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.
1.9
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,570 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.
Vehicle would not start after being shut down in parking lot. Dash display showed a key light but information console did not state the problem. Occupants in vehicle were mother and 3 year old daughter in 90+ degree heat. Could not operate air conditioning and had to have car towed to residence. Upon inspection, found steering wheel lock malfunctioned. Solution: Disable malfunctioning unit compromising security system with possibility of steering wheel lock activating while vehicle is in motion. Extremely dangerous as vehicle may be used on hiway or in less than optimal driving conditions. Nissan should recognize that this hazard was not completely communicated to all 2009 Nissan Altima owners when the initial recall was issued that ended in January of 2017. This is an ongoing issue and should be addressed to all current owners of 2009 Nissan Altima and corrected as soon as possible.
The steering wheel lock mechanism. I was fixed once by dealership under extended warrenty they say. They told me recalled. Now only "certain 2009 Nissan Altima" are recalled again. Mine is broke again and cost is approx $900. They said I get no assistance even paying for it because of the miles on my car. It is still their mistake and faulty part. Car is nit driveable
Replaced steering lock December 6, 2013, and again March 7, 2017. Has left me stranded two different times. Replaced with Nissan part that they know is defective and had to replace with same defective part again 3 years and 3 months later at my own expense the second time.
- Visalia, CA, USA
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- Avon, IN, USA