2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 48%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid, 48% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,500 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“For some unknown reason my car would not start on thanksgiving. It only showed a key. I went to Nissan the next day to get a new battery for my key fob. And had to get it towed. They said it was a steering column lock and it was over $900. Never heard of such a thing and at such a ridiculous expense. Apparently this is common for this model and I'm hoping for reimbursement as I didn't know about it before 1/1/16. I'm glad we weren't on an out of town trip that day.”
NHTSA complaint #10928051, filed 2016-11, 90,150 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“2009 altimas appeared to have a known issue regarding the steering lock column. Nissan did not issue a recall, but instead offered to replace the steering lock only once the vehicle broke down, with this offer expiring jan 1st 2016 apparently. My car has only 55,000 miles on it, and in march 2016 started experiencing this issue. Car would just be unable to start at all. I have spent money having to get the car towed to the dealership, and now it will cost me $1325.00 to replace the steering lock. …”
NHTSA complaint #10853817, filed 2016-04, 55,000 miles“Returned to my vehicle after work at 5pm, and car wouldn't start. Ignition button was lit, with 'lock' light illuminated, and 'key' light was illuminated in the hud. Researched in owners manual, which referred to the steering lock unit, and told me to contact dealer. Interior lights worked, but little else. Had aaa tow me the next day to local dealer; service advisor stated the steering lock control unit had failed and needed to be replaced (part# 487009n00b). …”
NHTSA complaint #10501353, filed 2013-03, 65,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023DIAGNOSIS 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…
- 10232652Feb 22, 2023DIAGNOSIS 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…
- 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…
- 10173584Mar 6, 2020Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) Voluntary Service Campaign UPDATE March 6, 2020 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The original announcement from February…
- 10192855Feb 21, 2017Nissan is conducting a voluntary service campaign on specific MY2009-10 Nissan Altima (L32), Altima Coupe (CL32), Altima Hybrid (L32H), and Maxima (A35) vehicles to replace the…
- 10119195Feb 21, 2017Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) Voluntary Service Campaign ***** Campaign Summary***** Nissan is conducting a voluntary service campaign on specific MY2009-10 Nissan…
- 10119190Feb 20, 2017VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2009 ? 2010 MAXIMA AND ALTIMA ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the Electronic…
- 10055044Feb 18, 2014Nissan: with electronic steering column lock, bolts may not line up to hold in place and bolt threads may not be started and a small amount metal from edges is removed by using a…
- 10052407Jun 17, 2013Nissan: service information on the removal and installation of service parts, on certain vehicles, for the steering wheel switch, if needed, without replacing the driver airbag…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 26 | 48% |
Other parts of the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid
21 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