Came out of the store couldn't start vehicle all of a sudden, wheel wouldn't turn, brakes were hard to step on, "key" light on! doors able to unlock and lock and trunk. Towed 3X nobody could fix it said needs to go back to Nissan nobody could even get a diagnostic output on it..sitting at Nissan now waiting for them to tell me cost which I can't afford a dime, missed work single M w disabled very sick son..luckily he wasn't with me! I even changed battery in key fob made no difference.I googled my car and seen all the same exact complaints as mine!,very sad and upset

- Montgomery, IL, USA

Steering wheel lock mechanism issue. This is a known issue with Nissan. Nissan put an extended warranty that ended January 1st 2016. This is a faulty part and must be added to recall list. Went to work in January of 2017, upon going to leave after facility was locked up for night my car had a yellow key light illuminated. Applied my break pushed the button and nothing happened. Had happened intermediately before hand. I was unable to start my parked car. It was 0F and had to walk home 5 miles. Not only does it lock out the key but it does not lock the steering wheel when disengaging the engine. That is a safety issue, if the park mechanism fails or U drive a manual and ur E-brake fails the car could potentially roll away uncontrollably because the wheel can turn freely when car is off. This could potentially harm or worse kill someone. Please help do the right thing and make sure Nissan can properly take car of this faulty possibly deadly issue. Thank you concerned Nissan owner.

- Belmont, NH, USA

My car was parked in a business lot when this occurred. There was no indication of anything being wrong with the car. However when I went to start the car it would not start. It was not an issue with the key fob. It was an issue with the sterling lock system in the car. An issue that Nissan said was made faulty. So as a result, I could not start my car and was stranded. So I had to call a cab to get home and have my car towed. I understand that things go wrong with cars and sometimes it is because people put off necessary repairs. However there was no sign this was going to happen and Nissan knows it's a problem with the product they put out. I thank god I wasn't out in the middle of nowhere when this happened. It could have been a really ugly situation like some other people have been put in.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

All of a sudden, my car would not start the ignition after locking it. Even the dashboard lights won't come up. Fortunately I was in the city and could get it towed to the dealer. It was found out that the electronic steering column lock (escl) had gone corrupt. When I searched on internet, it appeared that this is a common problem with 2009 Nissan Altima models. However there is recall issued by the company. I had to get the steering column lock replaced at my own cost, which was over $700. I was lucky that it happened within city limits. Had I been at a remote place, I would have been in a lot of trouble. This is a clear case of negligence on the part of the company. When it is known that escl is a problem for 2009 Altima's then the company should at least get the part replaced. Utterly disappointed with Nissan. It's certain that I'll definitely not be buying a Nissan for the rest of my life.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

My daughter 2009 Nissan Altima which she brought from turnersville Nissan in turnersville NJ Feb last year 2016 her car would not start come find out it was steering wheel lock defect which was recall for that they telling her recall date ended they know going charge her 900 dollars fix it if knew recall she should not be charged it at Nissan place as of 1 day ago for recall problem and if Nissan knew of recalls with steering they should let person know when purchase car of any recalls she should not be charged for this an if she was driving that day she could gotten hurt when car just did not start and should not be a time frame on recalls they told her she missed it that why she have pay I disagree.

- Lindenwold, NJ, USA

My car wouldn't start, with no warming or indicator. Thankfully, for my safety, it was parked in my garage overnight, however, this could be dangerous situation. I looked through the manual and found out that the car has a defective steering wheel lock that will cost around $1,000. This is a common and known problem which Nissan is apparently aware of, so I would really like to see them recall this part.

- Austin, TX, USA

The electronic steering column lock malfunctioned, leaving the car entirely incapable of starting. The car had been shut off while I was at work, snow had started to fall and it dipped into freezing temperatures. I went to leave work late at night only to find I could not start the car despite my best efforts. The key fob allowed me to unlock and lock my doors, and there was power to the car as the interior lights powered on, but the car wouldn't recognize that I had a key (and a spare key) present. Inserting it in the key slot did nothing. It wouldn't even attempt to start if I pushed the "start" button. Nissan quoted around $1100 to repair the car once I managed to get ahold of someone at their service department. Not having $1100, I repaired it by banging on the escl with a wrench until the escl disengaged, which allowed me to power the car to the "on" position, started the car, and pulled the fuse for the escl to prevent it from engaging again in the future. It has started up every time since I've disabled this part, but it took some major research on my part to find a workaround. This part needs to be fully recalled, in my opinion, especially with this being a proprietary Nissan part and safety hazard. Had I not had a coworker wait behind with me to give me a slow and slippery ride home (tow trucks had 3 hour waits that night due to ice), I'd have found myself frozen, and then who knows what being that all business shut down over the weekend. This is a safety issue.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

