10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 64,629 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
A nightmare while awake. While backing out of a bank parking lot I hit a pole lightly. I stopped the car before shifting into drive. When I accelerated the car lurched forward at a fast speed. I tried braking but the car kept going forward slamming into the back of a parked SUV with the driver inside pushing it from the parking space up onto the side walk. And side swiping a parked truck pushing it into the SUV passenger side.. the acceleration was so great I am so my car is totaled. I am physically and emotional sicken by this and the damages caused from something Nissan could have prevent by fixing the problem. The car was still trying go after being stopped by the vehicle I hit and my foot on the brake. The lady from the bank told me to apply the emergency brake and that stopped the car. I could not get the car out of drive mode after the accident and had to shut it down in drive mode. This was a scene out of a horror show. It happened in springfield MA away from my home. I am glad the injuries are not fatal as one incident was.
- Columbia, SC, USA
NHTSA says the upgraded investigation will not only Focus on 2009 muranos, but safety regulators want to know if other Nissan models may be affected. How about the Nissan Altima hybrid 2009...front right and rear left brakes locked up while driving the garden state parkway. I took the car to mavis who had just replaced brakes, rotors, and calipers. I was told "ABS pump and module are no good, only stopping on 2 wheels..rec...not to drive." I believe this problem is related and read that certain Toyota's same year have an identical problem and that Nissan used Toyota parts that year.
- Manchester, NJ, USA
My car would not start leaving me and my child stranded. The car was parked in front of my house over night. When I was ready to leave for work in the morning it would not start. I thought it was the battery but it wasnt. I had it checked at a near by auto store. I had to have the car towed to the mechanic. Who contacted the dealership and it was confirmed the faulty break switch. This is unsafe for me and my family leaving me scared to drive thinking it can happen again and leave us stranded again or a scary accident. Please recall the faulty break switch in 2009 Nissan Altima and reimburse me my money for repairs. I am a single parent. Thank you.
- Bayonne, NJ, USA
Takata recall leak in the steering wheel fluid hose, steering wheel fluid leaks out of the rubber band in the steering hose causing the steering wheel to not be able to turn. Takata recall emergency brake is not connected or working. Takata recall suspension broken causing car to rattle and make loud noises while driving.
- Quincy, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While attempting to park the vehicle, the brakes failed to respond and the contact crashed into a tree. The vehicle was towed to a collision shop. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
- Eaton Town, NJ, USA
Came out to get in the car which was parked, used the fob to unlock the door got into the car and nothing. The brake was hard to press, the steering was locked, could not go into any gear, the car could not be jumped with cables. I had 2 indicator lights on. I needed to have the car towed to a Nissan dealer. The diagnosis is the steering actuator. I am being charged roughly $1100. I don't yet have my documentation as the car is with the dealership. This sounds like it has been an issue recently with several 2009 Nissan Altima. Nissan may want to rethink making this a recall. I was lucky to be in a public place in the daytime.
- Houston, TX, USA
My brake switch went out in September. At any given time my car wouldn't start. When I press the brake peddle my brake light wouldn't come on. This happened over and over again. This is very dangerous because someone could run into the back of the car at any given time. I travel up and down the road a good bit. Having this problem is very dangerous for me. Now, a few months my car want start again. The dealership thinks its the steering column this time. My car don't even have 70,000 miles on it. This doesn't make since to me. I've been told by several people that Nissan is aware of this problem. I've been told that the problem exist in most all 2009 Altima's. why would Nissan risk the well being of their customers. It's sad that when I give them the year and make of my car they know exactly what the problem is without even checking them out. There should be a recall on these parts. These parts. Why is Nissan willing to cheat their customers and why are they willing to put our lives as well as the lives of other drivers at risk.
- Roswell, GA, USA
Issue: Unintended acceleration conditions: 2pm/clear/parking lot while making U-turn to the right, brakes did not respond. Stepped again on brakes, more firmly, but did not slow car which continued to roll slowly forward about 7 mph. Suddenly, loud revving, car continued forward roll. Immediately, added left foot to brake, pressing with full weight. No response. About 2-3 second after revving/hard braking, the car opened full throttle and hurtled forward about 1-1/2 to 2 car lengths; slammed into wall. Airbag did not deploy my car had only 25290 miles (only about two years of normal usage) at the time the system failed. My left knee sustained small gash from the underside of the steering column when I was slammed back after impact threw me forward, forehead knocked the upper steering wheel. Note: About 1 month prior to accident, the audio controls on my steering wheel honked the horn instead. The next day, they were ok. The same thing happened when tested at the collision center after accident; it's on tape. The rep at the collision center was informed of the switch problem from the start. When I them tested days later, the audio controls worked properly. Also, an indicator on the dash went from showing the mpg with a bar as I accelerated or slowed, then switched to a digital report of 18 mpg/city. It kept shifting between these indicators without my interference. Finally, the airbag failed to deploy although impact clearly exceeded 15 mph. I believe there was a severe failure of the electrical system; the cvt system with its sensors, etc. Is dependent on it. My account parallels reports I have uncovered about sudden acceleration. I noted that often an event was precipitated by a slowing, and a turn. When I recently talked to a Nissan tech about the switches, airbag, indicator failures, he mentioned pinched harness could be a possibility.
