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:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,530 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2009 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 6 of 43)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #749

Mar 112017

Altima

  • miles

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

Lock steering had to be replaced.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

problem #748

Apr 272017

Altima

  • 92,000 miles
My Nissan Altima has a faulty electronic steering column lock. There is a recall campaign in place but my VIN doesnt qualify even thou its electronic steering column lock malfunctioned. The dealership is asking 1003 to fix this. Kindly help

- Lake Forest, CA, USA

problem #747

Apr 092017

Altima

  • 147,000 miles
My 2009 Nissan Altima has locked the steering wheel due to the failure of the electrical steering lock system, which is a major problem within these cars. There was a recall but most owners won't malfunction until further miles like mines. I was at my parents house visiting "thank lord" which was not that far from my apartment, when I came outside to leave the vehicle would not start. Was due to that problem

- Arlington Texas, TX, USA

problem #746

Mar 312017

Altima

  • 86,122 miles

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

I tried to start Nissan Altima after shopping and would not start. Steering was locked up and transmission.I was not in the safest part of town so I was worried for my safety.this is the second time it happened to me so I knew it was the steering lock unit gone bad again. First time was 3 years ago and it was replaced free at Nissan dealer this time it cost me $ $1009.56 at same Nissan dealer. Need to recall so this matter can be fixed. I cant afford a car that I have to replace same $1000 part every 3 years.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #745

Dec 062016

Altima

  • miles
Takada recall- the car was stationay and would not start.

- Jackson, MS, USA

problem #744

Feb 212017

Altima 4-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. After the vehicle was started, it failed to shift out of park and the intelligent key system warning indicator illuminated the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that unknown parts related to the steering lock mechanism needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000. Updated 05/10/17

- La Verne, CA, USA

problem #743

Jan 182017

Altima

  • 75,000 miles

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

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 issue!

- Duncansville, PA, USA

problem #742

Feb 172017

Altima

  • 86,000 miles
Steering lock has broken and there is no way to start my car - it left me stranded at night and I understand Nissan will not honor a recall that they had for this before. I was parked in a lot when it happened. I had my car towed, then it worked briefly but has stopped again. This is an electronic key with no manual option. I understand that this is a persistent problem with this vehicle and year and that Nissan changed the design because of this.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #741

Feb 142017

Altima

  • miles
The start push button ignition and the intelligent key will not engage.. the steering wheel is locked and will not allow the brake pad to depress for the operation of the vehicle. I am left dead in the water with no way to start or use the accessories function to turn on the radio or allow my phone to charge in the battery port. I went to pick up my family went to start the car and there was no recognition.

- La Puente, CA, USA

problem #740

Feb 152017

Altima

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While trying to start the vehicle, the power steering lock was faulty and the warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #739

Jan 182017

Altima

  • 157,000 miles

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

My Nissan Altima 2009 left me stranded in a parking lot at night. The steering would not lock and the car would do nothing! luckily after several attempts the car did start. Now a month later, thankfully, this happened again in my driveway at home! I could have been murdered or raped in that parking lot! I am hearing there was a recall that was amended in January 2016. I don't have over $10000. For this repair that could have taken my life. I am afraid to drive for fear of being stranded again!

- Duncansville, PA, USA

problem #738

Feb 092017

Altima

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering lock needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000.

- Palmetto, GA, USA

problem #737

Feb 112016

Altima

  • 133,000 miles
Car would not start, locked up on me. Vehicle towed to Nissan, told it will cost me close to $1000 to repair, noticed other costumers had this same problem. Nissan extended the warranty for 6 years which expired 4-25-2015. My vehicle was parked in plaza parking lot

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #736

Feb 012017

Altima

  • miles
Issues with steering wheel which leads to the car not turning on at all.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #735

Feb 102017

Altima

  • 98,000 miles
Drove to work fine. Car started right up. When I tried to start my car an hour later the car couldn't start or attempt to turn over. The battery is brand new so that wasn't the issue. Turns out the electrical steering cylinder lock is bad. Tried everything to get the car to start. Car was stationary but now I'm stranded.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #734

Feb 092017

Altima

  • 128,000 miles
I was unable to start my car and was left stranded in a parking lot at work for over 3 hours waiting for a tow truck. Once I got to the Nissan dealership I was informed that the issue is with my steering lock and it would cost $1,300. I came in 4 days prior to this event due to an indicator light coming on which I found out was a warning about the programing of my key and was turned away by the dealer and told that the light really isn't a big issue because I am able to start the car. However, 4 days later my car won't start at all and now I am unable to get to and from work and I am also a student. I called corporate and was told that because this happened after 2015 and the recall had expired there was nothing they could do.

- Palmetto, GA, USA

problem #733

Aug 012016

Altima

  • 169,000 miles
The steering column recall was repaired, but warranty was off. Had to pay out of pocket. Automatic transmission stopped and recall on it was off. Automobile was in motion when it slowed to a crawl on the highway

- Gahanna, OH, USA

problem #732

Feb 092017

Altima

  • 106,000 miles
The steering lock module needs replaced and the car will not start. The car was driven to location without any issue and parked. Once I returned to the car it would not start, was unable to jump start the car. Car was towed.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #731

Feb 062017

Altima

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized with no warning and the vehicle was unable to be driven due to the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for further inspection and diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #730

Dec 302016

Altima

  • 119,500 miles
My car was stationary at a gas pump when it failed to start. I had to get it towed to dealer to replace the electronic steering column lock (escl) unit which had failed and prevented the engine to start. Nissan had issued an extended warranty, 72 months/unlimited mileage due to known manufacturing irregularities of the escl. Unfortunately for me, the malfunction occurred after the warranty time had expired but I feel the issue is one that needs to be addressed for all owners of vehicles with possible faulty escl units.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

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