2009 Nissan Altima Steering Problems
- 807
- 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 807 stored complaint records:
- 4 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- steering lock · 45 records
- steering wheel · 43 records
- steering column · 19 records
- wheel lock · 19 records
- electronic steering · 14 records
- column lock · 14 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 309 |
| 100–150k mi | 164 |
| 30–60k mi | 149 |
| 1–30k mi | 29 |
| 150–400k mi | 24 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
Escl - electronic steering column lock i went to the store far from home and when i tried starting the car it did not start. The door locks worked but nothing else would come on. I checked online and it stated that it was escl. I put in a used one and it worked. I would like nissan to replace that part with a new part. I was stranded for hours and had to leave my car in the store parking lot for 3 days.
ODI 10906240
Steering
The steering lock is causing the car not to start at all. I have been stranded many times and this is not safe. I have been at my house where it hasn't worked, i have been at work.
ODI 10905590
Engine · Steering
After routine drive, car "froze-up" door would not open, car would not start, wheel did not turn, car would not start, car dead. After some research found many complaints about this, it has something to do with "steering / engine locking-up" and can happen anywhere at anytime without any warning. Nissan at one point had extended the warranty on this indefinitely, then arbitrarily ended it in mid 2015. This is…
ODI 10906431
Steering
Intelligent key light would come on but the car wouldn't start or do anything, but the lock/unlock feature would still work. Apparently the steering lock mechanism is defective
ODI 10905576
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
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel lock failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated they would get back in touch with the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 85,300.
ODI 10904831
Steering
Malfunction with the steering lock that won't allow the car to start. When i push the brakes to start the car the car it is stating that there is a malfunction with the steering wheel lock.
ODI 10904699
Steering
After sitting i cannot start my car,steering seems to be stuck and brake is very hard to press down.car has only 50.000 mi.
ODI 10904561
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 · 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
Steering
My steering wheel lock is defective, my sister got stuck after a pit stop traveling from boston to new york. After doing some research online i came across informations showing it was a factory default. I purchased the car in 2013 and was never told about this at the dealership
ODI 10903285
Steering
My car would not start. The car battery is fine and the intelligent key fob is also working fine and was even tried with a new battery. Pushing the start button does nothing and the two key lights on the dash both light up when in the car. After checking the manual, calling the dealer, and checking the internet, it is clear that my steering lock mechanism has malfunctioned. This seems to be a very common problem as…
ODI 10899762
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was inspected and diagnosed by an independent mechanic who was further testing the vehicle to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The manufacturer was notified. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
ODI 11000039
Steering
I was driving the children to school and a "key" indicator came on. After i dropped them off and went to leave again, the car wouldn't start. I could lock/unlock the door with the key sensor; but nothing else would work. I had aaa check the battery and everything was fine. The technician called into the office and learned that this model is one of two cars that have an issue with a faulty steering wheel lock. The…
ODI 10907049
Steering
My mother-in-law drove the car to work in the morning with no issues. When she went to leave at the end of her evening shift, the car would not turn on when the push button start was pressed. Thankfully a co-worker was still with her and able to drive her home, otherwise she would have been stranded in a precarious situation waiting for a tow truck for who knows how long. The car was parked in a parking lot of a…
ODI 10906216
Steering
The car was sluggish driving in to the driveway and went dead. It would not start and could not depress the brakes they were locked. Had to have the car towed to the dealer. If this would have happened while on the driving on the street or freeway my son could have been hit from behind since it just went dead without warning. After 3 days the dealer determined it was the electronic steering lock. Found out that…
ODI 10904681
Steering
2009 nissan altima. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle would not start, towed to dealership and diagnosed as, electronic steering column lock problems. Consumer states problem should be considered a recall issue. *smd
ODI 10909153
Steering
The altima is equipped with an electronic steering column lock (escl) unit that locks the steering wheel when the vehicle is parked and the ignition is turned off to help prevent theft. Escl may malfunction after the vehicle is locked and could prevent the engine from starting. This condition, should it occur, will only occur when attempting to start the vehicle, and not while driving. I turned on my car and took my…
ODI 10905784
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
Steering
This problem is occuring in 2009-2011 nissan altima and maxima vehicles. When turning off vehicle, the steering locks and when you go to turn it back on, the steering wheel will not unlock after turning key on. Vehicle will not start due to steering wheel being locked. There are numerous complaints regarding this on the internet and the dealers want 1200.00 to fix problem. This should really be a recall item.
ODI 10898038
Steering
I have just learned that i have a problem common to 2009 altimas. The steering lock is defective and left me stranded. I was on the side of the road, and depending on the area and time of day, this is extremely dangerous. I need a car that works properly and i believe there should be a recall on this clearly defective part.
ODI 10897052
Steering
Steering lock is stuck on my car and it will not start. The key light came on randomly and the car is locked down and wouldn't start. I was stranded in a very scary part of town that i had to wait at forever for someone to come get me.
ODI 10896607
Steering
I got gas at a station in havana, then tried to start the car and nothing. The key symbol came up on the dash. My husband brought the extra key fob and still nothing. Brakes were locked, no power to the engine. Key fob worked for locking but not for power. Aaa towed my car to krafft nissan where i was told of the problem. I googled the problem and saw that it was common with the 2009 altima. I was glad to be close…
ODI 10896151
Steering
Car would not start steering locked up, told it was the steering lock box which was on recall and i never recieved a recall notice, dealer said vin number did not match with recall but my nissan is clearly a 2009, i am afraid to drive it if this part is not replaced i can not start my car and the part is very expensive. I feel if this part was recalled it should be replaced in good standing by the dealer, i surely…
ODI 10896405