Model year record

2009 Nissan Altima

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2,153 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V401000

Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)

Component
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
7,948
Reported to NHTSA
2010-09-10
Owners notified
2010-09-16

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V358000

Suspension

Component
Suspension
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
26,398
Reported to NHTSA
2009-09-16
Owners notified
2009-10-08

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE STRUT INSULATOR IS CRACKED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT ROD TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION, WHICH COULD AFFECT VEHICLE STABILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 (1-800-647-7261).

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V006000

Structure: body: door

Component
Structure: body: door
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
225
Reported to NHTSA
2009-01-09
Owners notified
2009-01-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V464000

Wheels

Component
Wheels
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
3,403
Reported to NHTSA
2008-09-15
Owners notified
2008-09-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE LUG NUTS BECOME LOOSE, IT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering85780,000 mi
Electrical system46176,000 mi
Unknown or other14692,551 mi
Engine10880,000 mi
Power train91120,000 mi
Air bags8270,000 mi
Vehicle speed control4868,000 mi
Structure: body4571,000 mi
Structure4354,000 mi
Visibility/wiper4150,000 mi
Service brakes3263,200 mi
Suspension3195,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)2678,500 mi
Wheels1572,822 mi
Seats1454,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1211,165 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1081,000 mi
Exterior lighting940,971 mi
Air bags: frontal810,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling660,340 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems61,800 mi
Tires563,000 mi
Equipment47,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission418,700 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device496,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility351,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages341,000 mi
Seat belts3190,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder311,165 mi
Visibility37,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition267,000 mi
Steering: column230,000 mi
Structure: interior panels: dashboard250,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls2
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger185,000 mi
Air bags: side/window11,650 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1110,000 mi
Electrical system: software1
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system148,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1370 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1177,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1120,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch153,200 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1
Fuel system, gasoline19,065 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1184,000 mi
Service brakes, electric11,100 mi
Steering: steering control module180,000 mi
Suspension: front14,250 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs135,684 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1

The 2008 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2010 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.