2009 Nissan Altima Electrical System Problems
- 433
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 433 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
What owners report
- steering lock · 35 records
- steering column · 28 records
- steering wheel · 27 records
- electronic steering · 25 records
- column lock · 24 records
- extended warranty · 17 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 180 |
| 30–60k mi | 86 |
| 100–150k mi | 78 |
| 1–30k mi | 21 |
| 150–400k mi | 8 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Steering · Structure
Intelli key indicator light began illuminating two days ago. Last evening after dinner vehicle would not switch out of "lock" stranded in 15 degree temps waiting for tow for 2 hours. Nissan service advisor knew exactly what problem was. He called me later tonight to confirm electronic steering lock needed replacing. $800.00+. Nissan surely will recall "faulty" door handle springs at .50 cents a whack, but give me a…
ODI 10493662
Electrical System · Steering
My wife was about to head home from work in the afternoon. The key fob unlocked the car like usual but the car was unresponsive in her attempt to start it. The key light was illuminated on the dash. We tried a number of things but the push-to-start button wouldn't change out of the 'lock' position - even to go to 'accessory' mode. I had the car towed to a local nissan dealer which informed us that the steering lock…
ODI 10493301
Electrical System · Steering
The intelligent key warning light illuminated as i arrived at my office on the morning of 1/14/13. When i attempted to start the vehicle that afternoon, the push-start ignition remained in the "lock" position and the vehicle would not respond to repeated start attempts. Break lights and headlights continued to function correctly. Called local nissan dealership and they instructed me to have the vehicle towed. After…
ODI 10494489
Electrical System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that the engine failed to start when engaging the push-to-start switch. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who informed the contact that the steering lock mechanism would need to be replaced. The required part was ordered and the vehicle was scheduled for repairs when the part would become available. The manufacturer was not notified of the…
ODI 10493385
Electrical System · Steering
Car would not start. Yellow key light and flashing red key light on panel. Seemed like a security anti-theft problem but it turned out to be a faulty steering lock mechanism. A $700 repair. And, what's worse is, there was no recall for this item even with many complaints reported. This was recalled on other nissan models (cube, 390, etc) but no on the altima. Not happy. *tr
ODI 10493005
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the intelligence key malfunction warning light illuminated and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and…
ODI 10492301
Electrical System · Steering
I went to the valero in cabot, ar to get gas this past wednesday morning before i was to go to work, and when i got back into my car and it wouldn't start. The intelligent key indicator light was on, and would not start. I could not press the brake it was very stiff and the start button would not come out of the lock position i read the owners manual, called the north little rock nissan dealer, and realized there…
ODI 10493433
Electrical System · Fuel/Propulsion System
Car failed to start, intelligent key would not work. Aftermarket remote start system was used to start car and drive home, perhaps 15 miles. Next day, remote start system was used to start car and drive to dealer, 40 miles away. After about 15 miles, everything died while on the interstate and had to coast to the shoulder. Car was then towed remainder of way to dealer. Diagnosed as defective steering lock and…
ODI 10493063
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that the intelligence key malfunction warning light illuminated and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the technician stated that the electronic steering column lock needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was…
ODI 10492947
Electrical System
When i attempted to start the engine the car failed to start. I noticed that there was an indicator in my dash that i had never seen. It was a red indicator that i would later find out showed a problem with my steering lock mechanism. The car would not move past the "lock" stage and i had to promptly have it towed to the nissan dealership. This repair cost $800.00 before taxes. I have found that there have been many…
ODI 10492075
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that all attempts to start the vehicle with the intelligent key failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was informed that the steering lock mechanism needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileage was 16,501.