- Laguna Woods, CA, USA
My 2009 Nissan Altima VIN number [xxx] has many safety issues that are not being reported with my VIN number. The struts, steering lock box{which I paid $900 to repair], ABS speed control sensor, engine oil coolant and most of all the cvt transmission have went out on my car and Nissan will not help me repair. So I am forced to attempt this last try before joining a class action law suit. I have only had the car 2 years and now I am out $9000 and the repairs are more than the car is worth. It would take too long to give detail about all the events so I pray someone at Nissan is decent enough to stand behind their product and make this right I am a single mom of three and ride less. I have contacted att. General [xxx] and BBB. My car is at [xxx] my number is [xxx] my name is [xxx] I have opened 5 cases and been denied. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Greenville, MS, 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
I have a 2009 Nissan Altima which I bought brand new. My car has only 76K miles. The problem is there is rust forming at the floorbeds which is making the car unsafe and is causing brakes issues. I was told Nissan knew about the rust problem from a very longtime. Last week, I spend $210 to fix air leaks due to failed sensors. The problem is affecting brakes and sensors of the car which is making the car unsafe.
- Greensboro, NC, USA
Got into my car & it would not crank. Brakes were pressed & stayed in lock position. After turning the steering wheel back & forth it started.
- District Heights, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic steering lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000. Updated 03/24/15 updated 10/19/2015
- Brooklyn, NY, USA
I was trying to start my car and it would not start. The switch which allows the car to know you are pushing the brake did not work (push button ignition). I tried to put my key in the slot to start the car, but the car does not start if the car does not sense the brake is being pushed. This is a huge hazard. Good thing I was not stranded somewhere. I called Nissan with no help at all. A search on the internet revealed this is a problem that has not been addressed. The part number replaced is intermotor SL2110. Please respond with your investigation on this. Thank you.
- Springhill, FL, USA
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.
- El Centro, CA, USA
2009 Nissan Altima intermittently will not start. Car will only click over and unable to shift car into neutral. Air conditioning and radio work, but when you press on brake to start car nothing happens. Dealers were unable to duplicate problem, but have been got caught out many times when car would not start and had to notify aaa. This is a common problem with many Nissan's and it is not covered under any warranty or recall.
- Newbury Park, CA, USA
Trying to start my 2009 Nissan Altima, it would not start!!! the brakes were almost stuck and the car simply would not start! the lights in the car turned on with out a problem so I know it wasn't the battery, plus I changed it 2 years ago. After reading many many reviews, 2009 Nissan Altima are having issues with the start button, now I have to pay tow company to take to dealer and pay so much money. Please please Nissan help replace this!!
- New Carrollton, MD, USA
My 2009 Nissan Altima coupe with 63,200 miles would not start last Saturday, 2/1. the steering column was locked, the brakes were locked, and the push to start button would not light up or start the car. The red light for the key was flashing and the car could never be started. My vehicle was towed to leith Nissan in cary, nc where service members there said this was a common problem and currently have two other vehicles in line for the same part. The electrical part for the start button is on serious backorder and the company has such a high demand for it that even Nissan corporate is saying it will be a few weeks to get the part in. The service staff at leith Nissan in cary, nc said this problem has been common and that Nissan was not recalling this part though they have knowledge this a serious issue affecting many Nissan car owners for a some time now. Leith Nissan told me to call corporate and anyone else I could to raise this concern and that maybe something would be done. Hundreds of other Nissan owners have posted this exact problem online and filed claims as well. Nissan needs to recall the part and reimburse those affected for rental cars and other expenses. I called the Nissan corporate office demanding reimbursement for rental car fees. The NHTSA needs to put a stop to this and enforce Nissan to recall this part on all Altima's. apparently this exact part has already been recalled on other Nissan vehicles.
- Apex, NC, USA
When I got into my car this morning, the steering column was locked up and breaks were hard to push. After trying a few times to start the vehicle, I noticed that the auto-theft must be on. I tried to put the fob in the manual ignition, but the fob got stuck and would not release. After several tries, the fob finally came out. The car still does not start and the auto-theft is still on. The battery is not bad because the car beeps when the door is open and the lights work. I am going to have to tow the vehicle in to get it repaired. There should be a recall on this problem.
- Blue Mound, IL, USA
- Atlanta , GA, USA