2009 Nissan Altima Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 859about this part
- Share
- 56%of 1,547 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 859 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Nissan Altima, 56% of the 1,547 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My Nissan Altima 2009 doesn't start at all and the symptoms clearly shows that is the issue with escl that Nissan Altima has acknowleged, however the service campaign to replace it was for a limited time period and I was not informed about it. Today I was stranded as the car was just not starting.this is really frustrating. Could you please look into this.”
NHTSA complaint #11394756, filed 2021-02, 75,000 miles“The front suspension has caused my tyrode to come off cause the bracket that is on the strut bar that the stabalizer bolts onto has broke off from where its attached to. I can not keep the front right wheel tight it has came off with me driving down a city street which was seagoviille rd. In seagobille tx. All problems front suspension.”
NHTSA complaint #11398543, filed 2021-03, 210,000 miles“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“The steering column on the car has locked on me twice in two weeks, requiring two separate tows, $800 in repairs, $427 in towing and $69 in rental and uber. Car is back in the shop. I parked the car both times and when I came back the steering column was unable to be moved, brake pedal could not be depressed to start the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11390568, filed 2021-01, 130,000 miles“There's a loud crunching and cracking noise when turning the vehicle steering wheel left and right. I was backing out of my driveway when I heard this. I also found loose ball bearings on the driver's side under the wheel. In the past couple years the top rung of the spring has broken off on both sides. Upper front strut insulator recall 09 v 35800”
NHTSA complaint #11268353, filed 2019-10, 86,500 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…
- 10192597Jul 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When servicing run flat tires or low profile tires: - Special equipment and procedures are required to avoid damage. - Specifically, Tire Pressure Monitor…
- 10192524Feb 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 12% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 7 | 10% |
| 2020 | 20 | 11% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 12 | 5% |
| 2017 | 16 | 4% |
| 2016 | 16 | 3% |
| 2015 | 48 | 5% |
| 2014 | 58 | 5% |
| 2013 | 94 | 4% |
| 2012 | 17 | 4% |
| 2011 | 13 | 5% |
| 2010 | 20 | 5% |
| 2009 | 859 | 56% |
| 2008 | 37 | 4% |
| 2007 | 17 | 4% |
| 2006 | 15 | 2% |
| 2005 | 31 | 3% |
| 2004 | 11 | 4% |
| 2003 | 13 | 1% |
| 2002 | 15 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 3 | 3% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2009 Nissan Altima
466 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 29, 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