2009 Nissan Altima steering problems

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The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel was locked, preventing the remote start feature from functioning as designed. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

NHTSA complaint #11711432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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After the steering Lock anti theft activated, steering lock ESCL module does not allow to turn on the ignition even keys are inserted.

NHTSA complaint #11635582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle using the key fob, the vehicle failed to start. The contact depressed the brake pedal and ignition button, and the vehicle failed to start. The contact was unable to depress the brake pedal to start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering lock mechanism needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #11630111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The component that failed was the steering lock control, and yes it's available upon request with a tow. I was stranded with no way of getting home. Problem has been confirmed by dealer. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer. No there was no symptoms prior to the failure. 06

NHTSA complaint #11593172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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There's an obvious issue with the steering lock system in 2009 Altimas that Nissan fails to address with a recall. They opened an extended warranty period that ended in 2020 apparently, with no notification from the manufacturer or dealership that this was happening. Also, I have been seeing complaints from owners who did get the steering lock box replaced at that time and are again having an issue where they are not able to use their cars for the very same issue. This needs an immediate recall as this shows negligence on the part of the manufacturer as well as the dealerships to notify owners. An owner should not be liable for costs to fix such issues that are the responsibility of a manufacturer. This is also a safety issue as the car is not reliable and puts the lives of drivers at risk while they can be found stranded in unforeseen and dangerous situations.

NHTSA complaint #11579626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Parked car at a coffee shop, turned off engine, exited and locked doors. Upon coming back to vehicle, the vehicle would not start. We tried jumping the vehicle battery, that did not work. We tried replacing the battery in the key fobs, that did not work. We inserted the fob into the a lot near the steering column and that did not work. We had the car towed to an auto repair shop who stated the key fobs needed to be reprogrammed, but they didn’t have the equipment to do so. We called a locksmith the reprogram the fobs, but the locksmith was not able to do so. He said the vehicle returned 6 BCM codes. He was able to remove all but 2 and recommended I take care to Nissan. Had car towed to Nissan and they stated the steering column module lock needed to be replaced (quoted $1425 + tax). I mentioned the service campaign from 2017, but I was told my car’s VIN was not eligible for the campaign and repair would be my responsibility. Why is a known issue not being covered by Nissan??

NHTSA complaint #11556417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, the steering wheel was locked. A message to wiggle the steering wheel while depressing the PUSH to START button was displayed. The contact stated that she followed the instructions however, the failure persisted. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to Nissan TSB Number: NTB17-018. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11529325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Car was working perfectly. Drove to school, nothing acting weird. Went to leave school and would not start. This is a push start ignition and it is stuck on lock with the key lights on. One orange/yellow stays on for a while and the other is the red flashing light. This is a steering lock module defect. I have read where this is a reocurring problem and nissan has still not performed a recall and this obviously should have been done years ago. Now I am going to be out over $500 for a piece that nissan should cover. This is unacceptable.

NHTSA complaint #11503445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Steering column locks, causing key Fob to not be recognized. Hence, car will not start. This s/b recalled for a fix.

NHTSA complaint #11502159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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My daughter drove the car to a gas station, pumped gas, came back out and the car wouldnt start. She was left stranded by a car that had to be towed. Had she been out of town without resources nearby she would have been in a very difficult situation. The engine randomly fails to start using push-button No manual workaround, leaving drivers stranded Failure to jumpstart using cables or a jump box and new battery The new replacement part wiped out the memory of the body control system causing more costs. $1200 - just to make the car start

NHTSA complaint #11498784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The steering column lock actuator went out & left me stranded at night away from my home. I got in the car & it wouldn't start.

NHTSA complaint #11487242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The vehicle was working just fine when I went to the grocery store and came out. I unlocked the car using the key fob, sat inside and the car stopped detected my key. The steering was locked, I tried to place it near the start push button, tried putting it in the slot but nothing happened. And I tried unlock button couple of times on the key fob and the mirrors went down. And there was no way to pull them up and I was stranded in the parking lot for no reason. I got it towed to the dealership and they told me Steering Lock Module went bad which is a common issue in 2009 Nissan Altima. Its a safety issue as I can get stranded anywhere anytime! And they are fixing it for 1300$ bucks! Please recall all 2009 Nissan Altima and change this part in them!

NHTSA complaint #11471617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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My vehicle suddenly failed to start due to a defective ESCL, which locked the steering column. The vehicle needed to be towed to a Nissan dealership to replace the part at a cost of $1500. Defective ESCLs are a known issue and a service campaign was implemented by Nissan to replace these defective parts in 2009-2010 Altimas and Maximas. Unfortunately, the campaign expired in 2020 and Nissan refuses to fix this part after the expiration. I never received notification of this issue despite purchasing and owning the vehicle throughout the entire 2017-2020 campaign. Despite Nissan referring to this as a non-safety issue because the part is not known to fail during operation of the vehicle, this problem can cause operators to be suddenly stranded with no option of immediate repair. I believe the Nissan campaign to replace these defective parts should be reopened with no expiration, as there are hundreds of thousands of vehicles impacted.

NHTSA complaint #11466495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The vehicle steering got locked and would not want to start again, this could of happen anywhere and spend more money to tow and also a risk being in the freeway. This should be a recall due to a lot of complaints, or a free repair due to being very expensive, almost 200 for a safety issue. There is a TSB NTB10-053 ,

NHTSA complaint #11455645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while his son was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact mentioned that the vehicle failed to start and was given a jump start by another vehicle. The contact stated that the steering column box needed to be tapped in order for the vehicle to operate. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in Technical Service Bulletin: 10119195. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #11448224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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My vehicle is inoperable due to electronic steering column box. This locking mechanism is not engaging and has caused the vehicle to stop operation. I have been told this system is an anti theft device. It stopped working all of the sudden and I had to have the vehicle towed home thankfully I did not get into an an accident due to this mechanical failure.

