2009 Nissan Altima: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Dec 11, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · 80,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle using the key fob, the vehicle failed to start. The contact depressed the brake pedal and ignition button, and the vehicle failed to start. The contact was unable to depress the brake pedal to start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering lock mechanism needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Dec 1, 2023 · Electrical · 55,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2009 Nisan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to detect that the key was present, activating the anti-theft immobilizer and preventing the vehicle from starting. The “No Key Detected” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to TSB Number: PC516. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Nov 22, 2023 · Steering · TN

Parked car at a coffee shop, turned off engine, exited and locked doors. Upon coming back to vehicle, the vehicle would not start. We tried jumping the vehicle battery, that did not work. We tried replacing the battery in the key fobs, that did not work. We inserted the fob into the a lot near the steering column and that did not work. We had the car towed to an auto repair shop who stated the key fobs needed to be reprogrammed, but they didn’t have the equipment to do so. We called a locksmith the reprogram the fobs, but the locksmith was not able to do so. He said the vehicle returned 6 BCM codes. He was able to remove all but 2 and recommended I take care to Nissan. Had car towed to Nissan and they stated the steering column module lock needed to be replaced (quoted $1425 + tax). I mentioned the service campaign from 2017, but I was told my car’s VIN was not eligible for the campaign and repair would be my responsibility. Why is a known issue not being covered by Nissan??

Filed Jan 17, 2023 · Steering · MA

Steering column locks, causing key Fob to not be recognized. Hence, car will not start. This s/b recalled for a fix.

Filed Jun 29, 2022 · Engine, Steering · SC

The vehicle was working just fine when I went to the grocery store and came out. I unlocked the car using the key fob, sat inside and the car stopped detected my key. The steering was locked, I tried to place it near the start push button, tried putting it in the slot but nothing happened. And I tried unlock button couple of times on the key fob and the mirrors went down. And there was no way to pull them up and I was stranded in the parking lot for no reason. I got it towed to the dealership and they told me Steering Lock Module went bad which is a common issue in 2009 Nissan Altima. Its a safety issue as I can get stranded anywhere anytime! And they are fixing it for 1300$ bucks! Please recall all 2009 Nissan Altima and change this part in them!

Filed Feb 3, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · 60,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that upon pressing the start button to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The contact stated that he was able to open the trunk and activate the alarm using the key fob, but the vehicle would not start. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency ID Number: 10119195 (Wheels, Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Jan 28, 2022 · Electrical · NY

In 2009 Nissan built S models with an SL package. These models came with a push button start in lieu of a key start. These vehicles came with an electronic steering wheel lock mechanism. The electronic steering wheel lock mechanism was deemed defective on the push button start vehicles. Nissan ultimately did a campaign to have this repaired. In November 2021, my Nissan Altima electronic steering mechanism prevented my vehicle from turning on. I researched the problem and learned of the expired Nissan campaign. I never received notification of said campaign. I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs and started a complaint. After being told by Nissan Consumer Affairs that my vehicle didn't qualify for the campaign, I paid Rockland Nissan $1411.60 for the repair. Soon thereafter, I purchased another electronic part associated with this push button start system. During this transaction, I provided the Rockland Nissan parts employee with my vin number. I learned that my vin number reflected that my vehicle has a key start ignition. I literally had to escort the parts employee outside and show them the vehicle to prove that it did have a push button start. I again contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs. I informed them of my findings. Stated it was unfair that my vehicle didn't qualify for their campaign because the vin shows up as the vehicle having a key start ignition. I sent photos of my vehicle, my original window sticker showing that my vehicle came with a push button start system. They responded that the campaign ended and my vehicle is now too old and has too many miles. I responded that this was not the case when the campaign was active. I also stated neither I nor the original owner were ever notified of the campaign. And they should have covered the repair for these reasons.

Filed Jan 23, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · 220,000 miles · TN

The 2009 altima escl failed in my car. The key fob remains programmed with the vehicle however the steering column will not unlock thus rendering the vehicle immobile. I was stranded in a remote area approximately one hour's drive from my appartment. This is a known issue of which a 'service campaign' was issued by nissan. However, my VIN was not part of that campaign.

Filed Aug 9, 2020 · Steering · 137,000 miles · GA

Intermittently the vehicle will not start. Based on replacing the brake switch, key fob, and battery the most common complaint falls with the escl failing to engage and report it's status. Since this is a push button start and there is no manual backup, it is impossible to get the vehicle to start without this properly reporting. Currently, I don't know whether or not my car will start on any given day and I have had to leave it in parking lots and get rides when it fails to start in the past.

Filed Jun 8, 2020 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · MD

The car won't start, even if I put the key fob in the key hole near the steering wheel. I took had a locksmith try to reprogram, but he said that wasn't the issue. I called the dealership, and they said they're were any recalls on the vehicle.

Filed Dec 5, 2019 · Steering · 133,000 miles · SC

On the day before thanksgiving, after walking out of target, I unlocked my car and found my car would not start with the key fob. My steering wheel was locked and my car would not start. I was a female stranded alone in a target parking lot. After about an hour of trying to get my car to start, a woman with literally a baby on her hip offered to use jumper cables. Then a man came to help when he saw her helping me. It was not a battery issue, so the jumper cables did not help. I went into the store and replaced my key fob battery just in case. It was not a key fob issue. Two hours later, my car had to be towed to a nissan dealership. They ran a diagnostic and confirmed it was a steering lock issue. Meanwhile, I'm researching on the internet that this is a known and recurring issue with 2009 nissan altimas. However, since my VIN number was not under the recall, it was not covered. It is the day before thanksgiving, my only family is out of town, and they want to charge over $400 for a known issue that is not being recalled or taken care of. I am forced to pay or I don't have a drivable car or a way to spend time with family for the holiday. I was put under immense financial and emotional stress due to this situation.

Filed Oct 7, 2019 · Steering · 147,000 miles · NY

My car was driving perfectly the night before this happened. As soon as I woke up the following morning my car wouldn't start up and a yellow key light was lit up. I've changed my key fob batteries, my car battery, and other things I could do. However I couldn't get bypassed around my steering wheel lock which I believe could posibly be defective. Seeing how my car won't even enter accessory mode at all and none of the electrocial components work apart from the interior and exterior lights.