2009 Nissan Altima Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,547 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the visibility of the 2009 Nissan Altima, 3% of the 1,547 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My dashboard is melting and creating a dangerous glare on my windshield. I just had a minor accident this past week due to the glare being so bad that it interferes with my everyday driving. I am living with fear every time I commute anywhere with this vehicle whom I've owned ever since I bought from the Nissan dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #11110429, filed 2018-07, 109,000 miles“I drive a 2009 Nissan ultima over a year ago I noticed something sticky on my dashboard. I had no idea what was happening. I finally realized my dashboard is melting I filed a complaint with Nissan but because the warranty was up they would not fix my $2,000 dashboard if I would have known this was to happen I would have never bought the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10659826, filed 2014-11, 45,000 miles“We are owners of one of the melting dash altimas model year 2009. The glare that the dash projects onto the windshield in sunny conditions is a safety hazzard. On more than one occasion, we have almost hit other cars or people because of the bad reflection in the windshield from the melted dash. We have contacted Nissan, but they do not seem to be interested in fixing the problem. Please address this safety issue before anyone is killed or injured because of this defect.”
NHTSA complaint #11279676, filed 2019-11, 15,000 miles“My 2009 Nissan Altima dash is melting. Dash has cracks as well near the front passenger air bags and near the instrument cluster. Read in forums that the car dealerships say that when the dash has cracks and is melting air bags could not deploy correctly. Nissan will not replace dash due to the car being out of warranty and expect me to buy a new one when this seems like a manufacturing issue not taken into account as part of the design.”
NHTSA complaint #10611287, filed 2014-07, 140,000 miles“Dash board is melting causing intense glare on windshield. First noticed last summer 2014 and now that hot warm weather has returned 2015 it is getting worse! Dashboard is sticky/gummy. Unable to see clearly due to glare. Im am afraid to drive my car and cause an accident since it has become very difficult to drive. Glare obstructs visibility. I have always used a windshield sun shade dashboard is still hot and sticky when I return to my car and check it.”
NHTSA complaint #10714684, filed 2015-05, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11001201Apr 30, 2024WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001194Apr 30, 2024REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001191Apr 30, 2024WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10232658Feb 27, 2023REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10232656Feb 27, 2023WINDSHIELD CRACKING 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…
- 10192727Jan 28, 2016SERVICE INFORMATION The purpose of this bulletin is to give Nissan dealers guidelines to help determine if windshield breakage is covered under warranty or is the customer?s…
- 10192677Nov 16, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION Windshield "foreign material" that is on the surface of the glass in some cases can be cleaned off with a very particular type and grade of steel wool. * Most…
- 10047059Aug 27, 2012Nissan: rain sensors may operate, intermittently or unexpectedly, when exhaust gas, moisture, fingerprints, dirt, or insects are near or around rain sensors. No models or model…
- 10040029Jun 8, 2010Nissan service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. The driver¿s side windshield wiper may be too close to the windshield. This could cause a scraping noise…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 7% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 | 11 | 6% |
| 2019 | 15 | 6% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% |
| 2016 | 12 | 2% |
| 2015 | 31 | 3% |
| 2014 | 25 | 2% |
| 2013 | 63 | 3% |
| 2012 | 18 | 4% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 28 | 7% |
| 2009 | 48 | 3% |
| 2008 | 188 | 18% |
| 2007 | 12 | 3% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 14 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 14 | 2% |
| 2002 | 13 | 1% |
| 2001 | 13 | 8% |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% |
| 1999 | 8 | 9% |
| 1998 | 10 | 8% |
| 1997 | 6 | 6% |
| 1996 | 5 | 5% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
| 1994 | 3 | 3% |
| 1993 | 8 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2009 Nissan Altima
859 complaintsElectrical system
466 complaintsOther or unknown
146 complaintsEngine
107 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
95 complaintsAir bags
91 complaintsBody and structure
90 complaintsVehicle speed control
49 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