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 · Unknown Or Other
Car stalled twice both parked in a parking lot. Battery works and key fob works with doors. But engine wont start with push button start. Electronic steering column lock defect.
ODI 10925908
Electrical System · Steering
The electronic steering lock has malfunctioned. The car would not start, leaving myself and two children stranded.
ODI 10925495
Electrical System · Steering
Was driving altima running great got ne tires service done. Went to a friends house when i came back to start the altima wouldn't start. I tried everything changing batteries in car, remote batteries changed. I finally came across this video and explain everything that was happening and said nissan is aware of this issue but doesn't want to put a recall on it. It's believe it's a major safety problem what would have…
ODI 10929501
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
Electronic steering column lock failure. Leaves car disabled where ever you are. Car will not start. Must be towed. Nissan had an earlier recall but never published it to 2009 altima owners.
ODI 10925457
Electrical System
The electronic steering column lock (escl) has broken without any warning and my car has become a giant brick and i can't even place the car in neutral to move it. I walked out to start my car for work one day and i found out my car was dead.
ODI 10924587
Electrical System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. While in park, the vehicle failed to start and "key fob" was displayed across the message board. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there was an extended warranty for the electronic steering column lock (escl); however, the warranty was expired. The failure mileage was 50,000.
ODI 10919382
Electrical System
Escl replaced after failing to allow push button start and failed again a few months later.
ODI 10924850
Electrical System · Power Train
Parked in garage, wouldn't start, steering lock system was not working so the engine didn't recognize the push button start, had to have it towed to auto mechanic to have the part replaced for $1,000 plus towing! Nissan stopped using this part in 2010 so they must know it was a bad part. I could have been anywhere when this happened and been stranded.
ODI 10919962
Electrical System
Today the steering wheel control lock went out. After doing some research i found that this is a common problem and there is not a recall to cover this defective part. Clearly nissan has acknowledged this is a problem as they have had recalls that expired. This is not a maintenance issue that an owner should have to pay for. This is strictly a defect in electronics system. What would happen if my wife and 4 year old…
ODI 10916350
Electrical System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, it failed to start and the steering wheel locked up without warning. The contact received an email that informed her of the failure; however, the vin was excluded from the recall. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel locked. The push to start button failed and needed to be…
ODI 10920553
Electrical System · Steering · Unknown Or Other
Electric steering column lock (escl) failed and left me stranded at work. Had to wait 2 hours for someone to come get me.
ODI 10913731
Electrical System · Steering
The push button start will not recognize the key "fob". I can still unlock and lock my doors with the fob, pop open my trunk, but the system that is supposed to recognize my key and unlock my steering wheel is faulty. Reading up this has been a problem for many '09 altimas and nissan even extended a warranty on this part, unfortunately that warranty is expired and my car now has the problem.
ODI 10911161
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Steering
The electrical steering column lock (escl) failure which wouldn't allow the car to start is the most stupid thing i've ever heard. And that nissan wouldn't recall it is a big shame on the manufacturer. On top of that, they charge ridiculously expensive to have the part replaced ($600+labor)??!! This is super unsafe for drivers in the northeast as we may get stuck in a cold winter freezing to death for what? There is…
ODI 10911080
Electrical System
We are currently experiencing what so many nissan owners have noted online... The steering lock mechanism has malfunctioned. (the key light is on, the steering wheel won't lock, doors still lock/ unlock). This is a widespread problem in the electrical system, and many people have expressed frustration online. It is electrical, so all our proper maintenance performed means nothing. Our situation was the 90 year old…
ODI 10910106
Electrical System · Steering
Ecsl went out and my high school daughter was driving the car at the time as we were out of town, this could really be a hazard and definitely was costly as far as towing, thank god we have an extra vehicle but she had to find transportation, had the stress being 17 and not really knowing what to do, the car sat until we got home to have to towed to dealership, missed some of school. This part definitely should be…
ODI 10908459
Air Bags · Electrical System · Seats
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated consistently without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sensor failed on the passenger side of the vehicle. The seat bottom assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vin was unknown. The approximate…
ODI 10927309
Electrical System
While i was at work and done with my shift i went out to my car and press the break and push the push start button it did not start it turns out that the electronic steering control lock is defective i could've been hurt or killed or put it in a dangerous situation if i had no one around me to help me out. My life was put at risk with a car that would not start. The car was stationary when this happened and it…
ODI 10907047
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. When the contact parked the vehicle and locked it with the fob, it failed to start upon her return. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the esc needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000. Updated 12/23/16*lj updated 02/07/17.*jb
ODI 10908244
Electrical System · Steering · Unknown Or Other
Nissan has refused to recall their faulty electronic steering lock unit that is needed to turn the vehicle on. If it does not lock the wheel in place it will not allow the push start ignition to start the vehicle, thus leaving their occupants stranded with no option other than to have their vehicles towed to a nissan dealership and forced to pay upwards of $1200 for the replacement of a defective factory part. They…
ODI 10906720
Electrical System · Steering
Notice a key indicator light on dash... Vehicle wouldn't start! I was in a very dark area by myself and didn't know what to do! I was scared for my life because i was alone and didn't know what would happen!!
ODI 10903198
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the key fobs were defective and needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
ODI 10904907
Electrical System · Steering
Car will not start. Steering lock mechanism malfunction. Car parked on street in front of our house. At least i'm not on a trip. Nissan won't fix under a recall. They had an extended warranty to cover this problem, but it expired. Owners of pre-owned cars were never notified.
ODI 10903331
Electrical System
I have a 2009 nissan altima that i purchased as a pre owned in 2012. Since that time i have brought the car to the dealer for oil changes and repairs on many occasions. At no times while the car was getting serviced was i informed that there was a potential problem with the steering wheel lock sensor and the car would ot start and because of that nissan had extended the warranty to cover the repair or replacement of…
ODI 10903429
Electrical System · Steering
Car will not start due to steering lock on vehicle malfunctioned x 4. Towed to dealership for diagnostic only to be told repair is 900.00. Contacted nissan who is going back on their word to pay for repair. Car also has airbag lights that come on while driving. Car is always in parked positioned when there is a problem.
ODI 10897654
Electrical System · Steering
Car will not start with key fob . Called tow on three different occasions. Last tow was told to knock on steering lock box to start car. Car was towed due to inability to get car running. Unable to pay for diagnosis at dealership because of cost of 100. Unable to pay for tow because of 65 dollar cost. Stuck out in the middle of no where and now my car is useless . Will not be buying another nissan or recommend to…
ODI 10897318