2009 NISSAN ALTIMA

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    steering column

    174 stranded, 146 unsafe

    320
    incidents
    Typical range: 65,000–112,000 mi

    Median 85,000 mi, based on 363 reports (20% had no usable mileage)

    • "THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY STOP WORKING, SO BECAUSE THE CAR ONLY START WITH THE PUSH BUTTON IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN MY CAR ON. SO I TOOK MY CAR TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID THAT I HAVE TO PAY $1100 TO CHANGE THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY. AND MY CAR HAVE ONLY 48,449…"~4,449 mi, complaint #953163
    • "I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, AT NIGHT, TRYING TO RETURN HOME, WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE IGNITION SWITCH WON'T PRESS EVEN THOUGH ALL LIGHTS IN CAR WORKED. A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR SYMPTOMS SHOWED ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LO…"~67,313 mi, complaint #1270708
    • "THE ELECTRIC COLUMN STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTIONED CAR CANNOT BE STARTED. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY WILL NOT COVER REPAIR COSTS"~88,000 mi, complaint #1715664
    • "THE STEERING LOCK UNIT CAUSE THE CAR NOT TO START. THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE UNIT. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND HAVE OPEN TWO CASE FILES(CASE#16923576 & CASE# 19538658) ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NOT FOR MY VIN#. LAST NIGHT I WAS…"~113,593 mi, complaint #1232537
    • "STEERING LOCK FAILURE CAUSED CAR TO BE UNABLE TO BE STARTED. OWNER STRANDED AT WORK WITH VEHICLE IN PARKING GARAGE. NEEDED A TOW AND NOT EASY TO FIND TOW COMPANY THAT WAS WILLING TO PICK UP ON 5TH LEVEL OF PARKING GARAGE. DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS IS A KNOWN D…"~210,000 mi, complaint #1311428
  2. #2

    key fob and immobilizer

    151 stranded, 118 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    271
    incidents
    Typical range: 56,000–97,000 mi

    Median 74,000 mi, based on 340 reports (15% had no usable mileage)

    • "MY CAR WILL NOT START. IT IS A PUSH TO START SYSTEM AND THE NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START MY CAR. TURNS OUT THAT I HAVE A DEFECTIVE STEER LOCK SWITCH AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE IN THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE…"~13,000 mi, complaint #1190541
    • "ON A RECENT COLD MORNING I GOT INTO MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, AT 7:00 AM AND DROVE SON TO SCHOOL. CAME HOME AND PARKED VEHICLE. GOT BACK IN CAR AT 3:00 PM AND CAR WOULD NOT START. THE CAR HAD BEEN FINE THAT MORNING. PUSH START WOULD NOT GET OUT OF "LOCK" POSITIO…"~58,000 mi, complaint #954299
    • "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. *TR"~75,497 mi, complaint #957038
    • "OUR ALTIMA HAS FAILED TO RECOGNIZE OUR INTELLIGENT KEYS AND WILL NOT START. THE DOORS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK. THE ALARM WILL SOUND AND THE TRUNK WILL OPEN BUT THE CAR WILL NOT START. I'M BEING TOLD THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY STEERING LOCK MECHANISM THAT HAS BEEN RE…"~103,000 mi, complaint #953922
    • "THE 2009 ALTIMA ESCL FAILED IN MY CAR. THE KEY FOB REMAINS PROGRAMMED WITH THE VEHICLE HOWEVER THE STEERING COLUMN WILL NOT UNLOCK THUS RENDERING THE VEHICLE IMMOBILE. I WAS STRANDED IN A REMOTE AREA APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR'S DRIVE FROM MY APPARTMENT. THIS I…"~220,000 mi, complaint #1721808
  3. #3

    steering electric assist

    57 stranded, 63 unsafe

    120
    incidents
    Typical range: 63,500–101,000 mi

    Median 79,000 mi, based on 142 reports (19% had no usable mileage)

    • "2009 NISSAN ALTIMA-26,500 MILES WHEN VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. KEY LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT. COST $900 TO REPAIR WITH NO GUARANTEE NEW PART ISN'T DEFECTIVE. SEEM…"~26,500 mi, complaint #967677
    • "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. FIN…"~65,000 mi, complaint #957061
    • "I STARTED MY CAR AS USUAL TO RUN SOME ERRANDS. IT STARTED FINE. I STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION AND SHUT OFF THE CAR. IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. IT WAS FREEZING COLD. MY CAR WAS BLOCKING THE GAS PUMP AND IT COULD NOT BE MOVED. I RULED OUT THE KEY FOB BECAUSE IT ST…"~86,000 mi, complaint #1354118
    • "I WAS PARKED AT A STORE AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. I LOOKED UP A TEMPORARY FIX AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED. ONCE I GOT HOME, I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED THAT NISSAN KNEW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS: THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY WAS MALFUNCTION…"~106,000 mi, complaint #1215016
    • "STEERING WHEEL LOCK CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL COMPLETELY."~900,000 mi, complaint #1296504
  4. #4

    engine stall or no start

    75 stranded, 31 unsafe

    106
    incidents
    Typical range: 62,000–120,000 mi

    Median 84,000 mi, based on 170 reports (16% had no usable mileage)

    • "ON MONDAY NIGHT 11/25/13 I DROVE TO MY LOCAL SUPERMARKET AND WHEN I WENT BACK TO MY CAR, IT WOULDN'T START AFTER PUSHING THE START BUTTON. SEVERAL LIGHTS LIT UP; SERVICE ENGINE SOON, BATTERY, OIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT ETC. I TRIED IT A FEW TIMES WITH NO LUCK.…"~14,500 mi, complaint #1024369
    • "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,…"~68,800 mi, complaint #1015686
    • "THE STEERING LOCK HAS FAILED. I WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS WRONG AT FIRST BUT THEN AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND THIS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM. I WAS STUCK IN A CAR THAT WOULD NOT START IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPS. AFTER WATCHING A COUPLE OF YOUTUBE VIDEOS, I WAS ABLE TO GET…"~90,100 mi, complaint #1247746
    • "WENT TO START CAR TO RUN AN ERRAND WHILE AT WORK ON LUNCH BREAK TO GET IN THE CAR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I'LL HAVE TO GET THE CAR TOWED NOT TO INCLUDE THE DAYCARE LATE FEES THAT I'M GOING TO HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE I AM UNABLE TO PICK MY CHILD UP FROM DAYCA…"~123,000 mi, complaint #1290193
    • "AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1.5 HOURS ON A FAMILY TRIP AND ON THE INTERSTATE MY CAR SLOWED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FROM SPEEDS OF 60 -70MPH TO BARELY NOT MOVING AT ALL. CLEARLY THIS FRIGHTEN MY ENTIRE FAMILY. AFTER RESTING ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE FOR ALMOST…"~206,143 mi, complaint #1577351
  5. #5

    airbag system

    76 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    78
    incidents
    Typical range: 22,000–97,000 mi

