2009 Nissan Altima problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (796) · Electrical System (168) · Power Train (66)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Nissan Altima model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
1,236 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2010-09-10 · campaign 10V401000 · 7,948 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Service bulletins (117)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-107G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-027D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
can communication – network diagnostic flow chart this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB10-066C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
can communication codes – diagnostic tips and guidelines this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB17-019H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
window glass warranty information this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 117 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-01-16 · Steering · 145,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. while attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel was locked, preventing the remote start feature from functioning as designed. the vehicle was towed to the residence and was not yet repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 145,000.…”
2025-06-10 · Engine“1) what component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the cylinders are constantly misfiring. 2 )how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? yes. 3) has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes. 4) has the vehicle or component been inspecte…”
2025-01-13 · Steering“after the steering lock anti theft activated, steering lock escl module does not allow to turn on the ignition even keys are inserted.…”
2024-12-21 · Air Bags“was stopped at a red light - when light turned green car in front of me proceeded to go but stopped . i pressed on the brake at a speed of no more then 15 miles an hour and the driver side airbag from the steering wheel deployed . no other air bags deployed and there was no type of collision or contact with a vehicular. …”
2024-12-11 · Steering · 80,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle using the key fob, the vehicle failed to start. the contact depressed the brake pedal and ignition button, and the vehicle failed to start. the contact was unable to depress the brake pedal to start the vehicle. the contact had the vehicle towed to a loc…”
2024-11-01 · Air Bags · 166,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. the vehicle was not repaired. after investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to nhtsa campaign number: 08v521000 (air bags,…”
2024-10-07 · Suspension · 184,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. the contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal clanking sound coming from the vehicle. the contact stated that the vehicle was driving rough. the contact stated that the abs, brake, check engine, and tpms warning lights were illuminated. the contact called the local dealer and wa…”
2024-08-10 · Unknown Or Other“there is transmission problems with the 2009 nissan. the car shakes/ vibrates when idle, when sitting to long at a light the idle engine delays the gas pedal from going forward, having to accelerate the gas pedal till it jumps to proceed to move forward, the liquid is up to date however the car can’t move backwards in reverse but can move forward.…”
2024-07-05 · Visibility/Wiper · 💥 crash“i purchased this car and the dashboard is melting and sticky. it’s affecting visibility to the point where i found myself trying to lift up to look overtop of the blinding glare on my windshield due to my melting dashboard and got into an minor accident like was reflecting off the dashboard onto the windshield obstructing my view and resulted in me…”
2024-06-07 · Steering“the component that failed was the steering lock control, and yes it's available upon request with a tow. i was stranded with no way of getting home. problem has been confirmed by dealer. the vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer. no there was no symptoms prior to the failure. 06…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.