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50,000 miles · Feb 22, 2022
Structure

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dashboard had started to melt due to sunlight exposure. She also stated that a glare from the melted dashboard would reflect onto the windshield, obstructing her vision while driving. The contact stated that the failure had worsened over the years and that the me…

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The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dashboard had started to melt due to sunlight exposure. She also stated that a glare from the melted dashboard would reflect onto the windshield, obstructing her vision while driving. The contact stated that the failure had worsened over the years and that the melting had spread across the entire dashboard. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11453417

148,000 miles · Nov 8, 2021
Structure

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact noticed that the dashboard was melting, and sticky, and had an abnormal odor. In addition, there was a glare in the front windshield that caused visibility issues while driving. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the fail…

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The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact noticed that the dashboard was melting, and sticky, and had an abnormal odor. In addition, there was a glare in the front windshield that caused visibility issues while driving. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.

NHTSA ODI #11439668

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2020
StructureVisibility/wiper

DASHBOARD IS MELTING. STICKY AND SHINY IN HOT SUN CAUSING SEVERE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #11372830

130,000 miles · Jul 24, 2020
Structure

DOOR HANDLES ON CAR BREAK INTERNALLY PREVENTING DOOR FROM BEING UNLOCKED OR OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. DEALER HAS REPLACED TWO AT MY EXPENSE AND NOW THE OTHER TWO ARE BROKEN WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. NO ABUSE OR ACCIDENT INVOLVED THEY JUST ALLL OF THE SUDDEN STOP WORKING. CONCERN IS IN AN EMERGENCY (FIRE, ACCIDENT, ETC..) …

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DOOR HANDLES ON CAR BREAK INTERNALLY PREVENTING DOOR FROM BEING UNLOCKED OR OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. DEALER HAS REPLACED TWO AT MY EXPENSE AND NOW THE OTHER TWO ARE BROKEN WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. NO ABUSE OR ACCIDENT INVOLVED THEY JUST ALLL OF THE SUDDEN STOP WORKING. CONCERN IS IN AN EMERGENCY (FIRE, ACCIDENT, ETC..) PASSENGERS OR DRIVER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT CAR EASILY OR AT ALL IN A TIMELY BASIS, POSSIBLY CAUSING SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY LODGED A COMPLAINT BUT NOTHING MORE. I HAVE READ OF MULTIPLE INSTANCES ON THE INTERNET WITH NISSAN OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. FIX IS VERY EXPENSIVE WHEN DONE AT THE DEALER AND I BELIVE A RECALL/REIMBURSEMENT IS DUE.

NHTSA ODI #11341280

148,215 miles · Jun 24, 2020
Electrical SystemStructureSuspension

THE CAR SHAKES BADLY WHEN ON REVERSE AND I CAN SMELL A BURNT WIRE BUT HARD TO LOCATE WHERE IT'S COMING FROM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330538

145,000 miles · Mar 6, 2020
Structure

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS STARTED TO PRODUCE A VERY SHINNY AND STICKY SUBSTANCE. THIS SUBSTANCE IS CREATING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD OF MY CAR WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE STREET IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL METHODS TO REMOVE THIS SUBSTANCE WITHOUT SUCCESS. FROM WHAT I U…

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THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS STARTED TO PRODUCE A VERY SHINNY AND STICKY SUBSTANCE. THIS SUBSTANCE IS CREATING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD OF MY CAR WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE STREET IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL METHODS TO REMOVE THIS SUBSTANCE WITHOUT SUCCESS. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS IS DUE TO HEAT AND HUMIDITY BUT MY CAR IS ALWAYS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHEN I'M NOT OUT IN IT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT IN MY OPINION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2017 WHERE NISSAN AGREED TO PAY ALL BUT $250 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THESE DASHBOARDS. SEE GIBBS LAW GROUP ONLINE FOR DETAILS. HTTPS://WWW.CLASSLAWGROUP.COM/NISSAN-MELTING-DASHBOARD-LAWSUIT/ I WOULD THINK IF THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THESE DASHBOARDS THEY KNOW THIS IS A FLAW IN THEIR DASHBOARDS.

