7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$580
Average Mileage:
69,050 miles
Total Complaints:
12 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. replace brake switch and harness (3 reports)
  3. replaced brake switch (2 reports)
  4. change brake switch (1 reports)
  5. replace brake, relay switches (1 reports)
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problem #12

Sep 292018

Altima

  • CVT transmission
  • 74,600 miles

The brake pedal is very hard to press. all lights on instrument board were on, but the car won't start when you press the pedal and on button.

- Justin H., Ramsey, NJ, US

problem #11

Oct 042016

Altima S 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 160,000 miles

Past three months, this 2009 Nissan Altima gave me lots of problem. First, my transmission went out and stalled on freeway between 580 & 80 (Oakland & Emeryville) on two lanes with no emergency lanes at the most traffic jam at 04:30 AM. At that hour, People are flying with high speed. This is the most scariest of my life. I was so lucky I am still alive. I called 911 and five minutes later two highway patrols flied down and blocked one of the lane for safety. Caltrain Tow Truck is right behind tow my car back inside the city for safety.

The cost to fix transmission is $2900.00. Second, I spent another $800.00 to fix two shocks and two struts.Third, I spent another $500.00 to replace four new tires. Lastly it happened on 04OCT2016 after work, the car won't start and the key indicator kept pop up and said NO KEY. My two coworkers and my boss helped me to beat down the steering lock but no luck.I spent four hours at the parking lot until the tow car arrived and took another 1h45m to get home. No car to work I have to use my son car to work and he had to take Bart to school.

Sunday, my brother in law swing by and help me to beat hard on the steering lock and it worked. But I wouldn't take any chance until I replaced the steering lock anti theft. I stopped by Nissan dealer and the price is $648.00 just for the part. The Nissan should recall that part long time ago because I never received any letter for recall. That is not cool on your part you don't take good care customers.

- Tan P., El Sobrante, CA, US

problem #10

Jun 282016

Altima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Dealer says it Will cost me at least $1,000.00 to fix THE problem. I am in complete anguish. I have no transportation, nor can I get it fixed úntil I have THE money. If I would of known that this model had this type of problems, I would not have purchased this vehicle in february 2016.

- Ileana R., Ponce, Anguilla

problem #9

Jun 182015

Altima S 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles

Got off the metro & got in my car to go home & it wouldn't start. Brakes were pressed & stuck in that position & wouldn't release. Looked online & turned the steering wheel back & forth then tried to start the car (which worked). Plan on taking it to the dealership to see what the problem might be...

- Barron N., District Heights, MD, US

problem #8

Jan 012015

Altima SL 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 97,000 miles

Nissan needs to issue a campaign on this issue- too common a problem to ignore. The fix is to replace the brake light switch and wiring sub-harness with the Altima 2011 model version. Cost is about $500 from Nissan (I had mine replaced by my trusted mechanic instead).

- Geoffrey K., Anaheim, CA, US

problem #7

Aug 092014

Altima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,071 miles

Back in January went to workout after work,come out of gym and car want start,the brake would not depress. Called roadside service and had car towed to Nissan. They said it was in the steering column and was still under warranty and fixed it. Now seven months later I am having the same problem and now they say it sounds like it's the brake switch. I know three people this has happen to and I go to this

web site and see two other people this has happen to. How many not reported? I think it should be a recall on this and stop taking people money and chancing the safety of someone getting stranded somewhere unsafe.

- Cassandra M., Chattanooga, TN, US

problem #6

Jul 072014

Altima 3.2L 5 S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

I have a 2009 Nissan Altima and intermittently my car would not start. At first I thought it was a problem with battery so I had the battery replaced but this did not fix the problem. I then brought it to the dealer on several occasions and they could not replicate the problem. About half a dozen times I was out driving my car and could not restart it when I was preparing to come home. I had to call AAA to come start my car and they said it was a problem they were seeing frequently in Altima's. Eventually brought car to dealer and they said car was not covered under any recall or warranty and it would cost $448.62 to fix the problem by replacing brake switch and sub harness. Turns out that 2009 models along with other year Altima's are all having this same issue. It should be covered by a recall since it happens to be a very widespread and common problem with their cars. Nissan is very aware of this problem and will not address it and filing a complaint with their office of consumer affairs is pointless and gets you no where.

