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
I went out to start my car and it would not start. The nissan intelligent key warning light was on which the manual warns of a malfunction with the electrical steering lock system. The car will not start and so i will have to have it towed to the dealer to have it fixed. When i check to see if it is on recall it does not appear to be however there are numerous complaints just within the past few weeks of this…
ODI 10819321
Electrical System · Steering · Unknown Or Other
Went to get gas vehicle wouldn't start. Called dealer and concluded electronic steering lock was defective causing car not to start. Had car towed to dealer since car out of extended warranty had to pay $933 to dealer for repair. This problem is quite common and had it fixed in a short time. This needs to be a recall. Herba nissan of johnstown ny completed repair.
ODI 10819098
Electrical System
My vehicle was parked at a gas station after getting fuel. I attempted to start my vehicle but had no response from push button start. After some online investigation i found that nissan had a defective electronic steering column lock causing the issue. This defective part left me stranded. The service advisor at the dealership i ended up at told me that this is a very common problem on models within a certain range…
ODI 10819811
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
I live in the country and was prepared to leave town to visit my sister. I pack my car and get ready to leave (my car was in perfect condition in my garage all night) i went to start my car and nothing! I assumed the battery at first but the lights would turn on. I called nissan and i was told my steering wheel lock device needs replaced. I was told that i would have to tow my car in, pay for parts and labor. I ask…
ODI 10852407
Electrical System · Steering
While driving back to work from a lunch break, i noticed the"key warning" light illuminated. When i arrived l put the transmission in park then shut off the engine. Proceeded to exit the car then to lock the car. Nothing happened. Tried again and had the same result. Tried to restart car and had the same result. Electronic key with a new battery did not work. All electronic mechanisms did not work.
ODI 10817400
Electrical System · Steering
My car was stationary in a grocery parking lot and push button starter would not start. It was the dead of winter with sub zero temperatures. The dash displayed an illuminated key indicating there may be something wrong with the intelligent key, so i replaced the battery in both keys and the car still would not start. I then tried to jump the car with no success. So i googled "car won't start, 2009 nissan altima"…
ODI 10819873
Electrical System · Steering
Our 2009 altima, left us stranded in a remote location. The car was parked and turned off. We have aaa so we didn't have to pay for towing. But we thought it was something simple like battery, or batteries in the remote key. Research has shown us that is a known problem with this specific year make and model of vehicle. And nissan is clearly not helping they're customers with this safety issue . We where luckier…
ODI 10850285
Electrical System
Electronic steering column lock failure. Thankfully i was at work when this happened, so i was in a lit parking lot. However, this would have been very dangerous if i was stranded, as the car is completely inoperable once this occurs.
ODI 10883039
Electrical System · Steering
Was stuck at work over the weekend. Car did not work. Intelligent car key remote changed new battery and still did not work had to tow to dealer nissan , was told to run a diagnostic test on the car , and found out the electronic steering lock is not working. Ive checked online and found out alot people have the same promble that i had. The cost to replace cost about $1200. Since too many people have the same…
ODI 10816552
Electrical System · Steering
My wife and i purchased a 2009 nissan altima in october 2009 and did not encounter any major issues until a few days ago. On 12/17/2015, my wife was left stranded in a parking lot outside a grocery store at night due to unable to start the car. We tried using a key fob with a good battery and jump starting the altima, but it would change the car from 'lock' mode to 'on' mode (where the car can be started). We did…
ODI 10816774
Electrical System · Steering
Steering lock assy. Became defective while away from home and had to be towed to nissan dealer, was told the new assy. Had warranty good for 12month/12000miles after repairs were made. This may be a safety feature for the car itself but becomes a safety hazard for the occupants if it breaks down in a hazards area away from home or in a area of bad weather itself. The dealer informed me that there was an extended…
ODI 10816572
Electrical System · Steering
Car left me sit due to steering wheel lock needing replaced. It affects the push start ignition and the brake pedal too. Upon researching, i found that this was a common problem and that nissan fixed some at no charge but others had to spend $1000 and up to repair it. There are copious amounts of complaints regarding this same issue and i suspect that nissan are fixing some to appease those who are pushing for a…
ODI 10811991
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
