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.
Electrical System · Steering
Electronic steering lock assembly failed preventing the car from powering on or starting. It took almost two weeks for the dealership to receive the replacement part. From my research, it appears that many other people have experienced the same part failure. The part was not covered under the power-train warranty and was almost $900 to get repaired. Nissan recommended we report the issue for a possible future…
ODI 10501050
Electrical System · Steering
I had driven the car from home to the gas station approx. 5 miles from home. I turned the car off, filled the car with gas and upon starting the car to leave the car wouldn't start. A red key light came on in dash.car used to be towed to dealership. It was there that it was found to be a steering lock malfunction. That cost me a total of 1000.61. 402.50 in labor and 538.81 in parts plus tax and misc. The pats was on…
ODI 10496604
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start using the keyless entry. Also, the contact stated that the intelligent key warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the steering lock mechanism needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not…
ODI 10495346
Steering
The lights,locks, trunk and battery worked fine but the vehicle refused to start. I contacted the dealership and was told the car would have to be towed in to access the problem. Amazingly they called me 10 minutes after it arrived and told me the issue was my steering lock which needed to be replaced and could no longer communicate with the "intelligent key". I was quoted a price of $841.00 and advised it was on…
ODI 10495151
Steering
Steering lock mechanism $1200 bucks nissan better do something. *tr
ODI 10495145
Steering
Last sunday my vehicle was unable to start with the fob key. Had car towed to nissan and was told that it was the steering lock system. Was told the part is on back order and will received in approx 3 wks. Also, the cost would be $930 before tax. My car is 38,000 miles and no longer under warranty. Because my windows were accidentally lowered due to someone holding down unlock button on fob and they were unable to…
ODI 10496194
Steering
I went to the grocery store and came out and attempted to start my car. The intelligent key warning light came on so the car would not start. It was stuck in the lock position. Sent it to the dealer and $1100. This is ridiculous because this seems to be a common problem so why hasn't it been recalled? I was sitting outside in 13 degree weather with my infant son and they say it's not a safety issue. I was about to…
ODI 10494934
Steering
Steering lock mechanism failed leaving car stranded. *tr
ODI 10494919
Electrical System · Steering
Car wouldn't recognize key in it, but could unlock doors and trunk, and would not start. Car was towed to nissan and they found the steering lock control module not communicating with ikey reader. Tech installed new ikey reader and cleared theft codes. *tr
ODI 10494891
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that she attempted to start the vehicle but to no avail. The key warning icon was also illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic, who diagnosed that the steering lock control unit failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000 and the…
ODI 10499420
Electrical System · Steering
I stopped for lunch at a fast food establishment and at this point everything with the car was fine. After i ordered and got back into my car, i tried to start it. The car would not start. The key light appeared on the dash. After calling the nearest dealership, they suggested replacing the battery in the keyfob. I did replace battery and placed the keyfob in the alternative start port. The car would still not…
ODI 10495292
Electrical System · Steering
My daughter and 2 year old were trying to get home under an ice storm warning. The push button start did not operate. They were stranded in the cold under a severe weather warning. Nissan says the steering wheel lock controller caused the failure and would not communicate with the intelligent key fob and start button. There is not a method to override the push button with a mechanical key. This is a known problem…
ODI 10494962
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that the key warning light illuminated and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician stated that the failure was located at the steering lock control unit. The steering lock control unit was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,996 and the approximate…
ODI 10496307
Electrical System · Steering
Dropped my son off at school, when i returned to the car, it would not start at all. The car recognized my key was present but push button did nothing. Manually using the key slot would not start the car either. Had to have the car towed and am being told that will cost $800-1100 to fix steering lock and that parts are on back order. Doing an internet search i have found literally hundreds of complaints on the same…
ODI 10494768
Steering
Drove to lunch in car. Came out 30 minutes later car wouldn't start. Had car towed to repair shop where a faulty steering column lock sensor was diagnosed. Repair cost with tow ~ $850. *tr
ODI 10494678
Electrical System · Steering
Amber 'intelligent key' light started appearing on and off. Finally vehicle refused to engage starter and whirring noise indicating steering lock is functional no longer happens. Vehicle needs to be towed and research indicates the problem is common in 2009 altimas and other nissan vehicles. Repair quotes online appear to be in the $900 range. Nissan needs to accept responsibility for this problem and issue a…
ODI 10494743
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start using the keyless entry. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer and was told that the steering lock actuator needed to be replaced. The contact stated the failure was a repeat occurrence. The computer was previously reset to correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The failure…
ODI 10494725
Electrical System · Steering
Trying to start vehicle, yellow key warning light came on and car would not start. This happened without warning and i was stranded at lunch 15 minutes from work with no way to get back. The steering lock unit failed to disengage. This part should be recalled since the same part (i've heard) was recalled on other nissan models and can leave anyone in a dangerous situation. *tr
ODI 10494501
Steering
Went out to my car this morning and it would not start. It does not recognize the keyless start fob. This happens when the steering lock mechanism fails. This is a time bomb because it can fail at any time with no warning whatsoever. The age and mileage on the car do not matter. *tr
ODI 10494409
Electrical System · Steering
Wife's 2009 altima would not start. As others have stated, the little key light on the dash lit up. We had the car towed to our dealer, and they told us the steering lock control had failed. Having no choice, we then ordered the part, only then to find out that it was on back order and they could not estimate when the part would be available. The estimated repair bill was going to be about $750. When i got home that…
ODI 10497595
Steering
I parked my vehicle at my son's school to run in and pick him up from the after school program. Came back out to the car and it would not start. The vehicle steering wheel was locked. I attempted to push the start button and brake and nothing happened. The yellow key light was flashing on and off, lights were on in the car, however there were no lights on the dashboard or no sound was made from the car doors being…
ODI 10494563
Steering
Drove to work in the morning, parked my nissan altima in the parking lot. When i went to leave for lunch the car would not start. The brake was extremely stiff and pushing the start button did nothing. I called the local nissan dealer - they immediately thought it could be the steering lock module if that was it i would have to have it towed. Once towed to the dealership they confirmed it was the steering wheel lock…
ODI 10498048
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that the steering column lock mechanism caused the vehicle to become inoperable. The contact also stated that the key fob warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to personally remedy the failure by replacing the battery in the keyless entry remote but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the steering column…
ODI 10495982
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
Car would not start / computer lock / car had to be towed. *tr
ODI 10495029
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that the steering lock assembly would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 45,400. *tr
ODI 10494693