    Median 65,000 mi, based on 79 reports (27% had no usable mileage)

    • "I WAS NOT AWARE OF YOUR AGENCY UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT IS WHY I AM SENDING THIS E-MAIL TO YOU. MY 2009 ALTIMA WAS APPROXIMATELY 3-4 MONTHS OLD WHEN I WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT (MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING) THE NO AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR ME. I NOTIFIED…"~980 mi, complaint #973719
    • "PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS WITH SOMEONE SITTING IN THE SEAT, THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THAT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISARMED. VERY UNSAFE. TIRES TPMS VALVES CONSTANTLY LEAK EVEN AFTER SERVICE. REPLACED 3 OUT OF 4 OF THEM, AND 4TH ONE NEEDS TO B…"~26,000 mi, complaint #1373307
    • "AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD. HAVE REPLACED PASSENGER SEAT WITH MALFUNCTIONING SEAT SENSOR TWICE WITHIN LAST 5 YEARS. NOW GETTING A WARNING OF AIRBAG MALFUNTION FOR THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. VEHICLE DOES THIS AT REST AND DRIVING. MY VEHICLE DOESN'T FALL UNDER…"~69,800 mi, complaint #1497516
    • "2009 NISSAN ALTIMA PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT THAT INDICATES WHEN THE AIRBAGS ARE ON/OFF REMAINS LIT AT ALL TIMES. THIS INCLUDES NOTHING IN THE SEAT, AND WHEN A PERSON IS RIDING IN SEAT. AFTER INSPECTION DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED IT WAS THE PAS…"~104,912 mi, complaint #1549106
    • "TAKATA RECALL... I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A COMMERCIAL TRK DOING 50 MPH I WAS GOING 5 MPH GETTING READY TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, WHEN HIT. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED & THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. RESULTING IN CONCUSSION, SERIOUS BACK, NECK…"~190,000 mi, complaint #1527158
  6. #6

    interior trim

    54 unsafe, 11 annoyance

    65
    incidents
    Typical range: 40,000–74,000 mi

    Median 54,500 mi, based on 64 reports (34% had no usable mileage)

    • "DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CRACKING. THIS CAR HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN 08, IT ONLY HAS 6055 MILES ON IT, & WHEN EVER IT WAS OUT, IT ALWAYS HAD A SUNSHIELD. BEEN READING THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS, & A LAWSUIT SHOULD BE FILED AS WAS DONE FOR TO…"~6,055 mi, complaint #1287124
    • "DASH BOARD IS MELTING CAUSING INTENSE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD. FIRST NOTICED LAST SUMMER 2014 AND NOW THAT HOT WARM WEATHER HAS RETURNED 2015 IT IS GETTING WORSE! DASHBOARD IS STICKY/GUMMY. UNABLE TO SEE CLEARLY DUE TO GLARE. IM AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR AND CAUS…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1180266
    • "DASHBOARD IS MELTING. CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE PART IF I PAID THE LABOR. STATED IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT WOULD NOT GIVE ME A LETTER EXPLAINING SAME. *TR"~50,000 mi, complaint #1097451
    • "MY VEHICLE IS 5 YEARS OLD AND THE DASH IS COMPLETELY MELTING. THE GLARE FROM THE MUSHY, STICKY MESS ON THE DASHBOARD MAKES IT VERY HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT THIS IS POOR CRAFTMANSHIP. *TR"~70,000 mi, complaint #1037781
    • "THE DASHBOARD AND STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA ARE MELTING DUE TO THE HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE CABIN. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SUN, THE TOP SURFACE OF THE DASHBOARD MELTS, AND RESTRICTS THE FORWARD VISIBILITY BY CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD.…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1590145
  7. #7

    starter

    34 stranded, 9 unsafe

    43
    incidents
    Typical range: 70,000–106,000 mi

    Median 88,000 mi, based on 55 reports (18% had no usable mileage)

    • "ENTERED VEHICLE, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, YELLOW "STEP ON BRAKE PEDAL" LIT UP, PUSHED START BUTTON, THE "ACC" LIT, AND IT WENT TO "START" AND NOTHING HAPPENED! ALL THE DASH LIGHTS TURNED ON BUT NO STARTER ENGAGEMENT OR NOISE. I TRIED IT SEVERAL TIMES AND NO…"~18,893 mi, complaint #954809
    • "THE PUSH-BUTTON STARTER SYSTEM FAILED, LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS IS A STEERING LOCK ISSUE VERY COMMON TO THIS MAKE AND MODEL."~69,500 mi, complaint #1394743
    • "MY MOTHER-IN-LAW DROVE THE CAR TO WORK IN THE MORNING WITH NO ISSUES. WHEN SHE WENT TO LEAVE AT THE END OF HER EVENING SHIFT, THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON WHEN THE PUSH BUTTON START WAS PRESSED. THANKFULLY A CO-WORKER WAS STILL WITH HER AND ABLE TO DRIVE HER HOME…"~88,000 mi, complaint #1317116
    • "MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA UNEXPECTEDLY WOULD NOT START IN JUNE OF 2015 AND I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY BROTHER FROM SCHOOL. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A BATTERY ISSUE. SO, I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY CAME OUT TO GIVE ME A JUMP. THAT WAS NOT THE CULP…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1192470
    • "WENT TO START MY CAR THE OTHER DAY AND IT FAILED TO START WITH A LITTLE KEY ICON ON THE DASHBOARD AND MY PUSH TO START BUTTON READING LOCK. I ASSUMED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD BECAUSE IT WAS ABOUT -20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AT THE TIME, HOWEVER WHEN I WENT TO JUMP…"~165,000 mi, complaint #1727958
  8. #8

    transmission automatic

    9 stranded, 32 unsafe, 1 broken

    42
    incidents
    Typical range: 95,000–155,000 mi

    Median 136,000 mi, based on 42 reports (30% had no usable mileage)

