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.

3.0

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,575 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.

2010 Nissan Altima brakes problems

brakes problem

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2010 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #7

Oct 282018

Altima

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have been having problems with vehicle bucking took to Nissan dealer was told 1 ignition coil and spark plugs paid to have them replaced but also had mentioned it smelt like raw eggs to the dealer. A few months later same thing took to dealer said another ignition coil I approved for them to replace the remaining 3 ignition coils so I wouldn't have this problem again and again I told them that it smelt like raw eggs. Now the service engine soon light is on and the code is for the catalytic convertor. Was told that the extended warranty went out in April. I would like some assistance with this. All the issues was when driving at both hwy speeds and city speeds

- Lake Wales, FL, USA

problem #6

Nov 212017

Altima

  • miles
Diagnosed as body control module: Drains battery including new installed battery; fob with new battery will not lock the vehicle and will not activate alarm system and the vehicle locator button sporadically performs; front passenger window will not operate properly (will not go down or constantly goes up and down and says in a half-up/half -down position; radio and clock loses digital display constantly when driving. Need to restart the vehicle to get the radio/clock to display. Afraid the entire electronic body module will fail at any given time effecting the safety operation of the vehicle. Date below indicating "when did this happen?" is the date it was diagnosed by mechanic.

- Gansevoort, NY, USA

problem #5

Feb 092017

Altima

  • 120,000 miles
I have had three separate occasions where when driving the vehicle and attempting to turn into a corner the car completely shuts off and loses all power and ability to steer. The first two occasions occurred where I could simply place the car in park and restart as if nothing happened. The last occurrence 2/9/17 happened as described above was turning into an alley going less than 20mph when car just shut off. I placed the car in park and when I attempted to restart, the car turned on but when pushing the gas the car would barely accelerate. I had the car towed and the wrecker tried to drive the car onto the tow truck but was unable to get it up the bed as it didnt have any power to drive up the bed. I took it to a Nissan dealership who ran diagnostics and stated that there were no codes that were identified. They stated it was running just fine, and could not reproduce the same issue. This is a huge safety hazzard as there is absolutely no notice when the car will shut off and lose power steering. This could easily be a huge accident if occurs on the freeway. I would like answers as to what is going on with the car. I have seen hundreds of other Nissan owners with similar problems (all reporting that no diagnostic codes prompted during diagnosing).

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #4

Oct 252016

Altima

  • 42,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car does not start. Took out battery and was told it was good. Charged it up and car started. Done this many times. Took in to Nissan and they kept it 3days. Could not find anything wrong and put in a new battery. Last night, had a hard time getting it started when pushing the start button. Radio though comes on.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #3

Nov 032014

Altima

  • 37,000 miles
I was driving down a residential road and my stability control turned off on its own and I could not turn it back on. At the time that it turned off my parking brake light came on, eventually it turned off but flashed on two more times as I was driving up hill. I was never able to turn the vdc (electronic stability control) back on.

- Lakewood , OH, USA

problem #2

Oct 172014

Altima

  • 20,000 miles
Norfolk, Virginia - my 2010 Nissan Altima with push button start failed to start. All other electrical seemed fine. I had just previously noticed the ABS, vdc and slip warning lit while driving. After checking fuses, key fob batteries, etc. I attempted to pump the brakes several times and it finally started. Drove immediately to the dealer where I was told it was the brake lamp switch and harness which must be replaced at a cost of $550. He seemed to know with out of even looking what the problem was. When I questioned him about such an expensive switch, he only said "this happens a lot with this model." This should be recalled and fixed at Nissan's expense.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #1

May 272010

Altima

  • 25 miles
Car is all over the road when speed reaches 70 mph or more. Feels like your driving in a hurricane when there's no wind at all present. Brought this to Nissan's attention, but they said nothing is wrong with the car. Also pointed out that there are no chimes to alert/remind you of putting on seat belts. When car is in motion, passenger can undo seatbelt and no warning chime will occur. Again, Nissan said this is normal for their car.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

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