"STEERING LOCK" WHICH CAUSES ME TO BE UNABLE TO START THEIR VEHICLES. THIS DEFECT HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT CAUSE.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
1,547 reportsWITHOUT WARNING OUR NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 WOULD NOT START. UPON MY RESEARCH I FIGURED OUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM WHICH IS PART OF THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IS FAULTY. THE TEMPORARY FIX IS TO BANG ON THE MECHANISM WITH A WRENCH UNTIL THE CAR STARTS.
TAKATA RECALL . NISSAN ALTIMA WHILE PARKED AT A GAS STATION, THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED. KEY FOB WAS STILL WORKING AND COULD OPEN AND LOCK THE CAR BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED THE KEY ALERT. I TRIED PUTTING THE KEY IN THE SLOT WHILE DOOR WAS OPEN, NOTHING HAPPENED. CAME TO FIND OUT IT' A DEFECTI…
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TAKATA RECALL . NISSAN ALTIMA WHILE PARKED AT A GAS STATION, THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED. KEY FOB WAS STILL WORKING AND COULD OPEN AND LOCK THE CAR BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED THE KEY ALERT. I TRIED PUTTING THE KEY IN THE SLOT WHILE DOOR WAS OPEN, NOTHING HAPPENED. CAME TO FIND OUT IT' A DEFECTIVE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCK. REPLACED IT BUT SCARED TO DRIVE IT AS IT IS STILL SHOWING THE KEY ALERT AND MIGHT LEAVE ME STRANDED LIKE IT DID THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES AN HOUR AWAY FROM HOME. A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PART THAT NISSAN IS NOT COVERING FOR ALL 09 ALTIMAS. THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AND NISSAN WANTS UP TO 1200$ TO REPLACE IT. EXPENSIVE COST FOR AN OLDER CAR AND FOR THE FACT THAT IT'S NISSAN'S FAULT FOR SELLING A CAR WITH A DEFECTIVE PART.
STEERING LOCK MODULE KEEPS LOCK AND I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR
THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A DEFECTIVE "STEERING LOCK" WHICH CAUSES OWNERS TO BE UNABLE TO START THEIR VEHICLES. THIS DEFECT CAN AFFECT OWNERS OF THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT CAUSE. WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE IS TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE FAULTY …
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THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A DEFECTIVE "STEERING LOCK" WHICH CAUSES OWNERS TO BE UNABLE TO START THEIR VEHICLES. THIS DEFECT CAN AFFECT OWNERS OF THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT CAUSE. WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE IS TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE FAULTY STEERING LOCK REPLACED. THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED AT ALL. THUS, OWNERS OF THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA CONTINUOUSLY FIND THEMSELVES STUCK IN VERY INCONVENIANT CIRCUMSTANCES WITH NO ABILITY TO DRIVE THEIR CAR. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR DRIVERS WHO ARE IN REMOTE OR DANGEROUS AREAS. THIS SAME OCCURANCE HAPPEN TO FOLLOW ME THIS WEEK WHEN AT WORK. MY CAR WOULD NOT START AND AFTER SWAPPING REMOTE KEYS PLUS LOOKING AT ONLINE FORUMS, I REALIZED THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS YEAR/MAKE/MODEL. THE STREERING LOCK WAS SWAPPED IN 2010 BY NISSAN. HOPEFULLY THIS CAN HELP A LARGE GROUP BECAUSE I'M ABOUT TO SPEND MONEY ON REPARIING MY VEHICLE AND THIS COULD COST APPROX MORE THAN 500.00 IN PARTS ALONE. MY CAR IS STILL NOT STARTING AFTER 4 DAYS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN IT ON.
ON DECEMBER 2, 2013 STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND CAR WOULDN'T START IT WAS STATIONARY. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT AN INTERNAL FAILURE WAS FOUND IN THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT AND REPROGRAMMED KEYS NO CHARGE DUE TO A RECALL AND UNDER WARRANTY. 5 YEARS LATER, NOV 30,…
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ON DECEMBER 2, 2013 STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND CAR WOULDN'T START IT WAS STATIONARY. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT AN INTERNAL FAILURE WAS FOUND IN THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT AND REPROGRAMMED KEYS NO CHARGE DUE TO A RECALL AND UNDER WARRANTY. 5 YEARS LATER, NOV 30, 2018 STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AGAIN AND CAR WOULDN'T START ALSO STATIONARY, AGAIN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS BATTERY ISSUES, ONCE BATTERY WAS REPLACED I WAS THEN TOLD THAT IT WAS SAME SITUATION AS BEFORE(STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT) AND I WOULD BE CHARGED FOR REPAIR. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REVIEWED FOR AN EXTENDED RECALL IN THE STEERING SYSTEM BECAUSE THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS AND CAUSE VEHICLE TO SOMEDAY SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC AT A LIGHT OR ON THE ROAD CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT IF IT WAS REPLACED DUE TO RECALL, THEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. ALSO DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE CHARGED FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS ORIGINALLY REPAIRED AND TO HAPPEN AGAIN A FEW YEARS LATER. CALLED NISSAN MANUFACTURER OFFICE ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2018 AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I FEEL THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE STEERING SYSTEM FOR MY MAKE/MODEL VEHICLE. I HAVE A COPY OF MY INVOICE REPAIRS AND WILL SUBMIT IF NEEDED.