    • "RENTED A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM AVIS LOS ANGELES AIRPORT. LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD A WINING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WOULD REV WHEN EXCESS ACCELERATION AND ON A HILL WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND POPPED OUT…"~730 mi, complaint #709254
    • "P0776 CODES POPULATES AFTER 02 SENSORS WERE CHANGED. IT'S THE SOLENOID B PRESSURE LINE LOCATED IN THE VALVE BODY. IT AFFECTS THE CAR TO THE POINT WE'RE IT'S UNDRIVEABLE AND LOSES POWER. CAR WILL NOT GO OVER 3000RPMS IF IT DOES IT CAUSES THE CAR TO GO INTO LYM…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1512439
    • "ON THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2017 APPROXIMATELY 5:45 PM, I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF ON KIRKWOOD HIGHWAY IN NEWARK, DE WHICH IS 3 LANES. THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND HESITATE TO TAKE OFF. WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AN…"~135,000 mi, complaint #1353661
    • "ON A 3 HOUR TRIP, THE ALTIMA LOST SPEED. CURRENT SPEED WAS 75-80 MPH, DROPPED TO [REDACTED ADDRESS]. TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECK TO BE GOOD AND NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING HAPPEN. CAR LOST POWER/SPEED ON A SMALL INCLINE AND THIS HAS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS…"~164,000 mi, complaint #1196703
    • "WE WERE DRIVING ON I 40 AT A STEADY 75 MPH AND WE HAD TRAVELED ABOUT 50 MILES AT THIS SPEED WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN EVEN PRESSING THE GAS TO THE FLOOR DID NOT WORK. WE SLOWED TO 40 TO 45 MPH, THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. EVEN AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY…"~685,000 mi, complaint #990191
  9. #9

    steering rack mechanical

    9 stranded, 23 unsafe

    32
    incidents
    Typical range: 45,500–113,000 mi

    Median 80,500 mi, based on 28 reports (30% had no usable mileage)

    • "NOTIFIED BY DEALER THAT RIGHT INNER TIE ROD WAS FAILING - SLIGHT PLAY - AT THE TIME OF A PA STATE INSPECTION WITH ONLY 31,869. NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE NOTED. RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT."~31,689 mi, complaint #1224921
    • "I TURN OFF MY CAR TO GET GAS AND WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY CAR IT WOULD NOT TURN ON I TRY TO HAVE A JUMP AND THAT DIDN'T WORK SO I HAD MY CAR TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP, I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR. THE DEALER SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW STEERING UNIT THAT WILL COST ME…"~51,000 mi, complaint #951016
    • "AT ANY GIVEN TIME OR PLACE, OUR 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WOULD LOCK UP. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD AS A ROCK, OR THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TOTALLY LOCK UP. SOMETIMES IT WOULD HAPPEN IN JULY ON A NICE WARM DAY, OR IN JANUARY WHEN YOUR DRIVING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AT 20 BE…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1268965
    • "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 SUSPEN…"~113,000 mi, complaint #1569208
    • "THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM. I WAS FIXED ONCE BY DEALERSHIP UNDER EXTENDED WARRENTY THEY SAY. THEY TOLD ME RECALLED. NOW ONLY "CERTAIN 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA" ARE RECALLED AGAIN. MINE IS BROKE AGAIN AND COST IS APPROX $900. THEY SAID I GET NO ASSISTANCE EVEN…"~155,000 mi, complaint #1408557
  10. #10

    control module

    11 stranded, 16 unsafe

    27
    incidents
    Typical range: 51,500–90,500 mi

    Median 75,000 mi, based on 35 reports (15% had no usable mileage)

    • "INTELLIGENT KEY WANING LIGHT WOULD FLASH INFREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND THIS WARNING WARNS OF BCM FAILURE AND THE END RESULT IS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START LEAVING THE DRIVER STRANDED AT ANY PLACE AND TIME. REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED YET, BUT I WAS TOLD TH…"~40,100 mi, complaint #837231
    • "ESCL LOCKED UP WITH NO WARNING. CAR WOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO START AFTER GETTING GAS BECAUSE THE SYSTEM THOUGHT THE ESCL WAS ENGAGED. STRANDED AT A GAS STATION PUMP FOR 3 HOURS UNTIL A TOW COULD BE DONE TO A DEALER."~56,000 mi, complaint #1236164
    • "MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WILL NOT START, CAN NOT MOVE GEARS, LOCK OR UNLOCK DOORS AND WINDOWS DON'T WORK. THE PART HAD A RECALL THAT NEEDS TO BE REINSTATED.IF THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE I COULD HAVE BEEN RAPED OR KILLED. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1358126
    • "UNABLE TO START CAR DUE TO STEERING LOCK FAILURE. CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE ON COLD WINTER NIGHT. LEFT BUSINEES EARLY AM, CAR RECOGNIZED SMART KEY BUT WOULD NOT PASS OUT OF LOCK POSITION. HAD BATTERY AND REMOTE CHECKED ISSUE DUE TO FAILURE IN THE IGNITION CONTROL…"~87,000 mi, complaint #1343151
    • "WHEN DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE HIGHWAY IT FAILS TO SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR. YOU PUSH DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE RPMS GO HIGHER BUT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T PICK UP IN SPEED. IT ACTUALLY DECREASES AS YOU ARE GOING UP A HILL. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP, THE…"~185,000 mi, complaint #1404912
  11. #11

    transmission cvt

    4 stranded, 18 unsafe

    22
    incidents
    Typical range: 64,500–204,000 mi

    Median 132,000 mi, based on 28 reports (15% had no usable mileage)

    • "FLARE AND SLIP ON HIGHWAY MERGE. INTERMITTENTLY SHUDDER, SURGE AND VIBRATE WHEN ACCELERATE FROM 0-30 OR DECELERATE FROM 30-0 IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS BELT TYPE(CVT) TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT 'S LOGIC IS NOT SYNCHRONIZED WITH GAS THROTTLE INP…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1237847
    • "THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAS GIVEN ME MAJOR PROBLEMS AFTER DRIVING FOR 60+ MILES. UP UNTIL THEN IT DOES FINE JUST AS IT HAS ALWAYS DONE AROUND TOWN DRIVING. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR AND HALF OF DRIVING THE VEHICLES STOPS ALLOWING YOU TO GO OVER 40 MPH AND I FOUND THAT…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1615390
    • "The contact's sister owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her sister was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine revved loudly but the vehicle would not accelerate above 20 MPH. Additionally, the vehicle overheated, causing the antifree…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1797257
    • "AROUND 11:30AM ON 05/15/2013 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED INTO RETAILERS PARKING FOR WHICH IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE. ONCE THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE T…"~150,796 mi, complaint #982777
    • "MY ALTIMA HAS 257K MILES. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A FRIEND'S HOUSE AND THE CAR JUST DIED ON MY STREET. THE ENGINE MADE A WHINING SOUND AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 5 MPH. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST THE CAR DOWN THE HILL TO MY HOUSE. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAI…"~257,000 mi, complaint #1582285
  12. #12

