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:
10 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 1
Average Mileage:
52,759 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.
Airbag warning light on dashboard. Have replaced passenger seat with malfunctioning seat sensor twice within last 5 years. Now getting a warning of airbag malfuntion for the entire vehicle. Vehicle does this at rest and driving. My vehicle doesn't fall under takata recall, but right now car is unsafe for my entire family.
Air bag light comes on periodically 'no airbag'. problem since 2014; along with steering lock failure (fixed), along with manifold exhaust problem(fixed). Windshield wipers keep wearing out, left driver side because blade is too tight; brakes vibrate when stopping, ;car vibrates at 70 mph, and car sounds like wind tunnel when driving highway yet windows are up.
I have a problem with the driver sit bell. And my air bag going off no accident I went to the dealer for dat the reset that for $ $125 the tell me next time I have to pay $ $2745 to fix the front passenger air bag, if the air bag going off again I wont to no why because my car never been in accident
About 2 weeks ago I noticed that my air bag dash light was blinking. So I took my car into the shop and had it diagnosed for $125 (of course) then the service adviser states that a sensor in my passenger seat is not working and it cannot determine if an adult or a child is sitting in the passenger chair. In order for me to fix it I'd have to change out the whole chair assembly. I said why do I have to pay for this, this is a safety issue, so if the air bags don't deploy in an accident why should I be liable when it's a safety issue. This should be a safety recall and not the owners responsibility. I maintenance my vehicle every time on the money and to have a simple sensor cost almost $3,000 I don't think so.
The airbag warning light illuminated on my dashboard, and when I took it to the dealer, I was told that the OCS system for the passenger seat had failed, and I would need to pay $2500 to replace the cushion seat. This issue appears to be related to an airbag recall involving 2013-2016 Altima, as well as other Nissan vehicles the passenger air bag is disable due to a sensor malfuntion that is very dangwrkus if you are involved in an accident
- Sarasota, FL, USA
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My air bags do not work on the driver or passenger side. They have stopped working for some time now. The light is steady bleaking on the dash showing its not working.
Takata recall - although my car has not yet been affected by he recall I believe that it will be. The passenger airbag sensor is faulty which affects the amber dashboard passenger airbag light from working properly which therefore will not allow the airbag to deploy if in an accident. Or more so allowing the airbag to deploy at any given time without being in an accident. This sensor disarms the whole airbag system from working properly which is a serious safety hazard.
The passenger side airbag on/off warning light (yellow) on the center of the dash lights up intermittently. This occurs even if someone is sitting in the passenger seat at the time indicating that the airbag is turned off.
I love my Altima. But recently it's an expensive pain in the neck. Recently my airbag lights came on. Took it to the mechanic and he said my airbag sensors are not working. Since the sensors is in the seat, I have to pay $3,100 to replace the bottom cuahion in the passenger side of my car. My has wasn't in an accident, there was no moisture in my car to cause this problem. I've looked online and airbag sensor on the passenger side of Altima has gotten a lot of complaints. This is not a cheap fix and there's too many Nissan owners complaining about their 2009 nisaan Altima passenger airbag sensor failure. Nissan need to fix this before someone gets hurt.
Passenger seat cushion sensor has malfunctioned, disarming the entire airbag system. This seat cushion sensor has been replaced 3 years ago by owner, and now a second oem sensor has failed. No injury has occurred but would hate to find out what death or injury could be prevented if Nissan or NHTSA would recall this item in 2009 Nissan Altima with only 62000miles.
Takata recall. Dealership says entire seat needs to be replaced to correct passenger airbag sensor issue. Will cost over $1,400 to replace due to shortage in replacement seats. Will only warranty for 1 year if replaced.
My Nissan Altima was in a 4+ rollover at @65 mph, West bound on I-8 near boulevard California about dawn and just East of sandiego. When a sudden rain downburst, the car hydroplaned and left the road and proceeded to roll 4+ times. I have yet to see the accident report. The front driver and passenger airbags did not deploy and neither did the driver side door bags. The passenger side door bags deployed but the passengers do not recall them airing up. Usaa has the vehicle in sandiego somewhere. I feel the passenger side and driver side airbags should have deployed in a multiple side rollover.... the occupants were at huge risk but for the grace and hands of god, they walked away, though I feel that the chp should have forced a 4 young adults to go to the hospital, instead everyone leaving the scene after gathering luggage and such. Injuries are unknown, but typical of being rolled at high speed numerous times, being shaken, bruised, skeletal alignment disrupted etc...
Passenger seat airbag sensor malfunctions with someone sitting in the seat, the warning light comes on that passenger airbag is disarmed. Very unsafe. Tires TPMS valves constantly leak even after service. Replaced 3 out of 4 of them, and 4th one needs to be replaced.
The sensor in the front passenger seat of my 2009 Nissan Altima suddenly stopped working and is no longer able to tell if someone is sitting in the seat to turn on the airbag.
The airbag warning light illuminated on my dashboard, and when I took it to the dealer, I was told that the OCS system for the passenger seat had failed, and I would need to pay $3500 to replace the entire seat. This issue appears to be related to an airbag recall involving 2013-2016 Altima, as well as other Nissan vehicles.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated consistently without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sensor failed on the passenger side of the vehicle. The seat bottom assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the front passenger side air bag warning indicator remained illuminated at all times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a mass sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that after pressing the push to start button, the vehicle failed to start. In addition, the passenger side air bag warning light flickered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 09/06/16 updated 09/08/16.
The passenger side light indicating the airbag is turned off remains on even when someone is sitting in the passenger seat. Then the airbag sensor light started flashing. I have to replace the passenger seat to fix.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Exton, PA, USA