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:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,282 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.
Went out to my car this morning and it would not start. It does not recognize the keyless start fob. This happens when the steering lock mechanism fails. This is a time bomb because it can fail at any time with no warning whatsoever. The age and mileage on the car do not matter.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that she attempted to start the vehicle but to no avail. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the steering lock actuator was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 51,000.
Intelli key indicator light began illuminating two days ago. Last evening after dinner vehicle would not switch out of "lock" stranded in 15 degree temps waiting for tow for 2 hours. Nissan service advisor knew exactly what problem was. He called me later tonight to confirm electronic steering lock needed replacing. $800+. Nissan surely will recall "faulty" door handle springs at.50 cents a whack, but give me a break. It's time Nissan own up to the numerous 2009's that are having this part fail.
I parked my car at work, and when I went out 8 hours later to go home it wouldn't start. They key light was illuminated, and when I tried to start the car, it kept saying lock. My husband tried testing the battery, etc. The car ended up having to be towed to the Nissan dealership 50 miles away($200). Once the car was looked at, the dealership determined that the steering lock assembly needed to be replaced, and the total with labor would be approx $850. They also told me that it was on back order. The fact that the item is on back order, and that there are a ton of other complaints about this same issue tells me that Nissan needs to recall this part!!! I am waiting for a call back from Nissan regarding this issue.
Vehicle would not start. Key light on dash illuminated. Had towed to dealer. Informed problem was a faulty steering lock control unit. Very common problem on this model, part not in stock.
- Bethel, CT, USA
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2009 Nissan Altima - key warning light illuminated and car failed to start. Car was towed to nearest Nissan dealership where it was determined by diagnostic testing that the steering lock mechanism failed and needed to be replaced. Total estimated cost of repair with parts and labor is $1,100. Manufacturer will be contacted during business hours tomorrow. Total miles at time of incident was 64,000.
Vehicle wouldn't start, called a mechanic friend thinking it was the battery. He realized it wasn't the battery, it was the steering lock and he'd seen it before in Nissan's. we finally had to call Nissan and schedule an appointment and have it towed to the nearest dealership. It cost us $800. Our mechanic friend says that in his experience Nissan doesn't find this to be a "safety issue" so they won't do a formal recall. This is a 3 year old vehicle, and our warranty is already expired. Obviously from the other posts, Nissan is well aware of the problem. This isn't a brake or battery issue, there is no excuse for this happening on a 3 year old vehicle. We have tried contacting Nissan to see if they would reconsider and pay for this since it is only 3 years old. They called back and said no, clearly the warranty has expired. This is just wrong on so many levels. The dealership knows it's a problem too, and tried to work with us the best they could.
Parked the vehicle, it was not parked straight, got right back in to park straight, car would not started, got towed to hall Nissan chesapeake, told I needed a steering lock control and cost was $620 got on google and read all the complaints, there should be a default, a recall, we must stand together, please help!
We drove the car to dr.'s office. When going to leave, the push start button failed to start car. Ended up having car towed to our local mechanic, who called up to the closest Nissan dealer and they recommended to replace brake sensor, that wasn't the problem. Than we had it towed again up to Nissan dealer 45 miles away, ended up being the steering lock unit failed and had to be replaced. They ordered the part which was on back order. Finally car was ready 13 days after incident. Final cost was $848. Car has always been well taken care of and maintained on a regular basis. This defective part should be recalled!