    glass and windshield

    17 unsafe

    17
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=15, median 30,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH JUST OVER 13000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT ABOUT 65 MPH I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST OVER MY HEAD. THE SUNROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED (MORE LIKE EXPLODED) LEAVING ABOUT A 2 FOOT CIRCULAR HOLE I…"~13,000 mi, complaint #839894
    • "MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND IT'S VERY STICKY.. THE GLARE IS A MAJOR CONCERN THAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S DAY OR NIGHT IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD."~22,000 mi, complaint #1421166
    • "I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING AND THE SUN HIT MY DASHBOARD WHICH HAS BEEN MELTING AND HAS A GLARE REFLECTION ON MY WINDSHIELD. A PEDESTRIAN WAS CROSSING THE STREET, I ALMOST HIT THEM BECAUSE I WAS BLINDED BY THE GLARE FROM THE WINDSHIELD. PLEASE HAVE A RE…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1175199
    • "MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING RIGHT NOW IS A UGLY STICKY MESS, SOME HEAVY GLARE REDUCING 50% OF THE VISION IN MY WINDSHIELD AFFECTING ME WATCHING FOR PEDESTRIANS, CARS, THE ROAD., ETC. *TR"~88,569 mi, complaint #1121561
    • "MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CREATING A DANGEROUS GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD. I JUST HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT THIS PAST WEEK DUE TO THE GLARE BEING SO BAD THAT IT INTERFERES WITH MY EVERYDAY DRIVING. I AM LIVING WITH FEAR EVERY TIME I COMMUTE ANYWHERE WITH THIS VEHICLE…"~109,000 mi, complaint #1481624
  13. #13

    brake hydraulics

    16 unsafe

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=22, median 31,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I'VE GOTTEN INTO A CAR ACCIDENT INVOLVING 2 OTHER CARS, AND COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. ON OCTOBER 8, 2009, I WAS DRIVING BY CARSON BEACH, LOCATED IN SOUTH BOSTON, MA, TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING TO EAT WITH A FRIEND. I HAVE SEEN THAT I WAS GOING ONLY 28 MPH'S WIT…"~1,100 mi, complaint #753861
    • "ON JULY 27,2010 MY VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A CORNER AND TRYING TO COME TO A STOP. A TRUCK WAS APPROACHING PERPENDICULAR HEADING NORTH. I MOTIONED FOR THE TRUCK TO TAKE THE RIGHT OF WAY BEFORE MAKING MY TURN. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOUL…"~8,100 mi, complaint #804017
    • "TL* 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 OFFER…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1399380
    • "I WISH TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT A BRAKE FLUID LEAK FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER INTO THE VACUUM BOOSTER. ON THIS DATE, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON. I INSPECTED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS AT THE MINIMUM LEVEL. I PURCHASED BRAKE FLUID A…"~42,500 mi, complaint #898733
    • "MY DAUGHTER STOPPED TO FILL UP WITH FUEL AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO START THE CAR THE BRAKE AND STEERING WHEEL REMAINED LOCKED. *TR"~102,000 mi, complaint #958888
  14. #14

    instrument cluster

    14 unsafe

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 60,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND THERE WAS GLARE. I ALMOST DIDN'T SEE A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING IN A CROSSWALK. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BUT THE GLARE FROM THE MELTING DASHBOARD IS DANGEROUS. *TR"~17,500 mi, complaint #1142396
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD MELTED WITH A STICKY SUBSTANCE AND CAUSED A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH DISTORTED THE VISION WHENEVER DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIE…"~39,000 mi, complaint #1176431
    • "MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT IS VERY STICKY TO THE TOUCH AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO STOP IT. ALTHOUGH A VISUAL DEFECT, IT IS ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE MELTING PORTION IS VERY SHINY AND PROVIDES A SHARP GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD GREATLY REDUCING MY VISIBILIT…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1116235
    • "THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING CREATING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS PRESENTING A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH. THANK YOU *TR"~90,000 mi, complaint #1210861
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH MADE DRIVING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLARE IMPAIRED THE DRIVER'S VISION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DASHB…"~113,239 mi, complaint #1359571
  15. #15

    other

    1 stranded, 6 unsafe, 7 annoyance

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 68,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "PART 2 - CONFIRMATION NUMBER 10500119 PART 1 --- I WANTED TO ADD THAT I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2009. THIS WILL COST ME OUT OF POCKET $685 AND OF COURSE LIKE A SAID PREVIOUSLY THE WARRANTY OF 3/36,000 BEING THE YEARS THAT EXPIRED FIRST. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS C…"~31,396 mi, complaint #965170
    • "VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. APPEARED NOT TO BE A BATTERY ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. HOWEVER, CAR STARTED AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMED FINE. SUBSEQUENTLY (AFTER A DISCUSSION WITH THE SERVICE PERSON), IT SEEMED APPAREN…"~64,451 mi, complaint #1090716
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THERE WAS MOISTURE ON THE FLOORBOARD OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE MOISTURE WOULD FREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1169556
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE TIRES CHANGED AT A LOCAL TIRE DEALER, THE DEALER NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR VALVES STEMS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE VALVE…"~75,000 mi, complaint #931456
    • "CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE COMPLETELY TOTALED. IT WAS DRIVEN LESS THAN 2 MILES PARKED AND SHUT OFF. WITHIN 15 MINUTES THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES."~100,000 mi, complaint #1435343
  16. #16

    suspension struts shocks

    11 unsafe, 1 broken, 2 annoyance

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=18, median 92,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "STRUT INSULATORS, PART OF SUSPENSION. THIS COULD CAUSE STRUT INSULATORS TO CREAK. *TR"~2,400 mi, complaint #752497
    • "FRONT STRUTS HAVE CRACKS IN THEM. ALSO, THE CAR IS ON ITS CATALYTIC CONVERTER."~57,000 mi, complaint #1389792
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUT INSULATOR WAS CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSTABLE…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1308270
    • "FRONT STROUTS LIFT & RIGHT SIDE IS CRACKING."~110,000 mi, complaint #1581581
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal clanking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was driving rough. The contact stated that the ABS, brake, check en…"~184,000 mi, complaint #2030390
  17. #17

    unintended acceleration

    13 unsafe

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=23, median 25,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "LEASED A NEW 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2009 AND ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2009 WHILE MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A LOCAL SUPERMARKET OUR CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF THE MARKET. SHE WAS BURNT ON AN ARM BECAUSE OF THE AI…"~500 mi, complaint #751647
    • "IN A RENTED 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA I BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, LIGHTLY TAPPED A TREE ON THE SIDE OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THEN CAME TO A FULL STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE TO REALIGN IT AND THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY CRASHING THROUGH THE CLOSING GARAGE DOOR AND…"~1,000 mi, complaint #755458
    • "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 REVV…"~25,290 mi, complaint #1305881
    • "TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE COASTING UPHILL, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE, BUT NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPE…"~32,608 mi, complaint #1027094
    • "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 BA…"~165,000 mi, complaint #1734057
  18. #18

