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.
The steering locked up on the car and I couldnt get it unlocked. The dealership told me that it needed to get replaced so I did however I found out later this was a recall
After leaving the house for work my car wouldn't start. I paid to have some come out thinking it could possibly be battery or starter related. Com to find out Nissan has issued a escl service campaign on like vehicles. I was never notified of this issue and that it need to be fixed. Thank god I was at home when it happened otherwise their negligence could've left me in an unsafe situation. I now have to take my car to the dealership to get fixed but I'm now left wondering what else could they be hiding. My mother has the same car and she was never notified as well.
My Nissan Altima has a faulty electronic steering column lock. There is a recall campaign in place but my VIN doesnt qualify even thou its electronic steering column lock malfunctioned. The dealership is asking 1003 to fix this. Kindly help
- Lake Forest, CA, USA
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My 2009 Nissan Altima has locked the steering wheel due to the failure of the electrical steering lock system, which is a major problem within these cars. There was a recall but most owners won't malfunction until further miles like mines. I was at my parents house visiting "thank lord" which was not that far from my apartment, when I came outside to leave the vehicle would not start. Was due to that problem
I tried to start Nissan Altima after shopping and would not start. Steering was locked up and transmission.I was not in the safest part of town so I was worried for my safety.this is the second time it happened to me so I knew it was the steering lock unit gone bad again. First time was 3 years ago and it was replaced free at Nissan dealer this time it cost me $ $1009.56 at same Nissan dealer. Need to recall so this matter can be fixed. I cant afford a car that I have to replace same $1000 part every 3 years.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. After the vehicle was started, it failed to shift out of park and the intelligent key system warning indicator illuminated the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that unknown parts related to the steering lock mechanism needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000. Updated 05/10/17
My 2009 Nissan Altima will not start, can not move gears, lock or unlock doors and windows don't work. The part had a recall that needs to be reinstated.if this happened in the middle of nowhere I could have been raped or killed. This is a tremendous safety issue!
Steering lock has broken and there is no way to start my car - it left me stranded at night and I understand Nissan will not honor a recall that they had for this before. I was parked in a lot when it happened. I had my car towed, then it worked briefly but has stopped again. This is an electronic key with no manual option. I understand that this is a persistent problem with this vehicle and year and that Nissan changed the design because of this.
The start push button ignition and the intelligent key will not engage.. the steering wheel is locked and will not allow the brake pad to depress for the operation of the vehicle. I am left dead in the water with no way to start or use the accessories function to turn on the radio or allow my phone to charge in the battery port. I went to pick up my family went to start the car and there was no recognition.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While trying to start the vehicle, the power steering lock was faulty and the warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
My Nissan Altima 2009 left me stranded in a parking lot at night. The steering would not lock and the car would do nothing! luckily after several attempts the car did start. Now a month later, thankfully, this happened again in my driveway at home! I could have been murdered or raped in that parking lot! I am hearing there was a recall that was amended in January 2016. I don't have over $10000. For this repair that could have taken my life. I am afraid to drive for fear of being stranded again!
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering lock needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000.
Car would not start, locked up on me. Vehicle towed to Nissan, told it will cost me close to $1000 to repair, noticed other costumers had this same problem. Nissan extended the warranty for 6 years which expired 4-25-2015. My vehicle was parked in plaza parking lot
Drove to work fine. Car started right up. When I tried to start my car an hour later the car couldn't start or attempt to turn over. The battery is brand new so that wasn't the issue. Turns out the electrical steering cylinder lock is bad. Tried everything to get the car to start. Car was stationary but now I'm stranded.
I was unable to start my car and was left stranded in a parking lot at work for over 3 hours waiting for a tow truck. Once I got to the Nissan dealership I was informed that the issue is with my steering lock and it would cost $1,300. I came in 4 days prior to this event due to an indicator light coming on which I found out was a warning about the programing of my key and was turned away by the dealer and told that the light really isn't a big issue because I am able to start the car. However, 4 days later my car won't start at all and now I am unable to get to and from work and I am also a student. I called corporate and was told that because this happened after 2015 and the recall had expired there was nothing they could do.
The steering column recall was repaired, but warranty was off. Had to pay out of pocket. Automatic transmission stopped and recall on it was off. Automobile was in motion when it slowed to a crawl on the highway
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Clermont, FL, USA