Drove home from work one day with no issues. Then a couple hours later, I tried to start the car and there was a steering lock malfunction making the car impossible to turn on. Cost to fix with tow nearly $1200.

- Madison, WI, USA

I was ready to go home at the lightrail station and I could not get the car to start. It was late at night and cold, plus the station is in a not-so-safe place. I had to call my wife to come with our 5 week old infant in her car to get aaa. The aaa guy could not find what the problem was. Then we towed the car to the dealer. And we had to wait for the next day to find out that the steering lock was bad. And it was a known issue to Nissan and they did not issue a recall. Instead Nissan extended the warranty for escl. Unfortunately, it was past the warranty extension. And I had to pay over $1100 to fix some defetive part. Shame on Nissan. Now there will be less diaper for my baby and definitely won't be a Nissan customer again.

- Indian Land, SC, USA

Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). I am writing on behalf of my 80 year old parents. This 2009 Altima is their only vehicle and source of transportation. At work last week, my mother was headed home to check on my father who has recently had a stroke. Her vehicle would not start. After conversations with dealers who are 75+ miles away, we determined that her steering wheel lock mechanism had failed. This rendered the car undriveable and it had to be towed to a dealer where this part was replaced for $1055, (not including towing fee, $327). This is the same part that Nissan had issued an "extended warranty" on for 6 years with free replacement and unlimited mileage restriction. Needless to say, they have yet been uncompromising that this is now an out of warranty repair. Still yet, they have acknowledged that this is a known part for failure and never contacted my parents regarding this possible issue. This car had 43,989 miles on it when this event took place. My concern is that this isn't just a worn out cushion on a seat that could easily be overlooked if failure occurred. Instead, this renders the vehicle un-operable and could have happened at a time of greater need. If the part has been known to be defective and was discontinued on the next generation of the Altima, why was it not recalled? the extended warranty was a bandaid on a large wound. Perhaps the low number of miles never let this car be cycled as often in order for the failure to occur prior to the 6 year cutoff. Still yet, a bill of nearly $1400 has been generated for two senior adults who live on a fixed income, but do still rely on their vehicle. At the very least, they should cover their expenses. It has been an inconvenience, but could have occurred during a time of medical need for them. Please help, if possible. Respectfully submitted, [xxx] C/O [xxx]

- Uvalde, TX, USA

Owner of a 09 Nissan Altima 2.5 S. my whole family got stuck with the car that didnt start at all, there's a key logo in the dash panel showing so I went to find some solutions online and found that im lost because it wont start again until fix by a dealer. No fun at all because I found that I might have to pay out of my pocket and this been a old problem that I never was mentioned by my service dealer. Nissan needs to do something about it.

- Capitol Heights, MD, USA

The car failed to start due to a steering wheel lock mechanism failure and the car had to be towed and the steering wheel lock mechanism replaced. The vehicle was stationary at the time of this failure, however these units should be fairly reliable and should not be failing. It appears that the unit used in these cars has a particular design flaw that causes these units to fail and Nissan has many complaints against the failure of these units. My bigger question is to what happens when these units fail while driving the car. Is it possible that people are driving around in death traps that may lock their steering while driving" I had the unit replaced and contacted Nissan and was not able to get a straight answer on if these units are safe, if the replacement is safe, if the replacement contains the same defect as the original unit. Nissan had extended the warranty on this unit, but obviously it has not been long enough, or the replacement units are failing as well. Such a simple unit that obviously has a wearing design flaw that may potentially lead to loss of control of a vehicle if it does not fail safe. Does it fail safe"

- Olathe, KS, USA

Faulty steering control lock disabled engine; would not start. Vehicle was stationary in parking lot.

- Germantown Hills, IL, USA

Steering lock mechanism abruptly failed preventing the car from starting. The car was stationary but the problem caused me and my young grandchildren stranded in subfreezing conditions.