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    12 unsafe

    12
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 120,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED OF 80 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE BUT GAS PETAL WENT TO THE GROUND. CAR STARTED TO LOSS POWER. WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF HIGHWAY WHICH CAR STAYED AT 20 MPH WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER. I HAD CAR EVALUATED AND MECHANIC…"~73,000 mi, complaint #991244
    • "MY GRANDSON AND I WERE TAKING A 2 AND 1/2 HOUR TRIP TO VISIT FAMILY I WAS DRIVING ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY GOING ON AN UPHILL AND I BEGAN TO HEAR A WHINING SOUND AND MY SPEED STARTED TO DECREASE FROM 70 THEN TO 60 AND IT STARTED TO DECREASE MORE SO I THEN…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1598916
    • "COMING HOME FROM FLORIDA IN 2013, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. WE WERE ABLE TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER. ONCE WE STOPPED AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR 15-20 MINUTES, WE WERE ABLE TO GO ANO…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1404079
    • "DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AT 70 MPH, SPEED DROPPED TO APPROX 30-40 MPH. I HAD THE PEDAL TO THE MAT AND IT WOULDN'T GO ANY FASTER THAN 30-40 MPH. TOOK IT OFF CRUISE CONTROL, IT STILL WOULDN'T PICK UP SPEED WITH THE PEDAL TO THE MAT. SUD…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1483641
    • "VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING 55MPH ON HIGHWAY. SUDDENLY STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS I GAVE IT. I HAD MY 3 KIDS AND WIFE IN THE CAR. WE'RE LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO SOMEHOW COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAIT FOR…"~170,000 mi, complaint #1504429
  19. #19

    engine internal

    2 stranded, 8 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 60,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PUSH ROD INSIDE OF THE ENGINE CYLINDER FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLO…"~38,385 mi, complaint #1164386
    • "CARBON BUILD-UP ON VALVES CAUSING MISFIRE AND THE BREAK DOWN OF THE CATALYST. CODES P0300 AND P0303 STORED IN ECM. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF LONG ENGINE ASSEMBLY AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD. INITIALLY, DEALERSHIP CITED NEED TO REPLACE IGNITION COIL, SOFTWARE UPDATE, F…"~59,802 mi, complaint #1463832
    • "THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AND SPEEDS UP ON ITS OWN AND MAKES A WHINING SOUND WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY AND ON THE HIGHWAY."~81,000 mi, complaint #1509933
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON RT.190 NORTHBOUND IN LEOMINSTER, MA TO PICK UP MY 2 1/2 YEAR OLD SON AT DAYCARE. AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER. EVERYTHING LIGHT STARTED TO GO ON, CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY, GAS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. SMOKE THEN STARTED TO COME…"~86,000 mi, complaint #1020523
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EDEN PRAIRIE NISSAN ([REDACTED ADDRESS], EDEN PRAIRIE, M…"~171,000 mi, complaint #1610367
  20. #20

    exhaust system

    1 stranded, 7 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "HEAT SHIELD ON EXHAUST CENTER PIPE OVERHEATED AND BROKE. PIPE AND GASKETS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT BY DEALER."~17,000 mi, complaint #844840
    • "THIS PART IS CRACKED/BROKEN JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. HAD IT HAPPENED SIX MONTHS EARLIER IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SIX MONTHS, 9000 MILES??? ITS A $18000 CAR. A VITAL EMISSIONS PART MADE OF STEEL CRACKED AND THEY WONT F…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1012459
    • "MY WIFE DRIVES OUR 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S TO WORK ON 3RD SHIFT AND ON HER LUNCH BREAK GOES TO HER CAR AND TAKES A NAP WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND WAS COMPLAINING TO ME FOR A MONTH OR MORE THAT SHE HAS THIS SMELL IN HER CAR LIKE A "GAS SMELL" AND ALSO WAS COMPLA…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1624733
    • "THIS IS THE THIRD EXHAUST MANIFOLD I HAD TO PUT ON MY CAR WITHIN A YEAR. IT IS AN 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PART. EXHAUST FUMES ARE COMING ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD."~120,000 mi, complaint #1207822
    • "STARTING IN APRIL 2016 WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN MY WIFE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST THE ABILITY TO DRIVE, THE ENGINE HAD SHUT DOWN ENTIRELY. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE HAD JUST OVER 100,000 MILES AND SHE WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY EXPRESS WAY BET…"~152,000 mi, complaint #1421328
  21. #21

    power windows and locks

    1 stranded, 7 unsafe, 1 broken

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "FRONT WINDOWS ROLLING DOWN ON THEIR OWN WHILE NOT NEAR VEHICLE. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT OPERATING (TURNED OFF) AND WHILE USING EACH OF OUR TWO KEY FOBS AS THE PRIMARY FOB, ONCE WHILE MY WIFE WAS IN HER PLACE OF WORK. *TR"~12,000 mi, complaint #851783
    • "I'M A FEMALE WHO WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A DARK PARKING LOT BECAUSE CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD TO BE TOWED. PROBLEM WAS STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM. $811.00 FOR REPAIR AND 75.00 TOWING. PLEASE RECALL. PARTICULARLY SCARY BECAUSE WHEN I WAS PLAYING AROUND W…"~26,500 mi, complaint #945545
    • "I PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM NATIONAL MOTORS ON 12/17/2013. THE SAME DATE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM NATIONAL MOTORS, I NOTICED MY LOCKS DID NOT WORK. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL OPEN AND CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY WITH MY KEY WHILE THE OTHER THREE DOORS ARE NONRESPON…"~41,000 mi, complaint #1040938
    • "THE LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE KEY FOB OR DOOR BUTTON ARE USED. I HAVE REPLACED 3 OUT OF THE FOUR DOOR LOCKS MULTIPLE TIMES WITH THE PROBLEM RECURRING. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR PEOPLE NEEDING TO EXIT THE CAR OR ENTER THE CAR QUICKLY. FURTHERMO…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1282412
    • " DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK STOP FUNCTIONING WITH THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY FOB. THIS IS THE ONLY DOOR THAT STOPPED WORKING ALL THE OTHER DOORS FUNCTION AS INTENDED. I BELIEVE IT IS A MALFUNCTION OF THE LOCK REGULATOR. *TR"~145,309 mi, complaint #1177643
  22. #22

