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:
70,282 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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Nissan Altima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2009 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 27 of 43)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #332

Oct 192015

Altima

  • 116,000 miles

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

There was a malfunction with the electronic steering column lock. I went to start my car and it would not start. The electronic steering column lock needed to be replaced.

- Florence, SC, USA

problem #331

Oct 192015

Altima

  • miles
The electronic steering column lock issue is prevalent in Nissan Altima model year 2009-2010 and Nissan has failed to take responsibility for this known issue. I experienced the issue conveniently outside of Nissan's "extended warranty claim period" and as a result I am stuck with a $1000 repair that I have taken full financial burden from. This was a known issue that should have been fixed by Nissan under a recall as this is in fact a safety concern because nobody should be concerned about their car not starting especially if they are in an uncomfortable situation and need to get to safety quickly. This issue occurred while the vehicle was stationary and that by no means excuses it from being a safety concern, because it is very much a safety concern. www.nissanproblems.com/trends/steering-wheel-locks/

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #330

Oct 302015

Altima

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While the ignition was turned to the on position, the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel seized and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Ward, AR, USA

problem #329

Oct 262015

Altima

  • 0 miles

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

I have an 09 Altima and the steering lock module has gone bad. Started it up for work got left stranded. Had to have it towed home, and did some internet work and there are a lot of complaints about this locking up on people leaving them stranded. Nissan extended the warranty to 6 years but the part goes after the warranty ends. If you searched the internet there so many complaints about this. I called the dealership and they said it's a common problem with these cars. So why are we being stranded for a faulty part than Nissan all knows to well. And it's not cheap to fix this either. Why are we paying for their craftsmanship. There are a lot of stories of women, children bring stranded. As I was one (female) that had to find a way to tow my car home. Please hear us we need help, we need your help.

- Euclid, OH, USA

problem #328

Oct 222015

Altima

  • 86,000 miles
Car deesn't start, it is because of faulty steering lock system. Nissan extended warranty on this part but didn't do recall. It has happend to many people and yesterday I was stranded and my car wouldn't start. The repair is costly and Nissan is not paying for it.

- Billerica, MA, USA

problem #327

Oct 222015

Altima

  • 120,000 miles
I went drop kids off at the bus stop came home cut car off went in the house not even three minutes came outside to start car nothing happens, brakes are hard, car does not start the key symbol comes on the dash to the left, start switch says lock, engine won't budge, the vehicle was stationary.

- Jeanerette, LA, USA

problem #326

Oct 172015

Altima

  • 51,371 miles

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

My 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 sl started without a problem. Stopped at the store, was in there for 10 minutes. Came out, my car wouldn't start. It would lock and unlock, lights worked, but wouldn't start. Attempted fixing for 2 days by driving up to the parking spot with a bunch of tips and tricks online but ended up towing my vehicle to Nissan dealership and spent $800+ to get it fixed. Refer below links for similar complaints, should have been a recall www.nissanproblems.com/trends/steering-wheel-locks/ www.carcomplaints.com/Nissan/Altima/2009/electrical/car_wont_start_key_anti-theft_light_blinking.shtml

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #325

Oct 012015

Altima

  • miles
I been having problems with steering for some strange reason Y car would not start there was no warning sign of anything.this is very un-safe I was stranded with my daughter in the car late night. I thought it was my key fob that was low in battery, but no luck I was stuck for hours trying to figured what was going on with my car.

- San Pablo, CA, USA

problem #324

Sep 292015

Altima

  • 127,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and the key warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #323

Oct 082015

Altima

  • 96,000 miles
Received notification from Nissan in the mail that the steering column lock control unit can break causing the vehicle not to start. This event occurred to me on 10/08/2015 resulting in a towing bill, rental car fee and a repair fee at Nissan. Nissan Consumer Affairs will not reimburse since vehicle is outside warranty period even though they admitted in their corporate letter that this malfunction is a known issue. Vehicle was parked at the time of the occurrence.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #322

Oct 072015

Altima

  • 84,578 miles

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

Electronic steering column lock replaced for $974.97. Bought car new 9-7-09. Warranty for this known problem extended to 72 months/unlimited mileage. It failed on 10-7-09, one month after warranty expired. These vehicles should have been recalled.

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #321

Oct 092015

Altima

  • 100,000 miles
Tried to start my car one day and it would not start. The car was located in front of my children's school. After getting a diagnosis from the dealer I was told it was the electronic steering column lock. I was later told that it was an extended warranty issued for the part because tons of people are having the problem but the warranty ran out June 29, 2015. How would I know that the part was defective if they do T contact me? now they want to charge me $1100

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #320

Oct 052015

Altima

  • 70,300 miles
Car was parked for 8 hours, went to start and nothing would happen, key light on dash was light. Steering wheel was not locked. Battery ok, fob working opening door locks.

- West Nyack, NY, USA

problem #319

Oct 022015

Altima

  • 145,000 miles
Without warning the vehicle would not start after being driven an hour prior to the malfunction. The key fob indicator light comes on but the car will not start or respond to the start button. The key fob unlocks/locks the car. Upon researching the issue online, I discovered that the issue is with the electronic steering control lock that keeps the car from being stolen or started without the key fob. This is, from what I discovered, a known issue with Nissan and in my view a major safety issue. Nissan has made this a warranty extension instead of a safety recall for reasons unknown. With no way to tell when and if a steering lock will fail it is a game of chance that many Nissan owners are losing. If you are like me, and purchased your car used, it is safe to say that you will not know about the issue until its already too late. On top of that, since it is a warranty it has an expiration date. Which means that if you are unfortunate enough to no know about this and it fails there is a good chance that Nissan will not fix it for free.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

problem #318

May 072015

Altima

  • 31,689 miles
Notified by dealer that right inner tie rod was failing - slight play - at the time of a pa state inspection with only 31,869. No external damage noted. Recommended replacement.

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #317

Aug 112015

Altima

  • 71,000 miles
This vehicle was purchased at 60,000 miles from a Nissan authorized dealer. The push button does not start the car. Sometimes it does start and will go off by itself. The shift tick is locked and won't change gears. I have called the dealership and Nissan and they both said nothing can be done. So I am paying for a car that does not work. When it does turn on I have to press the lock release on the shifter for it to engage into drive. Dangerous really. No accountability

- Clifton, NJ, USA

problem #316

Oct 032012

Altima

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While driving in a parking lot, the power steering seized without warning and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the electronic steering column lock was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000. The VIN was not available.

- Pooler, GA, USA

problem #315

Sep 172015

Altima

  • miles
I got in my car fine this morning with my key fob, but the key light was on when I got inside. When I pushed the break to push the button trying to start my car it would not turn on. The light stayed on lock. The steering wont budge and the break is locked. My car is in park and the wheels are straight.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #314

Sep 062015

Altima

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While the vehicle was being serviced at a dealer, the steering wheel seized. The dealer informed the contact that that the sealing lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.

- Richmond, CA, USA

problem #313

Sep 012015

Altima

  • miles
It won't start because of steering lock they said (service center ) need to change, I ask them if it is still under warranty.

- Richmond , CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?