I went to the valero in cabot, ar to get gas this past Wednesday morning before I was to go to work, and when I got back into my car and it wouldn't start. The intelligent key indicator light was on, and would not start. I could not press the brake it was very stiff and the start button would not come out of the lock position I read the owners manual, called the North little rock Nissan dealer, and realized there was nothing I could do except have it towed to the dealership. This is a 2009 model with 55,000 miles, and I take great care of it. The mechanic called me later and said I need a new steering lock unit. He said it would cost about $1200 to repair, and he said it isn't covered under warranty, and there was no recall, and to let him know what I wanted to do. This is faulty equipment from Nissan and this issue could not have been prevented by anything I could have done or not done. Not only do I not have $1200, but I have 3 kids and a job I that I need to get back & forth to. I have been stranded for 3 days now, I have missed work because I don't have another mode of transportation, my insurance covers nothing except $75 for the tow, and I have spent countless hours on my phone with Nissan. I'm without car, no way to get to work to support my family, and do not have enough groceries to survive the w/E !!! there should already be a recall on this, as I have read & been told by Nissan this has happened to 08,09,10 models. There definitely needs to be a formal recall on this part because it has affected too many people and it could easily result in death if the lock out takes place in traffic.. I have been unable to get the dealer to work with me, much less return my calls or emails. I may very well lose my job if I have to take off work anymore, because I do not have another means of transportation... pathetic.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the engine failed to start when engaging the push-to-start switch. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who informed the contact that the steering lock mechanism would need to be replaced. The required part was ordered and the vehicle was scheduled for repairs when the part would become available. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
My wife was about to head home from work in the afternoon. The key fob unlocked the car like usual but the car was unresponsive in her attempt to start it. The key light was illuminated on the dash. We tried a number of things but the push-to-start button wouldn't change out of the 'lock' position - even to go to 'accessory' mode. I had the car towed to a local Nissan dealer which informed us that the steering lock unit malfunctioned and will have to be replaced. The car will not be able to start up until it is fixed. The part is not under warranty and costs close to $500. My final quote was $864 from the dealer. The car will have to be reprogrammed, so there is no way to circumvent the dealer's cost. Nissan needs to own up to their mistake and recall this defective part.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the key warning light illuminated and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined that the steering lock mechanism failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure and current mileages were 35,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer where they advised her that the power steering lock failed. The vehicle was repaired for the steering lock mechanism. The manufacturer was contacted and offered her the component at a lower price. The failure mileage was approximately 64,980. The current mileage was approximately 65,900. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the intelligence key malfunction warning light illuminated and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the electronic steering column lock needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage and current mileage was 59,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the steering lock mechanism failed. The contact attempted to start the vehicle by engaging the push-to-start button but to no avail. In addition, the intelligent key malfunction indicator light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who performed a diagnostic test, and advised the contact that the steering lock mechanism failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The VIN was unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 42,000.
I went to work on the 7th for 11-7 shift. When I try starting my car to leave on the 8th @ 7:07, it would not start. The yellow warning key came up on the dash. The lights, locking the car works, the horn works. I call aaa they could get it started. I called Nissan after I took the car home as I have stuff in it that I couldn't leave at a shop. They said I should take it to a Nissan dealer and let them know the cost and what the problem was. I went on line and search it up only to find so many with this same or very similar problem. I call back Nissan and let them know it is not an isolated problem am having. The dealer knew what the problem was in less than 30min. It was the steering column need to replace. Now I spend $910 and Nissan telling me they can not finance it as there is no recall on the part. Please, everyone, let us join together and claim what is ours.
Car would not start. Yellow key light and flashing red key light on panel. Seemed like a security anti-theft problem but it turned out to be a faulty steering lock mechanism. A $700 repair. And, what's worse is, there was no recall for this item even with many complaints reported. This was recalled on other Nissan models (cube, 390, etc) but no on the Altima. Not happy.
On 01/09/2013, I drove my grandmother to an appt. And came home. Five hours later, I got into the car and it would not start. I made some calls and researched online and discovered many other complaints about the same problem, the steering lock mechanism isn't working. The little yellow key appears on instrument panel. I have brake lights and replaced the battery in both the car and the key fob. Nothing helped to start my car. The steering wheel isn't locked so it moves freely and the ignition button illuminates but will not leave the lock position. I placed a phone call to the number provided by conroe, tx. The "Consumer Affairs specialist", [xxx], hung up on me!! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lexington Park, MD, USA