    brake booster

    3 stranded, 4 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "I WENT BY THE MALL ON SUNDAY EVENING WITH MY 9 MONTH OLD AND 27 MONTH OLD IN OUR 2 MONTH OLD NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 WHICH ONLY HAD ABOUT 21,000 MILES ON IT WHEN WE GOT, BUT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENCE, IT HAD 28,000 MILES ON IT. BY THE TIME WE CAME OUT OF THE MAL…"~28,000 mi, complaint #949068
    • "2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S WAS BACKED INTO IN A PARKING LOT, LOW SPEED COLLISION, MINOR DAMAGE TO REAR BUMPER. A FEW DAYS AFTER THIS INCIDENT, WHEN TRYING TO START CAR WITH KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEM, IT TOOK NEARLY 30 MINUTES TO START. IT IS REQUIRED THAT THE BRA…"~43,400 mi, complaint #867303
    • "AFTER ARRIVING HOME, I PARKED MY CAR AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RE-ENTER MY CAR APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR LATER, I PRESSED THE BRAKE AND PUSHED THE START BUTTON AS I HAVE DONE SINCE PURCHASING MY CAR APPROX. 4 MONTHS AGO. THE CAR WOULD NOT START.…"~46,711 mi, complaint #975567
    • "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 STO…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1580151
    • "THE BRAKE SWITCH ON THE ALTIMA HAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE NEW. THE FIRST PART WAS REPLACED IN JUNE OF 2015 DUE TO THE CAR NOT STARTING, AND THE VEHICLE NOT RECOGNIZING THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED (REQUIREMENT FOR KEY LESS START). UPON DEALER INSPE…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1305195
  23. #23

    tpms

    6 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "4 WEEK OLD NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL, TIRES WOULD LOSE AIR PRESSURE IN 1 WEEK. WENT TO DEALER, DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND STATED THE ALL THE TIRE SENSORS WERE LEAKING. DEALER REPLACED ALL SENSORS. DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST NOTED PROBLEM WITH THE…"~1,800 mi, complaint #724181
    • "THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS (TIRE VALVES) HAVE FAILED 4 TIMES IN 33,000 MILES ON MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE MATERIAL USED TO CONSTRUCT THE VALE CORRODES AND THEN FRACTURES EASILY DURING SNOW TIRE REMOVAL PROCESS. THIS CAUSES THE VALVE TO LEAK RESULTING IN FLAT…"~33,000 mi, complaint #852100
    • "TPMS LIGHT BLINKS FOR A WHILE AND THEN STAYS ON. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED AT 33022 MILES AND AGAIN AT 52033. IT APPEARS THAT THE TPMS SENSOR BATTERIES ARE DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO BE UNRELIABLE. *TR"~33,022 mi, complaint #958992
    • "THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TWO OF THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS FAILED CAUSING THE TIRES TO LOSE ALL THEIR AIR. PREVIOUSLY, IN DECEMBER 2013 ONE SENSOR FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 51,300. WE HAD NO IDEA THAT THE TIRE PR…"~59,300 mi, complaint #1144971
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE TIRE BECAME DEFLATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TIRE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED TH…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1070109
  24. #24

    battery and charging

    3 stranded, 2 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS AN ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE DESIGN FLAW. THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY AFTER 5 MINUTES, APPARENTLY THE BATTERY RAPIDLY DRAINS EVEN AFTER THE AUTO-HEADLIGHT SHUTOFF WITH THE CAR TURNED OFF. I PURCHASED A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2500S…"~1,478 mi, complaint #705706
    • "ENGINE WITH PUSH BUTTON START WOULD NOT TURN OVER AFTER 3HR STOP AND A LONG DRIVE PREVIOUS TO STOP. BATTERY WAS TOTALLY DEAD, BUT AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO JUMP START IT DID TURN OVER. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL DRAW ON BATTERY DURING STOP EITHER. STOPPED AT NISSAN…"~18,250 mi, complaint #1188870
    • "FAILURE OF CAR BATTERY 18,730 MILES I NOTED A STRONG SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS A FEW MONTHS AGO AND FOUND THAT THE POSITIVE POST ON THE BATTERY HAD CONSIDERABLE CORROSION. I CLEANED IT OFF AS BEST I COULD AND HOPED THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE SMELL OF ROT…"~18,730 mi, complaint #941764
    • "OUR 2009 ALTIMA, LEFT US STRANDED IN A REMOTE LOCATION. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. WE HAVE AAA SO WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR TOWING. BUT WE THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING SIMPLE LIKE BATTERY, OR BATTERIES IN THE REMOTE KEY. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN US THAT IS A KNO…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1268784
    • "THREE MONTHS AFTER INSTALLATION OF A NEW (DEALER PROVIDED) BATTERY, THE POSITIVE TERMINAL AND CABLE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO HEAVY CORROSION. THE ORIGINAL CAR BATTERY FAILED BECAUSE OF HEAVY CORROSION AROUND THE POSITIVE TERMINAL AS WELL. THE DEALER SERVICE…"~83,974 mi, complaint #1052980
  25. #25

    wiring harness

    1 stranded, 4 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 100,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "BRAKE LIGHTS NOT LIGHTING & PUSH TO START NOT WORKING AT TIMES. NISSAN SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH & SUB HARNESS. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE ON THE INTERNET I FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE SWITCH FAILS YOU ARE N…"~40,971 mi, complaint #941023
    • "INCLUDE MY 2009 ALTIMA 2.5SL TO THE GROWING LIST OF STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL SHORT PROBLEMS. I TOO HAD JUST TURNED OFF THE CAR AND 20 MINUTES LATER RETURNED TO FIND IT WOULD NOT START. BRAKE FELT DEPRESSED WHEN I FIRST PUT MY FOOT ON IT. PUSHED THE BUTTON AN…"~71,000 mi, complaint #970659
    • "THERE IS A PLUG UNDER THE DASH BOARD CLOSE TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT COMES LOSE. THE CAR WILL NOT START WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS. *TR"~100,000 mi, complaint #1178735
    • "THE CAR SHAKES BADLY WHEN ON REVERSE AND I CAN SMELL A BURNT WIRE BUT HARD TO LOCATE WHERE IT'S COMING FROM. *TR"~148,215 mi, complaint #1671626
  26. #26

    catalytic converter

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE NISSAN ALTIMA'S CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE IN A YEAR. ALSO, THE STRUTS HAVE CRACKS IN THEM AS WELL."~55,000 mi, complaint #1389929
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, A LOUD HUMMING NOISE AND A TICKING NOISE WAS HEARD AS WELL AS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD BEEN PROGRESSIVELY GETTI…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1457220
  27. #27

    door latch and hinge

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. ONLINE RESEARCH REFERS TO "ACTUARY" NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE DOOR WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK BUT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. FORTUNATELY, OTHER DOORS STILL FUNCTION."~60,000 mi, complaint #1340068
    • "THE HOOD SUDDENLY FLEW UP, HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. FORTUNATELY THE WINDSHIELD DID NOT BREAK, BUT THERE IS DAMAGE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR WHERE THE HOOD BENT THE BODY. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO I HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF THE INITIAL HOOD LATCH COMING LOOSE,…"~112,000 mi, complaint #1165339
    • "DOOR HANDLES ON CAR BREAK INTERNALLY PREVENTING DOOR FROM BEING UNLOCKED OR OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. DEALER HAS REPLACED TWO AT MY EXPENSE AND NOW THE OTHER TWO ARE BROKEN WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. NO ABUSE OR ACCIDENT INVOLVED THEY JUST ALLL OF THE SUDD…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1679488
  28. #28

