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.
4.7
definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,496 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.
I've owned my Ultima for approximately 9 years the dashboard is melting and cracking causing poor visibility, glares, melting dashboard with cracks causing wires to be exposed to hot heat and sun.
My dash is melting and it is so shiny that the glare on the windshield makes it almost impossible to see on a sunny day. The dash is so sticky that you can-??t even clean it. And it is admitting a foul odor which makes me sick makes my nose run and makes my eyes water. I don-??t have another vehicle to drive but it-??s getting to where I can-??t drive this one
My dashboard has been melting since I purchased the vehicle last year. Dealership went out of business. It-€™s over $1,000 for dashboard to be replaced. I read the complaints on this website and y-€™all are WELL INFORMED of this issue and the safety concerns associated with it. Ditto for Nissan! A recall was issued for the previous two year models so why in the world should we have to pay for this repair out of pocket and how many complaints does it take to get y-€™all to do something"???" I-€™m not sure what you-€™re here for if not to address issues consumers are having with their products. DO YOUR JOB AND MAKE NISSAN PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES!!!!
My dash is melting. Besides being a mess as I am not able to clean it, it obstructs my vision when the sun hits it and glares back at the windshield. In Georgia there are many sunny days and if I am facing the sun, my view is really bad. I have contacted several Nissan dealers in the area and not one has a way to help me. I have read about consumers winning lawsuits in Texas and Florida, but the damage is the same here in Georgia.
I have three issues with this car. The dash has melted, so much so I could not see out the windshield if the sun was out. The glare on the dash was blinding. I called Nissan and spoke to agent 'shelly', ID #7312915, case # 32725497 in September 2018. I took it to one Nissan dealership and they said not a manufacturing defect, but gave me a quote of $3500 to repair. Took to another Nissan dealership and they gave me another quote for a repair using a dash from the junk yard for 1/2 the price. I gave up and finally purchased a dash cover in August 2019 for around $300 from carparts.com and installed it myself. Very much a driving/safety concern! The sunroof leaks if more than a sprinkle. The back floor board stand in 3" of water. I have to take it to the dealership to have the headliner ripped out to clean the waterline from sunroof to outside (rear wheel well). I have taken it in 2-3 times at a cost of ~$150 each time. I need to go back now, but have currently duct taped the sunroof shut. The VDC and slip light, brake light and tire pressure lights are on. Have had them reset. Last time they told me to disregard the brake light. Just ignore it.
- Salislbury, NC, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
concern: melting dashboard safety: visibility - the dashboard is very shiny and sticky, potential glare confirmation: Florida recalls have already been made against 2008 and 2009 Nissan vehicles, but nothing further. symptoms: no idea that the dashboard was melting; college student used vehicle corrective action taken: washing/cleaners do not improve or correct the issue. Also, the replacement cost and/or labor required to fix the issue is extremely limited for consumers to take on personally.
The dashboard is melting and causing a large glare on the dashboard. This makes it a safety hazard to see out of the window. Nissan does not want to do anything about this but does acknowledge that it is happening.
The material the dash is made from gets extremely hot and melts, and the upper dash has a glare that shines and comes off the dash into the windshield area & causes a major distraction from the glare. My 20-yr old drives this car and has almost crashed due to the glare. The dash needs replaced. I tried a photo, but does not show the glare.
Vehicle was garaged for first four years in New York. Now in Florida for 6 yrs. And dashboard is melting making it almost impossible to drive on sunny days. I fear having an accident as the glare from the melted dashboard is obstructing my view. Also concerned about breathing these chemicals. Consumer stated she did not here anything regarding the complaint.
In the last year or two I noticed my dash start changing. Its started having spots bthat looked like it was melting. I thought it was something simple that could be cleaned. I was wrong, it just kept getting worse. The dash is gooey and sticky and now has such a shine on it that reflects onto the windshield that I have almost had several accidents and come near hitting pedestrians because you just cant see from the glare it creates,
The dash is melting and sticky, causing it to be shiny. This creates a glare on the windshield and it is difficult to see, causing a severe safety hazard.
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dashboard was melting, cracking, and began to provide a glare when the sun was out. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (universal Hyundai, 12801 S orange blossom trail, orlando, fl 32837) where it was diagnosed that the entire dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, but parts were ordered. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that there were no recalls for the failure. The contact opened a case with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was unknown.
When in motion driving or when stationary there is sometimes a glare on the windshield from the dashboard that is so severe that it impairs ability to see the road. This seems to have developed over time. The dashboard itself is tacky.
The dashboard is literally melting and has puddles of tacky residue. I live in Florida. The vehicle was purchased in Florida. The dashboard is breaking down and causing a dangerous glare on the windshield. It is a serious safety hazard for passengers, other mva's and especially pedestrians as they are almost impossible to see in daylight. The tacky substance cannot be cleaned. Anything that touches it sticks. Nissan knows about the problem. It is a defect in composite material and has not been caused by solvents or cleaners. Nissan refuses to cover dashboard replacement despite this being a known issue. The cost to replace is over $2K. Nissan has entered into a class action settlement for model years 2008 & 2009 (sanborn V. Nissan North America) but I have a 2010 and it has the same problem. 2010's should be recalled now and I shouldn't have to pursue legal action for this known and extremely dangerous defect but more importantly someone is going to get killed unless these dashboards are recalled and replaced. The problem seems to be most prevalent in Florida based on what I've seen online. Please google "Nissan Altima melting dashboard" - it's not an uncommon complaint. I'm providing 2 pictures to demonstrate visibility when parked in the driveway as well as driving on the road. Try to locate the license plate on the truck in front of me, let alone read it. Now imagine if someone were to walk in front of my car.
Melted dashboard causes terrible glare earlier this year I contacted Nissan's regional office to explain that my car's dashboard has melted. The melting of the dashboard is so terrible it creates a glare when the sunlight hits it. Please see attached images. In addition, I have no idea if the melting of the dashboard is creating toxic air, which I am breathing in each time I use my car. I have been sick all year and can only attribute this to my failed dashboard. Nissan explained to me that the only remedy is to completely replace the dashboard, but they will not incur the charges because the car is no longer under warranty. Nissan quoted that the repair would be $2,381.43, but I am not able to pay this considering I am a teacher and have to tutor to make ends meet. I have done much research and seen that many costumers face the same problem I do dating back to the 2008 models. This is a problem that Nissan should be made responsible for fixing. I have cleaned and taken care of my car since I bought it and don't understand why I have to pay for these changes or more importantly'put my life or other people's lives in danger because I have a hard time seeing through my windshield. Please help the countless others and myself in this situation!!!
Takata recall: I have a 2010 Nissan Altima. Recently the dashboard appears to be melting. There is a sticky residue on my dashboard near the windshield it is very concerning because the glare from the residue has obstructed my view on a number of occasions. I am a loyal customer of Nissan and have only driven cars from the brand this is the first time I have experienced this with any of my Nissan cars. They really should recall the issue it is quite dangerous!
My dashboard is melting causing a bad glare. I can't barley see 10 feet in front of me when driving during the day. Tried contacting Nissan to fix the issue they refuse. I even offered to pay labor & parts, but they want to make money off my fixing my safety issue. Hundreds of other drivers are facing this problem. It must cost $300 to fix this issue per vehicle and if we don't someone is going to end up hurt or dead. It would be sad to think that a life is less important then fixing this issue of visibility while driving.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cocoa, FL, USA