So I was at work came out to start my car and it wouldn't start...thought it was my battery it wasnt that. Got it towed to Nissan dealership.young lady advised me it was steering column lock.after doing my research I seen this matter to alot of Nissan customer's.the cost was over 1,000 dollars and seen the warranty expired last year. Had to paid other people to get back and forward to work and pick my child up from childcare. Called nissan1 the woman told me it would take 3 business day to review my case....she called today telling me it was nothing they can about this matter.I was pissed off. This problem wasnt my fault and Nissan knew about this problem way before me. Its sad to be a customer to Nissan. They really dont care about their customers or this problem seem like everyone having.

- Memphis, TN, USA

I am the latest victim of faulty steering lock on 2009 Nissan Altima. I didn't know until it happened with me. I along with my family (including 10 months old kid) went out around 7:30 pm on 10th Dec 2016 and stopped to fill fuel at the nearby fuel station. Switched off car's ignition before filling fuel as usual but was unable to start it later. Car ignition didn't start at all, both steering and brakes got locked and didn't move at all. Eventually car was showing key symbol repeatedly. It was little cold outside and started raining as well. Had to get car towed back home, it took me 3 hours to get home as towing service was delayed as well. Meanwhile attempt to jump start the vehicle also didn't help as batteries were all okay. Being Sunday next day, no repair shops and Nissan dealer were opened. During this time researched about the issue and learnt that there is a defect on 2009 Nissan Altima steering lock system which disabled the car until replaced. And Nissan had kept only extended warranty of 6 years on this part but there was no recall. I had to get vehicle towed to nearest Nissan dealership on Monday and upon diagnostic they also found the same problem. Had to cough up $1200 to get it replaced including labor charges. It is huge dent to pocket but seems there was no choice. It is unfortunate that Nissan has decided to not to recall this part even after learning mutliple reports and its defectiveness. Keeping 6 years extended warranty doesn't help as low mileage car will take more years to detect this problem. Moreover there is extra burden on consumers of their time, spoiled plans and money. Worst case if it happens to someone at remote location where getting help is bleak. I urge NHTSA to take this matter seriously and direct Nissan to recall/reimburse on the defective parts. Safety of consumer should be top priority than profits.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. After operating the vehicle, the steering wheel failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering ignition lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Grenwell Springs, LA, USA

I drove to work everything was fine went out on break to start my car and can't do anything windows are lowered and it started to rain the steering lock has went out and leaves you know way of doing anything with the car now I have to miss work to get vehicle put in to a dealership I see many others with the same problems

- Palmyra, MO, USA

My 2009 Nissan Altima's steering column lock is defective. It's failed in my car twice now leading to costly repairs/replacements. The car will be running perfectly when I arrive at my destination and I proceed to turn off the car and leave. Upon returning, the intelligent key warning light appears and it becomes nearly impossible to turn on the car. Sometimes a jump will start the car (which has a new, fully charged battery), but many times nothing works except getting the car towed to mechanic to have the column lock replaced. The steering column lock is supposed to stop theft, not keep me from starting my car when I'm trying to get home from work at night. It's absurd that this is such a common problem with the Nissan Altima's and that Nissan refuses to take responsibility for their defective product. Now that winter is approaching, I may be forced to spend hours outside in the freezing cold trying to get my car to start because the column lock is defective and completely unreliable. It is just not safe to drive in a car you are afraid to turn off because it may not start again, especially in the cold or when you are far from home.

- Yonkers, NY, USA

Car wouldn't start out of nowhere. No electricity or anything now I'm out of two grand for a Nissan defect which is absolutely absurd. I want my money back. Stranded myself and three kids at midnight in the middle of a dark parkway in ten degrees weather!!! I had no money for towing. What nerve of Nissan. U need to recall this crap

- Saint Albans, NY, USA

The car doesnt start because the car's starting system is faulty. It is called electronic steering column lock (escl) failure. Only Nissan dealers can fix this issue and they charge exorbitant amount of money for replacing a small part and for labor. This is not caused by a user error but because of a defect with this model itself. There are many such complains online and happens to people randomly. This is a severe health and life hazard. Me and my wife were about to leave for remote places when this issue happened and if that would have happened, we would have been in a huge mess! Nissan does not even have the courtesy to reimburse the full repair amount. I didn't even ask for the hotel and trip cancellation reimbursement but still they are not ready to budge. I escalated it to three levels but to no effect. This is sad. There must be a recall on this model. My car just has 60K miles on it and I feel cheated to have to pay $1100 for Nissan's fault just for the repair, let alone additional expenses I had to incur to book hotel last minute for two days and incur charges for the hotel stays for the rest of my trip. My honeymoon trip was screwed up because of Nissan and they are saying they can only reimburse me for the part which is only half the cost. I will sell this car as soon as I can and will never ever buy a Nissan car again. But, I would like to see this car recalled asap before it leads to someone's death.

