2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 39%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid, 39% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid refused to recognize the wireless key, leaving me stranded. It was seven degrees in chicago and the windchill was below zero, but I was able to return home taking public transportation. Who knows what might have happened if this had occurred in the middle of the road. I towed the car to a dealer, who told me that the steering lock assembly had failed, but they could fix it for $1170 plus tax. …”
NHTSA complaint #10692565, filed 2015-03, 60,984 miles“I was 50 miles away from home, when I go to start my car it will not start at all! My key would lock and unlock my car but it wouldn't turn on. Initially I thought it was the key, I had my sister drop off my spare to see if that was the case, it wasn't. Come to find out the escl seems to be faulty and is preventing the car from starting up. Right now I'm waiting on the dealer to tell me what's going on, beware Nissan knows all about this but is refusing to do a recall!”
NHTSA complaint #10714521, filed 2015-05, 108,885 miles“It was in night around 11pm, I stepped out to nearby walmart. Upon return, the car did not start. I was getting the yellow key symbol. My first impression was that something was faulty with my fob key. I called my friend and got to try the key. Even this was futile. I looked up my manual for this symbol code and realized that there was some malfunction in the keyless ignition system. I was surprised cos the car was well maintained, with periodic service and very low miles(30k).it was perfect until then. …”
NHTSA complaint #10493459, filed 2013-01, 30,500 miles“Car operated normally in the morning, able to start and drove perfectly fine to the office. When I went to start my car to go get lunch, the car would not start and the intelligent key light flashed. I called the local dealership and was told the fob must have somehow un-synced. Aaa towed to dealership, was then told that my steering control lock had failed and needed to be replaced. Due to high demand from the part (indicating a significant current failure rate) the part would not be available for almost a week. …”
NHTSA complaint #10498051, filed 2013-02, 68,000 miles“I bought my 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid on july 30, 2009. On october 3rd, evening, it lost power while I was driving on freeway 99 california. Dash board light are on, engine has no power output. The vehicle dropped speed quickly. I pulled over to the shoulder and turn off the engine. One minute later, I turned engine on again. It backed to work. However, the same thing happened three more times again later in one week. It made me really think about the safety of driving it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10310058, filed 2010-02, 3,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004962May 21, 2024VEHICLE 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…
- 11004961May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004960May 21, 2024CAN 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.
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE 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…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10208946Feb 22, 2022CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10176227May 28, 2020VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2009 â 2010 MAXIMA AND ALTIMA ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK Voluntary Service Campaign ID # PC516 is No Longer Active. ï· Repair orders opened…
- 10176207May 14, 2020Expiration Notification â Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) Voluntary Service Campaign UPDATE May 14, 2020 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The original…
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid
26 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology