THE CAR SUDDENLY DIDNOT START AND WHEN CHECKED WITH THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE OF ELECTRONIC STERRING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE OF 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA.
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AS THE KEY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AS THE KEY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,918.
STEERING LOCK 48700-9N00B WENT OUT NO WARRANTY NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID. WE DID NOT GET ANY INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE. ALL THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IS GIVING US THE RUNAROUND SAID WE COULD BRING IT IN AND IT WOULD COST US $1K DOLLARS AFTER PARTS AND LABOR. THIS IS THERE ISSUE DON'T SEE HOW THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. TH…
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STEERING LOCK 48700-9N00B WENT OUT NO WARRANTY NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID. WE DID NOT GET ANY INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE. ALL THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IS GIVING US THE RUNAROUND SAID WE COULD BRING IT IN AND IT WOULD COST US $1K DOLLARS AFTER PARTS AND LABOR. THIS IS THERE ISSUE DON'T SEE HOW THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. THEY SAID THERE WAS A WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THE NOISE WHILE WE DRIVE DON'T KNOW IF I WILL EVER BUY AN NISSAN AGAIN AFTER NOT RECEIVING ANY INFORMATION ON RECALLS.
ON APRIL 10, 2016, THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA SUDDENLY, WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR PRIOR PROBLEMS, COMPLETELY FROZE WHILE I WAS PARKED IN A DIFFERENT CITY FROM MY HOME. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR OR DO ANYTHING. I TRIED JUMPING THE ENGINE AND IT DID NOT HELP. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST N…
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ON APRIL 10, 2016, THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA SUDDENLY, WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR PRIOR PROBLEMS, COMPLETELY FROZE WHILE I WAS PARKED IN A DIFFERENT CITY FROM MY HOME. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR OR DO ANYTHING. I TRIED JUMPING THE ENGINE AND IT DID NOT HELP. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALER, WHICH WAS CLOSED THAT DAY, AND HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAULTY STEERING WHEEL LOCK. THEY CHARGED ME $699 FOR NEW PARTS AND $250 FOR LABOR, JUST TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE PART, WHICH I LATER DISCOVERED WAS A WIDELY KNOWN DEFECT. FORTUNATELY I WAS PARKED IN A RELATIVELY SAFE AREA WHILE IT WAS STILL DAYLIGHT. HAD THIS OCCURRED AT NIGHT IN AN UNSAFE AREA, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN QUITE A DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING SITUATION NOT BEING ABLE TO START OR DRIVE THE CAR.
STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTION AND NOW I'M UNABLE TO START MY CAR. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND HASN'T RECALLED AND NOW MY WARRANTY IS OVER AND I HAVE TO PAY $900 TO GET IT FIXED
THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED AFTER MY SON HAD PARKED HIS CAR AT A CONVENIENCE STORE. THIS LEFT MY SON IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH NO ACCESS TO A FUNCTIONING CAR IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I DO NOT CONSIDER TO BE SAFE. THE RESOLUTION WAS TO CALL AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BROUGHT TO THE DEALER WHER…
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THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED AFTER MY SON HAD PARKED HIS CAR AT A CONVENIENCE STORE. THIS LEFT MY SON IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH NO ACCESS TO A FUNCTIONING CAR IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I DO NOT CONSIDER TO BE SAFE. THE RESOLUTION WAS TO CALL AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BROUGHT TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ISSUES WAS REPAIRED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS ESCL ISSUE IS A KNOW PROBLEM FOR WHICH NISSAN INITIALLY ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN AND EXTENDED WARRANTEE FOR THAT THEY HAVE SINCE WITHDRAWN. I FEEL THIS ISSUE SHOULD RESULT N A RECALL FOR SAFETY REASONS AS IT CAN PLACE A PERSON IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO START THE CAR.
STEERING LOCK RELEASE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR ON; CAN'T START CAR. IT'S SITTING LIKE A BUMP IN MY DRIVEWAY. THANKS GOODNESS IT DIDN'T LEAVE ME STRANDED!! BUT NOW I'M CARLESS!!
THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND SO THE CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED. I NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED FOR $900 BEFORE TAXES. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE ON THE PART AND HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BUT THE EXTENSION ENDED IN 2015. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN DO THIS…
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THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND SO THE CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED. I NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED FOR $900 BEFORE TAXES. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE ON THE PART AND HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BUT THE EXTENSION ENDED IN 2015. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN DO THIS -- THE DEFECTIVE PART NEEDS TO FAIL WITHIN A CERTAIN TIMEFRAME IN ORDER FOR THEM TO MAKE IT RIGHT?
MY STEERING LOCK FAILED . I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AT THE AIRPORT PARKING LOT WITH MY 7 YEAR OLD AND MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS. I HAD TO PAY A TOWNING TRUCK TO TOW ME. WITCH COST ME $560! LATER TO CONTACT NISSAN ABOUT THE WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD IT HAD EXPIRED IN JANUARY! I CALLED IN MARCH! I STILL HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO…
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MY STEERING LOCK FAILED . I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AT THE AIRPORT PARKING LOT WITH MY 7 YEAR OLD AND MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS. I HAD TO PAY A TOWNING TRUCK TO TOW ME. WITCH COST ME $560! LATER TO CONTACT NISSAN ABOUT THE WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD IT HAD EXPIRED IN JANUARY! I CALLED IN MARCH! I STILL HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIX MY CAR THE REPAIR IS OVER $1,000! THERE ARE SO MANY CASES WITH THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM BUT NISSAN REFUSES TO HELP!
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!
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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