- Union City, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the push to start feature failed to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering lock mechanism failed and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000...updated 03/29/17 updated 08/03/2017

- Lowell, MA, USA

The steering lock broke while I was driving straight in a parking lot, forcing the engine to shut off. I have 10 month old twin daughters and this could have resulted in a very serious car accident if the vehicle was on a main road or highway and going at a faster speed. Supposedly this is a well-known issue with 2009 Nissan Altima's (and other year models as well). Instead of a recall, Nissan extended the warranty on this part by one year. I called Nissan and they told me that the extended warranty expired in August 2015, so I will have to pay for this out of pocket. The estimated cost is between $1,100 and $1,300. The car doesn't start at all, and apparently only Nissan dealers can fix it. This is very worrisome that Nissan acknowledged this as a problem, but did not consider the safety of its customers and issue a recall.

- Easton, MA, USA

Sterling locked, cannot operate vehicle

- Ashburn, VA, USA

I got in my car the other day to run to the store and the cars push button ignition would not start the car, the llght on the dash suggests that the steering wheel is not locked, but it is locked. Vehicle is parked in my driveway

- Franklin, LA, USA

My wife was driving her 2009 Nissan Altima and parked. When leaving to go home, the car would not and could not start. The key lock symbol (red) and lock symbol (yellow) were lit on the dashboard. I did some research and found that the it was the steering column lock which many has been complaining about. I took it to the Nissan dealer and the part would be $600. Attached is the printout of the warranty. This had me and my wife stranded on one of the coldest day of the year. They wouldn't consider fixing it unless it was a standard repair. This is crazy!!! it's the holidays and now this is happening. Good grief!!!

- Crown Point, IN, USA

For the 2nd time, the electronic steering column lock has malfunctioned in my 2009 Nissan Altima. This is utterly ridiculous! this is not normal maintenance. Someone needs to hold Nissan or the manufacturer of this part accountable for this. I am so disgusted with Nissan!!

- Newark, DE, USA

The steering lock ceased up and my car would no longer start. I went into a store came out and the car would no longer do anything! the key button would come on but nothing else. Was like I wasnt even trying to start the car. I had my two children with me and it was in the evening. Winter temps are getting into the freezing temps. I am thankful this did not happen on my way home, if I had to pull over on the highway for some reason and turn off my car to get something for my children we would have been stuck in 30 F weather. This happened with no warning at all!!! this can be a very dangerous liability!! this needs to be recalled and all replaced! right before christmas and we now have to pay a minimum of $600 just for the part.

- San Manuel, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While trying to start the vehicle, the ignition switch had not engaged in order for the key to turn into the start position. The contact stated that the steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic informed the contact that the steering lock mechanism failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 113,000.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

The steering wheel lock has failed leaving the car unable to be started. I was stranded at my work and the car needed to be towed to the dealership to be diagnosed. The dealer is aware of this as a common problem yet are unwilling to issue a recall and my car is out of the warranty period. This problem is a major safety issue because people are being stranded on the road. If you're lucky, then you are parked safely in a parking lot but you might not be so lucky and it could fail while you are driving.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

Was driving Altima running great got ne tires service done. Went to a friends house when I came back to start the Altima wouldn't start. I tried everything changing batteries in car, remote batteries changed. I finally came across this video and explain everything that was happening and said Nissan is aware of this issue but doesn't want to put a recall on it. It's believe it's a major safety problem what would have happen driving down the highway in their vehicle automatically stop and locked the strain will basin only one direction I would cause a major car pile up with myself and possibly many others because it is faulty part Nissan has put in. I have work in the car business for 10 years and I have never seen a manufacture do what they're doing right now. They have put me and my family in major jeopardy.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

Electronic steering control lock failed, leaving me stranded on the side of the road, apparently a common problem with 09 Nissan, contacted Nissan and opened a case, they called back and refused to help, with anything. What a joke Nissan is turning out to be. There are literally thousands of posts on this problem, and Nissan gives an unlimited mileage replacement that ended in 2014, I offered to pay for the labor if they would replace the part, obviously they have no interest in my future business.

- Mohave Valley, AZ, USA

Electronic steering column lock (escl) failed and was sticks and stranded. I am a full time student as well as working full time. Had to get my 09 Altima towed to the dealship and lost out on work and made my daily life a financial hardship. It is going to cost me $1100 just for the part and labor. This is a known issue with 2009 Altima's and needs to be recalled until Nissan fixes the issue. This is very dangerous situation to be in, if I was camping and had no cell phone service my life could seriously be in danger. Please issue a recall for this part.

- Union City, CA, USA

The steering lock mechanism failed while stopped and parked, resulting in my significant other being stranded twice in a 3 day period. The first day a light tapping on the device allowed the car to be started. But after the second time, nothing could be done to get the car to start. This has happened 5 total times now over the course of the past 2 years. What if this were to happen in below 0 conditions where help is not close by?

- Sycamore, IL, USA