Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
890–25K
17025–50K
30750–75K
29375–100K
306100–150K
74150K+
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
What owners actually said
1,547 reports
30,000 miles · Aug 10, 2017
Service BrakesCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #11014257
110,000 miles · Aug 5, 2017
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL. DEALERSHIP SAYS ENTIRE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUE. WILL COST OVER $1,400 TO REPLACE DUE TO SHORTAGE IN REPLACEMENT SEATS. WILL ONLY WARRANTY FOR 1 YEAR IF REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #11013001
125,000 miles · Aug 3, 2017
SteeringUnknown Or Other
I PURCHASED A NISSAN ALTIMA 09 AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES UNTIL 8/03/17. AS I WENT TO TURN THE CAR ON A LIGHT CAME UP ON THE DASH BOARD INDICATING THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING LOCK. I FIGURED IT WAS A QUICK FIX SO I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT'S A FAULTY STEERING LOCK AND ASKED FOR ME TO BRING MY …
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I PURCHASED A NISSAN ALTIMA 09 AND HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES UNTIL 8/03/17. AS I WENT TO TURN THE CAR ON A LIGHT CAME UP ON THE DASH BOARD INDICATING THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING LOCK. I FIGURED IT WAS A QUICK FIX SO I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT'S A FAULTY STEERING LOCK AND ASKED FOR ME TO BRING MY CAR IN. I HAD TO CALL OUT OF WORK TO TRY AND RESOLVE THIS ONGOING ISSUE. I LOOKED ON ONLINE FOR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND COULDN'T FIND ANY BUT I DID FIND THAT MANY NISSAN ALTIMA 09 OWNERS WERE DEALING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NO WARRANTY ON MY CAR BUT THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO FIX MY CAR SO I WON'T BE STRANDED AND WON'T HAVE TO PAY 600$ FOR A SMALL PART...
NHTSA ODI #11012600
129,600 miles · Jul 30, 2017
Air BagsCrash
MY NISSAN ALTIMA WAS IN A 4+ ROLLOVER AT @65 MPH, WEST BOUND ON I-8 NEAR BOULEVARD CALIFORNIA ABOUT DAWN AND JUST EAST OF SANDIEGO . WHEN A SUDDEN RAIN DOWNBURST, THE CAR HYDROPLANED AND LEFT THE ROAD AND PROCEEDED TO ROLL 4+ TIMES. I HAVE YET TO SEE THE ACCIDENT REPORT. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND …
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MY NISSAN ALTIMA WAS IN A 4+ ROLLOVER AT @65 MPH, WEST BOUND ON I-8 NEAR BOULEVARD CALIFORNIA ABOUT DAWN AND JUST EAST OF SANDIEGO . WHEN A SUDDEN RAIN DOWNBURST, THE CAR HYDROPLANED AND LEFT THE ROAD AND PROCEEDED TO ROLL 4+ TIMES. I HAVE YET TO SEE THE ACCIDENT REPORT. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND NEITHER DID THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR BAGS. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT THE PASSENGERS DO NOT RECALL THEM AIRING UP. USAA HAS THE VEHICLE IN SANDIEGO SOMEWHERE. I FEEL THE PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN A MULTIPLE SIDE ROLLOVER.... THE OCCUPANTS WERE AT HUGE RISK BUT FOR THE GRACE AND HANDS OF GOD, THEY WALKED AWAY, THOUGH I FEEL THAT THE CHP SHOULD HAVE FORCED A 4 YOUNG ADULTS TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL, INSTEAD EVERYONE LEAVING THE SCENE AFTER GATHERING LUGGAGE AND SUCH. INJURIES ARE UNKNOWN, BUT TYPICAL OF BEING ROLLED AT HIGH SPEED NUMEROUS TIMES, BEING SHAKEN, BRUISED, SKELETAL ALIGNMENT DISRUPTED ETC...
NHTSA ODI #11011585
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2017
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
CATALYTIC CONVERTER NOT WORKING CAUSING THE CAR TO DRIVE INEFFECTIVELY, CAR SPEED DECLINES AND SOMETIMES THE CAR RPMS STAY AT 3000 AND WON'T ACCELERATE.
NHTSA ODI #11011503
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2017
Steering
THE WON'T START DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL WON'T LOCK SO THE CAR WON'T START
NHTSA ODI #11011428
100 miles · Jul 27, 2017
Power Train
TAKATA RECALL CAN'T DRIVE TOO FAR CUZ LOSING POWER AFTER HOUR....WE CANT GO TO FAMILY VACATION ON LONG TRIPIF ITS LOWER THAN $200 THAT'S OK BUT IF IT'S CVT TRANSMISSION IT'S WAY OVER MY BUDGET IT'S COST OVER $5,000......I LOOK OVER ON GOOGLE N SEEN A LOTS OF PPL HAD THIS PROBLEM.....
NHTSA ODI #11011143
78,500 miles · Jul 26, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND THE SPEED DRASTICALLY DECREASES AND LOSES ALL POWER! THERE IS NO WARNINGS.
NHTSA ODI #11010886
69,500 miles · Jul 25, 2017
Electrical System
THE PUSH-BUTTON STARTER SYSTEM FAILED, LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS IS A STEERING LOCK ISSUE VERY COMMON TO THIS MAKE AND MODEL.
NHTSA ODI #11010548
125,000 miles · Jul 13, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE DASH LIGHTS AND RADIO COME ON AND THE "ON" INDICATOR IS LIT WHERE THE PUSH BUTTON IS. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DOES NOT START.
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.
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).
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.
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 ↗
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