2009 Nissan Altima Electrical Problems

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle using the key fob, the vehicle failed to start. The contact depressed the brake pedal and ignition button, and the vehicle failed to start. The contact was unable to depress the brake pedal to start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering lock mechanism needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11630111

Incident

Dec 9, 2024

Mileage

80,000 mi

The component that failed was the steering lock control, and yes it's available upon request with a tow. I was stranded with no way of getting home. Problem has been confirmed by dealer. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer. No there was no symptoms prior to the failure. 06

NHTSA ID

11593172

Incident

May 30, 2024

There's an obvious issue with the steering lock system in 2009 Altimas that Nissan fails to address with a recall. They opened an extended warranty period that ended in 2020 apparently, with no notification from the manufacturer or dealership that this was happening. Also, I have been seeing complaints from owners who did get the steering lock box replaced at that time and are again having an issue where they are not able to use their cars for the very same issue. This needs an immediate recall as this shows negligence on the part of the manufacturer as well as the dealerships to notify owners. An owner should not be liable for costs to fix such issues that are the responsibility of a manufacturer. This is also a safety issue as the car is not reliable and puts the lives of drivers at risk while they can be found stranded in unforeseen and dangerous situations.

NHTSA ID

11579626

Incident

Oct 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Nisan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to detect that the key was present, activating the anti-theft immobilizer and preventing the vehicle from starting. The “No Key Detected” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to TSB Number: PC516. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 55,000.

NHTSA ID

11557989

Incident

Nov 22, 2023

Mileage

55,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, the steering wheel was locked. A message to wiggle the steering wheel while depressing the PUSH to START button was displayed. The contact stated that she followed the instructions however, the failure persisted. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to Nissan TSB Number: NTB17-018. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11529325

Incident

Jun 27, 2023

Column steering sensor is out and car will not start. Nissan was covering this repair due to a known defect yet never recalled the car. I never had the issue until now and people in previous years were granted 1 repair. Nissan said I would have to cover it

NHTSA ID

11524484

Incident

May 26, 2023

The air bag light went on. Had all previous codes cleared by mechanic. a week later, light is now blinking. In the past year, came out to a car that would not start. Battery may have a bad cell. I think there might be an electrical problem that causes the car to shut down spontaneously.

NHTSA ID

11496991

Incident

Nov 1, 2022

I was on the freeway on my way to LA then out of nowhere my car started to slow down then the check engine light came on and i was trying to move over to the emergency lane and and almost got hit by the car behind me and the one behind me in the lane i was switching in to once i got the side i turned the car off and on and it fixed it for a while but then then it did it again the same night later on and now it does it randomly

NHTSA ID

11494348

Incident

Nov 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the brake pedal was rigid. The contact's brother manipulated the ignition box until the vehicle was able to start. However, the failure reoccurred while the contact was in a parking lot. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle remained in the parking lot. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The dealer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11487828

Incident

Aug 17, 2022

Mileage

120,000 mi

The steering column lock actuator went out & left me stranded at night away from my home. I got in the car & it wouldn't start.

NHTSA ID

11487242

Incident

Sep 29, 2022

The vehicle steering got locked and would not want to start again, this could of happen anywhere and spend more money to tow and also a risk being in the freeway. This should be a recall due to a lot of complaints, or a free repair due to being very expensive, almost 200 for a safety issue. There is a TSB NTB10-053 ,

NHTSA ID

11455645

Incident

Mar 7, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that upon pressing the start button to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The contact stated that he was able to open the trunk and activate the alarm using the key fob, but the vehicle would not start. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA ID Number: 10119195 (Wheels, Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11450152

Incident

Jan 30, 2022

Mileage

60,000 mi

In 2009 Nissan built S models with an SL package. These models came with a push button start in lieu of a key start. These vehicles came with an electronic steering wheel lock mechanism. The electronic steering wheel lock mechanism was deemed defective on the push button start vehicles. Nissan ultimately did a campaign to have this repaired. In November 2021, my Nissan Altima electronic steering mechanism prevented my vehicle from turning on. I researched the problem and learned of the expired Nissan campaign. I never received notification of said campaign. I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs and started a complaint. After being told by Nissan Consumer Affairs that my vehicle didn't qualify for the campaign, I paid Rockland Nissan $1411.60 for the repair. Soon thereafter, I purchased another electronic part associated with this push button start system. During this transaction, I provided the Rockland Nissan parts employee with my vin number. I learned that my vin number reflected that my vehicle has a key start ignition. I literally had to escort the parts employee outside and show them the vehicle to prove that it did have a push button start. I again contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs. I informed them of my findings. Stated it was unfair that my vehicle didn't qualify for their campaign because the vin shows up as the vehicle having a key start ignition. I sent photos of my vehicle, my original window sticker showing that my vehicle came with a push button start system. They responded that the campaign ended and my vehicle is now too old and has too many miles. I responded that this was not the case when the campaign was active. I also stated neither I nor the original owner were ever notified of the campaign. And they should have covered the repair for these reasons.

NHTSA ID

11449264

Incident

Nov 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle and attempting to start the vehicle, the contact depressed the Push to Start button and depressed on brake pedal to start the vehicle however, the vehicle would not start. The contact stated she tried to start her vehicle manually and the vehicle still would not start. She then had an independent mechanic arrive to her residence to diagnose the vehicle. The contact was informed that similar vehicles had experienced the same failure. The contact stated that she contacted the dealer and was informed that her vehicle was not under an open recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

NHTSA ID

11445464

Incident

Dec 23, 2021

Mileage

97,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle would not start up. The vehicle was inspected by a locksmith and diagnosed with needing the electronic steering column lockbox replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was not available.

