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
78,479 miles · Apr 25, 2016
Power TrainSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK FRACTURED. THE COMPONENT WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY; TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK FRACTURED. THE COMPONENT WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY; THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,479.
NHTSA ODI #10861354
75,000 miles · Apr 23, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
THE ESCL WHEEL LOCK WILL NOT RELEASE TO LET THE VEHICLE START
NHTSA ODI #10861101
30,000 miles · Apr 21, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10860809
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2016
Steering
TAKADA I GOT STRANDED ON MY WORK MY CAR WOULDN'T TURN ON AT ALL HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME. AFTER I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AUTO SERVICE CAME TO FIND OUT ITS THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY I'M BEING CHARGED 975.00 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIX CAME TO FIND OUT ALOT OF PEOPLE WARE COMPLAINING OF THIS PROBLEM THERESOLUTION NEED TO BE A RECALL FOR…
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TAKADA I GOT STRANDED ON MY WORK MY CAR WOULDN'T TURN ON AT ALL HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME. AFTER I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AUTO SERVICE CAME TO FIND OUT ITS THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY I'M BEING CHARGED 975.00 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIX CAME TO FIND OUT ALOT OF PEOPLE WARE COMPLAINING OF THIS PROBLEM THERESOLUTION NEED TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS PARTS.
NHTSA ODI #10860444
174,000 miles · Apr 18, 2016
Steering
CAR WON'T START. IT'S STUCK IN LOCK POSITION.
NHTSA ODI #10860125
178,000 miles · Apr 18, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering
CAR WILL NOT START OR TURN ON ACCESSORIES. STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED. I WAS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE CAR UNTIL AAA CAN TO TOW IT TO THE DEAL.
NHTSA ODI #10860060
110,000 miles · Apr 16, 2016
Steering
STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED LEAVING THE CAR COMPLETELY DISABLED AND UNABLE TO MOVE AT ALL. NISSAN HAS KNOW ABOUT THIS BEING A VERY CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS BUT DID NOT RECALL THE PART. THE EXTENDED WARRANTEE ENDED MARCH 31 2015 AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INDEFINITELY BECAUSE NISSAN KNOWS THESE ARE FAULTY AND HASN'T COMMUN…
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STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED LEAVING THE CAR COMPLETELY DISABLED AND UNABLE TO MOVE AT ALL. NISSAN HAS KNOW ABOUT THIS BEING A VERY CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS BUT DID NOT RECALL THE PART. THE EXTENDED WARRANTEE ENDED MARCH 31 2015 AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INDEFINITELY BECAUSE NISSAN KNOWS THESE ARE FAULTY AND HASN'T COMMUNICATED TO OWNERS ABOUT IT AS FAR AS I KNOW.
NHTSA ODI #10859882
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering
I WAS ABOUT TO START MY CAR AT A GAS STATION THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START LEAVING ME STRANDED IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT FAILURE WHICH PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM SENSING YOUR KEY FOB WHICH PREVENTS YOU FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE AND YOU ARE STUCK. T…
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I WAS ABOUT TO START MY CAR AT A GAS STATION THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START LEAVING ME STRANDED IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT FAILURE WHICH PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM SENSING YOUR KEY FOB WHICH PREVENTS YOU FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE AND YOU ARE STUCK. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT LEAVING DRIVERS STRANDED AND THE CAR USELESS. I COULD HAVE BEEN ROBBED OR OTHER. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE STEARING CONTROL UNIT.
NHTSA ODI #10859814
107,000 miles · Apr 14, 2016
Electrical System
I CAN NOT START MY CAR. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES IT WILL NOT TRIGGER MY AUTOMATIC KEY TO TURN MY CAR ON. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES I AM NOT ABLE TO START MY CAR. NOW I HAVE TO FIX THE BRAKE LIGHT AND HARNESS FOR 600$ AT MY LOCAL TRUSTWORTHY REPAIR SHOP. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF A HARNESS ISSUE.…
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I CAN NOT START MY CAR. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES IT WILL NOT TRIGGER MY AUTOMATIC KEY TO TURN MY CAR ON. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES I AM NOT ABLE TO START MY CAR. NOW I HAVE TO FIX THE BRAKE LIGHT AND HARNESS FOR 600$ AT MY LOCAL TRUSTWORTHY REPAIR SHOP. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF A HARNESS ISSUE. BUT I GOOGLES AND FOUND A BULLETIN AND MANY 1000 OF PEOPLE WITH SAME COMPLAINT. MY REPAIR SHOP DID THE SAME TOO. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION TO HAVE A CAR THAT WILL NOT START AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS THAT DO NOT WORK!!!!!
NHTSA ODI #10855508
73,000 miles · Apr 14, 2016
Steering
STEERING LOCK WENT WITH NO WARNING. NISSAN AWARE OF PROBLEM AND HASN'T RECALLED. COST $959.21 TO FIX. WAS SHOPPING CAR SHUT OFF. WHEN I RETURNED WITH GROCERIES WOULDN'T START. HAD TO TOW TO DEALER
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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