169 complaints reported

2009 Nissan Altima Electrical System

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
169
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

May 2023

Column steering sensor is out and car will not start. Nissan was covering this repair due to a known defect yet never recalled the car. I never had the issue until now and people in previous years were granted 1 repair. Nissan said I would have to cover it

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: May 2023
Jan 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Nisan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to detect that the key was present, activating the anti-theft immobilizer and preventing the vehicle from starting. The “No Key Detected” warning light was 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 TSB Number: PC516. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2023
Dec 2022

The air bag light went on. Had all previous codes cleared by mechanic. a week later, light is now blinking. In the past year, came out to a car that would not start. Battery may have a bad cell. I think there might be an electrical problem that causes the car to shut down spontaneously.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2022
Apr 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the brake pedal was rigid. The contact's brother manipulated the ignition box until the vehicle was able to start. However, the failure reoccurred while the contact was in a parking lot. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle remained in the parking lot. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The dealer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2022
Jan 2022

In 2009 Nissan built S models with an SL package. These models came with a push button start in lieu of a key start. These vehicles came with an electronic steering wheel lock mechanism. The electronic steering wheel lock mechanism was deemed defective on the push button start vehicles. Nissan ultimately did a campaign to have this repaired. In November 2021, my Nissan Altima electronic steering mechanism prevented my vehicle from turning on. I researched the problem and learned of the expired Nissan campaign. I never received notification of said campaign. I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs and started a complaint. After being told by Nissan Consumer Affairs that my vehicle didn't qualify for the campaign, I paid Rockland Nissan $1411.60 for the repair. Soon thereafter, I purchased another electronic part associated with this push button start system. During this transaction, I provided the Rockland Nissan parts employee with my vin number. I learned that my vin number reflected that my vehicle has a key start ignition. I literally had to escort the parts employee outside and show them the vehicle to prove that it did have a push button start. I again contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs. I informed them of my findings. Stated it was unfair that my vehicle didn't qualify for their campaign because the vin shows up as the vehicle having a key start ignition. I sent photos of my vehicle, my original window sticker showing that my vehicle came with a push button start system. They responded that the campaign ended and my vehicle is now too old and has too many miles. I responded that this was not the case when the campaign was active. I also stated neither I nor the original owner were ever notified of the campaign. And they should have covered the repair for these reasons.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2021
Dec 2021

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle and attempting to start the vehicle, the contact depressed the Push to Start button and depressed on brake pedal to start the vehicle however, the vehicle would not start. The contact stated she tried to start her vehicle manually and the vehicle still would not start. She then had an independent mechanic arrive to her residence to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that similar vehicles had experienced the same failure. The contact stated that she contacted the dealer and was informed that her vehicle was not under an open recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2021
Nov 2021

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle would not start up. The vehicle was inspected by a locksmith and diagnosed with needing the electronic steering column lockbox replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2021
Nov 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE, THERE WAS A SECURITY ALERT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2021
Apr 2021

IN 2020 RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN FOR STEERING COLUMN LOCK REPLACEMENT. TOOK CAR TO GREENVILLE NISSAN (GREENVILLE, NC). SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY NOT PART OF THAT RECALL, DESPITE THE NISSAN USA LETTER, SO I LEFT. APPROX. 9 MONTHS LATER (2/23/2021) THAT EXACT PART BROKE ON MY CAR, RESULTING IN INABILITY TO START ENGINE. COST ME $900+ OUT OF POCKET TO FIX EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS RECALLED FOR AND NOT ORIGINALLY DONE. FWIW THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THE SAME DEALERSHIP TRIED THE SAME THING WITH HIM ON HIS CAR. I AM ATTACHING ALL MY DOCUMENTATION FROM ORIGINAL LETTER, DOCUMENTS DEALER GAVE ME IN 2020, AND THE 2021 REPAIR AS WELL AS THE COST OF A RENTAL CAR TO GET AROUND DURING SERVICE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2021
Feb 2019

