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:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,548 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 front suspension has caused my tyrode to come off cause the bracket that is on the strut bar that the stabalizer bolts onto has broke off from where its attached to. I can not keep the front right wheel tight it has came off with me driving down a city street which was seagoviille rd. In seagobille tx. All problems front suspension.
I have a Nissan Altima just bought 2016. When driving 20 min or more when you come to a stop about 3 seconds after. You feel a shift or jolt, in the engine the harmonic balancer or timing chain. I was driving 70 down I45 busy traffic, as audial and all a sudden my car starts loosing power and I was almost hit in the rear by a mac truck. When I was safely at a stop, I killed it and it cranked back up with half the power. 1500 rpms
I have had the car 2-3 years now and the tires have loosened up on me while driving, the car stopped running and had to do some kind of steering column lock work, it is rusting on the drivers side floor panel, and the transmission is out of it which happen on the road at work with two of my clients. Which the clients both are diagnosed with a disability. Very frightening when you make a left turn and your car stops infront of oncoming cars. That could have been a major tradegy.if only nadsan would have fixed that transmission problem many years ago when they were made aware of the problem( malfunction) and Nissan will not budge one bit to help fix the transmission unless I pay diagnostics and a transmission bill of over $5400. Who ever heard of a transmission costing that much money? they are the worst and I will never purchase a Nissan ever again. Thanks for your consideration.
I change my radiator 2 times - and they change the steering column lock and they charge me 1,200. I have change the pressure sensors couple times. This always happen when I was driving
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.
- Exton, PA, USA
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Luckily the car was parked and wouldn't start for this incident. After having it towed they needed to replace the steering lock mechanism. We're glad it wasn't being driven on the highway at the time it failed and possibly locked up the steering column. That could have been deadly. The replacement cost of this part is outrageous and should have been covered or replaced by Nissan. They've had a history of issues with this and should refund us the $1000 it cost just for the repair bill. It's ridiculous that people keep getting taken for something like this. Something needs to be done to remedy this situation.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While driving various speeds, the contact heard a grinding noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Shortly after, the contact drove over a pothole, which flattened the driver's side tire. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The contact stated that after a spare was installed on the vehicle, the noise grew louder. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger side alloy wheel, rear driver side alloy wheel, LK2 engine cradle 2.5, both top control arms and knuckles needed to be replaced. The insurance company declared the vehicle destroyed. The failure mileage was 25,000.
First issue was with passenger seat airbag sensor. My wife or other passenger would be sitting in passenger seat and the sensor in the seat would not work and therefore the passenger airbag was disabled, putting passenger safety at risk. Second issue. Had to replace tire pressure monitoring sensor due to leaking tire pressure. Have had to replace 2 out of 4 so far in the last year. Causes low tire pressure and unsafe driving condition.
All four tire pressure monitoring units made by schrader company equipped on my 2009 Altima SE V6 model failed after 4 years or 31,000 miles. The government mandated unit should have lasted at least half the vehicle's life which is approximately 75,000 miles or 5 years.
The vehicle was parked and two of the tire pressure sensors failed causing the tires to lose all their air. Previously, in December 2013 one sensor failed while the vehicle was being driven. The mileage at that time was 51,300. We had no idea that the tire pressure sensors could fail due to exposure to a northern climate (ice, snow and salt.) after the latter occurrence our research indicates that their have been Nissan recalls related to the tire pressure sensors on other 2009 Nissan models.
I was driving on the South conduit by exit 23A near the belt parkway. There were several pot holes on the left lane. I hit the pot holes at normal speed and my rim broke and my tire came off. I had to pull to the side and wait for mechanic to help me.
Have had several issues with my 2009 Nissan Altima. I bought it November 2012. By February 2013, I replaced tires. Was sold a car with incorrect license plates that owed registration fees to dmv. I almost got towed and didn't know why. Between February and November 2013, I replaced brakes, another set of tires, third brake light twice, and battery. May 2014, took it to rogers & rogers dealership for an oil change. Maintenance other light and tires on. (car was bought with a flashing tire maintenance light on) mounts and struts were replaced and was advised to replace sensors. August 2014, car wouldn't start again. Steering lock unit needs to be replaced. It's not covered under extended warranty. Rear left window doesn't work either. Everything adds up to over $3000.
TPMS light blinks for a while and then stays on. The first incident happened at 33022 miles and again at 52033. It appears that the TPMS sensor batteries are defective causing the system to be unreliable.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while having the tires changed at a local tire dealer, the dealer noticed that all four valves stems were defective and needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the valve stems who stated that the valve stems were recalled by the manufacturer but the contact's VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 75,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 55 mph he began to feel vibrations in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where he was informed the failure may be due to the wheel mounts. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure continued to recur whenever he would drive approximately 55-60 mph. The vehicle was taken back to an authorized dealer where the tires were balanced and the wheel racks were replaced. The failure continued. The failure mileage was 12,000 and the current mileage was 20,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Seagoville, TX, USA