Had the oil changed at dealership. Upon driving back home the car would not start. I received the yellow key light on the dash and could not depress the brake pedal or start the car. I attempted to put in a new battery to the intelligent key and also jumpstart the vehicle. Still would not start. Nothing warns you of this issue and glad that I was not driving the vehicle when this happened or part failed. On the following date the vehicle was towed to the local dealership. On Monday the 7th the car was diagnosed with the electric steering lock assembly failure. Same day I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs to find out there were no recalls nor would they offer any assistance or recall this part as they have on other similar models.

- Stafford, VA, USA

I took my car to wash and suddenly for no reason I just heard a noise right after that my reset tire pressure light came on for no reason, then the cruise control light came on and set was flashing, I tried to cancel it but it wouldn't then luckily I should say when I got home my ac just turned off and wouldn't turn back on then I turned the car off and when I tried to start it wouldn't start then the yellow key light turned on and I it wouldn't recognize the either key. My phone was charging and it was also damaged due to this failure. I've very upset. I had to tow it in to the dealer ship to get it diagnosed had to pay $95 for it plus now they are telling me this: -----original message----- from: [xxx] sent: Monday, August 12, 2013 12:20 pm to: Subject: Repair quote the repairs for 2008 Altima are listed below steering lock assembly & screws $834.22 labor charges $286.20 taxes & disposal fees -95.89 total - $1216.31 this is absurd, I did my research and I see a lot of complaints about the same issue this needs to be recalled. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- El Paso, TX, USA

I drove my car yesterday without any incidents. I have noticed this "key" symbol on dash warning light indicating I needed to insert the key into the car in order to start the car for the past several months. There is no diagnostic code and I was told by the dealership at Nissan that it was just indicating low battery on the key remote (even tho I just replaced the battery in November). I went to start my car this morning and although the dash lights up, the car will not start. I tried to jump start it and still wouldn't start. The brake lights come on and the dash lights up, but the car will not turn over at all. There isn't a fast clicking sound like it could be the starter. The key doesn't work to unlock the doors or the trunk either. Apparently this is as a result of a faulty steering lock unit.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

I had only one issue with my 08 Altima. The car would occasionally not recognize either of the key-fobs for what seemed like no reason. It did not seem to matter what time of day, temp., or weather. I even replaced the batteries of the key-fobs and the cars battery as well. (which was suggested as the first try to remedy this problem). On May 3, 2013 with about 66,000 miles or so (still a baby as far as car mileage goes) I had no issues starting the car or with it recognizing the key-fob. The 'issue" happened as I was making a lane change. The steering wheel locked making it impossible to control the car causing us (2 children and myself) to crash. My car was totaled... and after this experience I will not be purchasing or riding in another Nissan again. I'm certain had I been on a major hwy when this occurred we would have died and others injured/dead as well.

- League City, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the push-to-start system malfunctioned and the vehicle could not be started. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The contact ran an independent diagnostic test, which determined that there was a defect in the steering column, which needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer and was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Rockford, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the engine was running but the vehicle would not move. The contact mentioned that the failure was experienced once before. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that this was a known issue because of the belts that were used in the transmission. The dealer also stated that the steering lock needed to be replaced. The current mileage and failure mileage was 129,000.

- Wenonah, NJ, USA

Backing up in a parking lot, I heard a loud pop and found that I could not steer the vehicle. I brought the car to a local mechanic who had to replace the power steering rack.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

Drove car to work. After 3 hours of work went to start car, was able to open door but could not start car. Changed batteries in smart key, still would not start. Had car towed to Nissan dealership. They informed us that it was the steering lock mechanism, a $1400 dollar repair. I called 1-800-nissan1 and argued with them for day's. they finally agreed to pay for the parts but I'm stuck with $311 in labor costs, and we lost our car for nine day's..Nissan refused to pay for a rental car. This needs to be a recall and people need to be reimbursed. Nissan will not guarantee me that this will not happen again as it is the same parts. Something needs to be done!!!!

- Newington, NH, USA

Nov 15, 2012 - harrison, NJ - steering I own a 2008 salvage Nissan Altima. I was traveling approximately 40 mph when the steering wheel became extremely stiff. I was unable to turn the wheel so the vehicle to coasted to a stop. I noticed there was no power steering fluid in the vehicle. While adding more power steering fluid, he noticed the fluid leaking directly from the power steering fluid compartment. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where I was told the power steering rack fractured from the vehicle. The failure mileage was 44,040 and the current mileage was 44,000, I haven't taken it to authorize dealer yet but since it's a salvage vehicle most likely I'll be paying the repair out my packet.