STALLED AT INTERECTION WOULD NOT TURN ON. HAD TO BE TOUGHED TO DEALER.DEFECTIVE SREERING LOCK. SECOND TIME THIS PART REPLACED. NUMBEROUS COMPLAINTS BY OTHERS WITH PETITION SUBMITTED TO SENIOR VP SALES MARKETING BRIAN CAROLIN. DANGEROUS IN REMOTE OR DANGEROUS AREAS. NO RESPONSE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2019
Aug 2018

ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK MALFUNCTION. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. WOULD NOT START. STRANDING WIFE IN 0 DEGREE TEMPERATURES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2017
Jul 2018

STEERING LOCK FAILURE WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START UP ON 09 NISSAN ALTIMA. ELECTRICAL WORKS BUT ECSL DOESN'T ALLOW SENSOR TO START THE CAR. CAR WAS STATIONARY, IN THE PARKING LOT. FINDING NOW THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENT ISSUE WITH MANY MAKES/YEARS OF NISSAN VEHICLES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2018
Apr 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICE, THE MESSAGE "NO KEY" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEFFERY NISSAN (LOCATED AT 30800 GRATIOT AVE, ROSEVILLE, MI 48066, (586) 510-1378) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCKING MECHANISM THAT RECEIVED THE SIGNAL FROM THE KEYS FOR THE TOUCH START NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2018
Dec 2017

STEERING LOCK DEFECTIVE, KNOWN PROBLEM BY NISSAN SINCE 2009, REFUSED TO RECALL THE CARS INVOLVED. I JUST SPENT $923.00 TO FIX MY '09 WITH 91K MILES ON IT. CAR LEFT ME STRANDED IN A SAFE SPOT, FORTUNATELY. AFTER I PARKED, WALKED AWAY FOR A FEW MINUTES, TRIED TO RESTART, NOTHIING BUT THE TWO KEY LIGHTS IN THE DASH, HORN, OVERHEAD LIGHTS AND ALARM. STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT LOCK. THIS NEEDS TO BE AN ACTIVE RECALL AND OWNERS REIMBURSED FOR THE WORK INVOLVED!!!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2017
Oct 2017

WIFE DROVE CAR TO WORK, GOT READY TO LEAVE AND CAR WOULD NOT START. SECURITY LIGHTS ON DASH WAS LIT UP . I CAME HOME FROM WORK TRIED EXTRA KEY FOB AND TRIED NEW CAR BATTERY, STILL WOULD NOT START. HAD CAR TOWED 25 MILES TO DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY MODULE, A WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THIS COST ME 1124.00 DOLLARS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IN A FACTORY RECALL. THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA IS NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR ONLY HAD 68428 MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENT

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2017
Aug 2017

THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED SUDDENLY. I DROVE TO THE GROCERY STORE AND PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT. WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY CAR TO LEAVE, THE CAR DIDN'T START. IT DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE KEY FOB AND DID NOT ALLOW ME TO USE THE OVERRIDE SYSTEM. THE STEERING LOCK WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE TEAM INFORMED ME THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM HAD FAILED. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART BUT IT HAD EXPIRED. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AND NISSAN SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THIS PART AND REIMBURSE PEOPLE WHO HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2016
Aug 2017

THE INTELLIGENT KEY SYSTEM FAILED RENDERING THE CAR COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. I DROVE THE CAR WHICH OPERATED PERFECTLY WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS, TURNED IT OFF AND NEXT TIME I GOT INTO THE CAR TO START IT AND DRIVE AWAY. THE INTELLIGENT KEY (PUSHBUTTON START) DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE KEY WAS IN THE CAR SO THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED SO COULD NOT BE STEERED, COULD NOT BE PUSHED DUE TO THE CAR BEING LOCKED IN PARK. NO ACCESSORIES FUNCTIONED INSIDE THE CAR. THE REMOTE FUNCTIONS ON THE KEY FOB ALL WORKED, DOOR LOCKS, TRUNK RELEASE, PANIC BUTTON, BUT THE IGNITION SYSTEM WAS A COMPLETE FAIL. THERE IS NO BYPASS FOR THE AVERAGE CONSUMER. WHILE IT IS CERTAINLY INCONVENIENT, IT COULD ALSO BE DANGEROUS IF THE CAR WAS TO HAVE BEEN SHUT OFF IN A REMOTE AREA, IN SEVER COLD OR BESIDE A BUSY HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY POINT OF FAILURE, PARKED ON A SIDE STREET. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS AT A RELATIVES HOME AS THE TEMPERATURE WAS -3 WITH A WIND CHILL OF -15. NISSAN REALIZED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM WAS FAULTY AND ORIGINALLY OFFERED A FREE REPLACEMENT FOR THIS PART WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO COST BETWEEN $500-$900, BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THEY HAVE RESCINDED THAT OFFER AS OF JANUARY OF 2016.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2017
Jul 2017

