Nissan Altima / 2009
2009 Nissan Altima problems
Owners have filed 2,150 complaints about the 2009 Nissan Altima with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 40.1% of them — the clear leader, ahead of electrical system at 21.7%.
Complaints2,150
Crashes55
Fires15
Injuries29
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Steering 40.1% · 862
Electrical system 21.7% · 466
Unknown or other 6.8% · 146
Engine 5.0% · 107
Power train 4.4% · 95
Air bags 4.3% · 92
Structure 4.2% · 90
Vehicle speed control 2.3% · 49
Severity
Of those complaints, 55 describe a crash, 15 describe a fire, 29 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 29 model years of the Nissan Altima in this data, 2009 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 2013 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 22 in the last three years against 83 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 78,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While driving in a parking lot, the power steering seized without warning and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the electronic steering column lock was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000. The vin was not available. Steering · reported at 30,000 miles
My vehicle was in a parking space and when I went to start the car it didn't make a sound and the steering column was not locked. Got towed to the dealership and was told it was a steering wheel lock malfunction. Read on the internet that this is a known problem for my 2009 Altima. I repair cost was almost $1000 which it totally ridiculous but it needed to be fixed. This could be a safety hazard that can be avoided Steering · reported at 142,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while at the fuel station, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer box in the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vin was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000. Updated 02/18/16*lj Steering · reported at 84,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…