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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

146 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 24, 2016
Unknown Or Other

I LIVE IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND PURCHASED A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA IN 2013. THE DASHBOARD HAS MELTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS BECOMING A PROBLEM. IT REFLECTS OFF THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSES A TERRIBLE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS A STICKY MESS. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER WITHIN A YEAR OF PURCHASE AND THEY STATED IT WAS OUT OF WARRAN…

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I LIVE IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND PURCHASED A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA IN 2013. THE DASHBOARD HAS MELTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS BECOMING A PROBLEM. IT REFLECTS OFF THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSES A TERRIBLE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS A STICKY MESS. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER WITHIN A YEAR OF PURCHASE AND THEY STATED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND I WOULD LIKE NISSAN TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS MESS. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE AND THEY REALLY NEED TO TAKE NOTICE. THIS IS POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND NOT GOOD FOR THEIR BRAND!

NHTSA ODI #10870645

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

I OWN A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 16, 2016 I ARRIVED HOME AT 10:30 I PARKED THE CAR IN MY DRIVE WAY TURNED THE CAR OFF AN WENT INSIDE MY HOUSE. I PREPARED MY DAD'S LUNCH AND WENT BACK INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR IT WOULD NO LONGER START THE A RED CAR LIGHT WITH KEY WAS BLINKING AND A ORANGE KEY AS WELL M…

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I OWN A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 16, 2016 I ARRIVED HOME AT 10:30 I PARKED THE CAR IN MY DRIVE WAY TURNED THE CAR OFF AN WENT INSIDE MY HOUSE. I PREPARED MY DAD'S LUNCH AND WENT BACK INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR IT WOULD NO LONGER START THE A RED CAR LIGHT WITH KEY WAS BLINKING AND A ORANGE KEY AS WELL MY WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN AND WON'T ROLL UP AND ITS BEEN RAINING PLEASE HELP I CALLED NISSAN THEY ASKED IF WITHOUT HURTING MYSELF COULD I JERK THE BRAKE AND START THE CAR THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AT NISSAN THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY PEOPLE

NHTSA ODI #10870213

75,000 miles · May 13, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE KEY FOB OR DOOR BUTTON ARE USED. I HAVE REPLACED 3 OUT OF THE FOUR DOOR LOCKS MULTIPLE TIMES WITH THE PROBLEM RECURRING. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE NEEDING TO EXIT THE CAR OR ENTER THE CAR QUICKLY. FURTHERMORE, ALL OF THE LOCKS HAVE LOCKED WHEN THE KEY FOB WAS LEFT IN THE CAR …

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THE LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE KEY FOB OR DOOR BUTTON ARE USED. I HAVE REPLACED 3 OUT OF THE FOUR DOOR LOCKS MULTIPLE TIMES WITH THE PROBLEM RECURRING. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE NEEDING TO EXIT THE CAR OR ENTER THE CAR QUICKLY. FURTHERMORE, ALL OF THE LOCKS HAVE LOCKED WHEN THE KEY FOB WAS LEFT IN THE CAR (LOCKING ME OUT). THE CAR IS NOT SUPPOSED TO LOCK WHEN THE FOB IS IN THE CAR. IN ADDITION, PRESSING THE LOCK AND UNLOCK BUTTON WILL ONLY UNLOCK 2 DOORS AT THIS TIME. THIS APPEARS TO HAVE HAPPENED TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE. I THINK A RECALL IS IN ORDER SO THE LOCKS WORK AS DESIGNED TO PREVENT SAFETY ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #10864711

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2016
SteeringUnknown Or Other

STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE- DISABLING THE CAR WHERE IT WILL NOT START. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. TO GET THE CAR FIXED IT'S GOING TO BE OVER 1000 DOLLARS.

NHTSA ODI #10855353

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE DASHBOARD ON THIS VEHICLE IS MELTING DUE TO WARM CLIMATE. WHEN DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUN THE GLOSS OF THE METING DASHBOARD REFLECTS THE SUN BACK UP INTO THE LOWER WINDSHIELD. THIS IS BLINDING TO THE DRIVER AND OBSCURES VISIBILITY THROUGH THE LOWER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THIS CONDITION EXIST. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL…

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THE DASHBOARD ON THIS VEHICLE IS MELTING DUE TO WARM CLIMATE. WHEN DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUN THE GLOSS OF THE METING DASHBOARD REFLECTS THE SUN BACK UP INTO THE LOWER WINDSHIELD. THIS IS BLINDING TO THE DRIVER AND OBSCURES VISIBILITY THROUGH THE LOWER PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THIS CONDITION EXIST. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED DUE TO THE UNSAFE CONDITION. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS IN THE LOCAL MEDIA OF THIS SAME CONDITION YET NISSAN REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. HOPEFULLY THERE WILL NOT HAVE TO BE A TRAFFIC FATALITY BEFORE THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS ADDRESSED AND A RECALL IS ISSUED.

