The vehicle dossier US · 2009

2009 Nissan
ALTIMAProblems & recalls

1,547 distinct owner reports in the NHTSA snapshot. Steering appears in 859 of them. Explore what was reported—and which official actions are on file.

Snapshot Sep 28, 2026Live NHTSA complaint API How this dossier is compiled

01 / Owner-reported evidence

What owners reported.

Categories attached to 1,547 distinct reports. A report can mention more than one component, so category totals can overlap.

Steering859 reports
Electrical system466 reports
Other components269 reports
Engine117 reports
Transmission & drivetrain95 reports
Air bags91 reports
Body & structure90 reports
Visibility48 reports
Brakes47 reports
Suspension33 reports
Fuel system11 reports
See original component labels
STEERING855
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM461
UNKNOWN OR OTHER146
ENGINE107
POWER TRAIN91
AIR BAGS82
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL48
STRUCTURE:BODY45
STRUCTURE43
VISIBILITY/WIPER41
SERVICE BRAKES32
SUSPENSION31
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)26
WHEELS15
SEATS14
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC12
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10
EXTERIOR LIGHTING9
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL8
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
TIRES5
EQUIPMENT4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE4
VISIBILITY3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER3
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES3
SEAT BELTS3
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION2
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY2
STEERING:COLUMN2
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD2
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR1
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER1
STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL1

These are reports made to NHTSA, not verified diagnoses. More reports can reflect more vehicles, more time on the road, or greater reporting activity.

The reporting timeline

When reports arrived.

Reports by year filed, not by the year a problem occurred. Showing the latest 15 years with reports.

Year filed (last two digits)Latest report: Jan 16, 2026
Mileage, where supplied

79,000 miles is the median among 1,238 reports with usable mileage. The middle half spans 55,000–107,000 miles.

This describes the submitted reports. It does not predict when a vehicle will fail.

02 / Official safety campaigns

4 recall campaigns on file.

A campaign can cover only certain production dates or configurations. The count does not tell you whether an individual car has an open recall.

Sep 10, 2010 Safety recallEQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)Campaign 10V401000

Reported concern

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.

Manufacturer’s stated response

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 SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Read campaign 10V401000 at NHTSA
Sep 16, 2009 Safety recallSUSPENSIONCampaign 09V358000

Reported concern

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 THE STRUT INSULATOR TO CRACK.

Manufacturer’s stated response

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 (1-800-647-7261).

Read campaign 09V358000 at NHTSA
Jan 9, 2009 Safety recallSTRUCTURE:BODY:DOORCampaign 09V006000

Reported concern

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 BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION WELD ON THE DOOR ASSEMBLY.

Manufacturer’s stated response

ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIPS AND REMEDIED AT THE FACTORY. NO VEHICLES HAD BEEN RETAILED.

Read campaign 09V006000 at NHTSA
Sep 15, 2008 Safety recallWHEELSCampaign 08V464000

Reported concern

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 LUG NUTS ATTACHING THE WHEEL TO THE VEHICLE TO BECOME LOOSE.

Manufacturer’s stated response

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 SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Read campaign 08V464000 at NHTSA
Check this car’s VIN at NHTSA

03 / The manufacturer’s record

Instructions. Updates. Responses.

117 distinct communications list this model-year. Showing the latest 12. A matching model-year does not establish that every engine, trim or reported symptom is covered.

Apr 13, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNTB09-131CCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (F…NHTSA ID 11031705

CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).

Components: STRUCTURE:BODY. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11031705 at NHTSA
Apr 13, 2026 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNTB09-131CCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (F…NHTSA ID 11031704

CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).

Components: STRUCTURE:BODY. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11031704 at NHTSA
May 21, 2024 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNTB13-107GVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.NHTSA ID 11004962

VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11004962 at NHTSA
May 21, 2024 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNTB13-027DCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.NHTSA ID 11004961

CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11004961 at NHTSA
May 21, 2024 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNTB10-066CCAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.NHTSA ID 11004960

CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11004960 at NHTSA
Apr 30, 2024 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNTB17-019HWINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.NHTSA ID 11001201

WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11001201 at NHTSA
Apr 30, 2024 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNTB13-028IREMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.NHTSA ID 11001194

REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11001194 at NHTSA
Apr 30, 2024 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNTB09-081KWINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.NHTSA ID 11001191

WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 11001191 at NHTSA
Sep 21, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNTB08-097LDIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.NHTSA ID 10243708

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Components: STEERING. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10243708 at NHTSA
Jun 16, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNTB23-053SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or severe pe…NHTSA ID 10239062

SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly spray Silicone-based lubricant or grease, or inadvertently overspray Silicone-based lubricant or grease onto any interior electrical components. These types of lubricants can be detrimental to the proper operation of electrical components.

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10239062 at NHTSA
Jun 16, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNTB23-04912 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommenda…NHTSA ID 10239060

12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommendations are expected to promote uniformity during the connection process, therefore reducing the number of incorrect “Test with DCA” and “Replace” results. HINT: If 12 volt batteries are allowed to discharge for a prolonged period of time, battery life may be drastically reduced. This condition may lead to premature battery replacement and customer dissatisfaction. IMPORTANT:  CPX-900 is now an accepted testing tool to use along with or in place of the DSS-5000  CPX-900 operating instructions are found at: https://nissancpx900.midtronics.com/  DSS-5000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandss5000.midtronics.com/  DCA-8000 is now a required testing tool to be used for all warranty replacement decisions. The DCA-8000 is also a more efficient charger than previously available, and will charge any available 12 volt lead acid battery safely and accurately as long as all precautions and inputs are made correctly. The DCA-8000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandca8000.midtronics.com/

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10239060 at NHTSA
Apr 27, 2023 Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNTB13-107FVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.NHTSA ID 10235707

VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.

Source record 10235707 at NHTSA
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Records below contain the NHTSA bulk summary unless a document-reviewed explainer is linked. A service bulletin is not a safety recall or a promise of a free repair. Records may be revised or superseded; verify the current document with the manufacturer.

04 / Agency investigations

Official inquiries.

An investigation is an inquiry into a potential concern. Its presence does not establish a defect, and a closed case does not certify a car’s condition.

No investigation records matched this model-year in the snapshot.

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