IllustrationTRAVELING UP HILL MY CAR LOSES POWER AND GOES TO SOME KIND OF SAFTY MODE AND ITS VERT SCARY IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN' IN THE CAR
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
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 reportsI CHANGE MY RADIATOR 2 TIMES - AND THEY CHANGE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK AND THEY CHARGE ME 1,200 . I HAVE CHANGE THE PRESSURE SENSORS COUPLE TIMES . THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING
THE NISSAN ALTIMA'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE IN A YEAR. ALSO, THE STRUTS HAVE CRACKS IN THEM AS WELL.
FRONT STRUTS HAVE CRACKS IN THEM. ALSO, THE CAR IS ON ITS CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I GO UP. HILL I LOSE POWER CANT DRIVE UNTIL THE TRANMISSION COOLS DOWN
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE ONCE THE ENGINE GETS HOT THE CAR LOSES ALL POWER. NO WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND ONCE YOU STOP THE CAR AND LET THE ENGINE COOL DOWN IT RUNS FINE
STEERING WHEEL LOCK UNIT FAILURE. MY CAR WAS ALL OF THE SUDDEN DEAD AT HOME DEPOT THE OTHER DAY AND THIS WAS THE SECOND TIMES IT HAPPENED. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED BUT I WAS ABLED TO START MY CAR THE NEXT DAY SO I THOUGHT IT WAS OK. UNTIL COUPLE DAYS AGO IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THIS TIME I HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO THE SHOP TO HAVE IT…
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STEERING WHEEL LOCK UNIT FAILURE. MY CAR WAS ALL OF THE SUDDEN DEAD AT HOME DEPOT THE OTHER DAY AND THIS WAS THE SECOND TIMES IT HAPPENED. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED BUT I WAS ABLED TO START MY CAR THE NEXT DAY SO I THOUGHT IT WAS OK. UNTIL COUPLE DAYS AGO IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THIS TIME I HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO THE SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECK. THE SHOP CHECKED IT AND TOLD ME IT WAS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK BOX PROBLEM. I HAVE SEARCHING ONLINE AND HERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAD THIS PROBLEM HAPPENING TO THEIR 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE SND HAVE NISSAN TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS FURTHER TESTING THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS FURTHER TESTING THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
FUEL PUMP WENT OUT MILEAGE #135828 ON MY ALTIMA 2009 2.5S. INITIALLY THE CAR WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WAS GOING TOTALLY USUALLY AFTER EXCITING THE FREEWAY. IT TOTALLY WENT OUT WHILE PARKED. IT WOULD TRY TO TURN OVER WITH NO LOCK.MODELS 2.5L 4 CYLINDER AND 3.5L V6 YEARS 1993 / 2002-2013 MILEAGE 136212 HAVE BEEN RECALLED. IS IT POSSIBL…
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FUEL PUMP WENT OUT MILEAGE #135828 ON MY ALTIMA 2009 2.5S. INITIALLY THE CAR WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WAS GOING TOTALLY USUALLY AFTER EXCITING THE FREEWAY. IT TOTALLY WENT OUT WHILE PARKED. IT WOULD TRY TO TURN OVER WITH NO LOCK.MODELS 2.5L 4 CYLINDER AND 3.5L V6 YEARS 1993 / 2002-2013 MILEAGE 136212 HAVE BEEN RECALLED. IS IT POSSIBLE TO INVESTIGATE THE 2009 2.5S?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND DECELERATED. THE RPMS WERE BETWEEN 4 AND 5. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. WHEN THE CONTACT BEGAN DRIVING AGAIN, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO PUL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND DECELERATED. THE RPMS WERE BETWEEN 4 AND 5. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. WHEN THE CONTACT BEGAN DRIVING AGAIN, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO PULL AND HESITATE, FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS, AND THE TRANSMISSION MADE A WHINING NOISE AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (NISSAN ALTIMA IN SCHERTZ, TX) AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAD TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
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.