- Maryville, TN, USA

Car was parked. Car wont start or crank. The fob opens and locks doors, but engine wont start. Dealer replace steering lock unit. Nissan forums are full of complaints from 2012 - 2013 with the same issue. Nissan did extend warranty on this part but only of few years with out issuing a re-call or notice. Part and labor are over $1100.

- Bethpage, NY, USA

Started car with no issues and drove to a place of business. Approximately 3 hours later, car (stationary in a parking lot) unlocked, but would not start. "key" indicator light blinks, which usually means remote battery is low. As I attempt to push brake and push button to start car, red light blinks indicating my car is not recognizing the key. It's 25 degrees outside and I have my 2 year old child and no heat in my car, so I have a friend drive me home. I return with new batteries in the key. Car still will not start. Inserted the key in the port, but that didn't start the car either. After reading and researching the issue, I'm sure it's the steering wheel lock mechanism. I therefore have to call a tow truck and have my car towed to the Nissan dealership.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

My brake switch went out in September. At any given time my car wouldn't start. When I press the brake peddle my brake light wouldn't come on. This happened over and over again. This is very dangerous because someone could run into the back of the car at any given time. I travel up and down the road a good bit. Having this problem is very dangerous for me. Now, a few months my car want start again. The dealership thinks its the steering column this time. My car don't even have 70,000 miles on it. This doesn't make since to me. I've been told by several people that Nissan is aware of this problem. I've been told that the problem exist in most all 2009 Altima's. why would Nissan risk the well being of their customers. It's sad that when I give them the year and make of my car they know exactly what the problem is without even checking them out. There should be a recall on these parts. These parts. Why is Nissan willing to cheat their customers and why are they willing to put our lives as well as the lives of other drivers at risk.

- Roswell, GA, USA

On 1/6/17 my 2009 Nissan Altima would not start due to a locked steering column. I was stranded at a school in below freezing temperatures, and had to ask someone for a ride. This part has been breaking down for awhile. I was fortunate to find a ride. The temperature in kc that day was between 1-14 F with packed snow and ice on the ground. Someone could be stranded in a place or situation that is not safe. I was told the car had a faulty steering lock. I had to have the car towed and repaired at a cost of $1,192.34

- Kansas City, MO, USA

I go to college in a remote part of Nebraska and in the winters it gets really cold and when you have a car in the middle of nowhere and it does not want to start. Thanks Nissan for not caring if I die of exposure. I live in remote town that doesn't even have a grocery store. Everything is closed by 6pm in my town and we are the last place to close in my work town which is a 30 min drive home. Both of these towns would be considered small town midwest farm towns, so when I close work and I can't start my car at midnight, I'm stranded. I can't go back into work to keep warm as the lock and alarm are activated when I leave. No one is up and the only people on the streets are the cops & are not taxis to drive me 30 mins to another town home. Point is, my car doesn't turn on, I'm left out in zero degree weather or below zero with one heck of a wind chill to just wait for some one that is over an hour away to come get me. If I'm lucky enough to find some one in peru, ne. Otherwise I am call my mother in Lincoln, ne. That's over an hour and half drive. I have been stranded now 3 times since December 10, 2016. 1st time. I was told it is my battery. Replaced it to no resolve. 2nd time was told it is my alternator. Tested fine and since it started fine at the dealership they said my car was fine. 3rd time, I hoped on the internet and to my complete surprise and shock to find that this is not an isolated issues. Nissan has known about the steering lock control unit stranding people for years and has done nothing to notify there customers or have it as a recall, but only as a warranty issue which expired 1-2016. I have already spent over $300 trying to get the problem fixed. I am a college student putting myself through college. That was my book money this semester. I don't have rich parents and need a reliable car. Nissan get it together and make this a recall to fix it!!

- Lincoln, NE, USA

Steering lock actuator: Steering lock mechanism went out and left my daughter stranded and we had to have veh towed. There was no alternate way to start car or put it in neutral to roll it out of the way. All due to a push start button on car and no other way to operate it safely. Having to have it repaired myself which will cost between $1500 and $700. This part should be recalled due to the danger it imposes. Also not being able to put it in neutral imposes other damage to car in having to find an alternative way to move veh.

- Jacksonville, TX, USA