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.
My car it would not start. There was absolutely no activation of the ignition system. After following all trouble shooting advice in the car's manual, I towed the car to dealer where they stated an open circuit in steering control unit is not telling the control unit that the steering wheel is unlocked and ready to start. The steering lock control unit (part# 487009N00B) needed to be replaced. This is all part of the vehicle anti-theft immobilizer system. The cost to replace this unit was $1,062.90. I feel this is a serious safety flaw in the 2009 Nissan Altima. 1. this was a fully functioning car (except for anti-theft glitch) that left me and my daughter stranded in a very remote area. 2. Nissan promotes how safe, reliable and economical their cars are, but the anti-theft system can disable the vehicle leaving driver stranded with only one option, which is, to be towed to a dealer because of ant-theft system glitches. 3. the car, being economical, should not require an over $1,000 repair because of an anti-theft device circuit malfunction. 4. there are several conditions that can occur that will result in the Nissan Altima becoming immobilized stranding drivers. I am stating only one. This is particularly dangerous especially to female drivers. 5. I feel that Nissan should come up with an override code or device that will allow a driver to escape from potentially dangerous situations that were created by Nissan's vehicle immobilizer system. Especially when the car is fully functional except for an anti-theft immobilizing circuit falsely telling that the vehicle is not ready to start. I believe this is a serious safety flaw in their vehicle security system.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated the engine failed to start and the battery warning light started to illuminate. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was equipped with a push to start ignition. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated the steering lock mechanisms failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 68,000.
Car only 3 years old. Steering lock malfunction. Was stranded. Car won't even start. Had to have towed. Part is super expensive. How is this possible on relatively new car?
I'm a female who was left stranded in a dark parking lot because car would not start. Had to be towed. Problem was steering wheel locking mechanism. $811 for repair and $75 towing. Please recall. Particularly scary because when I was playing around with remote trying anything to get the car to start, I rolled the windows all the way down with the remote and could not get them back up. So I was alone in a dark parking lot with the front windows completely rolled down waiting an hour for the tow truck.
09 Nissan Altima just over 44K miles the steering wheel lock malfunctioned. No lights on dashboard, brake pedal very stiff, the vehicle will recognize that the key is inside and outside and is inserted at the location on the left side on driver and is able to lock and unlock but it will not start at all. Towed to dealer and as I am over my 36K warranty but not over the 3 year warranty I had to pay over $800 to fix for a vehicle that is not even over 3 years old. I will not buy another Nissan again.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the electrical steering lock was not operating. As a result, the engine would not start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the failure was due to electrical problems. The dealer offered no assistance and informed the contact that they would not assist with the repair costs. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 48,000 and the current mileage was 48,300.
My 2009 Nissan Altima would not start. Vehicle is equipped with factory intelligent key starting system, and the intelligent key warning light would blink on the dash.I looked up the code in the owners manual. It stated steering lock malfunctioning. I had vehicle towed to nearest Nissan dealer. A faulty steering lock control unit (part #48700-9N00B) needed to be replaced. With parts ($470) and labor ($300) plus taxes the total cost for this repair is $730. This is becoming a common costly issue with 2008-2009 Nissan Altima's and other Nissan vehicles produced in those years. A recall should be started! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I drove my 09 Altima to the mall parked it, an hour later I tried turning it on and it wouldn't start. No crank, and it wouldn't even go to acc. I tried jump starting it and even change out the battery but no luck.
My 2009 Nissan Altima would not start. Vehicle is equipped with factory intelligent key starting system, and the intelligent key warning light would blink on the dash.had vehicle towed to nearest Nissan dealer. A faulty steering lock control unit (part #48700-9N00B) needed to be replaced. This is becoming a common issue with 2008-2009 Nissan Altima's and other Nissan vehicles produced in those years. A recall should be started!
After about 37000 miles I started to hear a "whirring" or kind of "roaring" noise while driving. I noticed the noise sped up and got a bit louder as I accelerated. I asked a mechanic to check the brakes and those were fine. At the next oil change, I asked the mechanic to ride in the car because the noise had gotten louder. They found one of the front wheel bearings to be worn out. I took the car to a dealer, because the wheel bearings are covered under the power-train warranty until 60000 miles. The dealer found both front wheel bearings "completely worn out" (per their notes on the work order). Wheel bearings should not be wearing out this early.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lutherville Timonium, MD, USA