NISSAN WEBSITE AT HTTPS://NISSANASSIST.WPENGINE.COM/CAMPAIGNS/ELECTRONIC-STEERING-COLUMN-LOCK-ESCL-SERVICE-CAMPAIGN/ STATED THAT NISSAN IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN ON SPECIFIC MY2009-10 NISSAN ALTIMA, ALTIMA COUPE, ALTIMA HYBRID, AND MAXIMA VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) WI…
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NISSAN WEBSITE AT HTTPS://NISSANASSIST.WPENGINE.COM/CAMPAIGNS/ELECTRONIC-STEERING-COLUMN-LOCK-ESCL-SERVICE-CAMPAIGN/ STATED THAT NISSAN IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN ON SPECIFIC MY2009-10 NISSAN ALTIMA, ALTIMA COUPE, ALTIMA HYBRID, AND MAXIMA VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) WITH AN ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN BOX (ESCB). MY 2009 ALTIMA IS HAVING PROBLEM WITH THIS DEFECTIVE ESCL THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM OF LOCKING UP THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAN'T START AFTER PARKED. THE NISSAN DEALERS IN CERRITOS AND SIGNAL HILL CALIFORNIA WILL CHARGE ME TO FIX IT FOR MORE $1220 BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT ON A RECALL LIST. I TOLD THE DEALERS THAT IT IS NOT A RECALL AS IT STATED ON THE NISSAN WEBSITE, AND IS A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN. SO FAR, I COULDN'T START MY CAR AFTER PARKED FOR FOUR TIMES FROM MID OCTOBER TO THIS NOVEMBER 2018. THE FIRST TWO TIMES, AAA TOW TRUCK DRIVERS HAD TO REMOVE THE PANEL UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET TO ESCL AND PUSH A MIDDLE PIECE OF METAL INSIDE THE ESCL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF ITS BOX, THEN THEY COULD START THE CAR. NOW I HAVE DO THE SAME THINGS AS AAA TOW TRUCK DRIVERS DID IT. I WAS SO SCARED TWO DAYS AGO IN 7 ELEVEN PARKING LOT AT AROUND 11:30 PM, WHEN ONE PERSON APPROACHED ME AND TALKING TO ME, AND ANOTHER OPEN MY CAR'S DOOR AT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND TOOK MY ITEMS THAT I JUST BOUGHT FROM WALMART AND BOTH RAN AWAY. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR, AND TAKING PUBLIC BUSES TO WORK IN THE DAY TIME AND AFRAID NOT TO GO ANY WHERE AT NIGHT TIME. A DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) FOR YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN WIDESPREAD DEFECTS IN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) THAT DISABLED THE PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION IN A WIDE RANGE OF NISSAN AND INFINITI VEHICLES.
TAKATA RECALL TRANSMISSIONS ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA. DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY CAR STALLS, PUT MY FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE PEDAL AND NOTHING, EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD, COULD OF EASILY BEEN HIT BY SOMEONE GOING FULL SPEED FROM BEHIND. I WAS AT A RED LIGHT WAITING FOR IT TO TURN GREEN AND WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO GO NOTHING W…
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TAKATA RECALL TRANSMISSIONS ON THE NISSAN ALTIMA. DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY CAR STALLS, PUT MY FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE PEDAL AND NOTHING, EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD, COULD OF EASILY BEEN HIT BY SOMEONE GOING FULL SPEED FROM BEHIND. I WAS AT A RED LIGHT WAITING FOR IT TO TURN GREEN AND WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO GO NOTHING WAS HAPPENING. HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. FOUND OUT THAT NISSAN ALTIMAS HAVE THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND TAKATA WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ISSUE A RECALL. GUESS THEY DON'T CARE IF THEY LEAVE SOMEONE'S KIDS POTENTIALLY ORPHANED 🤷🏻‍♀️
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. SUDDENLY, THE SUN ROOF DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND LANDED ON THE ROAD. THE SUN ROOF WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. DON FRANKLIN LEXINGTON NISSAN (3360 RICHMOND RD, LEXINGTON, KY 40509, 1-(859) 263-5020) WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. SUDDENLY, THE SUN ROOF DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND LANDED ON THE ROAD. THE SUN ROOF WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. DON FRANKLIN LEXINGTON NISSAN (3360 RICHMOND RD, LEXINGTON, KY 40509, 1-(859) 263-5020) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 8, 2018. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE SUBSTANCE USED TO HOLD THE FRAME AND GLASS FAILED TO SECURE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUN ROOF, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE SEALANT TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
P0776 CODES POPULATES AFTER 02 SENSORS WERE CHANGED. IT'S THE SOLENOID B PRESSURE LINE LOCATED IN THE VALVE BODY. IT AFFECTS THE CAR TO THE POINT WE'RE IT'S UNDRIVEABLE AND LOSES POWER. CAR WILL NOT GO OVER 3000RPMS IF IT DOES IT CAUSES THE CAR TO GO INTO LYMP MODE. THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE ISSUE AND NISS…
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P0776 CODES POPULATES AFTER 02 SENSORS WERE CHANGED. IT'S THE SOLENOID B PRESSURE LINE LOCATED IN THE VALVE BODY. IT AFFECTS THE CAR TO THE POINT WE'RE IT'S UNDRIVEABLE AND LOSES POWER. CAR WILL NOT GO OVER 3000RPMS IF IT DOES IT CAUSES THE CAR TO GO INTO LYMP MODE. THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE ISSUE AND NISSAN HAS YET TO MAKE ANY EFFORT TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE. NOBODY HAS $3000 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION, WHEN IT'S ONLY A LITTLE COMPONENT THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND NOT THE ENTIRE TRANNY. RECTIFY THE ISSUE AND STOP SELLING LEMON CARS WITH HORRIBLE PARTS.
Official recalls
410V401000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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