2009 Nissan Altima: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 2149 complaints
2149
Total Complaints
78,000mi
Median Mileage
Steering
Top Issue
55
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
55,000
25th Percentile
78,000
Median Mileage
107,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Steering
854
Electrical System
461
Unknown Or Other
146
Engine
107
Power Train
91
Air Bags
82
Vehicle Speed Control
48
Body
45
Structure
43
Visibility/Wiper
41
Severity Assessment
55
Crashes
15
Fires
29
Injuries
2
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"A TRAFFIC OFFICER AND INVESTIGATED AN INCIDENT WHERE A VEHICLE OWNER WAS RUM OVER BY HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A PHYSICAL KEY TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THERE IS AN ELECTRONIC "KEY" AND A PUSH BUTTON START/SHUT OFF SWITCH. THE DRIVER PARKED THE VEHICLE IN A DRIVEWAY WITH A STEEP GRADE. THE..."
"THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA IN WHICH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF (INDICATED BY A PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT), WHILE AN ADULT PASSENGER OVER 100 LBS IS CORRECTLY SEATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, SITTING SQUARE WITH SEATBELTS FASTENED. IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE THE AIRBAG IS ..."
"I RECENTLY (12/30/08) BOUGHT A 09 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5SL WITH CONNECTION PACKAGE AND WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF DRIVING THE CAR I CAME ACROSS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEREO. I TURNED ON THE CAR AS I HAVE FOR THE PAST WEEK BY PRESSING THE START BUTTON, BUT THIS TIME THE STEREO SOUND WASN'T COMING THROUGH THE S..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Steering
854 complaints
25th: 60,000 mi
Median: 80,000 mi
75th: 106,000 mi
Electrical System
461 complaints
25th: 60,000 mi
Median: 78,000 mi
75th: 100,000 mi
Unknown Or Other
146 complaints
25th: 64,500 mi
Median: 95,000 mi
75th: 129,500 mi
Engine
107 complaints
25th: 60,000 mi
Median: 80,000 mi
75th: 111,250 mi
Power Train
91 complaints
25th: 73,500 mi
Median: 120,000 mi
75th: 149,750 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 198
TX: 188
FL: 183
GA: 129
NY: 126
PA: 107
NJ: 93
IL: 79
MD: 76
MA: 75
Who Files Complaints?
0.8%
Original Owners
99.2%
Second+ Owners
Nissan Altima — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 150 | 25 |
| 1994 | 120 | 37 |
| 1995 | 216 | 49 |
| 1996 | 117 | 27 |
| 1997 | 141 | 40 |
| 1998 | 141 | 20 |
| 1999 | 110 | 29 |
| 2000 | 199 | 34 |
| 2001 | 201 | 29 |
| 2002 | 1321 | 41 |
| 2003 | 1099 | 61 |
| 2004 | 334 | 18 |
| 2005 | 1358 | 71 |
| 2006 | 1043 | 58 |
| 2007 | 597 | 39 |
| 2008 | 1373 | 73 |
| 2010 | 538 | 40 |
| 2011 | 317 | 18 |
| 2012 | 575 | 39 |
| 2013 | 2970 | 104 |
| 2014 | 1376 | 74 |
| 2015 | 1188 | 61 |
| 2016 | 778 | 43 |
| 2017 | 498 | 32 |
| 2018 | 314 | 16 |
| 2019 | 326 | 40 |
| 2020 | 266 | 27 |
| 2021 | 96 | 11 |
| 2022 | 50 | 8 |
| 2023 | 33 | 8 |
| 2024 | 55 | 13 |
Active Recalls (4)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Wheels
Campaign 08V464000 | 15/09/2008
IF THE LUG NUTS BECOME LOOSE, IT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF IT IS EQUIPPED WITH ONE OF THE AFFECTED WHEELS. IF IT IS, THE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES THAT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800
Door
Campaign 09V006000 | 09/01/2009
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIPS AND REMEDIED AT THE FACTORY. NO VEHICLES HAD BEEN RETAILED.
Navigational System(Global Positioning System)
Campaign 10V401000 | 10/09/2010
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Suspension
Campaign 09V358000 | 16/09/2009
IF THE STRUT INSULATOR IS CRACKED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT ROD TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION, WHICH COULD AFFECT VEHICLE STABILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT STRUT INSULATORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).
Protect Your Steering System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
- Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
- Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
- Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
- Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28