FaultScore

2009 Nissan Altima brake problems

49 of the 2,150 complaints about the 2009 Nissan Altima are about the braking system — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 49,000 miles.

C

49

Complaints

7

Crashes

0

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Service Brakes 32 65.3%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 12 24.5%
Master Cylinder 3 6.1%
Service Brakes, Electric 1 2.0%
ABS Warning Light 1 2.0%

Brakes across every Nissan Altima year

1995 10 1.4%
1998 14 1.9%
1999 19 2.6%
2000 12 1.7%
2002 34 4.7%
2003 12 1.7%
2004 13 1.8%
2005 45 6.2%
2006 26 3.6%
2007 71 9.8%
2008 93 12.9%
2009 49 6.8%
2010 32 4.4%
2011 13 1.8%
2012 20 2.8%
2013 58 8.0%
2014 28 3.9%
2015 25 3.5%
2016 11 1.5%
2017 19 2.6%
2018 49 6.8%
2019 30 4.2%
2020 18 2.5%
2021 20 2.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 184,000 miles Albany, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal clanking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was driving rough. The contact stated that the ABS, brake, check engine, and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there were no recalls for the failure on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the strut housings had failed. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 184,000.

NHTSA complaint #11618392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Atlanta, GA

SERVICE BRAKES

I went to Autoworx on February 9, 2023 to purchase a 2009 Nissan Altima. The vehicle was very nice, looked good, no warning lights or anything. Drove great for about a week or 2. Then the car started breaking without me pressing the breaks. So I returned the car to Autoworx to have them check it out. The mechanic was assuring that the problem had been taking care of. After making another large payment that day, I left drove the car about a week. That's when the car started shaking. I mean shaking hard too and the SERVICE ENGINE SOON light comes on the dash board. So I take the car back to them on Monday March 13, 2023. The mechanic says "oh, make an appointment for Friday and I'll take the car to the shop so I can see what is going on". I made the appointment & continued to drive the car. In the days between Monday to Friday, the car began shaking harder. Suddenly, on Thursday March 16, 2023,while driving home the car stops accelerating. I had to keep turning the car off and on to get it going. On Friday, March 17, 2023 I arrived at the Autoworx location at 10:30am (the appointment time). When I arrived no one was there. We sat and waited for nearly an hr and a half. Once they arrived they looked at the car, drove it away and came back. After sitting there for 2/3 hours, the Owner [XXX] called me outside to inform me that the Catalytic Converter was bad (which they knew on Monday when I came in) and by me driving the car longer, the Transmission has went out. At this point I am FURIOUS! Because at NO point did they tell me that the car needed a Catalytic Converter. So we sat there a little longer with no way to go home. [XXX] then comes and mentions "I'll get you all an UBER". He ordered the Uber (just to get us away). I have looked into the Carfax on the 2009 Nissan Altima and found that the Odometer had been rolled back SEVERAL times. I bought the car at 121,000 miles. After, looking at the Carfax the car has darn near 300,000 miles on it. I got ripped off ❗ INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF I

NHTSA complaint #11512721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,000 miles Columbia, SC Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

A NIGHTMARE WHILE AWAKE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A BANK PARKING LOT I HIT A POLE LIGHTLY. I STOPPED THE CAR BEFORE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. WHEN I ACCELERATED THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AT A FAST SPEED. I TRIED BRAKING BUT THE CAR KEPT GOING FORWARD SLAMMING INTO THE BACK OF A PARKED SUV WITH THE DRIVER INSIDE PUSHING IT FROM THE PARKING SPACE UP ONTO THE SIDE WALK. AND SIDE SWIPING A PARKED TRUCK PUSHING IT INTO THE SUV PASSENGER SIDE.. THE ACCELERATION WAS SO GREAT I AM SO MY CAR IS TOTALED. I AM PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONAL SICKEN BY THIS AND THE DAMAGES CAUSED FROM SOMETHING NISSAN COULD HAVE PREVENT BY FIXING THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS STILL TRYING GO AFTER BEING STOPPED BY THE VEHICLE I HIT AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE LADY FROM THE BANK TOLD ME TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THAT STOPPED THE CAR. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE MODE AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND HAD TO SHUT IT DOWN IN DRIVE MODE. THIS WAS A SCENE OUT OF A HORROR SHOW. IT HAPPENED IN SPRINGFIELD MA AWAY FROM MY HOME. I AM GLAD THE INJURIES ARE NOT FATAL AS ONE INCIDENT WAS.