THE PUSH-BUTTON STARTER SYSTEM FAILED, LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS IS A STEERING LOCK ISSUE VERY COMMON TO THIS MAKE AND MODEL.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2017
Feb 2017

STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE RENDERED THE CAR UNSTARTABLE

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2017
Feb 2017

WHEN I LEFT THE OFFICE TO START MY CAR YESTERDAY EVENING ON 2/15/2017, I USED MY KEY FOB TO REMOTELY UNLOCK MY PARKED 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE THOUGH, THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION DID NOTHING. THE CAR DID NOT START, NOR WOULD IT SWITCH TO ACCESSORY MODE. ON THE DASH CLUSTER, AN AMBER COLORED "KEY" LIGHT LIT UP. THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION GLOWED ORANGE WHILE THE RING AROUND IT SAID "LOCK;" NOTHING SEEMED TO ALLOW THE CAR TO START. IT WAS AS IF THE KEY FOB WAS NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE CAR. EVEN THOUGH I WAS REPEATEDLY ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS REMOTELY FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE (THE CR2025 BATTERY INSIDE WAS NOT DEAD...) AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD WORK (THE CAR BATTERY WAS NOT DEAD EITHER...), THE CAR REFUSED TO START. I CONSULTED THE MANUAL AND VERIFIED THAT THE KEY FOB WAS INSERTED CORRECTLY INTO THE SLOT TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN - STILL, THE CAR REFUSED TO START. I CALLED AAA TO REQUEST A TOW SINCE NOTHING SEEMED TO LET ME START THE CAR. FOR THE NEXT HOUR AND A HALF I SAT IN BELOW-FREEZING TEMPERATURES WHILE I WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK I CALLED FOR TO ARRIVE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. MY SPOUSE MET ME AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE OTHER KEY FOB SO WE COULD TEST WHETHER MY KEY WAS THE ONLY AFFECTED FOB; UNFORTUNATELY, THE OTHER KEY FOB DID NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START EITHER. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, OTHERS HAVE BEEN STRANDED TOO: HTTPS://2009NISSANALTIMARECALL.WORDPRESS.COM/2013/04/08/VICTORY-2009-NISSAN-ALTIMA-STEERING-LOCK-VOLUNTARY-RECALL/ WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME SHE HAD SEEN MANY SIMILAR FAILURES ON OTHER 2009 ALTIMAS - SHE ALSO TOLD ME IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNLESS IT WAS FIXED FOR $1,200. NISSAN'S CARLOS GHOSN LEFT ME STRANDED WITH A BROKEN VEHICLE AND I AM NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER... I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2017
Jan 2017

2009 NISSAN ALTIMA CAR WOULD NOT START. LEFT STRANDED AT WORK. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO HOME AND THEN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. COST OF ELECTRONIC BOX IN STEERING 1100.00. THIS IS WRONG SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2017
Jan 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,122....UPDATED 05/19/17 *BF *CN

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2017
Jan 2017

INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP AND NEED TOW TO NISSAN DEALER FOR REPAIR. THERE IS NO WARNING FOR THIS MALFUNCTION.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2017
Jan 2017

CAR WOULD NOT START WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE KEY FOB. ELECTRICAL STEERING CONTROL LOCK FAILED. LEFT DAUGHTER STRANDED. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2017
Dec 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK/SMART KEY LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2016

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2009 Nissan Altima has 169 Electrical System complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.