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2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid problems

The most common problem on the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid is steering, typically around 68,000 miles. It has 3.4 times the complaints of a typical Altima Hybrid model year.

Year to avoid3.4x the typical complaints
Year score
31/100
Owner complaints
54
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
55
Worst area
Steering
Fuel economy
34mpg
Typical repair
$923

The worst 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Steering
    26
  • Electrical
    21
  • Engine
    7
  • Airbags
    4
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Brakes
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Steering lock-up 23Won't start 15Key fob 7

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Defect investigations

Pedestrian alert soundsOpened January 27, 2023, closed August 7, 2023

the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP22005

Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid 55

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 55 bulletins for the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid

2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 4‑cyl HybridFWD353334

What 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 8, 2021 · Engine · 171,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact researched the warning light in the owners manual, which informed the contact to shut-off the vehicle and immediately contact the dealer. The vehicle was towed to nissan of bradenton (1611 cortez rd w, bradenton, florida 34207) however, the mechanic was unable to start the vehicle to diagnose the failure. The contact stated that the shift interlock was previously replaced. The contact was informed that the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 171,000.*dt

Filed Sep 30, 2019 · Airbags, Seats · 154,000 miles · VT

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima hybrid. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to freedom nissan of south burlington (1095 shelburne rd, south burlington, vt 05403, (802) 864-7400) where it was diagnosed that the passenger seat cushion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a technical service bulletin. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.

Filed Apr 24, 2019 · Electrical · 143,000 miles · WA

The 2009 nissan altima hybrid has ceased to function suddenly while driving down the freeway, putting me at extreme danger. In the first cased, the electronic computer unit was the defective part, on the second occasion, it was the ignition coils. I have had multiple problems with this vehicle, placing me at great risk as the vehicle seizes up without warning and in the middle of the roadway.

Filed Dec 7, 2018 · 246,000 miles · OK

'takata recall' unknown hs warning light on caution light on tiire pressure symbol on sevice engine soon indicator on

Filed Mar 28, 2017 · Steering · 92,278 miles · NJ

In 2013, I was stranded at work late at night due to a faulty steering wheel lock. I got into my car and went to start it and the key light was lit on the dash and my car wouldn't start. The car had to be towed to the nearest dealership the next day to replace the steering wheel lock. Thankfully, I was stranded in a safe place especially since I'm a single female. It's now 2017, and I find myself in the same situation. Thankfully, I noticed the issue early while it's still daytime. I'm now waiting for my car to be towed to a dealership to address a faulty steering wheel lock. I'm concerned that the steering wheel lock only has a life span of 4 years since this is the second time I have to address this issue. Is it normal for a part to just malfunction after only 4 years? Will I have to worry about being stranded again 4 years from now for the third time? My car is serviced regularly and taken care of so I won't be stranded. It's troubling that regardless of the fact that my car is serviced and taken care of, I can be stranded anywhere.

Filed Mar 7, 2017 · Airbags · 124,000 miles · CA

The passenger seat sensor to detect an occupant and enable/disable the passenger airbag failed. This is an item critical to occupant safety that is not a wear-and-tear item and one which should reasonably be expected to last the life of the vehicle. As a result, the passenger side airbags will not work as intended when occupied by an occupant of the appropriate weight per the sensor's setting. It is apparent that many altima vehicles, models before and after my 2009 year model, have experienced failure of the same extremely expensive to replace component. Nissan is not willing to address this item voluntarily; therefore, nissan should be ordered by the federal safety agency to replace this critical safety component through a recall. Failure of the federal safety agency to act will likely lead to many injuries or fatalities due to the failure of a part which should not have a limited warranty and which nissan, as a responsible vehicle manufacturer, should repair/replace at no cost to its customers who purchased its vehicles due to their advertised safety ratings.

Filed Feb 10, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · CA

I was on my way to pickup my wife and the for sone reason the steering wheel became locked . I thought that it was a mistake or something got stuck in the car. I press on the button to start ,nothing and try to turned the steering wheel ,still nothing. I got out of the car and back in ,nothing ,so I did this for 30 minutes until finally gave up. I had to rush to get our other car to pick her up. Luckily, traffic was okay. I have contacted nissan to see if they can do anything ,still waiting to hear from them. I contacted them at this same day. The vehicle was stationary in the parking lot of our apartment.

Filed Feb 5, 2017 · Steering · 99,000 miles · CA

Car was parked on busy city road and would not start. Steering wheel lock did not work.

Filed Jan 4, 2017 · Electrical · 89,665 miles · CA

2009 nissan altima hybrid's electronic steering column lock ('escl') failed while the vehicle was parked. This failure activates vehicle's anti-theft system and completely disables the ignition, rendering the vehicle inoperable. It could happen anywhere and anytime without a warning.

Filed Dec 29, 2016 · Steering · 83,909 miles · MA

My daughter stopped at a local coffee shop before going to work one morning. When she returned to her 2009 nissan altima hybrid she opened the door remotely with the key fob and tried to start the car and the engine did not respond. The steering column had locked and a yellow key lock light had come on the display. Reading the owners manual, she thought the problem might be with the key fob battery. Luckily, I was still at home and was able to bring a spare fob to her. Using the spare,though,had the same result: no ignition. We called aaa and had the car towed to the dealer. The dealership "confirmed, checked and found the steering lock is faulty, removed and replaced. Cleared all codes and reprogrammed both keys". Parts replaced were 1 48700-jf00d lock steering and 2 48703-06f0a screw-steering lock, lightening my wallet by $948.33. Three days later we were able to pick up a drivable vehicle with a functioning steering column. During the time we were without this car we were able to do some internet research on this issue and found out that it is a known problem with 2007-2011 altimas with average mileage around 80,000, ( this one had 83,909) that nissan acknowledges does exist,and yet they will not issue a recall. From our searches of many web sites (including we were able to determine that this problem has been frequently reported, yet still there have been no steps taken toward rectifying the problem. As an altima owner I am left wondering what needs to happen in order for nissan to finally acknowledge that this is a legitimate safety issue that could happen at any time and any place.

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Questions about the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Is the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid reliable?

Owners have filed 54 complaints about the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid, 3.4 times a typical Altima Hybrid model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid year score?

The 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid scores 31 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Altima Hybrid: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid?

Steering, with 26 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles. Next is electrical (21).

How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid have?

No recalls on record.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid get?

Official estimates for the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid range from 34 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 35 city and 33 highway.

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