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 bought the Altima used in Sep of 2014. I didn't purchase the warranty because hey its a Nissan and I never had an issue with a Nissan in the past. A year after I bought the car things started going downhill. First the brake pedal wouldn't push down so the car wouldn't start, that repair cost me $120. In Dec of 2015 the car wasn't reading the key so it wouldn't start. Dealership said the steering lock mechanism failed, that repair cost me $900. Lastly while driving the car a week ago the car dies as I'm driving it. Towed it to the dealership and the say, sorry the engine seized up you need a new engine that will cost $8000.00. The engine had oil and only 67,000 miles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I bought the Altima used in Sep of 2014. I didn't purchase the warranty because hey its a Nissan and I never had an issue with a Nissan in the past. A year after I bought the car things started going downhill. First the brake pedal wouldn't push down so the car wouldn't start, that repair cost me $120. In Dec of 2015 the car wasn't reading the key so it wouldn't start. Dealership said the steering lock mechanism failed, that repair cost me $900. Lastly while driving the car a week ago the car dies as I'm driving it. Towed it to the dealership and the say, sorry the engine seized up you need a new engine that will cost $8000.00. The engine had oil and only 67,000 miles.
- youngzo2006, Canyon Country, CA, US