NHTSA complaint #11403185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,000 miles Manchester, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES

NHTSA SAYS THE UPGRADED INVESTIGATION WILL NOT ONLY FOCUS ON 2009 MURANOS, BUT SAFETY REGULATORS WANT TO KNOW IF OTHER NISSAN MODELS MAY BE AFFECTED. HOW ABOUT THE NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID 2009...FRONT RIGHT AND REAR LEFT BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO MAVIS WHO HAD JUST REPLACED BRAKES, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS. I WAS TOLD "ABS PUMP AND MODULE ARE NO GOOD, ONLY STOPPING ON 2 WHEELS..REC...NOT TO DRIVE." I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED AND READ THAT CERTAIN TOYOTA'S SAME YEAR HAVE AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM AND THAT NISSAN USED TOYOTA PARTS THAT YEAR.

NHTSA complaint #11265898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Bayonne, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES

MY CAR WOULD NOT START LEAVING ME AND MY CHILD STRANDED. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE OVER NIGHT. WHEN I WAS READY TO LEAVE FOR WORK IN THE MORNING IT WOULD NOT START. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY BUT IT WASNT. I HAD IT CHECKED AT A NEAR BY AUTO STORE. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. WHO CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THE FAULTY BREAK SWITCH. THIS IS UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY LEAVING ME SCARED TO DRIVE THINKING IT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN AND LEAVE US STRANDED AGAIN OR A SCARY ACCIDENT. PLEASE RECALL THE FAULTY BREAK SWITCH IN 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA AND REIMBURSE ME MY MONEY FOR REPAIRS. I AM A SINGLE PARENT. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #11228881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,000 miles Quincy, MA

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

NHTSA complaint #11209763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Eaton Town, NJ Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

NHTSA complaint #11014257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,000 miles Houston, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

CAME OUT TO GET IN THE CAR WHICH WAS PARKED, USED THE FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOOR GOT INTO THE CAR AND NOTHING. THE BRAKE WAS HARD TO PRESS, THE STEERING WAS LOCKED, COULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR, THE CAR COULD NOT BE JUMPED WITH CABLES. I HAD 2 INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. I NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALER. THE DIAGNOSIS IS THE STEERING ACTUATOR. I AM BEING CHARGED ROUGHLY $1100. I DON'T YET HAVE MY DOCUMENTATION AS THE CAR IS WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THIS SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE RECENTLY WITH SEVERAL 2009 NISSAN ALTIMAS. NISSAN MAY WANT TO RETHINK MAKING THIS A RECALL. I WAS LUCKY TO BE IN A PUBLIC PLACE IN THE DAYTIME.

NHTSA complaint #10947911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Roswell, GA

SERVICE BRAKES

MY BRAKE SWITCH WENT OUT IN SEPTEMBER. AT ANY GIVEN TIME MY CAR WOULDN'T START. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDDLE MY BRAKE LIGHT WOULDN'T COME ON. THIS HAPPENED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD RUN INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR AT ANY GIVEN TIME. I TRAVEL UP AND DOWN THE ROAD A GOOD BIT. HAVING THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME. NOW, A FEW MONTHS MY CAR WANT START AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP THINKS ITS THE STEERING COLUMN THIS TIME. MY CAR DON'T EVEN HAVE 70,000 MILES ON IT. THIS DOESN'T MAKE SINCE TO ME. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM EXIST IN MOST ALL 2009 ALTIMA'S. WHY WOULD NISSAN RISK THE WELL BEING OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. IT'S SAD THAT WHEN I GIVE THEM THE YEAR AND MAKE OF MY CAR THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITHOUT EVEN CHECKING THEM OUT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE PARTS. THESE PARTS. WHY IS NISSAN WILLING TO CHEAT THEIR CUSTOMERS AND WHY ARE THEY WILLING TO PUT OUR LIVES AS WELL AS THE LIVES OF OTHER DRIVERS AT RISK.

