Would not start, electronic locking mech malfunction....pregnant wife got stranded without warning in negative degree weather.....safety issue.....not to mention, tow bill, time lost from work, and making arrangements, obtaining, paying for alternate transportation, while the part is currently on back order for going on 2 weeks now......luckily wife was only 30 minutes from home or could have been worse but was still potentially very dangerous getting stranded in negative degree weather.

- Corbin, KY, USA

When I tried to start my car it was completely dead. Everything was locked up. Aaa towed it to the dealer where it has been for 9 days. The auto manager at ed howard Nissan in venice, fl told me another Altima is there for the same problem. Nissan cannot tell me how long I will have to wait for the part to come in. Instead of recalling the car, Nissan gave this particular part a million mile warranty. Most frustrating is both the Nissan dealer and Nissan corporate relations have refused to provide a loaner or reimburse me for a rental while I continue to wait for my car to be fixed. Bad situation all around.

- Venice, FL, USA

Car will not start. This model uses the intelligent key system with push button start. The key is actually detected by the vehicle and the steering wheel unlocks. But the start button is not enabled and the car does nothing when trying to start. Lights, electrical and battery tested fine. Towed car to dealership and they found the steering lock module had failed. This is a known problem with this part and was covered by warranty which was extended for unlimited miles for this part only. Currently, the part is not available due to high level of failures across the us. Part is susceptible to higher failure in extreme cold weather. Eta for part delivery is unknown and dealership explained they would get back to me again in 2 weeks! Nissan did provide a rental car due to the part shortage. My vehicle is a 2009 model year but this part has a problem also in the 2010 and 2011 model years for all Nissan vehicles per the local dealership.

- Locust Dale, VA, USA

Car would not start due to failure of the steering lock device.

- Greenwich, CT, USA

The car is equipped with a "smart" key-locking system as well as a "smart" ignition system. The key for the car is a wireless fob that when around the vehicle will allow the car to be unlocked and started. The key will allow the car to start, when the key is detected inside the vehicle. The issue that arose was due to a malfunctioning part, the part was an: Electronic steering column lock. The part failed during a spell of cold days that affected my state. During the first few days before the part ultimately malfunctioned the car began showing error lights for many systems. The car indicated that doors were open, that the emergency brakes were applied (when they clearly were not), the interior lights in the car would randomly come on when driving (as if doors were opening) and finally the indicated that the smart key system was malfunctioning. The car ultimately failed on a cold night. I was able to enter the car, but that was it. The car did not recognize my key and the car was rendered useless. I was unable to turn the car on, or even switch it to any standby mode. Because the car doesn't have a traditional key you are unable to unlock the steering wheel and push it in neutral. The steering wheel locks up, and depending on how the tires were locked initially determines the only direction that the car will move. When I contacted Nissan about the issue I was told that they have issued a "warranty extension" on that specific part only. It is obvious that they know a problem exists. I would also like to note that I was also told by Nissan that the part is on backorder and on restricted release. They have so many problems that they cannot keep up with the demand. This issue is very real and dangerous. People will be left stranded in their car. Unless the part fails there is no indication that the part will go wrong.

- Westport, MA, USA

Attempted to start car, and received "steering wheel lock" light - despite trying with both fobs (it was not a faulty fob). After half hour of trying, still can not turn car on due to locked steering wheel. Engine won't turn, electrical system will not turn on, and car is stuck. Have yet to contact dealer.

- Herndon, VA, USA

I went to go start my car and it didnt start I thought I had to jump start itbut that didint work. Then I called Nissan they said your steering lock mechanism has failed. I look up online there are many others with this same problem and now I hate Nissan never going to buy Nissan again, because I had a transmission faliure as well a year.

- Shelburne, CT, USA

Got home turned my car off went inside to get gift cards came back outside trying to start my car, but it wouldn't start, all I saw was a yellow key light. Lights worked fine I tried moving the steering wheel and putting in neutral and trying to start but nothing.

- Bristow , VA, 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

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle electronic steering wheel lock mechanism was defective. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic, who diagnosed that the electronic steering wheel lock mechanism needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

- Albertson, NY, USA

I was driving on the freeway and my car shutdown. I pulled over and tried to restart my car but it would not turn on.

- Houston, TX, USA

I got into my car to start it to realize it was locked down. I couldn't start it or even roll my windows down ! it ended up being the steering lock box and have had several problems with it since. I don't have that many miles on it and have heard of several others being recalled but not 2009.... it needs to be !!!

- Madisonville, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the steering wheel lock control failed and prevented the steering wheel from being maneuvered. The vehicle was not taken T the dealer for repairs or inspection of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 66,000.

- Winter Springs, FL, USA

TL

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

2009 Nissan Altima coupe, SE. While making turns (without stopping), the car stalls in the middle of the turn and the steering locks up. The most recent time was October 14, 2013, and while making a right hand turn from a busy street and onto a busy street, the vehicle stalled which almost caused an accident due to another car making a left hand turn. Nissan has a current recall on several models regarding this happening due to a faulty accelerator sensor, however this vehicle (make, model, year) are not in the recall, and I suspect it should be. Could be a very dangerous situation. This has happened to me at least 10 times.

- Canton, OH, USA

Faulty steering wheel lock system causes car to not start up and locks up car's ABS and brakes. You cannot start the car without taking to dealership to get it repaired. I've heard many cases online about the Nissan Altima ranging from 2009-2011 models locking up having the same issues. And they have not recalled this. Affected parts is selected in unknown factor due to only knowing a few issues that branches from this malfunctioning part and system.

- Dayton, OH, USA

I attempted to start my 2009 Nissan Altima on Sunday night but it would not start. It has a push button start; I pushed the button, with my foot on the brake. The vehicle did not start, so I checked the directions in the owner's manual to start the car but still was not able to start the car. Finally, I had the car towed to a local Nissan dealer. They said the steering lock unit had gone bad and charged $775 to fix the problem. I did some research on the internet and see that hundreds of other buyers are having the same problem. I see that this is a defective part that Nissan should not have used. I think this part should be recalled and we the consumers should not have to pay for Nissan bad design.

- Durham, NC, USA

I left my house for work, made a stop at the local panera when I went to start my car I noticed the yellow highlighted key on the dashboard and my car would not start, not even make any noise. I called triple a they came out and told me I had to tow it to the dealership. I just found out it was the steering lock control unit that needs to be replaced at a cost of $789 plus a $32 towing fee. My warranty actually expired a while ago so I can not put in a claim on that end. This is my 4th Nissan since 1990 and this is the first time I have had a problem with one of their vehicles. Earlier this year there was the recall on the muffler system, which was covered. I feel that if there are this many cars having this problem that it should be covered and if your warranty is up you should be reimbursed for the cost.

- Arlington, MA, USA

My boyfriend was leaving a friend's house to come home and the car would not crank. We had to call roadside assistance to tow the car. The next day I was told that it was the steering unit and that it would cost about $1200 to fix. Looking on the internet I see that this is a big problem with the 2009 Altima. Think that Nissan needs to be held responsible. This is not negligence of the owner of the car this is Nissan's oversight. I pray that this can be fixed. And that someone gets Nissan's attention.

- Florence , SC, USA

The car failed to start; I see lots of complains where the steering wheel locks in place and so does the brake and the car fails to start. I had the same problem twice already and the dealer told me to replace the key less switch however, the problem continues and I see that the problem was not the key. As I can see others are having similar issues of the car locking in place and the problem is more than just the key problem.. this should be definitely recalled.

- Piscataway, NJ, USA