NHTSA ID

11441313

Incident

Nov 22, 2021

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle and attempting to start the vehicle, the contact depressed the Push to Start button and depressed on brake pedal to start the vehicle however, the vehicle would not start. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and replaced the battery and the key slot to attempt to fix the issue however, the battery replacement failed to fix the vehicle. The contact called a local dealer and was informed over the phone that the failure could be related to the electronic steering locking module and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11441093

Incident

Nov 18, 2021

Mileage

80,000 mi

IN 2020 RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN FOR STEERING COLUMN LOCK REPLACEMENT. TOOK CAR TO GREENVILLE NISSAN (GREENVILLE, NC). SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY NOT PART OF THAT RECALL, DESPITE THE NISSAN USA LETTER, SO I LEFT. APPROX. 9 MONTHS LATER (2/23/2021) THAT EXACT PART BROKE ON MY CAR, RESULTING IN INABILITY TO START ENGINE. COST ME $900+ OUT OF POCKET TO FIX EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS RECALLED FOR AND NOT ORIGINALLY DONE. FWIW THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THE SAME DEALERSHIP TRIED THE SAME THING WITH HIM ON HIS CAR. I AM ATTACHING ALL MY DOCUMENTATION FROM ORIGINAL LETTER, DOCUMENTS DEALER GAVE ME IN 2020, AND THE 2021 REPAIR AS WELL AS THE COST OF A RENTAL CAR TO GET AROUND DURING SERVICE.

NHTSA ID

11414633

Incident

Feb 23, 2021

Mileage

139,000 mi

I WAS LEFT STRANDED WHEN CAR WOULD NOT START. THANKFULLY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON THE ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. TURNS OUT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE STEERING WHEEL LOCK. NISSAN HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THIS PART FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE AT MANUFACTURE. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS CAMPAIGN AND AM NOW OUT $862.46 AS NISSAN DECIDED IT WILL NO LONGER HONOR THEIR RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS CAMPAIGN.

NHTSA ID

11404473

Incident

Mar 8, 2021

Mileage

64,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE, THERE WAS A SECURITY ALERT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11395807

Incident

Feb 10, 2021

Mileage

130,000 mi

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 IS A KNOWN ISSUE OF WHICH A 'SERVICE CAMPAIGN' WAS ISSUED BY NISSAN. HOWEVER, MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THAT CAMPAIGN.

NHTSA ID

11389520

Incident

Jan 16, 2021

Mileage

220,000 mi

STEERING LOCK MODULE FAILURE, NO START CONDITION. SECOND OCCURRENCE, STRANDED AGAIN. VEHICLE PARKED.

NHTSA ID

11388794

Incident

Jan 17, 2021

Mileage

116,000 mi

MY CVT TRANSMISSION BELT BROKE BUT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED MY SPEED SENSOR WAS FAILING AND ALSO MY STEP MOTOR I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS WITH VERY LITTLE PROBLEMS ALSO THE CAR IS STUCK IN NEUTRAL.

NHTSA ID

11362623

Incident

Sep 3, 2020

WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO GO TO WORK AND TRY TO TURN THE CAR, THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO TURN ON, THE CAR LOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL, I HAVE THE KEY PRESENT AND IT'S TELLING ME IT'S LOCKED, THE STEERING WHEEL IS REALLY HARD (LOCKED) AND THE BREAK GOT REALLY HARD TO PRESS DOWN. I WAS DOING SOME RESEARCH AND IT'S TELLING ME IT'S THE ESCL (DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK)

NHTSA ID

11353411

Incident

Sep 5, 2020

WHILE IN MOTION AND MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO AN INTERSECTION MY STEERING WHEEL WAS MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE TURNING LEFT AND THEN IT LOCKED. WAS GOING TO HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER BETWEEN ROAD AND SIDEWALK WHERE PEDESTRIANS WALK, HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES TO PREVENT A CRASH. AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS THE CAR ILUMINATED ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH AND TOLD ME THE CAR WAS OFF. I WAS ABLE TO TURN ON THE CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED AND WAS ABLE TO GO IN REVERSE A BIT TO COMPLETE MY LEFT TURN. HAD A SIMILAR SCENARIO MANY YEARS AGO WHEN FIRST PURCHASING THE CAR, WHEN ACCELERATING IN THE HIGHWAY ND DRIVING STRAIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL LOCKED, COULDNT TURN TGE STEERIBG WHEEL AT ALL. FELT AS IF THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OF EVEN THOUGH CAR ELECTRONICS WERE ON SUCH AS THE RADIO. SECONDS LATER THE LIGHTS ILUMINATED IN THE DASH AND WAS ABLE TO TURN ON THE CAR AND STEERIBG WHEEL UNLOCKED. BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES, SO THEY DECIDED TO RESTART THE COMPUTER AND DID NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM AGAIN UNTIL LAST THURSDAY WHERE IT TURNED OFF ON ME WHILE TURNING. EXRREMELY DANGEROUS AND CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

11352888

Incident

Aug 27, 2020

Mileage

74,000 mi

I GOT MY CAR MAY 2020 FOR 3250 I GOT THE THROTTLE BODY FIXED AND ALSO THE FLEX PIPE THINKING THATS THE REASON THE CAR IS SLOWING DOWN OR WHEN IM STOPPED AT A LIGHT I CAN PUSH THE PADEL TO THE FLOOR I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRUCK I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP TO GET A TUNEUP HE TOLD ME NO WAY IM NOT TOUCHING IT ITS THE TRANSMISSION MY RMP GOES UP TO 3 OR 4 DEPENDING I CAN BE DRIVING AND THE CAR IS GOOD THEN IT JERKS EVEN WHEN IM STOPPING IT JERKS THEN I CANT PULL OFF ANYBODY HELP

NHTSA ID

11341348

Incident

May 15, 2020