Car would not start. Yellow key light and flashing red key light on panel. Seemed like a security anti-theft problem but it turned out to be a faulty steering lock mechanism. A $700 repair. And, what's worse is, there was no recall for this item even with many complaints reported. This was recalled on other Nissan models (cube, 390, etc) but no on the Altima. Not happy.

- Carlisle, PA, USA

On 01/09/2013, I drove my grandmother to an appt. And came home. Five hours later, I got into the car and it would not start. I made some calls and researched online and discovered many other complaints about the same problem, the steering lock mechanism isn't working. The little yellow key appears on instrument panel. I have brake lights and replaced the battery in both the car and the key fob. Nothing helped to start my car. The steering wheel isn't locked so it moves freely and the ignition button illuminates but will not leave the lock position. I placed a phone call to the number provided by conroe, tx. The "Consumer Affairs specialist", [xxx], hung up on me!! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Gallup, NM, USA

[xxx], atlanta, Georgia my daughter's 2009 Nissan Altima did the same thing. She came over for a visit and upon leaving her car would not crank. My husband and I did all of the troubleshooting according to the manual to no avail. I called the dealership where she purchased the vehicle and he immediately knew what the problem was. He wanted to sell here another Altima, because Nissan knew this was an issue, so they stopped putting this mechanism on the 2012 models. Nissan who has a good standing and have millions of cars on the road should do right by consumers who purchased their vehicles and had this problem. I am going to send this complaint site to my local news station and try to put some fire under Nissan. This is ridiculous and other consumers need to be aware of this problem. The repair cost of our Nissan Altima was $919. I see several differences in the repair cost too. We cannot sit by and let consumers continue to be charged substantial amount of money for repair cost when Nissan know there is a problem with the steering lock mechanism. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

I just wanted everyone to know that this same situation happened to me a couple of days ago and it is not a cheap cost ($~1000). I called Nissan (1-800-647-7261) and made a complaint and they are going to reimburse me 50%. it should be a 100% but it's better than nothing. I encourage everyone to call them and make a complaint and file a complaint with your local better business bureau and the attorney general office. They must recall this defective part!

- Conroe, TX, USA

My wife drove the car to her class and parked it on a parking lot. The car couldn't be started (push button couldn't start the car) when she was done with the class and wanted to get back home. The yellow key light showed on the left top panel and red security light flashed. The fob key still worked in locking/unlocking the car doors. The aaa was called and they came to try to jump start the car. It didn't start. The car had to be towed to the nearest Nissan dealership. They found it was the steering wheel lock assembly problem. It cost $700 to repair it. I called Nissan North America and was told the part has not be on the recall list.

- Mildord, CT, USA

I got into my car after work(12-27-12) and noticed the yellow key light on the dash. The car started and drove just fine. Then the next time I went to start my car (12-30-12) the car wouldn't start. I couldn't do anything. Got the car placed on a trailer and hauled to the nearest Nissan repair shop and my steering column lock mechanism needs to be replaced which is an awfully expensive fix. To top things off, this part is on back order so I know I'm not the only one with issues.

- Dorchester, WI, USA

I started my car to leave for work around 6:30am and left to get gas before continuing to work. I was able to drive the car to the gas pump and turn off the engine without incident. When I attempted to start the engine after pumping gas the car failed to start. I noticed that there was an indicator in my dash that I had never seen. It was a red indicator that I would later find out showed a problem with my steering lock mechanism. The car would not move past the "lock" stage and I had to promptly have it towed to the Nissan dealership. I later found out that this repair would cost almost $800 before taxes. After researching, I have found that there have been many similar claims in the past few months. I would just like for my case to be known with others that have had a similar position.

- La Vergne, TN, USA

Drove the car into work just fine. Seven hours later when I was leaving to go home car would not start. Key light was on in dashboard but nothing would happen. Jumped the battery, reset the batter, even took out the battery to get it tested. Still nothing. Finally paid $70 to get it towed to Nissan dealership (less than 3 miles) and it is the steering lock control unit, which cost $978 to replace. Apparently this happens when it is cold out. Nissan needs to recall these vehicles and reimburse everyone who have had similar issues. I will never buy another Nissan and you bet I'm going to tell everyone I know!!

- Conroe, TX, USA

Veh was driven for a period of time and then stopped to get gas. Veh would not start again. A yellow key indicator came on the dash and vehicle still would not start. Had it towed to dealer and diagnosed as the steering lock module.

- Laveen, AZ, USA

Steering lock unit on Jan 2, 2012, I drove my car to work. I did not notice at that time any lights on however 5 hours later I go to start my car and it would not start. It was at that time I noticed the yellow key light. I had never seen it before. I tried jumping the battery and when that didn't work I went and bought a brand new battery. Still, I got no results. I towed the car to Nissan to find out that my steering lock unit went out on the car. I too am baffled by the fact that there has not been a recall on this part as it has been a common issue with a lot of customers. This is my first Nissan and I am extremely unhappy knowing there has been so many documented issues yet Nissan has done nothing to rectify the situation.

