Model 09 Altima has a known defect where the steering wheel column locks because it is unable to identify its own key. The car was stationary in a parking lot but this could have happend anywhere if this part had failed on the side of the road for example. The vehicle operates using push start and there is no physical key to start the engine outside of inserting the fob, which also didnt work. On 10/21/2020 the anti theft system failed to recognize the key/fob and there is no other way to turn on the car and it has to be towed. This is the second time this part failed randomly and rendered the car inoperable, the first time was in 2014. Nissan covered replacing this part the first time after a service campaign but is now refusing to do so for this non wear and tear problem. This is an extremely concerning and frustrating safety problem as this part can fail at any time and prevent the car from starting or moving, outside of towing and this was the second time this issue have happened. I have contacted Nissan and they refuse to financially help, warranty or reimburse us for a safety manufacturer defect that prevents the car from recognizing its own key/fob with no alternative way to start the car. The cost of repair at a Nissan dealership was $800+ to be able to get into our own car after Nissan refused to help us for their own manufacturer failure. This issue is a safety problem for many drivers on the road who own this make and model car and maybe suspect to their car getting completely disabled at any time from this part's failure with no alternative but to tow it out of the way. Thank you for your review

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

When I was about to go to work and try to turn the car, the car didn't want to turn on, the car locked the steering wheel, I have the key present and it's telling me it's locked, the steering wheel is really hard (locked) and the break got really hard to press down. I was doing some research and it's telling me it's the escl (defective electronic steering column lock)

- Mesquite, TX, USA

The car losses acceleration while in the highway. It appears to happen when it's hot and there's no warning and thus could be fatal.

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

Start stop butting is stuck in lock position therefore not starting the car. Fobs door unlock, lock, trunk and panic buttons work but car does not turn on. Car will not turn on when fob is inserted in the left hand side insert either. Happened at 67 East shore road, holbrook MA after car was shut off for the night. Next morning it didn't read the key.

- Holbrook, MA, USA

While driving at highway speeds the vehicle goes into limp mode and the speed drastically decreases and loses all power! there is no warnings.

- Oroville, CA, USA

The car will not start. The dash lights and radio come on and the "on" indicator is lit where the push button is. However, the engine does not start.

- Austin, TX, USA

My steering interlock in my 2009 Nissan Altima went out on me. I got stranded for 3 hours in 20 degrees weather with my 4 year old son until my tow truck finally got there. Car would start so I couldn't even turn heat on to keep my son warm. Nissan is still have an issue with these and won't cover the exspenses it should be a recal it's a safety hazzard I

- Attica, IN, USA

Vehicle would not start. Keylight flashed. Car needed to be towed in heavy rain from my work in an unsafe area and towed to my house and dealership. Car has faulty electronic steering column lock. Nissan will not honor extended warranty even though this was a known issue to Nissan. I was told by Nissan Consumer Affairs that the extended warranty was never advertised to consumers and was not a recall but the extended repair warranty was available until April 25 2016. I find this unacceptable and I'm unsafe also putting my family at risk. Nissan Consumer Affairs have assigned a case number to me. Case number is [xxx]. please help me. Thank you. * information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

Came out of the store couldn't start vehicle all of a sudden, wheel wouldn't turn, brakes were hard to step on, "key" light on! doors able to unlock and lock and trunk. Towed 3X nobody could fix it said needs to go back to Nissan nobody could even get a diagnostic output on it..sitting at Nissan now waiting for them to tell me cost which I can't afford a dime, missed work single M w disabled very sick son..luckily he wasn't with me! I even changed battery in key fob made no difference.I googled my car and seen all the same exact complaints as mine!,very sad and upset

- Montgomery, IL, USA

Nissan Altima 2009 has a defective steering lock system. Suddenly this evening after work when I get back to the car, it just did not start. This is a dangerous situation if it would have happened any remote place and I would have been stranded. I see there have been several people complained about this on the internet but Nissan has not recalled this car. Please investigate and take appropriate steps. They should either replace the defective part of just replace the car.

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

I was parked in bank parking lot on 601. S clark St, Chicago, il when pushing the the start push button, the car would not start. The key symbol was illuminating. Tried to jump the battery and the car wouldn't start. Contaced Nissan dealership to try to troubleshoot. So, I had fmy boyfriend drive me to the dealership, bought a new battery for the remote transmitter, the car still wouldn't start. So the car was towed to the dealership the electronic steering lock module went out on this car. And the cost of repairs was 1,162.15

- Chicago, IL, USA

The car will not start when I push on the brake and push the button for it to start. The dealer says it is the steering column lock module. It was in a stationary position but we were stranded and had to get the car towed.

