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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

What owners actually said

1,547 reports
90,000 miles · Dec 5, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA AND PARKED. WHEN LEAVING TO GO HOME, THE CAR WOULD NOT AND COULD NOT START. THE KEY LOCK SYMBOL (RED) AND LOCK SYMBOL (YELLOW) WERE LIT ON THE DASHBOARD. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK WHICH MANY HAS BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT. I TOOK IT TO THE NI…

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA AND PARKED. WHEN LEAVING TO GO HOME, THE CAR WOULD NOT AND COULD NOT START. THE KEY LOCK SYMBOL (RED) AND LOCK SYMBOL (YELLOW) WERE LIT ON THE DASHBOARD. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK WHICH MANY HAS BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER AND THE PART WOULD BE $600.00. ATTACHED IS THE PRINTOUT OF THE WARRANTY. THIS HAD ME AND MY WIFE STRANDED ON ONE OF THE COLDEST DAY OF THE YEAR. THEY WOULDN'T CONSIDER FIXING IT UNLESS IT WAS A STANDARD REPAIR. THIS IS CRAZY!!! IT'S THE HOLIDAYS AND NOW THIS IS HAPPENING. GOOD GRIEF!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10929949

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2016
Steering

FOR THE 2ND TIME, THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK HAS MALFUNCTIONED IN MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THIS IS UTTERLY RIDICULOUS! THIS IS NOT NORMAL MAINTENANCE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO HOLD NISSAN OR THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS PART ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS. I AM SO DISGUSTED WITH NISSAN!!

NHTSA ODI #10929752

130,000 miles · Dec 3, 2016
Steering

THE STEERING LOCK CEASED UP AND MY CAR WOULD NO LONGER START. I WENT INTO A STORE CAME OUT AND THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER DO ANYTHING! THE KEY BUTTON WOULD COME ON BUT NOTHING ELSE. WAS LIKE I WASNT EVEN TRYING TO START THE CAR. I HAD MY TWO CHILDREN WITH ME AND IT WAS IN THE EVENING. WINTER TEMPS ARE GETTING INTO THE FREEZING TEMP…

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THE STEERING LOCK CEASED UP AND MY CAR WOULD NO LONGER START. I WENT INTO A STORE CAME OUT AND THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER DO ANYTHING! THE KEY BUTTON WOULD COME ON BUT NOTHING ELSE. WAS LIKE I WASNT EVEN TRYING TO START THE CAR. I HAD MY TWO CHILDREN WITH ME AND IT WAS IN THE EVENING. WINTER TEMPS ARE GETTING INTO THE FREEZING TEMPS. I AM THANKFUL THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON MY WAY HOME, IF I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY FOR SOME REASON AND TURN OFF MY CAR TO GET SOMETHING FOR MY CHILDREN WE WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK IN 30 F WEATHER. THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING AT ALL!!! THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS LIABILITY!! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND ALL REPLACED! RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND WE NOW HAVE TO PAY A MINIMUM OF $600 JUST FOR THE PART.

NHTSA ODI #10929701

113,000 miles · Dec 2, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD NOT ENGAGED IN ORDER FOR THE KEY TO TURN INTO THE START POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING LOCK M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD NOT ENGAGED IN ORDER FOR THE KEY TO TURN INTO THE START POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10929546

110,000 miles · Dec 2, 2016
Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK HAS FAILED LEAVING THE CAR UNABLE TO BE STARTED. I WAS STRANDED AT MY WORK AND THE CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THIS AS A COMMON PROBLEM YET ARE UNWILLING TO ISSUE A RECALL AND MY CAR IS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THIS PROBLEM IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BE…

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THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK HAS FAILED LEAVING THE CAR UNABLE TO BE STARTED. I WAS STRANDED AT MY WORK AND THE CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THIS AS A COMMON PROBLEM YET ARE UNWILLING TO ISSUE A RECALL AND MY CAR IS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THIS PROBLEM IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE BEING STRANDED ON THE ROAD. IF YOU'RE LUCKY, THEN YOU ARE PARKED SAFELY IN A PARKING LOT BUT YOU MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY AND IT COULD FAIL WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10929509

96,000 miles · Dec 1, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

WAS DRIVING ALTIMA RUNNING GREAT GOT NE TIRES SERVICE DONE. WENT TO A FRIENDS HOUSE WHEN I CAME BACK TO START THE ALTIMA WOULDN'T START. I TRIED EVERYTHING CHANGING BATTERIES IN CAR, REMOTE BATTERIES CHANGED. I FINALLY CAME ACROSS THIS VIDEO AND EXPLAIN EVERYTHING THAT WAS HAPPENING AND SAID NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT DOE…

