When I entered my car I noticed that the push brake light wasn't on like it normally is for the intelligent key start. I pushed down on the brake and it felt very stiff. A yellow key light kept flashing and everytime I would try and start the car it would stay in lock and wouldn't even try to start. I didn't hear the ignition, nothing. I tried to check the battery, I used a different key, I put the key in the slot and nothing worked. I was stranded. The car was working fine and had no previous indicators that something could go wrong. As I searched online for a fix I found many people who had the same problem and had to pay a huge amount of money to get it fixed. Nissan promotes how safe, reliable and economical their cars are, but the anti-theft system of the steering wheel lock can disable the vehicle leaving a driver stranded with only one option, which is, to be towed to a dealer. This a serious safety flaw in the 2009 Nissan Altima. Nissan was supposed to be a reputable company. However, with these types of malfunctions, and no support for their customers, I feel very unsatisfied and unsafe with my purchase. Nissan needs to provide a recall and fix these sensor issues.

- El Paso, TX, USA

Steering lock unit malfunctioned. Car would not start.

- Washington, NJ, USA

Upon attempting to start the car, ignition would not change from "lock" to "acc" or "on". intelligent key warning lamp was lit steady on dash. Steering wheel column was not locked. All power and other functions worked (lights, door locks, etc). Battery is fine. Independent testing found steering lock control module part 48700-9N00B faulty. Similar/same part on Nissan gtrs was recalled, part number 48700-jf00A or 48700-jf00B, being replaced by 48700-jf00C same part number is failing for Nissan 370zs as well, same years and same part number 48700-jf00A or 48700-jf00B, yet they are not being recalled. This problem is also occurring in Nissan maximas and Nissan muranos however I could not find the part number. In all models of Nissan this part was removed in mid 2010 due to consistent failure. The part costs approximately $500 from Nissan, is usually out of stock and back ordered, and also costs another $400-$500 to be installed at a dealer. There should be a make-wide recall for all models for this part, not just the gtr because it's the most expensive of them.

- Bothell, WA, USA

After work my wife's car would not start. The intelligent key warning light was on but the push button was non responsive even with the fob in the key fob slot. We had the vehicle towed to the dealer and was told it the steering lock control unit had gone bad and is preventing the ignition swith from working. This part should be recalled by Nissan since it prevents starting the car leaving you stranded.

- Cedar Park, TX, USA

Without any warning my 2009 Nissan Altima would not start. I could not depress the brake in order to start the car. The car recognized the intelligent key was inside the car, I could lock/unlock the doors and trunk, dome lights worked. Basically I was stranded. I contacted the dealer I purchased car from (whom are not familiar with Nissan vehicles) and an extended warranty, they had me troubleshoot. I called lock & key company, not familiar working with this Nissan problem. Called Nissan dealer while waiting, they advised me a typical problem with this yr/make and I was at the mercy of Nissan to repair, he forgot to tell me that it wasn't covered under any warranty program and no recall. Vehicle towed to dealership/service dept I purchased car from, they towed to local Nissan dealer. Now they want $750 for repairs on something that even Nissan is aware of (I called Nissan no. America) and they will investigate if perhaps something else triggered the sensor to not work properly. My car will stay at dealer until I get an answer and the $750. It could have happened at any time, no warning lights, car didn't act up in any way. This poses huge risks, people could be stranded at night or on the side of a road.

- Reno, NV, USA

Vehicle was parked and engine was turned off, upon return to vehicle to start engine with the intelligent key, steering wheel was locked and the car would not recognize the smart key even while inside the car or when it was inserted on the smart key port. Attempted to jump vehicle but it was not the battery, car was towed to nearest Nissan dealership, not selling dealership. Part was back ordered so no vehicle or rental offer by warranty as the part itself is not covered by warranty, so this part and service totals approximates $1000, this does not include car rental of approximately $300 for a week, as I wait for the vehicle to be fixed. Car insurance would not cover any part of either repairs or car rental as it was not in a car accident. I may add the vehicle shut off in an unsafe area; luckily, towing came right as it was getting dark. Please consider recalling this part.

- Mays Landing , NJ, USA

Went out to start car in the am to leave for work and car wouldnt start. All electrics however still did, . steering wheel was locked I couldnt get it out of park. Tried to jump it. That didnt work eitther. So we replaced the battery. That didnt work. Still wouldnt start. Dealer came and towed it to the dealership today. Said its the steering lock assembly going bad. I need it replaced. Its not covered under warrenty. $723 it will cost me. Dealership stated they have had this issue with many many 2009 Altima.. why is this not a recalled part?

- Hooper, UT, USA

2009 Nissan Altima coupe was in parking lot and would not start. The intelligent key warning light was on dash. Had car towed to dealer. They advised steering lock control unit (part #48700-9N00B) was bad. This is a common problem on '09 Altima as well as 370Z. Dealer offered 10% discount and advised $600 total. I called Nissan customer care and escalated to regional office. This is a real safety issue because who knows where and when you can be stranded. Nissan has recalled this part on other models and discontinued this feature on subsequent models. This is a safety issue and something needs to be done!