NHTSA complaint #10944182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,290 miles Laguna Woods, CA Crash 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

ISSUE: UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CONDITIONS: 2PM/CLEAR/PARKING LOT WHILE MAKING U-TURN TO THE RIGHT, BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. STEPPED AGAIN ON BRAKES, MORE FIRMLY, BUT DID NOT SLOW CAR WHICH CONTINUED TO ROLL SLOWLY FORWARD ABOUT 7 MPH. SUDDENLY, LOUD REVVING, CAR CONTINUED FORWARD ROLL. IMMEDIATELY, ADDED LEFT FOOT TO BRAKE, PRESSING WITH FULL WEIGHT. NO RESPONSE. ABOUT 2-3 SECOND AFTER REVVING/HARD BRAKING, THE CAR OPENED FULL THROTTLE AND HURTLED FORWARD ABOUT 1-1/2 TO 2 CAR LENGTHS; SLAMMED INTO WALL. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY MY CAR HAD ONLY 25290 MILES (ONLY ABOUT TWO YEARS OF NORMAL USAGE) AT THE TIME THE SYSTEM FAILED. MY LEFT KNEE SUSTAINED SMALL GASH FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN I WAS SLAMMED BACK AFTER IMPACT THREW ME FORWARD, FOREHEAD KNOCKED THE UPPER STEERING WHEEL. NOTE: ABOUT 1 MONTH PRIOR TO ACCIDENT, THE AUDIO CONTROLS ON MY STEERING WHEEL HONKED THE HORN INSTEAD. THE NEXT DAY, THEY WERE OK. THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN TESTED AT THE COLLISION CENTER AFTER ACCIDENT; IT'S ON TAPE. THE REP AT THE COLLISION CENTER WAS INFORMED OF THE SWITCH PROBLEM FROM THE START. WHEN I THEM TESTED DAYS LATER, THE AUDIO CONTROLS WORKED PROPERLY. ALSO, AN INDICATOR ON THE DASH WENT FROM SHOWING THE MPG WITH A BAR AS I ACCELERATED OR SLOWED, THEN SWITCHED TO A DIGITAL REPORT OF 18 MPG/CITY. IT KEPT SHIFTING BETWEEN THESE INDICATORS WITHOUT MY INTERFERENCE. FINALLY, THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY ALTHOUGH IMPACT CLEARLY EXCEEDED 15 MPH. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A SEVERE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; THE CVT SYSTEM WITH ITS SENSORS, ETC. IS DEPENDENT ON IT. MY ACCOUNT PARALLELS REPORTS I HAVE UNCOVERED ABOUT SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I NOTED THAT OFTEN AN EVENT WAS PRECIPITATED BY A SLOWING, AND A TURN. WHEN I RECENTLY TALKED TO A NISSAN TECH ABOUT THE SWITCHES, AIRBAG, INDICATOR FAILURES, HE MENTIONED PINCHED HARNESS COULD BE A POSSIBILITY.

NHTSA complaint #10893866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 210,000 miles Greenville, MS Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

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 900.00 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 9000.00 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).

