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
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,070
Average Mileage:
52,550 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. new brake switch and wiring harness per tsb (1 reports)
  2. replaced (1 reports)
2010 Nissan Altima accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2010 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #2

Aug 282014

Altima ES V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 64,000 miles

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

This problems a a pain in the but. My car will not start and now I'm force to pay $1600. I just got laid off and now I have to deal with this issue. I thought I was making the right choose by purchasing this vehicle but I was dead wrong.

- Randy D., Smyrna, GA, US

problem #1

Sep 032013

Altima S 2.5L 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 41,026 miles

I have keyless starting system 2010 Altima. I get in and notice red flashing key indicator on dash, the brake pedal is stiff and can't be depressed and the car won't start. This has happened about 8 times so far but this is the worst. Before I could shake the steering wheel back and forth real hard and make sure the shift lever was all the way forward in park but nothing is working today. I need the Nissan Corp. to man-up and start fixing these problems as they are too expensive for the everyday Joe-Snuffy.

Update from Sep 9, 2013: Contacted Nissan consumer affairs about the problem and my disappointment with their product. They called me the next morning, took down more info and told me about a recall due on my model involving the Electronic Control Module (ECM) needing reprogramming and a couple of Tech bulletins. Since my car won't start I had AAA tow it to the closest Nissan dealership and dropped it off. All factory work needing to be done was done and Nissan had a "fix" for the no starting problem. Installed new brake switch (bottom of peddle) and sub wiring harness per Tech service bulletin for a total of $525.36 . A little better than the $800.00 some paid for the replacement of the steering wheel locking module. I am still waiting to hear from consumer affairs office at Nissan to see if they plan on picking up any of the tab for this. I eagerly await the arrival of the mail man for that check he must have for me. I do feel a little blue around the gills, maybe I should stop holding my breath.

- tmaine71, West Warwick, RI, US

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