NHTSA ODI #10854201

140,000 miles · Apr 5, 2016
SteeringUnknown Or Other

MY CAR STARTED FINE YESTERDAY I SAW THE KEY LIGHT CAME ON I ASSUMED IT WAS BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS LOW. I CHANGED THE BATTERY IN BOTH KEYS. THE NEXT DAY MY FIANCEE DROVE MY CAR TO WORK AN HOUR AWAY. IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL, THE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE STEERING IS NOT LOCKED BUT THE CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL AND IT CAN NOT SH…

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MY CAR STARTED FINE YESTERDAY I SAW THE KEY LIGHT CAME ON I ASSUMED IT WAS BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS LOW. I CHANGED THE BATTERY IN BOTH KEYS. THE NEXT DAY MY FIANCEE DROVE MY CAR TO WORK AN HOUR AWAY. IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL, THE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE STEERING IS NOT LOCKED BUT THE CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL AND IT CAN NOT SHIFT AT ALL. AFTER LOOKING IN THE MANUAL IT STATES THAT IT IS AN IDICATOR THAT THE STEERING LOCK HAS FAILED. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER CARS AND IT IS GOING TO COST 1200 TO FIX THIS. MY FIANCEE WAS STRANDED AN HOUR FROM HOME AND HIS CELL DIED, NOT TO MENTION HE WORKS NIGHTS AND GOT OFF AT 5AM AND COULD NOT FIND A RIDE OR A NEARBY PLACE TO CALL HOME LONG DISTANCE.

NHTSA ODI #10853494

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MELTING, CREATING A SHINY, STICKY SURFACE. THE SHINE FROM THE MELTED DASH REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING A GLARE THAT MAKES IT HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10850588

90,000 miles · Mar 15, 2016
Unknown Or Other

AS I STOPPED AT TOLLBOOTH AND STOP SIGN.CAR CUT OFF.IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP.AS LONG AS I WAS MOVING IT WOULD STAY ON.THEN SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED.IVE HEARD OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS.I JUST BOUGHT CAR LAST YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10849682

80,000 miles · Mar 7, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

YESTERDAY MORNING, THE CAR NO LONGER RECOGNIZED MY KEY FOB AND I WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE. UPON CONTACTING NISSAN, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS RELATED TO THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL LOCK ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND LOCATED IN MY HOME GARAGE. EVEN AFTER THIS ASSEMBLY IS REP…

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YESTERDAY MORNING, THE CAR NO LONGER RECOGNIZED MY KEY FOB AND I WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE. UPON CONTACTING NISSAN, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS RELATED TO THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL LOCK ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND LOCATED IN MY HOME GARAGE. EVEN AFTER THIS ASSEMBLY IS REPLACED, I WILL CONTINUE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. IF THE CAR WERE TO NO LONGER RECOGNIZE MY KEY FOB AGAIN, BUT WE ARE NO LONGER IN THE SAFETY OF OUR HOME, WE WOULD BE OPEN TO THE ELEMENTS. IT'S ALSO POSSIBLE THAT OUR MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR EMERGENCIES COULD BE UNAVAILABLE WHEN NEEDED.

NHTSA ODI #10840298

Mileage unknown · Feb 29, 2016
Unknown Or Other

MY CAR HAS HAD THE ABS AND THE TIRE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY - DOES NOT GO OFF AND COST A FORTUNE TO HAVE FIXED - ACCORDING THE TO MANUAL AFTER INFLATING THE TIRES IT STATES THE LIGHT MAY NOT GO OFF AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED AT YOUR EXPENSE. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS SINCE THESE LIGHTS ARE ON CONSTANTLY HAVE TO …

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MY CAR HAS HAD THE ABS AND THE TIRE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY - DOES NOT GO OFF AND COST A FORTUNE TO HAVE FIXED - ACCORDING THE TO MANUAL AFTER INFLATING THE TIRES IT STATES THE LIGHT MAY NOT GO OFF AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED AT YOUR EXPENSE. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS SINCE THESE LIGHTS ARE ON CONSTANTLY HAVE TO KEEP CHECKING MY TIRES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE PROPERLY INFLATED AND WITH THE ABS LIGHT ALL THE TIME YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN THERE IS AN ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES

NHTSA ODI #10839070

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