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:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,737 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.
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 right side motor mount is broken for starters and then on the left drivers side front struts are making a noise and sometimes my back up camera goes out also the transmission is starting to jerk a little or it may be the broken motor mount.
The heater core in the car started leaking and it cost almost $2400 to replace it. Dealer told me that it is due to the fact that the whole dashboard in the car needs to be taken out and is very labor intensive. This is a big expense and wanted to check if there has been a repeated issue like this.
I purchased my 2010 Nissan in 2016. I had no issues up until now when I made my final payment. I do not travel no more than 2 hours on my car once a month. Outside of 2 hour travels I drive 15 minutes to work everyday. Wednesday, May 19, 2021 my car stop working out of the blue! When I was driving home, I was at a stop light. When it was time for me to go, my car did not move. So that-??s when I pushed the gas pedal all the way down just so the car could move. If it went over 20 miles it will start shaking and jerking. I took my car to Nissan and they told me it-??s my transmission. How is this possible? And they are asking fit 5,000.00! I don-??t have that. On top of that I had to pay $252 just for them to tell me it-??s my transmission. I could-??ve caused an accident yesterday. What-??s going on with Nissan transmissions
The vehicle has developed an overly reflective finish on most of the plastic/rubberized dashboard surfaces, likely due to normal sun and/or heat exposure. This presents a safety concern, as the driver is distracted by reflected light while operating the vehicle.
- Tavares, FL, USA
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Dash is cracking and dash material is becoming soft and semi-sticky. It is not yet to the point of being melted and producing glare like 2008/2009 models but is quickly headed in that direction. Car is garaged when not in use.
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.
My car is showing a crack which started on the left side of the dashboard and has slowly stretched all the way over to the other end. I need my car for Transport and am afraid that one day the dashboard could open up while I am driving, which could cause major damage to me and my granddaughters. I am a senior with no income at this time and unable to make any upgrades or repairs. Please let me know if there is anything you can do or if I need to reach out to anyone else that can help me resolve this issue.
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.
My dashboard has melted and it causes for the inside of the windshield to build a film. Its difficult to clean and I have to clean I at least once a day. The glare off the melted dash makes it difficult for me to see outside. I have included some pictures of the damage.
My dashboard on my 2010 Nissan Altima is melting/sticky and the gear handle is sticky and I've contacted the corporate office and was told there's nothing they can do for me. I was driving and there was a glare in the windshield! it's hard to see, it looks like the sun is shining directly into your eyes. This is an ongoing issue and this is truly a safety hazard and Nissan does not care at all.
2010 Altima with a melting and cracking dash board since I've moved to Florida. The glare impairs visual field and presents a safety issue for myself and others.
The dash on the car is melted. There is a strong chemical smell in the car that we cannot get rid of and we are constantly having to clean the windshield during the summer months to remove a film that causes a horrible glare in the day and at night. The car was originally bought in Texas but we live in Oklahoma now. The problem started a few years ago but over time it has just gotten worse and now the dash is so sticky you cannot clean it other than vacuum the big pieces off.
My 2010 Nissan Altima has a "melting" dash, particularly around the defroster area. It is sticky in other parts of dash on sides and where it is molded. This problem has been reported on nbc5 in dallas, tx in the month of July for 2008-2009 models. To my surprise, my 2010 has same issue. I took car to dealer and they said they have seen lots Altima's with the same problem and nothing could be done except replacement, over $1000 dollars. I am still paying on this car (since 2014) and feel it should be fixed by Nissan since it is caused by them using a sub standard material. This car was manufactured in Mississippi according to Nissan. It is a safety issue as it continues to disintegrate in high heat. Cannot park in sun & can't put sun screen up where melted, it sticks & makes permanent marks in dash. Since it appears shiny it gives off a glare on windshield. Nissan should be responsible for a fix. This is my second Altima and it did not have this issue! I can provide photo on request.
Dashboard is melting/incredibly sticky. Creates a glare on windshield, particularly on sunny/bright days, that can make it difficult and dangerous to drive. I've heard that older models have this problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lithia, FL, USA