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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,139 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Nissan Altima fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2009 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #10

Sep 032020

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My cvt transmission belt broke but before this happened my speed sensor was failing and also my step motor I've had this car for 2 years with very little problems also the car is stuck in neutral.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #9

May 152020

Altima

  • miles
I got my car May 2020 for 3250 I got the throttle body fixed and also the flex pipe thinking thats the reason the car is slowing down or when im stopped at a light I can push the padel to the floor I almost got hit by a truck I took it back to the shop to get a tuneup he told me no way im not touching it its the transmission my rmp goes up to 3 or 4 depending I can be driving and the car is good then it jerks even when im stopping it jerks then I cant pull off anybody help

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #8

May 222020

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles
Fuel reads empty when the tank is full.

- Land O Lakes, FL, USA

problem #7

Nov 152017

Altima

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This vehicle will not operate if it's driven for more than 45 minutes at highway speeds. The power train goes into a neutral mode. It then requires a pull over onto a freeway to allow it to cool down for at least 30 minutes before the vehicle will work. It does not matter what the ambient temperature is outside. When driving at speeds lower than 50 miles per hour it does not have this problem. Per the Nissan mechanics this is a known problem with the cvt and the only way to fix it is to completely replace the cvt. We have tried a transmission cooler but that does not work. This is very dangerous as it requires the vehicle to be stopped and turned off for 20 minutes which can be a big safety problem as it would require sitting on the side of the freeway or, if able, sitting in the vehicle in an unsafe neighborhood.

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #6

Jan 012018

Altima

  • 95,000 miles
P0776 codes populates after 02 sensors were changed. It's the solenoid B pressure line located in the valve body. It affects the car to the point we're it's undriveable and loses power. Car will not go over 3000rpms if it does it causes the car to go into lymp mode. There's been several complaints regarding the issue and Nissan has yet to make any effort to rectify the issue. Nobody has $3000 to replace the whole transmission, when it's only a little component that needs to be replaced and not the entire tranny. Rectify the issue and stop selling lemon cars with horrible parts.

- Miami, FL, USA

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problem #5

Oct 192018

Altima

  • 81,000 miles
The car slows down and speeds up on its own and makes a whining sound while driving in the city and on the highway.

- Vicksburg, MS, USA

problem #4

Jun 132017

Altima

  • 135,700 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Fuel pump went out mileage #135828 on my Altima 2009 2.5S. Initially the car would feel like it was going totally usually after exciting the freeway. It totally went out while parked. It would try to turn over with no lock.models 2.5L 4 cylinder and 3.5L V6 years 1993 / 2002-2013 mileage 136212 have been recalled. Is it possible to investigate the 2009 2.5S?

- Gahanna, OH, USA

problem #3

Nov 142013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 35,675 miles
Two incidents on same day: First incident at 7:15am: Engine continued to rev without accelerator pedal being pushed. Braking distance much longer than normal. When car did stop, engine speed returned to normal. Second incidence at 10:45am (had stopped/started car 5 times, and driven approximately 40 miles since first occurrence): Same engine over-rev issue while braking (accelerator pedal not pushed). After stopping (distance required much longer than normal), engine speed did not return to normal. When transmission was shifted to neutral, then park, to keep engine from propelling car, engine speed went to 6000rpm, without accelerator pedal being pushed. Had to turn engine off, then start again to get engine to respond normally.

- Trenton, GA, USA

problem #2

Apr 262013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 57,000 miles
Driving down the road when the car started to stutter pulling over to the side of the highway the car begin to smoke under the hood. I came to a complete stop and got out the car. Flames begin to come from under the hood. After the fire was put out we spoke to the fire marshall ([xxx]) who stated the fire started from mid engine line. And more than likely the car was on fire while I was driving. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #1

Jan 082013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 78,019 miles
Car failed to start, intelligent key would not work. Aftermarket remote start system was used to start car and drive home, perhaps 15 miles. Next day, remote start system was used to start car and drive to dealer, 40 miles away. After about 15 miles, everything died while on the interstate and had to coast to the shoulder. Car was then towed remainder of way to dealer. Diagnosed as defective steering lock and replaced. Dealer said aftermarket remote start system probably timed out, which is why it died on the interstate.

- Columbus, IN, USA

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