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WAS DRIVING ALTIMA RUNNING GREAT GOT NE TIRES SERVICE DONE. WENT TO A FRIENDS HOUSE WHEN I CAME BACK TO START THE ALTIMA WOULDN'T START. I TRIED EVERYTHING CHANGING BATTERIES IN CAR, REMOTE BATTERIES CHANGED. I FINALLY CAME ACROSS THIS VIDEO AND EXPLAIN EVERYTHING THAT WAS HAPPENING AND SAID NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT DOESN'T WANT TO PUT A RECALL ON IT. IT'S BELIEVE IT'S A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN THEIR VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY STOP AND LOCKED THE STRAIN WILL BASIN ONLY ONE DIRECTION I WOULD CAUSE A MAJOR CAR PILE UP WITH MYSELF AND POSSIBLY MANY OTHERS BECAUSE IT IS FAULTY PART NISSAN HAS PUT IN. I HAVE WORK IN THE CAR BUSINESS FOR 10 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN A MANUFACTURE DO WHAT THEY'RE DOING RIGHT NOW. THEY HAVE PUT ME AND MY FAMILY IN MAJOR JEOPARDY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10929501

115,000 miles · Dec 1, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL LOCK FAILED, LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 09 NISSAN, CONTACTED NISSAN AND OPENED A CASE, THEY CALLED BACK AND REFUSED TO HELP, WITH ANYTHING. WHAT A JOKE NISSAN IS TURNING OUT TO BE. THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF POSTS ON THIS PROBLEM, AND NISSAN GI…

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ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL LOCK FAILED, LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 09 NISSAN, CONTACTED NISSAN AND OPENED A CASE, THEY CALLED BACK AND REFUSED TO HELP, WITH ANYTHING. WHAT A JOKE NISSAN IS TURNING OUT TO BE. THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF POSTS ON THIS PROBLEM, AND NISSAN GIVES AN UNLIMITED MILEAGE REPLACEMENT THAT ENDED IN 2014, I OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE LABOR IF THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PART, OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE NO INTEREST IN MY FUTURE BUSINESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928933

85,000 miles · Nov 30, 2016
Unknown Or Other

STEERING COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM I WAS STRANDED IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES WITH MY 3YEAR OLD WHEN THE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM FAILED AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD STOPPED TO DROP OFF MY 6 YEAR OLD AT SCHOOL AND WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD NO WARNING OR INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. NOT WAS I AWARE OF THE…

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STEERING COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM I WAS STRANDED IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES WITH MY 3YEAR OLD WHEN THE STEERING LOCK SYSTEM FAILED AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD STOPPED TO DROP OFF MY 6 YEAR OLD AT SCHOOL AND WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD NO WARNING OR INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. NOT WAS I AWARE OF THE FREQUENCY OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10928887

109,000 miles · Nov 30, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) FAILED AND WAS STICKS AND STRANDED. I AM A FULL TIME STUDENT AS WELL AS WORKING FULL TIME. HAD TO GET MY 09 ALTIMA TOWED TO THE DEALSHIP AND LOST OUT ON WORK AND MADE MY DAILY LIFE A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. IT IS GOING TO COST ME $1100 JUST FOR THE PART AND LABOR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 200…

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ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) FAILED AND WAS STICKS AND STRANDED. I AM A FULL TIME STUDENT AS WELL AS WORKING FULL TIME. HAD TO GET MY 09 ALTIMA TOWED TO THE DEALSHIP AND LOST OUT ON WORK AND MADE MY DAILY LIFE A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. IT IS GOING TO COST ME $1100 JUST FOR THE PART AND LABOR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2009 ALTIMA'S AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED UNTIL NISSAN FIXES THE ISSUE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN, IF I WAS CAMPING AND HAD NO CELL PHONE SERVICE MY LIFE COULD SERIOUSLY BE IN DANGER. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PART.

NHTSA ODI #10928750

140,000 miles · Nov 30, 2016
Steering

THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED WHILE STOPPED AND PARKED, RESULTING IN MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER BEING STRANDED TWICE IN A 3 DAY PERIOD. THE FIRST DAY A LIGHT TAPPING ON THE DEVICE ALLOWED THE CAR TO BE STARTED. BUT AFTER THE SECOND TIME, NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO GET THE CAR TO START. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TOTAL TIMES NOW OVER TH…

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THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED WHILE STOPPED AND PARKED, RESULTING IN MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER BEING STRANDED TWICE IN A 3 DAY PERIOD. THE FIRST DAY A LIGHT TAPPING ON THE DEVICE ALLOWED THE CAR TO BE STARTED. BUT AFTER THE SECOND TIME, NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO GET THE CAR TO START. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TOTAL TIMES NOW OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST 2 YEARS. WHAT IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN IN BELOW 0 CONDITIONS WHERE HELP IS NOT CLOSE BY?

NHTSA ODI #10928731

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