NHTSA complaint #11447394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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2009 Nissan Altima It's relating to the Steering Assembly lock that was defective. I have this vehicle and  this issue came up in 2013 and it was fixed.  I had this issue come up again in late 2021 and I need to fix it again out of pocket.  I read in your article that in 2017  Nissan issued a fix to this.  I paid about $600 in 2013 and now they're quoting $1800 plus tax. Would I still be eligible to have this covered by Nissan as it's a known recurring problem? Thanks,  [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11446416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Steering column is locked not allowing the car to turn on.

NHTSA complaint #11441947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle and attempting to start the vehicle, the contact depressed the Push to Start button and depressed on brake pedal to start the vehicle however, the vehicle would not start. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and replaced the battery and the key slot to attempt to fix the issue however, the battery replacement failed to fix the vehicle. The contact called a local dealer and was informed over the phone that the failure could be related to the electronic steering locking module and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #11441093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Drove car to to store came back 20 minutes later car would not start. Red key appear on dash - Had to have car towed. Informed Steering wheel lockout. Nissian award of problem, but never issue recall. Base on my research found out they did a voluntary bring in your car to fix problem, but no recall. Who is going to know they have a problem until it happens< The bring in your cechile program ended May 2020 during the pandemic. Now it's going to cost $1300 to repair, not counting money spent for tow and car rental. I have bought 3 Nissian never will I buy another one.

NHTSA complaint #11437819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Went to work with no issues. Got off and went to grocery store and when I came out to leave, car would not start. The key indicator and steering lock indicator on indicating a malfunction. Car would not start for no reason. After a day I had to have the car towed to my house at my expense. It is terrible to have so many people have the same issue and being stranded by this malfunction, which is extremely unsafe. Terrible to see how nissan will not fix this obvious error on their part to protect their customers safety. Now I am being told that the recall to fix this wasnover may of 2020 and it is going to cost over a thousand dollars. I was never notified of a recall and this fox should be honored but it is not. Terribly disappointed. Nissan, get your act together!!!!

NHTSA complaint #11432828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Key warning light on dash which indicates steering lock module malfunction

NHTSA complaint #11432069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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Steering lock mechanism malfunction leaving me stranded due to the car not starting. Intelligence key lock displaying indicating the issue being a malfunction. I was left stranded over 40 miles away from home. I’m stranded on an island and haven’t had any insurance rep look at it. Vehicle is being towed over 40 miles to a Nissan dealership. There was no warning. I went to work that day without any issues and when I was ready to leave the car would not start and the key light was on. I had to spend money on a rental car to get home. This is extremely unsafe to know this can happen due to a part Nissan is very aware of.

NHTSA complaint #11424050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I GOT IN MY CAR I DROVE UP TO THE AUTO PARTS STORE WHICH I TOOK MY NEIGHBOR TO TURN MY CAR OFF WENT IN CAME BACK OUT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK AT WHICH TIME I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE HOUSE WHICH COST ME $125 AND 3 HOURS. COME TO FIND OUT THE PART IS ON RECALL THAT CALLS THE CAR TO DO THIS AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO HONOR IT SAYING I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE IT

NHTSA complaint #11412942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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MY STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THIS ALSO HAPPENED 8 YEARS AGO IN THE YEAR 2013. I WAS STRANDED BOTH TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. BUT NOW THERE IS NO LONGER A RECALL IN PLACE. THE REPAIR IS VERY COSTLY.

NHTSA complaint #11399866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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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.

NHTSA complaint #11398543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WENT TO START MY CAR THE OTHER DAY AND IT FAILED TO START WITH A LITTLE KEY ICON ON THE DASHBOARD AND MY PUSH TO START BUTTON READING LOCK. I ASSUMED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD BECAUSE IT WAS ABOUT -20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AT THE TIME, HOWEVER WHEN I WENT TO JUMP IT IT STILL WOULDN'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO TURN OVER WHEN I PRESSED THE START BUTTON. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON ONLY SELECT CARS FOR THE MAKE MODEL AND YEAR DESPITE IT BEING WIDESPREAD ACROSS THE THAT LINE OF VEHICLE FOR THAT YEAR. WHILE I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BEING STRANDED SOMEWHERE IN THIS COLD OF WEATHER WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO START YOUR CAR COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #11396907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN 2014 THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO JEFFREY NISSAN (30800 GRATIOT AVE, ROSEVILLE, MI 48066) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO THE CONTACT. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE SECURITY CODE ERROR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11395419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 DOESN'T START AT ALL AND THE SYMPTOMS CLEARLY SHOWS THAT IS THE ISSUE WITH ESCL THAT NISSAN ALTIMA HAS ACKNOWLEGED, HOWEVER THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE IT WAS FOR A LIMITED TIME PERIOD AND I WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT IT. TODAY I WAS STRANDED AS THE CAR WAS JUST NOT STARTING.THIS IS REALLY FRUSTRATING. COULD YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.

NHTSA complaint #11394756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE STEERING COLUMN ON THE CAR HAS LOCKED ON ME TWICE IN TWO WEEKS, REQUIRING TWO SEPARATE TOWS, $800 IN REPAIRS, $427 IN TOWING AND $69 IN RENTAL AND UBER. CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP. I PARKED THE CAR BOTH TIMES AND WHEN I CAME BACK THE STEERING COLUMN WAS UNABLE TO BE MOVED, BRAKE PEDAL COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED TO START THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11390568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.