12-13-2015 failed electronic steering lock which stranded us on the side of the road with the windows down exposing personal items and our personal safety for a part the manufacture has recognized as faulty and extended the warranty until 120 days before the part fails. 715 times? Does someone have to die in a snow storm or get hit on the interstate before action will be taken on this? The part by itself was $715…
ODI 10816598
Electrical System
Ignition failed. Car failed to start. Discovered it was the steering lock control unit. Was told by nissan that the warranty expired june 1, 2015, but to take it to a dealership and that there was a possibility that the warranty would be extended because of customer loyalty. Vehicle was towed to suntrup nissan and the repair took place. I was told that i would get reimbursed following a fair review of my case. The…
ODI 10811598
Electrical System
Car was working just fine. Drove it to an appointment. When done with the appointment, came out to car and it wouldn't start. The key fob worked, as it would lock and unlock the doors, the car just wouldn't start. When i tried to push the start button, a little orange key light came on. Googled the light... Found hundreds of complaints that the 2009/2010 altimas had electronic steering lock issues, that nissan…
ODI 10809468
Electrical System · Steering
My car would not start and the intelligent key warning light was on. This happened with no warning (the car drove fine 1 hour before). I was stranded and had to get the car towed to the nearest dealership. The problem was the infamous escl unit (electronic steering control lock). I was informed that the warranty had been extended to unlimited miles and 5 years...and expired 6 months ago. $1028 worth of repairs later…
ODI 10809359
Electrical System · Steering
Dec 7, 2015 climbed in car at 8 am, would not start. The key light was on but the dash did not light up as normal when you put your foot on the brake and push the start button. Could not get it out of the "locked" position. Called local dealer and he offered no help, nor ideas of what could be wrong. Told me to "bring it in". Didn't even tell ne how to unlock the gear so i could push car out of garage. Took 2 calls…
ODI 10809410
Electrical System · Unknown Or Other
I was leaving work as i approach my vehicle which was parked in the secured lot; i used my smart key to unlock the door in which it did. And when i entered my vehicle it did not start. The indicator on the dash was showing representation of no key in the vehicle but my key could still lock & unlock the doors. I proceeded to change the battery to my smart key 3x and to no avail did that fix my situation.
ODI 10809987
Electrical System
Car was parked in grocery store parking lot. Car would not start. Dashboard warning indicated key icon. Had car towed 50 miles to nissan car dealership. Electronic steering lock unit (eslu) replaced. Total cost: $1006 and one sleepless night.
ODI 10809111
Electrical System
Wife went to drive to work in morning car would not do anything. Turn over or sense the key. She tried other key and same thing nothing. Googled issue and nissan admitted there is a issue with electronic steering lock column. Instead of fixing issue they just extended warranty in hopes that when not if it went out warranty would be up. Called nissan north america they told me car is over warranty but if i take it…
ODI 10809124
Electrical System · Steering · Unknown Or Other
My family and i were stranded in the middle of the night last week for several hours for my car to be towed cause the engine would not start and jump start the battery did not work. After towed it home and research / diagnostic, found out that it is a well know that the steering lock box is defective. However, calling nissan dealer about it and will not make the recall on the part. My car just die after 5 years. 3…
ODI 10809326
Electrical System · Steering
The steering lock failed, and i could not start my car. I had to have my car towed to the topeka nissan dealer to have it fixed. It cost $973.00
ODI 10807793
Electrical System · Steering
The electronic steering wheel lock system didn't engage on my 2009 altima. This would not allow the car to be started. Nissan extended the warranty on this part but mine expired in august of 2015. I feel this is a safety issue as you could be stranded at anytime anwhere with this issue and should have been a recall. There was a bad snow storm in denver on sunday when this occurred and if it had happened up in the…
ODI 10807954
Electrical System
Electric steering wheel lock (ecsl), is well-known defect that is known across all 2009 nissan altima, maxima, and early 2010 350z. I was filling up at a gas station when my car did not start. I was left stranded at a location that was unsafe location due to this defect. This lock would not allow me to start my vehicle nor go on accessory mode, thus i was not able to roll up my windows. I was not informed of this…
ODI 10808921
Electrical System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. A warning light illuminated and displayed a message. The contact was stranded for over an hour. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering lock control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The vin was not…
ODI 10807473