- Anne M., Newbury Park, CA, US

problem #5

Jun 062014

Altima S 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,100 miles

After reading about MANY other user complaints, this should be considered a recall. We should NOT have to pay for something that is failing on many vehicles!

- Chhan M., Rosemead, CA, US

problem #4

Mar 312013

Altima 2.5 SL 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 24,232 miles

Saturday evening car was working fine but on SUNDAY when I went to start the car wouldn't start. Battery had been replaced two months ago, so that issue was disregarded. Doors would lock, lights would go on and off but the car wouldn't start. Monday morning called Nissan and was told to bring the car in. Of course, it had to be towed.

Their diagnosis, FAULTY BREAK SWITCH AND BRAKE SWITCH RELAY. Cost $739.00. I asked the attendant servicing my car if this was a common problem and the man said NO. I am at their mercy, I need my car and I have to get it fixed. My only regret is that I didn't have my laptop with me and couldn't verify anything, but I WILL NOT KEEP QUIET, not after paying them my hard earned $739.00. SHAME-SHAME-SHAME on you!

NISSAN, do the right thing. Recall cars for this problem and refund those who had to pay for the repairs. More importantly, don't lie to your consumers. BAD POLICY!

- Elizabeth C., Roselle, IL, US

problem #3

Apr 172013

Altima SE 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

car won't start all lights work, brake switch faulty. So this is now the second time the vehicle has failed to start and had to be towed to the dealership in the last two months. The dealer checked the vehicle and says that this is now a different problem than the last time the vehicle was there a few months back, even though the symptoms are very similar. The customer service repair rep, Ken, says that the brake switch has a short and will have to be replaced and that is the cause of the problems. Again, unfortunately for me the vehicle is out of the 3 yr 36K warranty (vehicle has 38K miles). The repair costs this time around with be $541.00 and they have the parts in stock to fix the vehicle on the same day.

This is one of the worse vehicles I have owned and after researching the same issue, we found hundreds of complaints for the same issue. The dealership, Nissan Village, North Attleboro, has been no help whatsoever and has not done anything to assist us or given us any sort of discount or even courtesy. We currently have 3 newer Nissan vehicles and have been long time Nissan customers, this will likely be the last Nissan purchases, very disgusted and unhappy with our purchases.

- erikri, Cumberland, RI, US

problem #2

Nov 252012

Altima 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

My 2009 Nissan Altima was have problems with the push button start and when I took it to the Nissan Dealership they told me that they could find nothing wrong, I drove the car home and then on Sunday morning I drove the car to church and when I got out of church the car would not start. I had my roadside service to two my car to the dealership and contacted them the next day and they said it was a problem with the Steering column and that was a $800 dollar repair, the repair was covered by a warranty but I had to pay the deductible of $150. Now less than 6 months later I am having the same problem again and when I go to the dealership they tell me it sounds like a brake switch. This is a very dangerous problem because this brake switch causes my brake lights not to work on my car which means I could get rear ended because the other cars dont see me slowing or stopping.

I have read multiple complaints about this same problem on Altimas from 2007 - 2013 and I think Nissan should issue a recall and fix this problem before they have multiple wrongful death lawsuits on their hands.

- divamom2166, Raleigh, NC, US

problem #1

Oct 282012

Altima 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

On October 28th, 2012, I went shopping at the mall in my 2 month old 2009 Nissan Altima, with my two little kids. Long story cut short, by the time the mall closed we decided it was time to go home. Got to the car, the car would not start, the brakes would not depress. So, i called everybody i could get a hold of but nobody could help out. Finally, i got a ride to go home with the kids. By the next morning, i had to go to school (1 hour away) but couldn't because, my car was at the mall and it would not start. So i called Nissan Manufacturer and told them the problem i was having and by this time i had done my home work. So they asked that i call a Nissan dealer to see about it. Well, Nissan dealership towed the car 3 miles away for a cost of $84.50, they said it was the brakes and that everything total would cost $552.34. So, I called the manufacturer to see if they would fix it or help out financially. Well, after going back and forth for about a week or two, I get a call saying they can't help out. This will definitely be the first and last Nissan I will ever buy, THANKS!!!

- Nneka O., Savannah, GA, US