KnownCarProblems2009 Nissan Altima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,547 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Nissan Altima, most often about the steering (56% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Altima model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2009 Nissan Altima problems
Steering
859 complaints · 56%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: column locking, column, steering control module.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the key-less entry system failed and the vehicle could not be started. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed. The failure was located at the steering lock system and the contact was advised that the key-less computer needed…
Drove car 35 miles with no problems. When ready to leave location, car wouldn't start. Intelligent key would open doors & trunk but the ignition would not recognize the key nor the spare. The brakes were stiff, only light displayed on dash was intelligent key light. Had to be towed to dealer. It took 2 days for them…
Electrical
466 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, software, wiring.
Car failed to start, intelligent key would not work. Aftermarket remote start system was used to start car and drive home, perhaps 15 miles. Next day, remote start system was used to start car and drive to dealer, 40 miles away. After about 15 miles, everything died while on the interstate and had to coast to the…
9:30am - started car. Proceeded to drive 35 minutes. Stopped car, went in the house for 20 minutes. Came out, got in car. Will not start. The following was observed: 1. Intelligent key will unlock and lock the doors, trunk, sound alarm. 2. Small "key", yellow in color symbol illuminated on the dash. 3. Start button…
Other or unspecified
146 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles.
Electronic steering column lock malfunction. Parked vehicle in the driveway, came out an hour later and the vehicle will not start. A yellow key light and a red vehicle light with a key symbol inside are the only things on the dash that will appear. Brake pedal is hard and the push to start will not work.
I had stopped at the grocery store and went to get back in my car and it would not start, it would not even recognize the key. My key fob would unlock, lock & pop my trunk but my car acted like it wouldn't accept my key fob. My steering wheel was not locked & it has been towed and sat overnight & its still not locked…
Engine
117 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine, cooling system.
[], atlanta, georgia my daughter's 2009 Nissan Altima did the same thing. She came over for a visit and upon leaving her car would not crank. My husband and I did all of the troubleshooting according to the manual to no avail. I called the dealership where she purchased the vehicle and he immediately knew what the…
While on a 4 hour trip in the middle of the summer , the engine would wine and then suddenly start losing speed and be unable to accelerate. It is extremely dangerous when your top speed is 45 MPH in a 75mph speed limit zone. No one knew what the issue was and it only happened in the middle of the summer. Nissan is…
Transmission
95 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 117,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Transmission overheats whenever the vehicle is driven for an extended period (1 hour+) in warm weather (80 degrees+). Vehicle immediately loses power, with rpms never reaching above 2000, drastically reducing acceleration and speed. Driving on a highway, this creates a serious danger. This has been happening for over…
Coming home from florida in 2013, the car lost all power going down the interstate. We were able to push the gas pedal all the way to the floor and the car would not go any faster. Once we stopped and let the car sit for 15-20 minutes, we were able to go another 100-150 miles before it happened again. This has also…
Air bags
91 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window, sensor.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated consistently without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sensor failed on the passenger side of the vehicle. The seat bottom assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
I love my Altima. But recently it's an expensive pain in the neck. Recently my airbag lights came on. Took it to the mechanic and he said my airbag sensors are not working. Since the sensors is in the seat, I have to pay $3,100 to replace the bottom cuahion in the passenger side of my car. My has wasn't in an…
Body and structure
90 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, interior panels.
The dash on my Altima coupe is "melting". The dash has never been cleaned with any chemicals and is very tacky to the touch around the vents and seams. Due to the location of the melted components, it creates a very blinding glare that impairs my forward visibility through the windshield. I have contacted Nissan and…
My dashboard is melting. It is very sticky to the touch and nothing can be done to stop it. Although a visual defect, it is also a safety hazard because the melting portion is very shiny and provides a sharp glare on my windshield greatly reducing my visibility.
Speed control
49 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. When the contact parked the vehicle and locked it with the fob, it failed to start upon her return. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ESC needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vehicle was repaired. The…
Sudden loss of power no throttle on inclines. Had computer reset.. Problem still continued. Installed new fuel pump still problem continues.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 Nissan Altima recalls
Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)
Risk: Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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).
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: door
Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.
Fix: All the affected vehicles have been brought back from the dealerships and remedied at the factory. No vehicles had been retailed.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: wheels
Risk: If the lug nuts become loose, it could eventually result in a loss of control and a crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2009 Nissan Altima
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Altima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (859 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); electrical (466 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); other or unspecified (146 complaints, typically around 95,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Altima have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 10, 2010 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2009 a bad year for the Nissan Altima?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Altima model year since 2000, with 1,547 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.