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.
2.8
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,415 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.
The brake light switch has failed on our 2010 Altima 2.5. this is a known problem with Nissan and is in fact the subject of a Nissan service bulletin, number ntb10-139. The defective original Nissan switch causes a no start situation if it occurs when the car is not running, and failure of the brake lights to light when braking if it occurs while driving. Nissan has released a revised switch to replace the defective original design, but in reviewing transportation.gov and contacting the dealer, there is no recall or manufacturer voluntary campaign to remedy this dangerous defect. We are in the process of completing the repair at our own expense and my initiate legal action against Nissan usa if there is not already a class action lawsuit.
Driving on I95 from gatlinburg my car started make a horrible whining noisie, shuck it's has done before just not this bad, it has before but I didn't think much of it and just stopped and let it sit and it stopped. Now it happens everyttime I get in the car. Or that I have to beg it go when it's in gear, when I pull out I'd doesn't go. I've notice if I slam it from to park forcefully to drive it seems to work fine until the whining and jerking start. I know this is a tranny issue and I I know it's warranty rorb10 yrs or 120000 miles I'm at 102! and I can't drive this car please help!!!
The incident happened the week of 02/08/18 my wife noticed some light vdc slip ABS lights all came on them while on highway all of the brakes locked and she could not accelerate car.
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and it went to the floorboard and remained jammed. As a result, the vehicle was not able to be driven. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the entire dashboard was sticky and had cracks. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the brake warning indicator illuminated inadvertently. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.
- Quebradillas, PR, USA
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Over the years ived had multiple problems with the branke and engine of my 2010 Altima. The panel lights up but the engine does not crank. Pushing the ignition button only locks the brake.no warning signals either the car just dies on you ived paid over 700 everytime it needs repair, im very frustrated with my car and will never buy another Nissan vehicle.
My 19 year old daughter was driving her car down the road when it stopped accelerating acting as if the brakes were applied. She could not get the car to go above 25 miles an hour. She was able to pull into a parking lot and wait for her dad to come and help her. When her dad got there the car was sluggish and would not accelerate because it felt like the brakes were being applied. He switched the car to manual and was able to get it home. The ABS, vdc off, slip lights all came on. The next day all lights were off and the car drove normally. This happened two more times intermittently at which time we took it into our mechanic. He discovered a power brake booster needed replacing. He believed this was a safety recall as it had been a recall on the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Nissan Altima. Much to our dismay Nissan has not issued a recall for this safety issue for the 2010 models. My mechanic told us this was definitely a safety issue that should be addressed by Nissan.
When I tried to start the cay with the push button start it would not respond. I tested the battery which is only 1 year old and is in good condition. I took it to the dealership (Nissan legacy) who reported that there was an issue with the brake switch and harness which need to be replaced. I have ready online that there were multiple incidents with this happening to this make and model
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on several occasions and the ABS and vdc warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle restarted after the vehicle was jumpstarted; however, the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake light switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
I have a 2010 Altima that has the same safety problem as has been reported on this web site and many other automotive complaint web sites many, many times (not only for this Nissan product but various Nissan products of earlier years). Namely, the switch that operates the brake lights fails intermittently. When it fails the brake lights won't illuminate when the driver steps on the brake. This is a rear end collision waiting to happen! does the NHTSA have to wait until someone is killed before requiring a manufacturer to fix a defect that both the manufacturer and NHTSA knew about for several years" to make matters worse, when the switch fails the anti-lock braking and traction control systems are disabled posing an additional safety risk. To make matter worse, when the switch fails the car won't start. Would you like to be stuck in a dark, deserted area at 2 O'clock in the morning when your car decided not to start" as I said before, the manufacturer has known about this problem for years. In response to the deluge of customer complaints, in November of 2010 Nissan acknowledged the defect by issuing a tsb (ntb10-139) to fix the problem. It involves a different stop lamp switch and a new electrical harness. The cost to implement the tsb is borne by the customer. My dealer wants $579 to do this! in response to an overwhelming number of complaints about a serious safety issue it is time for the NHTSA to act before someone gets killed. Nissan should be required to implement tsb ntb10-139 in all Nissan products that contain the defective brake light switch at no cost to the customer. Updated 9/28/15 updated 3/23/2016 updated 12/5/2017
As approaching a stop light, brakes were difficult to "grab" and too extra pressure. Stop was rather slow, and anti-lock brakes appeared to kick in (by rough, staccato shaking typical of them applying). Only by pressing down as hard as I could did I prevent smashing into the car ahead of me. Dry, sunny Florida conditions, no sand or slipping at all, just slow, odd braking. Then the engine seemed to be revving a bit - faster idling than normal while at the stop light. We are not talking about speeding here, or sudden braking, just a normal approach to a known stop sign or light. This is a serious safety issue. This happened a couple times, then did not repeat for a couple months. Then, when it did repeat, I asked the dealer about it. Always at a stop light or stop sign, always in danger of smashing into the car ahead of me or entering too far into the intersection if I could not control the stop. They were completely puzzled, and could not duplicate it because, as I said, it is very sporadic. An ispection did not reveal anything. They laughed at me, saying it was totally impossible for the anti-lock brakes to kick in if there is no skidding. Ok, so what was it then? it sure as heck seemed like anti-lock brakes! (I come from up North and have experienced anti-lock brakes kicking in on snow covered roads...) since the initial reoccurrence, it went several months, about six, with no issues or repeats, then just the other day, it did it again twice more. I suspect it could be something to do with computer controls, rather than the brakes themselves, but I am no mechanic.