- Elizabeth, PA, USA

The electrical steering column lock (escl) failure which wouldn't allow the car to start is the most stupid thing I've ever heard. And that Nissan wouldn't recall it is a big shame on the manufacturer. On top of that, they charge ridiculously expensive to have the part replaced ($600+labor)"?!! this is super unsafe for drivers in the northeast as we may get stuck in a cold winter freezing to death for what? there is even no mechanic problem with the car. Just a little wedge-like thing that wouldn't drop to where it's supposed to be???" ridiculous!!

- Plattsburgh, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. When the contact parked the vehicle and locked it with the fob, it failed to start upon her return. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ESC needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000. Updated 12/23/16 updated 02/07/17.

- Paso Robles, CA, USA

My 2009 Nissan Altima is currently having issues with the defects in the electronic steering column lock (escl). The car just cut off on me as I was parking in a parking spot. Luckily I was able to force the gear in park. It disabled the push-button ignition on my car and locked my steering column. So, I was stranded! this is big safety issue because my car could've just continued to roll if I couldn't get it into the parked gear! it's unfair that as a consumer of Nissan, I have to experience this issue after the Nissan warranty on the escl expired in March 2015 and be posed with paying over $1000 in repair costs. Per Nissan, there was no specific mileage number that this defect could occur; so they should recall the escl systems in all affected cars instead of covering their own behinds and giving a warranty with unlimited miles and an end date of March 2015. Clearly Nissan is not concerned with its consumers safety. It's not fair to consumers that bought Nissan vehicles that experience the dangerous defect after March 2015. I am a very unhappy consumer at this time.

- Palestine, TX, USA

Having issues with car not starting frequently it seems a recall should be completed. Also searing at times is an issue.

- Nashville, TN, USA

Nissan Altima 2009 issue: Escl, steering wheel lock, engine won't start and key is in car.

- Camden, NJ, USA

"tamara recall" I'm a nurse and I was dressed and ready for work upon arrival to my car my fob allowed me to unlock my door but whom I got in and attempted to start my car I noticed I couldn't press my breaks they were tight and steering wheel was also locked. I pressed the push to start button but nothing happened I looked at the information center and only noticed a amber key light up and lock light on around the start button. I have no other way to work and its pass my clear call out time to work but I have to call my don crying because I can't get to work I don't know what's wrong with my car it won't do anything. I'm a nurse my patients depend upon me being there to help them a well as my fellow nurses and doctors!! I had to call a tow truck to take my car to the Nissan dealership and I was told it was the steering column lock. I asked him how much would it cost to repair he said 800 dollars. I'm a single mother with a son who is a senior in high school it's his spring break week, I have pictures, class rings, announcement, cap and gown, prom etc to pay for but I need my car to get to work!! I don't want favors, want what's right!! a 6yr/ unlimited mileage is a cheap way out. Nissan knew and knows about this manufacturer defect but still out these cars on the road not really caring or concern about what the results could be.. I've been a nurse for over 10 yrs, so does people have be stranded be it old or young with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or even someone who requires use of oxygen to breathe/live to die and family members sue Nissan before a recall is issued? prevention saves more lives and its a lot less expensive. Thank god for all these petitions pages with 100S and 1000 of signatures along with people sharing their stories about this unfair too off to people!! I expect a class action lawsuit soon.

- Macon, GA, USA

Vehicle will not start due to faulty steering lock mechanism. I was in a parking lot with my two young children when my car would not start. Apparently, this issue has caused a lot of people to be stranded. Nissan is well aware of the problem and that their mechanism during '09 and '10 was faulty. How could any malfunction that leaves people stranded not be considered a safety issue! the part is very expensive and only carried through Nissan... that in itself should be suspicious.

- Destrehan, LA, USA

The electronic steering column lock module in my 2009 Altima locked leaving me stranded and unable to start my vehicle. This is a known issue. Nissan received so many complaints they extended the warranty for a limited time (to 2014). I purchased my vehicle prior to this date from a Nissan dealer where I've taken it for every service and was never made aware of the issue until I couldn't start my vehicle and had to have it towed to the dealership. I filed a claim with Nissan and they are refusing to reimburse me the $1076 I paid out of pocket stating that the previous owner of my vehicle was informed by mail of the issue (my car had just one previous owner who performed all maintenance at the same dealership). This information was never passed onto me. Nissan is saying that since they informed the last owner, they are no longer responsible and are refusing reimbursement. This is a serious issue and potentially dangerous defect that Nissan needs to address. This part should be recalled immediately or they should extend the warranty on this part indefinitely. Nissan should also be contacting their consumers to notify the current vehicle owners of these serious types of issues. Contacting a previous owner is not enough. This is our third Nissan but I absolutely refuse to purchase another with blatant disregard for their consumers in cases such as these. Have some respect for your customers safety and recall parts that you know are defective and could leave people in dangerous situations!!

- O'fallon, IL, USA