NHTSA complaint #10893349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palestine, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA IS CURRENTLY HAVING ISSUES WITH THE DEFECTS IN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL). THE CAR JUST CUT OFF ON ME AS I WAS PARKING IN A PARKING SPOT. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE GEAR IN PARK. IT DISABLED THE PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION ON MY CAR AND LOCKED MY STEERING COLUMN. SO, I WAS STRANDED! THIS IS BIG SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE MY CAR COULD'VE JUST CONTINUED TO ROLL IF I COULDN'T GET IT INTO THE PARKED GEAR! IT'S UNFAIR THAT AS A CONSUMER OF NISSAN, I HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE AFTER THE NISSAN WARRANTY ON THE ESCL EXPIRED IN MARCH 2015 AND BE POSED WITH PAYING OVER $1000 IN REPAIR COSTS. PER NISSAN, THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC MILEAGE NUMBER THAT THIS DEFECT COULD OCCUR; SO THEY SHOULD RECALL THE ESCL SYSTEMS IN ALL AFFECTED CARS INSTEAD OF COVERING THEIR OWN BEHINDS AND GIVING A WARRANTY WITH UNLIMITED MILES AND AN END DATE OF MARCH 2015. CLEARLY NISSAN IS NOT CONCERNED WITH ITS CONSUMERS SAFETY. IT'S NOT FAIR TO CONSUMERS THAT BOUGHT NISSAN VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCE THE DANGEROUS DEFECT AFTER MARCH 2015. I AM A VERY UNHAPPY CONSUMER AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10893174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Greensboro, NC

SERVICE BRAKES

I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW. MY CAR HAS ONLY 76K MILES. THE PROBLEM IS THERE IS RUST FORMING AT THE FLOORBEDS WHICH IS MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE AND IS CAUSING BRAKES ISSUES. I WAS TOLD NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THE RUST PROBLEM FROM A VERY LONGTIME. LAST WEEK, I SPEND $210 TO FIX AIR LEAKS DUE TO FAILED SENSORS. THE PROBLEM IS AFFECTING BRAKES AND SENSORS OF THE CAR WHICH IS MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE.

NHTSA complaint #10788161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 93,000 miles District Heights, MD

SERVICE BRAKES

GOT INTO MY CAR & IT WOULD NOT CRANK. BRAKES WERE PRESSED & STAYED IN LOCK POSITION. AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK & FORTH IT STARTED.

NHTSA complaint #10726125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ UPDATED 10/19/2015

NHTSA complaint #10679562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Springhill, FL

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS TRYING TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE SWITCH WHICH ALLOWS THE CAR TO KNOW YOU ARE PUSHING THE BRAKE DID NOT WORK (PUSH BUTTON IGNITION). I TRIED TO PUT MY KEY IN THE SLOT TO START THE CAR, BUT THE CAR DOES NOT START IF THE CAR DOES NOT SENSE THE BRAKE IS BEING PUSHED. THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD. GOOD THING I WAS NOT STRANDED SOMEWHERE. I CALLED NISSAN WITH NO HELP AT ALL. A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALED THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. THE PART NUMBER REPLACED IS INTERMOTOR SL2110. PLEASE RESPOND WITH YOUR INVESTIGATION ON THIS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10649521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,822 miles EL Centro, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. I BOUGHT IT NOVEMBER 2012. BY FEBRUARY 2013, I REPLACED TIRES. WAS SOLD A CAR WITH INCORRECT LICENSE PLATES THAT OWED REGISTRATION FEES TO DMV. I ALMOST GOT TOWED AND DIDN'T KNOW WHY. BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND NOVEMBER 2013, I REPLACED BRAKES, ANOTHER SET OF TIRES, THIRD BRAKE LIGHT TWICE, AND BATTERY. MAY 2014, TOOK IT TO ROGERS & ROGERS DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE. MAINTENANCE OTHER LIGHT AND TIRES ON. (CAR WAS BOUGHT WITH A FLASHING TIRE MAINTENANCE LIGHT ON) MOUNTS AND STRUTS WERE REPLACED AND WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE SENSORS. AUGUST 2014, CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. STEERING LOCK UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. REAR LEFT WINDOW DOESN'T WORK EITHER. EVERYTHING ADDS UP TO OVER $3000.