NHTSA ODI #11316618

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2019
EnginePower TrainStructure

NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT. HAD TO REPLACE ALL TIRE SENSORS, SPEED SENSORS, COILS, FRONT PASSENGER TIRE ROD, THE CTV TRANSMISSION, AND THE TRUNK LEAKS INTO THE TRUNK AND THE TAIL LIGHT'S. I HAVE REPAIRED ALL THESE THINGS OUT OF MY OWN POCKET.I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES, I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT,…

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NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT. HAD TO REPLACE ALL TIRE SENSORS, SPEED SENSORS, COILS, FRONT PASSENGER TIRE ROD, THE CTV TRANSMISSION, AND THE TRUNK LEAKS INTO THE TRUNK AND THE TAIL LIGHT'S. I HAVE REPAIRED ALL THESE THINGS OUT OF MY OWN POCKET.I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES, I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT, AND HAVE HAD THE CAR TOWED. THE DASH HAS BECOME STICKY AND EVERYTHING STICKS TO IT. IT PRODUCES A GLARE ON THE WONDOW WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO SEE.THE ENGINE EXPERIENCES LOSS OF POWER AND NO MECHANIC CAN PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT DRIVE IT MUCH SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED IT. THIS CAR SHOULD BE A LEMON OR RECALLED. THE PROBLEMS KEEP COMING.

NHTSA ODI #11266618

20 miles · Jul 27, 2019
EngineStructureVehicle Speed Control

IT WON'T START MOST OF THE TIME AND WHEN IT DOES IT'LL ONLY LET ME GET UP TO MAYBE 20MPH AND THAT'S IT

NHTSA ODI #11235322

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2019
Structure

"TAKATA RECALL" ON MAY 14, 2019, I SPOKE WITH A NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE REGARDING MY DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD THAT IS MELTING AND HAS BECOME SHINY AND STICKY WITH A GLARE. IT IS DANGEROUS AS THE SILK SURFACE OF MY DASH GLARES ONTO MY WINDSHIELD AND TOTALLY OBSTRUCTS MY VIEW. THE REPRESENTATIVE INSTRUCTED ME TO GO TO MY NISSAN DEALER…

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"TAKATA RECALL" ON MAY 14, 2019, I SPOKE WITH A NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE REGARDING MY DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD THAT IS MELTING AND HAS BECOME SHINY AND STICKY WITH A GLARE. IT IS DANGEROUS AS THE SILK SURFACE OF MY DASH GLARES ONTO MY WINDSHIELD AND TOTALLY OBSTRUCTS MY VIEW. THE REPRESENTATIVE INSTRUCTED ME TO GO TO MY NISSAN DEALER AND HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC DONE. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO GAVE ME A PIECE OF PAPER DESCRIBING THE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD AND THE COST OF REPLACING IT. ON MAY 20, 2019, I SPOKE WITH ANOTHER NISSAN REPRESENTATION, WHERE I EXPLAINED THAT I HAVE A PIECE OF PAPER FROM NISSAN STATING THE PROBLEM WITH MY DASHBOARD AND WHAT IT WILL COST TO FIX IT. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY WARRANTY COVERAGE HAD EXPIRED, THERE IS NOTHING NISSAN CAN DO ABOUT MY DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD. AS INDICATED ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE MAKE AND MODEL (NISSAN ALTIMA) CAR I HAVE AND THERE ARE SEVERAL ACCIDENTS THAT HAVE RESULTED FROM IT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT FLORIDA SUED NISSAN ON THIS SAME ISSUE AND WON. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT NISSAN ISN'T OWNING UP TO ITS RESPONSIBILITY ON THIS ISSUE AND IS MAKING ME RESORT TO SENDING THIS LETTER FOR A RESOLUTION. I'M ASKING THAT NISSAN REPLACE THE DASHBOARD AT NO CHARGE AS THIS IS A DEFECT THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO CORRECT. PLEASE CALL ME AND LET ME KNOW WHEN I SHOULD BRING MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #11235078

137,000 miles · Jul 22, 2019
Power TrainStructure

I AM EXPERIENCING TWO SEVERE SAFETY ISSUES WITH MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. 1. WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR, MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO GO THE SPEED LIMIT OR ACCELERATE. NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT, LOSES POWER AND GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE THE FA…

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I AM EXPERIENCING TWO SEVERE SAFETY ISSUES WITH MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. 1. WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR, MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO GO THE SPEED LIMIT OR ACCELERATE. NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT, LOSES POWER AND GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE THE FARTHER I DRIVE. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY FOR FEAR THAT SOMEONE WOULD HIT ME BECAUSE NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 40 MPH. 2. THE DASHBOARD IS LITERALLY MELTING CAUSING A BLINDING GLARE WHEN THE SUN (DURING THE DAY) OR OTHER HEADLIGHTS (DURING THE NIGHT OR RAIN) HIT IT...IT CREATES A BLINDING GLARE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES, THE TRANSMISSION AND DASH MAKE DRIVING EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS.

NHTSA ODI #11233801

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