- Chicago, IL, USA

The yellow key light came on as I was driving to my destination. When I went to leave, I was able to unlock my doors but could not start the car. Lights were working but was not able to engage brake pedal or push the button to start the car. Tried to jump the car off thinking it was the battery, but did not work. Had the car towed to the dealership and found out today that the steering lock assembly had to be replaced. There were no other warning signs only the yellow key light. This is a very costly repair. I have seen many other complaints of this same problem and do not understand why there has not been a recall. I found that there was a recall for this very problem on the 2009 Nissan 370 Z.

- Pelham, AL, USA

On a cold Jan day(below freezing) a notoriously common problem with the 2009 Nissan Altima occurred. The steering wheel actuator failed adding to the 1000S of other reported steering wheel actuators already posted on this web site. Seems this problem happens 1-3 year old cars in colder weather. The car will not start nor can the steering column be unlocked which complicates the towing. The "push to start" key fob that Nissan has engineered is nothing but problems. There is not a mechanical steering lock as you would have in a normal key operated car and the locking of the steering wheel occurs as a theft security device. If this happens while driving the impact could be deadly. The company has not recalled the car for this and it will take a serious injury lawsuit for Nissan to understand the product they put on the highway puts all at risk. Don't buy a car with this type key start mechanism from Nissan. The cost to repair is 1100 dollars............

- Mountain Home , ID, USA

Cold day 2009 Altima started fine. Went to work, but at lunch time tried to start car and it would not start. Fob key would still open locks and was acknowledged buy car and lights still worked so it was not battery or key. Brake lights also worked. Yellow key light on dash was lit and steering wheel and gears were locked. Car was towed on flatbed to dealer. Dealer initially said it may be just fob key reprogramming. However after 4 hours they found the problem to be the steering lock switch. Cost $700 dollars to repair!! Nissan recall this part now and reimburse customers!

- Decatur, GA, USA

Vehicle would not start, had to be towed to dealer. It was determined that the steering wheel actuator had failed. The cost to replace the actuator is appx: $800. In researching this problem using a google search, it appears to be a wide spread recent issue with the Nissan Altima. This problem can happen at any time, however, it seems to be a cold weather issue. The actuator is defective and should not be failing in a 3 year old vehicle.

- Memphis, TN, USA

Went to go start my car and the intelligent key indicator light came on. Couldn't start in neutral. Had to get it towed to the dealer. Dealer was able to start the car in the morning. They were able to replicate the issue by stopping and starting numerous times. It appears that the steering lock unit was failing. After researching online determined this is a common and costly problem, but there is no re recall for it. Very dangerous.

- Buffalo Grove, IL, USA

This appears to be a cold-weather related issue with the steering lock module. The dealership stated they have seen more and more of these problems now that it has become cold. The cost to replace this defective part, from the dealership, is approximately $1,000.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

9:30am - started car. Proceeded to drive 35 minutes. Stopped car, went in the house for 20 minutes. Came out, got in car. Will not start. The following was observed: 1. intelligent key will unlock and lock the doors, trunk, sound alarm. 2. small "key", yellow in color symbol illuminated on the dash. 3. start button does nothing, will not move from the "lock" position. Failure: Steering lock control module (342.99 + tax cnd). Took it apart, reset the gears, back in action (for now). Canadian customer.

- Mineville, NY, USA

Tried to start my car before work and it would not start. Keyless entry still worked and lights would turn on. Tried jumper cables, but that did not work either. Car has keyless ignition and when I would try to start it, a light on the dashboard indicated the key was not registering. Called dealership and was told to try new key batteries; bought new key batteries ($8), installed them, no change. Called dealership back and was told to have car towed to dealership ($88). After inspection, was told "diagnosis found stored codes for steering lock failure. Replacement needed" ($740). Fortunately, my car did not just turn off while I was driving, but when I found these other reports (car-and-safety.com/Nissan-370Z-safety/Nissan-370Z-2009.htm#steering) I decided I better also report mine; sounds like an on-going issue that has been/could be dangerous for others.

- Austin, TX, USA

It was the first chill in Chicago and the car was parked in the street. When I tried to start the car it would only light up the intelligent key warning light in the dash indicating an issue with the intelligent key-less system. Upon further research (a simple google search "Nissan Altima intelligent key warning light issues") indicated that is a very common issue with Altima and is related to the "steering lock" mechanism. I had to tow the car to the dealership and a quick call to the service department quickly confirmed that this was something they service frequently. The dealer himself indicated that the last part in their inventory was just fitted in another car. This is used certified Nissan Altima and the extended warranty did not cover the repair. The total cost of the repair was $1299.30.

- Chicago, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The dealer was notified and advised the contact to jump start the vehicle and have it towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The contact searched the internet for reasons why the vehicle would not start and settled on the fact that the failure was caused by a steering lock mechanism failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 64,000.

- Heflin, AL, USA