On several occasions the vehicle has failed to start when the brake was depressed. At the present time the ABS light, slip and vdc are now illuminated after driving the car for a few minutes. It is my understanding that this is supposed to blink if there is a problem driving in wet road conditions or it is slippery. I have read numerous complaints from other owners having the same issue with the car not starting. It takes several tries in order to get the car to turnover and start. I believe that Nissan needs to investigate this issue further and issue a recall for these vehicles.
My brake light came on and I topped it off with oil and it went home. This was on Sunday. I took it in Monday to have it checked and the master cylinder was leaking and I had it replaced for $612.73. I called Nissan as I found there were some complaints and found a site where Nissan was reimbursing customers. They checked my VIN number and told me my car was not eligible. This is too new of a car with hardly any miles on it. Now they say my front struts need replacing. I never had to replace struts on my old Mazda until it had very high mileage on it. I am not pleased.
The car failed to start because the brake switch and the entire harness sub failed. I had to tow away the car to the nearest Nissan showroom and was charged $440 to replace harness-sub, switch assy sto, band hose plus labor. Ps: this is a known problem but Nissan wont refund my money. How can a vehicle just under 50K fail for such a thing if not for a bad factory harness.
Several times over the past few months and everyday for the past week, the car will not start during ignition due to the inability to depress the brake. The only way to get it to start is to repeatedly hit the brakes while pressing the start button. It never consistently works but eventually starts. After starting, the ABS, vdc, and slip warning lights are illuminated. There have been multiple reports of the same thing happening with this model from other owners. This poses a serious risk to health particularly in times where one may need to leave immediately. More often, it is an extreme inconvenience. The dealership service departments want to charge over $500 to repair something that is clearly defective and systematic. Please do something about this as many Altima owners are experiencing the same frustration that I have endured.
I have read numerous accounts of the Nissan Altima being unable to start when the required brake/start button is used. I am having the same problem. When the brake is applied and the start button pushed, the acc light comes on then, if pushed again, the on light comes on (over the start button). Then when pushed again, the system shuts off. By trying several times and pumping the brake, the car will eventually start. Since this has been reported numerous times, there is obviously a defect in the car's parts/system. There should be a recall to have Nissan replace the faulty parts free of charge.
I was driving down a residential road and my stability control turned off on its own and I could not turn it back on. At the time that it turned off my parking brake light came on, eventually it turned off but flashed on two more times as I was driving up hill. I was never able to turn the vdc (electronic stability control) back on.
Norfolk, Virginia - my 2010 Nissan Altima with push button start failed to start. All other electrical seemed fine. I had just previously noticed the ABS, vdc and slip warning lit while driving. After checking fuses, key fob batteries, etc. I attempted to pump the brakes several times and it finally started. Drove immediately to the dealer where I was told it was the brake lamp switch and harness which must be replaced at a cost of $550. He seemed to know with out of even looking what the problem was. When I questioned him about such an expensive switch, he only said "this happens a lot with this model." This should be recalled and fixed at Nissan's expense.
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. After the push to start button was installed, the vehicle would not restart after being driven after approximately 15 minutes. The contact mentioned that the vds, slip, and brake warning indicators illuminated. When attempting to depress the brake pedal in order to start the vehicle, the brake pedal was almost impossible to depress. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the technician stated that the brake switch was defective, which prevented the vehicle from starting. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
When you try to start vehicle you push on brake pedal, but the pedal doesn't go down 1/16 of an inch. The brake lights wont even come on. If you push the start button it will only go to the accessory then off. When I asked service manager at nelson Nissan in broken arrow, ok and I quote "he said you had to have key on before brake lights would come on"... I am like really!!! the brake lights umm no they should come on anytime you push the brake if the key is on or not. Please help us american's and other hard working tax paying people get our cars fixed. We paid good hard earned money for them and now all we have in a lemon in are garage. Thanks so much for you time, god bless you! and god bless America!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Covina, CA, USA