2009 Nissan Altima
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 1,547
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Steering
Campaigns on file for 2009
None on file
56% of complaints
Complaints per year
2009: 1,547 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 125 |
| 1994 | 113 |
| 1995 | 180 |
| 1996 | 92 |
| 1997 | 108 |
| 1998 | 123 |
| 1999 | 87 |
| 2000 | 160 |
| 2001 | 159 |
| 2002 | 1,047 |
| 2003 | 883 |
| 2004 | 276 |
| 2005 | 1,091 |
| 2006 | 824 |
| 2007 | 471 |
| 2008 | 1,029 |
| 2009 | 1,547 |
| 2010 | 381 |
| 2011 | 241 |
| 2012 | 426 |
| 2013 | 2,310 |
| 2014 | 1,114 |
| 2015 | 954 |
| 2016 | 553 |
| 2017 | 391 |
| 2018 | 226 |
| 2019 | 231 |
| 2020 | 178 |
| 2021 | 70 |
| 2022 | 30 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Steering
56% · 862 reportsMost commonly citing anti-theft device and column.
Show complaint excerpts
I was driving the vehicle and I hit a curb and the steering wheel locked up the entire security system causing my car to shut down.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-27
Electrical system
30% · 466 reportsMost commonly citing ignition and wiring.
Show complaint excerpts
Car caught on fire completely totaled. It was driven less than 2 miles parked and shut off. Within 15 minutes the car was completely engulfed in flames.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-26
Also filed under Structure
Engine
7% · 107 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Driving down the road when the car started to stutter pulling over to the side of the highway the car begin to smoke under the hood. I came to a complete stop and got out the car. Flames begin to come from under the hood.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-15
Power train
6% · 95 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
A traffic officer and investigated an incident where a vehicle owner was rum over by his vehicle. The vehicle does not have a physical key to operate the vehicle. There is an electronic "Key" And a push button start/shut off switch.
NHTSA ODI report, 2008-11-17
Air bags
6% · 92 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, an unknown Chevrolet Postal truck pulled out and crashed into the vehicle. The steering wheel air bag exploded and hit his face.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-08
I was traveling westbound on the interstate when a Chevrolet silverado truck cut into my lane and stopped abruptly. I did not have time to react and rear-ended the vehicle. My car ended up under his bumper with major front end damage.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-22
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2008-09-15Wheels08V464000 Nissan is recalling 3,403 my 2009 Altima vehicles equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels. Some these wheels may not have been manufactured to specification. This could cause one or more of the five…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle to determine if it is equipped with one of the affected wheels. If it is, the wheels will be replaced with new ones that have been manufactured to the correct…
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2009Complaint volume 1,547 complaints filed for this model year.
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2009-01-12Structure09V006000 Nissan is recalling 225 my 2009 Altima vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 214, "Side impact protection." These vehicles may have…
Remedy: All the affected vehicles have been brought back from the dealerships and remedied at the factory. No vehicles had been retailed.
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2009-10-08Suspension09V358000 Nissan is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 Altima and Maxima passenger cars. The upper front strut insulators may have been manufactured out of specification resulting in a potential for…
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners and dealers will replace both left and right side front strut insulators free of charge. The safety recall began October 2009. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-Nissan1…
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2010-09-16Equipment10V401000 Nissan is recalling certain vehicles that were equipped with a garmin nuvi model 750 navigation system. The batteries contained in the affected gps units can overheat.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by garmin technicians by replacing the battery and inserting a spacer on top of the battery free of charge. The safety recall began on…
Buy-smart checklist
2009 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Steering: 862 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 466 reports on file for this year.
- Engine: 107 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 08V464000 · Wheels
- Recall 09V006000 · Structure
- Recall 09V358000 · Suspension
- Recall 10V401000 · Equipment
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2009 Nissan Altima reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Nissan Altima is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Altima?
- The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 56% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Altima have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.