2009 Nissan Altima Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 466about this part
- Share
- 30%of 1,547 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 466 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Nissan Altima, 30% of the 1,547 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The 2009 Altima escl failed in my car. The key fob remains programmed with the vehicle however the steering column will not unlock thus rendering the vehicle immobile. I was stranded in a remote area approximately one hour's drive from my appartment. This is a known issue of which a 'service campaign' was issued by Nissan. However, my VIN was not part of that campaign.”
NHTSA complaint #11389520, filed 2021-01, 220,000 miles“Car won't start at all. Tried two different key fobs with working batteries, and also tried plugging them into the key fob port, but no luck. After searching online I realized the ignition steering wheel lock failure is extremely common with 2009-2010 Nissan vehicles. I'm waiting for a tow truck at the office because I can drive home from work!”
NHTSA complaint #10788436, filed 2015-11, 88,500 miles“I was parked in the driveway at a relatives, had to move my vehicle from the driveway to the streets. When I came back out to start my vehicle to go home six hours later, it would not start. I contacted triple a, they wasn't successful getting my vehicle started, so I had the vehicle towed to pep boys which was unsuccessful, then I had the vehicle towed to the dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #10874937, filed 2016-06, 90,000 miles“I have a Nissan Altima just bought 2016. When driving 20 min or more when you come to a stop about 3 seconds after. You feel a shift or jolt, in the engine the harmonic balancer or timing chain. I was driving 70 down i45 busy traffic, as audial and all a sudden my car starts loosing power and I was almost hit in the rear by a mac truck. When I was safely at a stop, I killed it and it cranked back up with half the power. 1500 rpms”
NHTSA complaint #11194367, filed 2019-04, 140,000 miles“Was going out of town and due to bad weather conditions on the area I was supposed to drive to, I did not go. However, on sunday afternoon I got into vehicle, tried to start it and it would not start. Now, if I had of gone out of town like I was supposed to, I would have been stranded. I often have my small granddaughter with me. Glad she wasn't this time. Had to call tow service.”
NHTSA complaint #10854880, filed 2016-04, 66,500 milesRelated recalls
- 10V401000Sep 10, 2010Nissan is recalling certain vehicles that were equipped with a garmin nuvi model 750 navigation system. The batteries contained in the affected gps units can…Covers: Nissan Altima 2008–2010, Versa 2008–2010, Rogue 2008–2010 +4 more
Related 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.
- 10199144Jun 23, 2021VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2009 ALTIMA SEDAN WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM Service Campaign ID # PC044 is no longer active. ï· Repair orders opened after this bulletinâs published date…
- 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…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 | 11 | 37% |
| 2022 | 7 | 23% |
| 2021 | 21 | 30% |
| 2020 | 46 | 25% |
| 2019 | 58 | 25% |
| 2018 | 37 | 16% |
| 2017 | 27 | 7% |
| 2016 | 42 | 8% |
| 2015 | 56 | 6% |
| 2014 | 71 | 6% |
| 2013 | 159 | 7% |
| 2012 | 44 | 10% |
| 2011 | 32 | 13% |
| 2010 | 74 | 19% |
| 2009 | 466 | 30% |
| 2008 | 90 | 9% |
| 2007 | 37 | 8% |
| 2006 | 72 | 9% |
| 2005 | 97 | 9% |
| 2004 | 32 | 12% |
| 2003 | 89 | 10% |
| 2002 | 77 | 7% |
| 2001 | 19 | 12% |
| 2000 | 25 | 16% |
| 1999 | 4 | 5% |
| 1998 | 15 | 12% |
| 1997 | 14 | 13% |
| 1996 | 11 | 12% |
| 1995 | 16 | 9% |
| 1994 | 14 | 13% |
| 1993 | 7 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2009 Nissan Altima
859 complaintsOther or unknown
146 complaintsEngine
107 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
95 complaintsAir bags
91 complaintsBody and structure
90 complaintsVehicle speed control
49 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
48 complaintsBrakes
47 complaintsSuspension
33 complaintsElectronic stability control
26 complaintsWheels
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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