CarComplaints.com Notes: You don't want to get 2009 and 2010 Altima owners started about their cars. That is, unless, you know how to start their cars.
These vehicles can suddenly become impossible to start thanks to a faulty electronic steering column lock (ESCL). Nissan dealers will gladly replace it, but that will run you $1000.
More info & videos about the Nissan ESCL defect are available over at NissanProblems.com.
It's one of the many reasons this car was named CarTalk's Turd of the Week and given our Beware of this Clunker badge. Two dubious honors.
I didn't purchase either Altima. We had a 1996 Nissan Altima and something that you would see as a scratch on a Camry or Mazda turns into a minimum $4K to fix if it barely touches something. These cars look good, but only if you want something to look nice on your driveway. The other one was a 2009 Altima and it looked very nice. I couldn't believe my family would buy another Altima. I told them to get a Mazda which have always lasted over 200 to 300 miles before buying a new car.
The body damage on our other cars never were an issue when we would sell or they were too old to pass the emissions testing. We still have 2001 Camry in our backyard in perfect condition but it couldn't pass the emissions test. The 2009 was in a very mild collision to the left front which on a normal car would have barely showed and cost maybe $1K to fix. Not this car though, the 2009 Altima. It would cost $7K to replace, more than the car is worth. The previous Altima was the same way and always in the shop. These cars are built to look good but the quality of these cars can't withstand a single collision. The light was broken and part of the bumper. Both Mazda's have endured the same impact and it cost about $100 to fix. I warned my family not to get another Altima because they are built out of plastic and the bumper and the entire frame are attached so you can't fix one thing without fixing everything. It's a shame. And, it's not drivable either and it can't be patched up.
First accident ever in 20 years of driving. I drove the previous lemon Altima as a teenager and after hitting a pole, the body damage was extensive but at least we were able to fix it for $1K. The bumper was not attached to the entire frame of the car then. Nissan tries to build cars that look like luxury cars like a Lexus but are affordable. They don't worry about the longevity of the car. It's suited for an old retired couple who go nowhere but for people who actually drive the car, beware of the fact that the car cannot be touched by anything. What a waste.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I didn't purchase either Altima. We had a 1996 Nissan Altima and something that you would see as a scratch on a Camry or Mazda turns into a minimum $4K to fix if it barely touches something. These cars look good, but only if you want something to look nice on your driveway. The other one was a 2009 Altima and it looked very nice. I couldn't believe my family would buy another Altima. I told them to get a Mazda which have always lasted over 200 to 300 miles before buying a new car.
The body damage on our other cars never were an issue when we would sell or they were too old to pass the emissions testing. We still have 2001 Camry in our backyard in perfect condition but it couldn't pass the emissions test. The 2009 was in a very mild collision to the left front which on a normal car would have barely showed and cost maybe $1K to fix. Not this car though, the 2009 Altima. It would cost $7K to replace, more than the car is worth. The previous Altima was the same way and always in the shop. These cars are built to look good but the quality of these cars can't withstand a single collision. The light was broken and part of the bumper. Both Mazda's have endured the same impact and it cost about $100 to fix. I warned my family not to get another Altima because they are built out of plastic and the bumper and the entire frame are attached so you can't fix one thing without fixing everything. It's a shame. And, it's not drivable either and it can't be patched up.
First accident ever in 20 years of driving. I drove the previous lemon Altima as a teenager and after hitting a pole, the body damage was extensive but at least we were able to fix it for $1K. The bumper was not attached to the entire frame of the car then. Nissan tries to build cars that look like luxury cars like a Lexus but are affordable. They don't worry about the longevity of the car. It's suited for an old retired couple who go nowhere but for people who actually drive the car, beware of the fact that the car cannot be touched by anything. What a waste.
- Bo R., Phoenix, US