- Harrison, NJ, USA

Car has developed a terrible wobble or shimmy between 30 and 40 mph. Nissan maintains it is in the cvt transmission. I have had the car into dealer many, many times.. no solution. But, all agree the car wobbles and shimmies at 30-40 mph. I have had Nissan engineers drive car, same result;.nothing. I have written to Nissan corporate offices, no solution. Told by Nissan that my driving style may be too conservative for car. Told by Nissan execs to drive car harder and faster and avoid speeds between 30 and 40 mph. How absurd. Nissan says there is no solution, so live with it. This car is a danger. What will happen on snow and ice. The consumer stated the transmission was reprogrammed several times, but to no avail. Updated IVOQ 12/08/11

- Villa Grove, IL, USA

Car not stable. It wanders and pitches. Steering is all over the road. Requires constant correcting. Seems very unstable on the interstate at 60mph and higher. Seems to pitch from corner to corner.

- Haslett, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact was traveling approximately 60 mph when the steering wheel became extremely stiff. The contact was unable to turn the wheel so the vehicle to coasted to a stop. The vehicle was then towed to the contacts residence. He then noticed there was no power steering fluid in the vehicle. While adding more power steering fluid, he noticed the fluid leaking directly from the power steering fluid compartment. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was told the power steering rack fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer where the power steering rack was repaired. The failure mileage was 45,762 and the current mileage was 48,000. Updated 03/10/11

- Rowlett, TX, USA

I got my Nissan 2 years ago as a graduation present from my parents. I have never been in a car accident or ran into anything ever from driving any car. One day I was driving on a country road, with no shoulders, near where I live and I went around a sharp turn and went off the road a little bit but then corrected myself and got back onto the road. Once I got back onto the road my car went out of control. The steering wheel started turning to the left and right uncontrollably and I pressed on the brakes and the car started sliding and spinning out of control from the wheel turning. The car then went to the other side of the road from the spinning and flipped over! I had to go to the hospital but I wasn't seriously injured and thank god no one else was in the car with me because they most likely would have been seriously injured because when the car flipped over the passenger side was the side that had the most damage, etc. My car is totaled and my parents are very angry with me, and I know I was driving faster than I should have, but I honestly believe that the car was a major contributor to the crash.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

I request that NHTSA investigate a major car defect of my Nissan Altima coupe. On 09/25/2009 I was driving on bruckner expressway close the exit 52 to bronx river parkway. I was driving between 45 to 50 mph, the breaks stopped working, I tapped the breaks continuously and still they did not work after a few seconds the steering wheel starting turning un-controllably to the right, then to the left. I tried to press on the breaks and control the vehicle but there was nothing I could do since the breaks and the steering wheel were not working. The car hit the highway shoulder on the left and then turned to the right. I believed that was the end of my life and my passanger's life. After about a mile the car came to a stop. I had never experienced an accident before. I bought a brand new car so I can avoid technical and manufacturing problems. But I was not lucky because my one year old Nissan Altima couple had a major manufacturing defect that almost took my life. Now all said and done, it has been 10 days that I have been in touch with Nissan of usa and Nissan of garden city. For these long ten traumatized days the only answer I got from Nissan is that the car will be inspected and that Nissan is going to let me know what happened to the car. Nissan did not provide me with a loaner or funds to rent a car. It has been 10 days that I have been renting cars or taking cabs paying from my pocket to make it to work. I am out of funds and Nissan does want to respond to the issue. I know that the car has a major manufacturing problem. I will not drive that car again under any circumstance. I do not want that car to be driven from anyone else because I am very sure that car is very dangerous. This car needs to be inspected carefully so Nissan can learn from this mistake and prevent future similar accidents that can turn deadly. Nissan needs to be responsible for their own mistakes. I hope NHTSA will be able to help in this issue. Thank you, alma uldedaj

- Bedford, NY, USA

Vehicle rides unstable. Sharp turns causes car to become unstable, loses controls of turn. Tires or rims unbalanced. Have vehicle seem many times and the problem can not be corrected. Neither representative would confirm problem. Told by american tires sale associate, Nissan will not reimburse them for correcting the problems. They rebalanced the tires, but this did not correct the problem. Advise right front tire problem, but they would not give a write up on the problem. My vehicle has had too many recalls. Hanlees richmond hilltop Nissan should have known about the many recalls, prior to selling this vehicle. March 26, 2009 had car in for servicing, driver seat broken, brake hardware damaged - brakes replaced. Mileage at time of servicing 12,800. I had complained about these problems from day one. I spoke with the finance associate about replacing the car, but he refused.. I have noted from servicing order on March 26, 2009 - heat shield problem - high RPM on initial startup. Antioch service advisor did not address this matter, because Nissan has not issued a correction order on this as of today. This is a brand new car that has many problems from the first day of purchase! I have tried so many times to get help from the service center as well as Nissan consumer services. Not help!!!

- Pittsburg, CA, USA

2008 Nissan Altima. Consumer complaint for power steering defect in a Nissan vehicle. Consumer states that some bolts fell out of the vehicle that caused the tensioner belt for the power steering to break.

- Newington, CT, USA