NHTSA complaint #10621158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Newbury Park, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

2009 NISSAN ALTIMA INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START. CAR WILL ONLY CLICK OVER AND UNABLE TO SHIFT CAR INTO NEUTRAL. AIR CONDITIONING AND RADIO WORK, BUT WHEN YOU PRESS ON BRAKE TO START CAR NOTHING HAPPENS. DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM, BUT HAVE BEEN GOT CAUGHT OUT MANY TIMES WHEN CAR WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO NOTIFY AAA. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY NISSAN'S AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10610804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Carrollton, MD

SERVICE BRAKES

TRYING TO START MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA, IT WOULD NOT START!!! THE BRAKES WERE ALMOST STUCK AND THE CAR SIMPLY WOULD NOT START! THE LIGHTS IN THE CAR TURNED ON WITH OUT A PROBLEM SO I KNOW IT WASN'T THE BATTERY, PLUS I CHANGED IT 2 YEARS AGO. AFTER READING MANY MANY REVIEWS, 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE START BUTTON, NOW I HAVE TO PAY TOW COMPANY TO TAKE TO DEALER AND PAY SO MUCH MONEY. PLEASE PLEASE NISSAN HELP REPLACE THIS!!

NHTSA complaint #10563463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,200 miles Apex, NC

SERVICE BRAKES

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE WITH 63,200 MILES WOULD NOT START LAST SATURDAY, 2/1. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED, THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED, AND THE PUSH TO START BUTTON WOULD NOT LIGHT UP OR START THE CAR. THE RED LIGHT FOR THE KEY WAS FLASHING AND THE CAR COULD NEVER BE STARTED. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LEITH NISSAN IN CARY, NC WHERE SERVICE MEMBERS THERE SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND CURRENTLY HAVE TWO OTHER VEHICLES IN LINE FOR THE SAME PART. THE ELECTRICAL PART FOR THE START BUTTON IS ON SERIOUS BACKORDER AND THE COMPANY HAS SUCH A HIGH DEMAND FOR IT THAT EVEN NISSAN CORPORATE IS SAYING IT WILL BE A FEW WEEKS TO GET THE PART IN. THE SERVICE STAFF AT LEITH NISSAN IN CARY, NC SAID THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN COMMON AND THAT NISSAN WAS NOT RECALLING THIS PART THOUGH THEY HAVE KNOWLEDGE THIS A SERIOUS ISSUE AFFECTING MANY NISSAN CAR OWNERS FOR A SOME TIME NOW. LEITH NISSAN TOLD ME TO CALL CORPORATE AND ANYONE ELSE I COULD TO RAISE THIS CONCERN AND THAT MAYBE SOMETHING WOULD BE DONE. HUNDREDS OF OTHER NISSAN OWNERS HAVE POSTED THIS EXACT PROBLEM ONLINE AND FILED CLAIMS AS WELL. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THE PART AND REIMBURSE THOSE AFFECTED FOR RENTAL CARS AND OTHER EXPENSES. I CALLED THE NISSAN CORPORATE OFFICE DEMANDING REIMBURSEMENT FOR RENTAL CAR FEES. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO PUT A STOP TO THIS AND ENFORCE NISSAN TO RECALL THIS PART ON ALL ALTIMA'S. APPARENTLY THIS EXACT PART HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10562918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,000 miles Blue Mound, IL

SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR THIS MORNING, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED UP AND BREAKS WERE HARD TO PUSH. AFTER TRYING A FEW TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT THE AUTO-THEFT MUST BE ON. I TRIED TO PUT THE FOB IN THE MANUAL IGNITION, BUT THE FOB GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, THE FOB FINALLY CAME OUT. THE CAR STILL DOES NOT START AND THE AUTO-THEFT IS STILL ON. THE BATTERY IS NOT BAD BECAUSE THE CAR BEEPS WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN AND THE LIGHTS WORK. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO TOW THE VEHICLE IN TO GET IT REPAIRED. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10558423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,820 miles Descanso, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN I TRIED TO TURN ON MY 2009 ALTIMA WHICH IS 4 YEARS OLD AND PURCHASED BY ME NEW FROM THE DEALER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE STARTS BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE WHILE PUSHING THE START SWITCH. AFTER TRYING SEVERAL TIMES TO START THE CAR, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE. ACCORDING THE SERVICED REP AT NISSAN AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER, THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRING MORE AND MORE. THE CHARGE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WAS $526.81. PER THE INVOICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THE SUB-HARNESS, THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY, AND THE BAND HOSE HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10547106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Piscataway, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES

THE CAR FAILED TO START; I SEE LOTS OF COMPLAINS WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS IN PLACE AND SO DOES THE BRAKE AND THE CAR FAILS TO START. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TWICE ALREADY AND THE DEALER TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE KEY LESS SWITCH HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES AND I SEE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE KEY. AS I CAN SEE OTHERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES OF THE CAR LOCKING IN PLACE AND THE PROBLEM IS MORE THAN JUST THE KEY PROBLEM.. THIS SHOULD BE DEFINITELY RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10541991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Carlsbad, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE DASHBOARD BRAKE WARNING LIGHT IS TURNING ON. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY. I CHECKED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE FLUID LEVEL WAS IOW SO I ADDED DOT 4 BRAKE FLUID. THIS CAR IS REGULARLY SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES AND THE DEALER AT MOSSY NISSAN OCEANSIDE, CA, DID NOT MENTION THE ISSUE AT 55000 MILES. I HAVE INFORMED THE DEALER VIA APPOINTMENT YESTERDAY, NO REPLY AS OF THIS MORNING.

NHTSA complaint #10513097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 46,711 miles Riverdale, GA

SERVICE BRAKES

AFTER ARRIVING HOME, I PARKED MY CAR AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RE-ENTER MY CAR APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR LATER, I PRESSED THE BRAKE AND PUSHED THE START BUTTON AS I HAVE DONE SINCE PURCHASING MY CAR APPROX. 4 MONTHS AGO. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE PUSH BRAKE SIGN WAS STILL ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. THE BRAKE WAS VERY HARD. I LEFT THE CAR ALONE AND SAID I WOULD TRY AGAIN IN THE MORNING. I WENT TO MY VEHICLE AT ABOUT 8:30AM IN THE MORNING AND PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FINALLY STARTED ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE TO BE A FAULTY BREAK SWITCH. SINCE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY (36 MONTHS/ 36000 MILES) I HAD TO PAY $173.00 TO FIX THIS ISSUE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE IF I HAD NOT COMPLAINED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS CHARGING 2 HOURS LABOR AND DIAGNOSIS FOR A 1 HOUR JOB. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. NISSAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN A REMOTE LOCATION OR OVERNIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10509421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,000 miles Canmer, KY