- Camp Hill, PA, USA

I turn off my car to get gas and when I got back in my car it would not turn on I try to have a jump and that didn't work so I had my car tow to the dealership, I only had the car for 1 year. The dealer said I would need a new steering unit that will cost me $1300. This is not the first time for these Nissan to have this issue and I feel a recall is needed. I feel like I been rip off by Nissan and my dealership.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and no warning lamps illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering lock module was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 51,300 and the current mileage was 51,800.

- El Paso , TX, USA

Steering lock that engages the engine malfunctioned when I tried to start the car. This could be very dangerous if the malfunction occured while driving because the entire electrical system was non responsive and the car would shut down, including brakes. This is a three year old car with one owner. All mantainance has been done and the vehicle has not been involved in any accidents.

- Johns Island, SC, USA

I stopped at a store and when I came back to my car it would not start. The steering column was locked and the car was no longer reading the intelligent key. There was no way at all to start car or even move wheel. I had to have car towed on flatbed to Nissan dealer where I was told the steering column was locked and there was a malfunction. It cost $850 to fix. I think Nissan needs to be ordered to recall this part. Nissan knows about this issue as the newer Nissan models no longer have this feature and continues to do nothing about it for Altima owners. To make things more ridiculous, Nissan actually recalled this part for other Nissan models but continues to ignore the Altima customers. This is also a known malfunction in the Nissan 370Z and again Nissan ignores these owners. How can a company continue to force owners to fix an issue that is a malfunction and caused by Nissan own improper installation at the manufacturing sight. Complete lack of concern for their customers. I could have been stranded in the middle of nowhere even though Nissan knows this is a common issue with this specific part in question. This is criminal to me.

- Medfrod, MA, USA

Car would not start. Intelligent key warning light was lit up, brake very stiff, and steering wheel not locked. Had to have the vehicle towed home. Thought it was the battery so purchased and replaced the battery. That did not work. After reading multiple complaints on the internet I self diagnosed it as a malfunction of the steering lock. Had to have the car towed to the dealer and as soon as the mechanic came out to the car he immediately diagnosed it as a bad steering wheel lock mechanism. Part is not in inventory so car will be at the dealer for several days and it will cost me $800 to fix. This mechanic must see this often if he knew without doing anything to the car what the problem was. Not too happy that I have a car I am still making payments on and have to pay $800 to fix a part that looks like should probably be recalled. Probably no more Nissan in my future. Going to stick to the reliable Toyota!

- La Mirada, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that he could not start the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic for inspection where they stated that the steering lock module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that they would repair the vehicle but it would be at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was 56,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

Car would not start and had to have it towed to dealer. The problem was steering lock faulty. For a car only 3 years old and well-maintained, I was not expecting a costly repair just out of warranty. I wondered if others had this problem and how to go about reporting and trying to get a recall for this problem.

- Augusta, GA, USA

I bought my 2009 Nissan Altima new and have done all the required maintenance. Then I went out to the car to start it up and nothing. It was towed to the Nissan dealership and I was told the electrical portion of the steering column was fried. It will cost me usd $800 to have fixed. The car is three years old! unfortunately this is a common problem with this year make and model yet Nissan has not issued a recall or offered to fix the malfunction without cost.

- Johns Island, SC, USA

This morning was very cold. I warmed my car up, went to vote. When I left the poll, I get to my car and it won't start, says that there is no fob in the car. The red security light is flashing. So I put the fob in the "doghouse" that is supposed to work as a back up method.. nothing.. still won't start.. disconnected the battery, reconnected and tried again.. nothing. Did all my research to find many many page so complains about it.. it's the steering lock mechanism. Seems they did away with that feature in late 2010 models.. guess they know why.. so now I'm stuck with a $700 bill for an issue hundreds of people are having. As a matter of fact, my car was the second 09 of the day with the same exact issue. Coincidence?? I think not.

- Bozrah, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined that the steering lock failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue. The failure and current mileages were unavailable. The VIN was not available.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

I went to the store on Sunday afternoon. I got back into my car and it wouldn't start. I read the owners manual and realized there was nothing I could do except have it towed to the dealership. My car is 3 years old and I take great care of it. Because it was Sunday, there was nobody at the dealership that could look at my car until the next day. The mechanic called me the next day and said I need a new steering lock. He said it was an electrical issue, but it is treated as a mechanical issue. That's funny because the mechanical warranty ran out 3 months prior, but the electrical warranty is a 5 year warranty. He said it isn't covered, they could not provide me with a courtesy vehicle, and that it would be $812+ to fix. 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 am I out $812+ for the part and labor, I was stranded alone, I have missed work because I don't have another mode of transportation, my insurance covers nothing except $75 for the tow (I paid $115), and I have spent countless hours on my phone with Nissan. I'm out time, money, data (on my phone plan), a paycheck, and a car!!! I will never ever purchase another Nissan! I really don't want the one I have now anymore! this faulty part should be recalled!!! there should be a way to override this if/when it happens so you are not just stranded. Intelligent key"?" yea right!

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Drove car 35 miles with no problems. When ready to leave location, car wouldn't start. Intelligent key would open doors & trunk but the ignition would not recognize the key nor the spare. The brakes were stiff, only light displayed on dash was intelligent key light. Had to be towed to dealer. It took 2 days for them to figure out the problem. The lock steering had to be replaced. $600+ for the repair.

- Simsboro, LA, USA