    stability and traction control

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "TL* 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 M…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1319156
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SPUN OUT OF CONTROL INTO THE MEDIAN BEFORE COMING TO A STOP INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1097875
    • "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."~134,000 mi, complaint #1583799
  29. #29

    sunroof

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SUN ROOF AND HEAD LINER INTO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN IN…"~2,000 mi, complaint #1208906
    • "DRIVING ON STREET WHEN MOONROOF SHATTERED. NO APPARENT CAUSE DETERMINED, BUT WAS RAINING AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. BREAK OF MOONROOF SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT WITH GLASS FRAGMENTS GOING BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER COV…"~69,500 mi, complaint #969567
  30. #30

    wheel or rim

    2 stranded, 2 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. SHORTLY AFTER, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE, WHICH FLATTENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1327767
    • "DEAR SIRS: ON MARCH 31ST AT APROX. 2PM I WAS HEADING TO WORK IN I-4 WESTBOUND WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO WOBBLE. I WAS JUST PAST THE OFF-RAMP FOR THE B-LINE, NEAR SEA WORLD, BUT BARELY GO TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE NARROWED THE ROAD.…"~63,000 mi, complaint #974480
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE SOUTH CONDUIT BY EXIT 23A NEAR THE BELT PARKWAY. THERE WERE SEVERAL POT HOLES ON THE LEFT LANE. I HIT THE POT HOLES AT NORMAL SPEED AND MY RIM BROKE AND MY TIRE CAME OFF. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND WAIT FOR MECHANIC TO HELP ME. *TR"~75,657 mi, complaint #1137552
  31. #31

    suspension arms and bushings

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "THERE'S A LOUD CRUNCHING AND CRACKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT. I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I HEARD THIS. I ALSO FOUND LOOSE BALL BEARINGS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER THE WHEEL. IN THE PAST COUPLE YEARS THE TOP RUNG…"~86,500 mi, complaint #1611974
    • "THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS CAUSED MY TYRODE TO COME OFF CAUSE THE BRACKET THAT IS ON THE STRUT BAR THAT THE STABALIZER BOLTS ONTO HAS BROKE OFF FROM WHERE ITS ATTACHED TO. I CAN NOT KEEP THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL TIGHT IT HAS CAME OFF WITH ME DRIVING DOWN A CITY STR…"~210,000 mi, complaint #1730234
  32. #32

    tire failure

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "MY 2009 NISSIAN ALTIMA DROVE GREAT UNLESS IT WAS RAINING. WHEN THERE WAS JUST A SLIGHT DRIZZLE MY ALTIMA WOULD HYDROPLAIN UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 40 IN TENNESSEE AND IT STARTED TO RAIN. MY ALTIMA STARTED HYDROPLAINING REALLY BAD. I WAS…"~16,000 mi, complaint #776908
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN PRIMACY MXV4 TL TIRES, SIZE: 215/55R17 (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE INNER AND OUTER WALLS OF ALL FOUR TIRES CRACKED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…"~86,500 mi, complaint #1344735
  33. #33

    unknown

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS. *LD *TR"~140,037 mi, complaint #1459663
    • "TAKATA RECALL SERVICE BULLETINS. I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD WITH MY CHILDREN WE HAVE HAD IT A YEAR AMD ALREADY SPENT ALOT. CALL THIS DEPT AND NISSAN SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO RESULT I HAVE 13 OF THE SERVICE BULLETINS WRONG W…"~190,000 mi, complaint #1262866
  34. #34

    wiper and washer

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "WE ARE OWNERS OF ONE OF THE "MELTING DASH" ALTIMAS MODEL YEAR 2009. THE GLARE THAT THE DASH PROJECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD IN SUNNY CONDITIONS IS A SAFETY HAZZARD. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, WE HAVE ALMOST HIT OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THE BAD REFLECTION…"~15,000 mi, complaint #1620271
    • "DASH BOARD MELTING VERY STICKY CAN'T CLEAN BLINDING GLARE IN WINDSHIELD WHEN IN SUN HARD TO SEE ONCOMING TRAFFIC THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BUT AS I HAVE READ THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN IN HOT HUMID CLIMATE ALONG WITH THE STEERING LOCK DEFECTS .SEEMS NISSAN DOESN'T…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1295197
    • "THE DASHBOARD ON MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 BECOMES REALLY STICKY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS PROBLEM BECOMES A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE STICKINESS TENDS TO SPREAD TO THE WINDSHIELD BLOCKING THE VISIBILITY. PLEASE HELP! *TR"~90,000 mi, complaint #1157966
  35. #35

    abs module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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…"~175,000 mi, complaint #1608914
  36. #36

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "MILDEW IN AIR CONDITION. TERRIBLE SMELL COMING FROM VENTS. BURNS YOUR EYES AND GIVES TERRIBLE MIGRAINES. CHANGED 3 CABIN AIR FILTERS AND USED MULTIPLE CANS OF MILDEW REMOVAL. PLEASE HELP. ANY RECOMMENDATIONS? *TR"~79,400 mi, complaint #995158
  37. #37

    brake pads and rotors

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "AT REGULAR DRIVING, BRAKES FAILED AT 7500 MILES (WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 47 MPH ON THE 5 FREEWAY SOUTHBOUND). TUSTIN NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOUND ALL 4 ROTORS WARPED AND BRAKES DEFECTIVE. REPLACED ALL ROTORS AND ALL BRAKES. ALSO DEFECTIVE: DRIVER'S SIDE REAR V…"~7,000 mi, complaint #765394
    • "BRAKES FAILED AT 7500 MILES WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 47MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOUND ALL 4 ROTORS WARPED AND ALL 4 BRAKES DEFECTIVE. ALL WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. 2 DAYS AFTER DEALERSHIP REPAIRS, A VERY LOUD "CLUNKING" NOISE WAS NOTIC…"~7,500 mi, complaint #765399
  38. #38

    corrosion and rust

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1235065
  39. #39

    engine cooling

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY RADIATOR OR MY HOSES ARE LEAKING CAUSING A RADIATOR LEAKS. MAKING MY CAR OVERHEAT. I JUST FIXED MY SERPENTINE BELT."~171,000 mi, complaint #1655603
  40. #40

