CarComplaints.com Notes: You don't want to get 2009 and 2010 Altima owners started about their cars. That is, unless, you know how to start their cars.

These vehicles can suddenly become impossible to start thanks to a faulty electronic steering column lock (ESCL). Nissan dealers will gladly replace it, but that will run you $1000.

More info & videos about the Nissan ESCL defect are available over at NissanProblems.com.

It's one of the many reasons this car was named CarTalk's Turd of the Week and given our Beware of this Clunker badge. Two dubious honors.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Nissan Altima exhaust system problems

exhaust system problem

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2009 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #1

Oct 022010

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2009 Altima 2.5 sl. Consumer writes in regards to entering Nissan's consumer arbitration process the consumer stated the dealer had the vehicle on November 15, and 16, 2011 to inspect and repair a chronic mechanical issue that had been going on for the past 16 months. The vehicle would make a popping sound after the engine was warm, when the vehicle sat idle or turned off. While removing the initial heat shield rivets and replacing them with larger rivets, it resulted in a slightly muted popping noise. The consumer was concerned that overtime, the expansion and contraction of the metal surfaces will weaken and potentially fail. The dealer replaced the sepentine belt, tensioner and exhaust system, but the noise continued.

- Andover, MN, USA

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