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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,566 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2009 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #29

Jul 052024

Altima

  • miles

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

I purchased this car and the dashboard is melting and sticky. It-??s affecting visibility to the point where I found myself trying to lift up to look overtop of the blinding glare on my windshield due to my melting dashboard and got into an minor accident Like was reflecting off the dashboard onto the windshield obstructing my view and resulted in me rear bumping into the rear of another car that was towing a very small trailer that I couldn-??t see through the reflection on the windshield. Since then im noticing almost every dashboard on a Nissan Altima look the same if not worse and absolutely has to and needs to be acknowledged by Nissan for Nissan Altimas everywhere, not just in Florida. A recall NEEDS to be issued to resolve this very serious safety hazard. I-??m lucky no one was injured. PLEASE address this issue so people can get the dashboard repaired without costing them even more money than they already paid for your defective product.

- Clarksburg, WV, USA

problem #28

Feb 012021

Altima

  • 210,000 miles
The front suspension has caused my tyrode to come off cause the bracket that is on the strut bar that the stabalizer bolts onto has broke off from where its attached to. I can not keep the front right wheel tight it has came off with me driving down a city street which was seagoviille rd. In seagobille tx. All problems front suspension.

- Seagoville, TX, USA

problem #27

Sep 012020

Altima

  • 145,000 miles
The car started driving funny and I took it in and they told me it has to do with the struts.

- Denton, TX, USA

problem #26

Jun 222020

Altima 4-cyl

  • 148,215 miles

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

The car shakes badly when on reverse and I can smell a burnt wire but hard to locate where it's coming from.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #25

May 102019

Altima

  • 70,000 miles
Left front strut spring broke

- St. Louis, MO, USA

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problem #24

Oct 092019

Altima

  • 86,500 miles
There's a loud crunching and cracking noise when turning the vehicle steering wheel left and right. I was backing out of my driveway when I heard this. I also found loose ball bearings on the driver's side under the wheel. In the past couple years the top rung of the spring has broken off on both sides. Upper front strut insulator recall 09 V 35800

- Keene, NH, USA

problem #23

Aug 242012

Altima

  • 110,000 miles

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

Front strouts lift & right side is cracking.

- Hattiesburg, MS, USA

problem #22

Jun 202019

Altima 6-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact inspected the rear suspension of the vehicle due to an instability issue. It was discovered that the rear driver and rear passenger side coil springs were fractured. The vehicle was taken to ed martins Nissan of fishers (13397 britton park rd, fishers, in 46038, (317) 863-2424) where it was diagnosed that the rear and front driver's side coil springs were fractured. The rear coil springs were repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

- Fishers, IN, USA

problem #21

May 012019

Altima

  • 113,000 miles
Takata recall leak in the steering wheel fluid hose, steering wheel fluid leaks out of the rubber band in the steering hose causing the steering wheel to not be able to turn. Takata recall emergency brake is not connected or working. Takata recall suspension broken causing car to rattle and make loud noises while driving.

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #20

Nov 012016

Altima

  • miles
When I give break it makes noise so went to meinke and they confirm there is suspension issue. Then I have checked online so found there was recall for which I didn't receive letter. I found is risk to drive and expecting Nissan to cover this. I don't remember the date but facing some small issue from 2016 onward.. re call ref. Https://static.NHTSA.gov/ODI/rcl/2009/rcak-09V358-6281.pdf

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #19

Jan 012018

Altima

  • 95,000 miles

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

P0776 codes populates after 02 sensors were changed. It's the solenoid B pressure line located in the valve body. It affects the car to the point we're it's undriveable and loses power. Car will not go over 3000rpms if it does it causes the car to go into lymp mode. There's been several complaints regarding the issue and Nissan has yet to make any effort to rectify the issue. Nobody has $3000 to replace the whole transmission, when it's only a little component that needs to be replaced and not the entire tranny. Rectify the issue and stop selling lemon cars with horrible parts.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #18

Jul 172018

Altima

  • 154,000 miles
I have had the car 2-3 years now and the tires have loosened up on me while driving, the car stopped running and had to do some kind of steering column lock work, it is rusting on the drivers side floor panel, and the transmission is out of it which happen on the road at work with two of my clients. Which the clients both are diagnosed with a disability. Very frightening when you make a left turn and your car stops infront of oncoming cars. That could have been a major tradegy.if only nadsan would have fixed that transmission problem many years ago when they were made aware of the problem( malfunction) and Nissan will not budge one bit to help fix the transmission unless I pay diagnostics and a transmission bill of over $5400. Who ever heard of a transmission costing that much money? they are the worst and I will never purchase a Nissan ever again. Thanks for your consideration.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #17

Jul 052017

Altima

  • 55,000 miles
The Nissan Altima's catalytic converter had to be replaced twice in a year. Also, the struts have cracks in them as well.

- Shrewsbury, MA, USA

problem #16

Jul 052017

Altima

  • 57,000 miles
Front struts have cracks in them. Also, the car is on its catalytic converter.

- Shrewsbury, MA, USA

problem #15

Feb 012017

Altima

  • 65,000 miles
I had a knocking noise in the left front wheel area while the care was being driven. The repair facility diagnosed a strut broken and had to replace the left front strut modular assy and the right front strut assy also. This expensive repair cost $1.020.26

- Stevens Point, WI, USA

problem #14

Jan 112017

Altima

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 40 mph, the contact heard an abnormally loud noise from the front end of the vehicle without warning. In addition, both the driver and passenger side coil springs failed at two different times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.

- Newmarket, NH, USA

problem #13

Oct 122015

Altima

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While driving various speeds, the contact heard a grinding noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Shortly after, the contact drove over a pothole, which flattened the driver's side tire. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The contact stated that after a spare was installed on the vehicle, the noise grew louder. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger side alloy wheel, rear driver side alloy wheel, LK2 engine cradle 2.5, both top control arms and knuckles needed to be replaced. The insurance company declared the vehicle destroyed. The failure mileage was 25,000.

- Mariette, GA, USA

problem #12

Mar 152016

Altima 4-cyl

  • 210,000 miles
My 2009 Nissan Altima VIN number [xxx] has many safety issues that are not being reported with my VIN number. The struts, steering lock box{which I paid $900 to repair], ABS speed control sensor, engine oil coolant and most of all the cvt transmission have went out on my car and Nissan will not help me repair. So I am forced to attempt this last try before joining a class action law suit. I have only had the car 2 years and now I am out $9000 and the repairs are more than the car is worth. It would take too long to give detail about all the events so I pray someone at Nissan is decent enough to stand behind their product and make this right I am a single mom of three and ride less. I have contacted att. General [xxx] and BBB. My car is at [xxx] my number is [xxx] my name is [xxx] I have opened 5 cases and been denied. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Greenville, MS, USA

problem #11

Jun 202016

Altima

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 45 mph, the struts on the front passenger and driver sides of the vehicle detached without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was not diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V358000 (suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

- Sugarland, TX, USA

problem #10

May 302016

Altima

  • miles
Steering lock 48700-9N00B went out no warranty Nissan dealership said. We did not get any information on this issue. All they have been doing is giving us the runaround said we could bring it in and it would cost us $1K dollars after parts and labor. This is there issue don't see how they are not responsible to fix the issue. They said there was a warranty on the transmission and the noise while we drive don't know if I will ever buy an Nissan again after not receiving any information on recalls.

- Portland, TX, USA

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