ODI 10492253
Electrical System · Steering
Drove the car into work just fine. Seven hours later when i was leaving to go home car would not start. Key light was on in dashboard but nothing would happen. Jumped the battery, reset the batter, even took out the battery to get it tested. Still nothing. Finally paid $70 to get it towed to nissan dealership (less than 3 miles) and it is the steering lock control unit, which cost $978 to replace. Apparently this…
ODI 10491895
Electrical System · Steering
Veh was driven for a period of time and then stopped to get gas. Veh would not start again. A yellow key indicator came on the dash and vehicle still would not start. Had it towed to dealer and diagnosed as the steering lock module. *tr
ODI 10491877
Electrical System · Steering
Went to go start my car and the intelligent key indicator light came on. Couldn't start in neutral. Had to get it towed to the dealer. Dealer was able to start the car in the morning. They were able to replicate the issue by stopping and starting numerous times. It appears that the steering lock unit was failing. After researching online determined this is a common and costly problem, but there is no re recall for…
ODI 10491568
Electrical System · Steering
9:30am - started car. Proceeded to drive 35 minutes. Stopped car, went in the house for 20 minutes. Came out, got in car. Will not start. The following was observed: 1. Intelligent key will unlock and lock the doors, trunk, sound alarm. 2. Small "key", yellow in color symbol illuminated on the dash. 3. Start button does nothing, will not move from the "lock" position. Failure: steering lock control module (342.99 +…
ODI 10490990
Electrical System
Parked car turned it off then when i returned the car would no longer do anything. It is a push to start and is not controlled with a key. So therefore when i got out of the store and returned to the car it no longer worked. It is said that this happens frequently to '09 altima's yet they can not find the parts to my car. *tr
ODI 10492135
Electrical System · Steering
Went to go start my car and the intelligent key indicator light came on. Couldn't even use the back up method to start the car. Had to get it towed to the dealer. Couldn't do anything with the car and was left in an abandoned lot. Not a very safe place to be stuck. Also, there wasn't a warning prior to this. From the sounds of it there are many others that have had this issue at right around the same mileage mark. I…
ODI 10490859
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that while parked, the engine failed to start when engaging the push-to-start switch. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that the steering lock control unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was…
ODI 10494459
Electrical System · Steering
Was out shopping at costco, came out of store and car would not start. Intelligent key indicator light was displaying on the dash. The brake pedal would not depress and push button would not start the car. Tried to manually override by inserting the key fob in the slot - still would not start. As i was stranded had to call husband to come get me. Had him bring other key fob, still would not work. Had to have the…
ODI 10490556
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
[xxx], atlanta, georgia my daughter's 2009 nissan altima did the same thing. She came over for a visit and upon leaving her car would not crank. My husband and i did all of the troubleshooting according to the manual to no avail. I called the dealership where she purchased the vehicle and he immediately knew what the problem was. He wanted to sell here another altima, because nissan knew this was an issue, so they…
ODI 10492097
Electrical System · Steering
It was the first chill in chicago and the car was parked in the street. When i tried to start the car it would only light up the intelligent key warning light in the dash indicating an issue with the intelligent key-less system. Upon further research (a simple google search "nissan altima intelligent key warning light issues") indicated that is a very common issue with altimas and is related to the "steering lock"…
ODI 10490956
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph when the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle but to no avail. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 60,250.
ODI 10490181
Electrical System · Steering
While driving my nissan 2009 altima today the warning light (yellow key) came on after hitting a pot hole, when i had to press on my brakes to stop at a red light the car killed and the red car warning light started flashing , when the car came to a complete stop i put it in park and tried to depress the start button. Nothing happened, the car was not recognizing the intelligent key. The yellow key warning light…
ODI 10490168
Electrical System · Steering
Have had this car for 2+ years now, lived in arizona and florida. I now live in maryland. This morning was slightly colder than normal, with sleet coming in last night. My wife attempted to start the car this morning while i was away at work and could not get it to start. Looking at the dash indicators, it showed the orange intelligent key light on, and when i tried to start the car, the ignition button would not…
ODI 10490118
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that he engaged the automatic push-to-start button however, the engine failed to operate. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was advised that the steering key lock would require replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000. The vin was…
ODI 10507499