SERVICE BRAKES

HAD STOPPED TO GET BREAKFAST. LOCKED MY CAR AND UPON RETURNING UNLOCKED THE CAR AND TRIED TO START VEHICLE WITH NO SUCCESS. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM MY CAR. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED I THEN LEARNED THAT THE BRAKES WERE STIFF AND STEERING WHEEL DID NOT WANT TO TURN. WE HAD IT TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER. AFTER LEAVING IT THERE I DID SOME INVESTIGATING ONLINE ABOUT POTENTIAL PROBLEMS. WAS SHOCKED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME PRESENTLY AND PAST. APPARENTLY, SEVERAL PEOPLE FOUND THEMSELVES IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS WITH GETTING NO HELP FROM NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. I HAD YET TO HEAR IF THIS WAS MY PROBLEM BUT WAS GIVEN THE SAD/EXPENSIVE NEWS A DAY LATER THAT INDEED I WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE GROWING NUMBER OF NISSAN OWNERS WHO WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FAULTY PART REPLACED. BUT THE FUN DIDN'T STOP THERE. THE PART IS ON BACKORDER (BECAUSE SO MANY ARE NEEDED) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AND THERE ARE RECALLS ON MY CAR THAT NO ONE BOTHERED TO TELL ME ABOUT. I CALLED NISSAN AND LEFT A MESSAGE WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WHO WAS GOING TO FORWARD MY CONCERN ONTO A REGIONAL CONCERN SPECIALIST. WHEN SHE CALLED ME BACK TWO DAYS LATER SHE INFORMED ME THAT IT IS NOT NISSANS JOB TO LET THEIR OWNERS/DRIVERS KNOW ABOUT RECALLS BUT THE DEALERS JOB. IN ADDITION, SHE'S PRETTY SURE THAT NO HELP WILL BE GIVEN TO REPLACE THE PART THAT WILL COST ME 700 DOLLARS. BUT SHE WOULD ASK AND CALL ME BACK THREE DAYS LATER. SHE IS SUPPOSED TO CALL ME TOMORROW WITH THE ANSWER. SHOCKED IS THE ONLY WORD THAT COMES TO MIND ABOUT MY SITUATION. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS PART HAS CAUSED SO MANY PEOPLE SO MANY PROBLEMS BUT IT IS NOT ON A RECALL LIST SOMEWHERE. IS THERE NOTHING TO BE DONE FOR IT? EVEN THE SERVICE TECH AT THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL. MY CAR WAS PARKED WHEN IT QUIT RESPONDING BUT SOMEONE COULD BE DRIVING. HELP!

NHTSA complaint #10500711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Anaheim Hills, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

PARKED CAN IN FRONT OF STORE AND ATTMPTED TO START IT BUT IT WOULD NOT START. YELLOW "KEY MISSING" LIGHT COMES ON BUT IT WON'T START. KEY BATTERY IS NEW, CAR BATTERY IS NEW, WON'T JUMP START. CAR IS DEAD. TURNS OUT TO BE THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM. ONLY 57, 000 MILES AND THIS IS ONLY ONE OF MANY ISSUES WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR. NEW BATTERY (2) NEW BRAKE SWITCH NEW ALTERNATOR NEW A/C PUMP NEW FRONT ROTOR.

NHTSA complaint #10499777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,500 miles Katy, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. SOME LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID WITH NO APPARENT LEAKS. SUSPECT MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING INTO VACUUM BOOSTER, JUST AS MANY OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW, AND I DON'T WANT TO BUY ANOTHER MASTER CYLINDER OUT-OF-POCKET FROM NISSAN SINCE I HAVE READ ON THE NET WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD REPLACEMENT UNIT FAILURES (SUCH AS NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11020). WHAT AM I TO DO? NISSAN SHOULD PAY FOR A PERMANENT REPAIR FOR THIS OBVIOUS PRODUCT DEFECT!

NHTSA complaint #10498426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,500 miles Katy, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. SOME LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID WITH NO APPARENT LEAKS. SUSPECT MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING INTO VACUUM BOOSTER, JUST AS MANY OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW, AND I DON'T WANT TO BUY ANOTHER MASTER CYLINDER OUT-OF-POCKET FROM NISSAN SINCE I HAVE READ ON THE NET WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD REPLACEMENT UNIT FAILURES (SUCH AS NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11020). WHAT AM I TO DO? NISSAN SHOULD PAY FOR A PERMANENT REPAIR FOR THIS OBVIOUS PRODUCT DEFECT!

NHTSA complaint #10498426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles SAN Mateo, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

THE KEY WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH; REPLACED BATTERIES IN BOTH OF THE KEYS AND THE WARNING LIGHT DISAPPEARED. ONE WEEK LATER, WITH NO ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS OR WARNING, I PARKED THE CAR TO GO TO A DOCTOR APPOINTMENT AND WHEN I RETURNED LESS THAN 1 HOUR LATER, I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE CAR, BUT THE BRAKE WOULD NOT DEPRESS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT LOCK, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. CAR WILL NOT GO INTO ACCESSORY MODE EITHER NOR DOES THE OTHER KEY START THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10498434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2009 Nissan Altima problems

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