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WATER LEAKS INSIDE THE CAR EVERY TIME IT RAINS, WHEN IT'S STATIONARY. WATER IS ALL OVER THE FRONT FLOOR MATS AND BACK FLOOR MATS. FROM THE MOMENT I BOUGHT THE CAR, WATER GOT TRAPPED IN THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR. I HAD TO MANUALLY DRAIN THE WATER BY LIFTING THE…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1352098
    • "RAIN WATER IS LEAKING FROM MY DASHBOARD AND GETTING ON MY FLOORBOARD. IT WAS STATIONARY AT THE MOMENT"~137,000 mi, complaint #1527998
  41. #41

    hv system fault reduced power

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND THE SPEED DRASTICALLY DECREASES AND LOSES ALL POWER! THERE IS NO WARNINGS."~78,500 mi, complaint #1395200
    • "TRAVELING UP HILL MY CAR LOSES POWER AND GOES TO SOME KIND OF SAFTY MODE AND ITS VERT SCARY IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN' IN THE CAR"~9,986,800 mi, complaint #1390909
  42. #42

    lighting exterior

    2 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WERE DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN ACTIVATED BASED ON THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DESIGN, WHICH INCLUDED THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE SIDE MARKER LIGHTS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CONTACTED THE MANUF…"~7,000 mi, complaint #959729
    • "TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT OBSERVED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THAT ANY TIME THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL SELECTOR LEVER WAS ENGAGED IN AN UPWARD POSITION TO ACTIVATE, THE HEADLIGHTS OPERATION OCCURRED. THE TURN SIGNAL SELECTOR LEVER I…"~26,000 mi, complaint #774517
  43. #43

    engine head gasket

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WENT TO START VEHICLE AND IT DID NOT START. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR $90. WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRENTY AND MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 2 MONTHS. ADVISED TO CALL CONSUMER AFFAIRS. WAITED 13 DAYS WITH REPEATED PHONE CALLS JUST TO BE…"~60,340 mi, complaint #960619
  44. #44

    engine oil consumption

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "BURNING TOO MUCH OIL , HAD TO ADD 3 TO 4 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGE...PISTON RING PROBLEM CAUSING MISFIRE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY EVERY 2 MONTHS CAUSING SPARK PLUGS BURNT OUT."complaint #1421341
  45. #45

    fuel injector

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "HTTP://CLUB.AUTOHOME.COM.CN/BBS/THREAD-A-100012-5640635-1.HTML THE FUEL INJECTOR STEEL HOSE CONNECT WITH RUBBER FUEL LINE THAT CONNECT POINT NOT USED CLAMP ,IS WOULD BE SEPARATED AFTER LONG JOURNEY THE CAR SHAKE .THE SPRINKLE OUT GASOLINE EASY CAUSE FIRE . *…"~9,065 mi, complaint #753904
  46. #46

    fuel pump

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "FUEL PUMP WENT OUT MILEAGE #135828 ON MY ALTIMA 2009 2.5S. INITIALLY THE CAR WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WAS GOING TOTALLY USUALLY AFTER EXCITING THE FREEWAY. IT TOTALLY WENT OUT WHILE PARKED. IT WOULD TRY TO TURN OVER WITH NO LOCK.MODELS 2.5L 4 CYLINDER AND 3.5L V6 YE…"~135,700 mi, complaint #1385290
  47. #47

    fuel tank and lines

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "FUEL READS EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. *TR"complaint #1664545
  48. #48

    infotainment head unit

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I RECENTLY (12/30/08) BOUGHT A 09 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5SL WITH CONNECTION PACKAGE AND WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF DRIVING THE CAR I CAME ACROSS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEREO. I TURNED ON THE CAR AS I HAVE FOR THE PAST WEEK BY PRESSING THE START BUTTON, BUT THIS TIME THE…"~720 mi, complaint #704373
  49. #49

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ITS MAKING ALOT NOISE JERKING WHEN DRIVING."~150,000 mi, complaint #1688479
  50. #50

    power steering hydraulic

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "POWER STEERING LOCK, HAS BROKE AGAIN AFTER BEING FIXED JUST 50,000 MILES BEFORE. IT IS TIME FOR A RECALL. THIS HAPPENED IN SITUATION WHERE I COULD DO NOTHING TO FIX IT. GETTING A TOW AND A BILL OF OVER 1000 IS NOT MY VERSION OF A GOOD DAY. RECALL!! "complaint #1344786
  51. #51

    seat mechanism

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I WAS WASHING MY CAR AND THEN WANTED TO VACUUM IT OUT. I MOVED THE DRIVER SEAT FORWARD AND THE BACK OF THE DRIVERS SEAT DETACHED AND FELL IN THE BACK SEAT. I COULD NOT FIX IT SO I TOOK TO THE DEALER WHO INITIALLY WANTED $ 1,200.00 TO REPAIR. THEY EVEN…"~42,000 mi, complaint #967558
  52. #52

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "ON AUGUST 26, 2014 WE PULLED UP A WALMART AND MY GRANDSON COULD NOT GET OUT OF HIS SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELT WAS GETTING TIGHTER AND TIGHTER AND WAS SQUEEZING HIS STOMACH CAUSING HIM TO BE IN GREAT PAIN. (I HAVE PICTURES) A GOOD SAMARITIAN CAME AND TRIED TO HEL…"complaint #1102863
  53. #53

    throttle and pedal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR NO REASON THE ENGINE SLOWS DOWN AND WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE BY PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL THE ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND. AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO THE ENGINE RESPONDS AND SPEEDS UP. THERE IS ALSO A WHIRRING SOUND WHEN THIS HAPPENS. TH…"~132,000 mi, complaint #1313835
  54. #54

    timing belt or chain

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA JUST BOUGHT 2016. WHEN DRIVING 20 MIN OR MORE WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP ABOUT 3 SECONDS AFTER. YOU FEEL A SHIFT OR JOLT, IN THE ENGINE THE HARMONIC BALANCER OR TIMING CHAIN. I WAS DRIVING 70 DOWN I45 BUSY TRAFFIC, AS AUDIAL AND ALL A SUD…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1555609
  55. #55

    transmission manual clutch

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I WAS DRIVING WHEN I PUSHED THE CLUTCH AND THE PEDAL WOULD NOT COME BACK UP THE CAR STALLED SUDDENLY, AND I HURT MY NECK. *TR"complaint #1063872
  56. #56

    wheel bearing

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "AFTER ABOUT 37000 MILES I STARTED TO HEAR A "WHIRRING" OR KIND OF "ROARING" NOISE WHILE DRIVING. I NOTICED THE NOISE SPED UP AND GOT A BIT LOUDER AS I ACCELERATED. I ASKED A MECHANIC TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND THOSE WERE FINE. AT THE NEXT OIL CHANGE, I ASKED THE…"~38,000 mi, complaint #904791

Recall-sized clusters

These are large batches of near-identical complaints (recall notifications, service campaigns), kept separate from the ranking above so they don't drown out individually-reported problems.

Not matched to any cluster below: every campaign NHTSA has on file for this exact make/model/year is 08V464000, 09V006000, 09V358000, 10V401000. This is a vehicle-wide list, not an attribution - see below for which clusters have a real, complainant-cited match.

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for NISSAN ALTIMA directly.