It was the first chill in chicago and the car was parked in the street. When I tried to start the car it would only light up the intelligent key warning light in the dash indicating an issue with the intelligent key-less system. Upon further research (a simple google search "nissan altima intelligent key warning light issues") indicated that is a very common issue with altimas and is related to the "steering lock" mechanism. I had to tow the car to the dealership and a quick call to the service department quickly confirmed that this was something they service frequently. The dealer himself indicated that the last part in their inventory was just fitted in another car. This is used certified nissan altima and the extended warranty did not cover the repair. The total cost of the repair was $1299.30.
2009 Nissan Altima electrical complaints
Page 16 of 17: complaints 431 to 460 of 466, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Went to go start my car and the intelligent key indicator light came on. Couldn't even use the back up method to start the car. Had to get it towed to the dealer. Couldn't do anything with the car and was left in an abandoned lot. Not a very safe place to be stuck. Also, there wasn't a warning prior to this. From the sounds of it there are many others that have had this issue at right around the same mileage mark. I think it's time for nissan to consider a recall. This is absolutely ridiculous. I have my car at the dealer now and from the sounds of it will be in for a repair of around 1,000 or more. Will not be buying a nissan again unless the do something about this.
Was out shopping at costco, came out of store and car would not start. Intelligent key indicator light was displaying on the dash. The brake pedal would not depress and push button would not start the car. Tried to manually override by inserting the key fob in the slot - still would not start. As I was stranded had to call husband to come get me. Had him bring other key fob, still would not work. Had to have the vehicle towed to the dealership as car is completely disabled and will not run.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing but was not repaired. The contact did not know the cause of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH when the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle but to no avail. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 60,250.
While driving my nissan 2009 altima today the warning light (yellow key) came on after hitting a pot hole, when I had to press on my brakes to stop at a red light the car killed and the red car warning light started flashing , when the car came to a complete stop I put it in park and tried to depress the start button. Nothing happened, the car was not recognizing the intelligent key. The yellow key warning light means the steering mechanism is failing so the intelligent key won't work. So here I was sitting in the middle of traffic with a car that won't start and I cannot get out of park to put in neutral to push out of the traffic. I had to have the car towed. After much research I am finding this is an issue known by nissan they no longer put this part in the 2010 have done recalls for this on other models and years but not this one. This is a safetyy issue and should be a recall are they waiting for someone to get hurt before they issue a recall?
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that the key-less entry system failed and the vehicle could not be started. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed. The failure was located at the steering lock system and the contact was advised that the key-less computer needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The consumer stated the vehicle would not start after multiple attempts, the dash read " no key". Even though he tried the spare key and tried to jump start the battery, all attempts failed. The dealer informed the consumer it was not a wear and tear problem, and it was nothing that he did or didn't do to create the problem. Updated 03/14/13 ...updated 04-03-13 *bf updated 04/12/2013
Have had this car for 2+ years now, lived in arizona and florida. I now live in maryland. This morning was slightly colder than normal, with sleet coming in last night. My wife attempted to start the car this morning while I was away at work and could not get it to start. Looking at the dash indicators, it showed the orange intelligent key light on, and when I tried to start the car, the ignition button would not switch out of lock. Tried to get the car into neutral, but brakes appear to be firm in place and will not unlock the shifter out of park. Looked online for a few solutions, but none have worked so far (unhooking battery, moving the steering column). Called the nissan dealership near here and they want me to tow it in before they can even guess at the cause (which I would have no issue with if this was an uncommon thing, but there are numerous reports of this online, most pointing to the same thing: a shoddy part that I need to pay $500 plus labor to replace ). Eventually this will have to get fixed, but what is most disheartening is the fact that this could have happened anywhere and left my wife stranded for some time. I just lucked out and it was sitting at home. Mileage is ~21k.
Entered vehicle, stepped on the brake pedal, yellow "step on brake pedal" lit up, pushed start button, the "acc" lit, and it went to "start" and nothing happened! All the dash lights turned on but no starter engagement or noise. I tried it several times and nothing happened. I called aaa for a tow. When tow truck driver came, I got into the car and it started! I went to the dealer and a cracked battery was found and replaced. In the last month the car has not started several times. My wife has gotten in an out of the car several times and it would finally started. Today,I went to the dealer and explained the situation and asked if there was a service bulletin concerning this issue. The service writer stated that there wasn't. He did say that the brake light switch (p/n 25320-ax00c) has been a problem on some vehicles. I had them check it and it was bad. I had to pay $127.18! Having this part failing in under 23,000 miles is very poor. I have had nissan vehicles with over 100,000 miles and not had a brake light switch failure! This has left my wife stuck several times and very upset.
On a recent cold morning I got into my 2009 nissan altima, at 7:00 am and drove son to school. Came home and parked vehicle. Got back in car at 3:00 pm and car would not start. The car had been fine that morning. Push start would not get out of "lock" position. Headlights, inside lights, brake lights all worked. Steering wheel was not locked. Would not get out of "park". Battery was tested and not the problem. Fuses were checked and brake switch checked and not the problem. Looked on internet and found multiple incidents where steering lock mechanism was faulty on 2009 nissan altima, and was not engaging and therefore the car would not start and was locked by immobilizer. The only option is a $500.00 plus part from nissan and another $500-600.00 to install. Car was towed to dealership at cost of $109.00 to me, and the estimate from the dealer to fix the now diagnosed steering lock malfunction was $1,100.00 making this a total cost of $1,209.00 on a vehicle that has less than $60,000 miles. I looked on the internet and found the following information by another dissatisfied customer : 1. Nissan did a recall on their more expensive model nissan gtrs was recalled, part number 48700-jf00a or 48700-jf00b, being replaced by 48700-jf00c and called campaign id p0309. 2. Same part number is failing for nissan 370zs as well, same years and same part number 48700-jf00a or 48700-jf00b, yet they are not being recalled. 3. This problem is also occurring in nissan maximas and nissan muranos however I could not find the part number. 4. In all models of nissan this part was removed in mid 2010 due to consistent failure. There should be a make-wide recall for all models for this part, not just the gtr because it's the most expensive of them. Call 1-800-nissan 1 and complain, I am...
Our altima has failed to recognize our intelligent keys and will not start. The doors will lock and unlock. The alarm will sound and the trunk will open but the car will not start. I'm being told this is due to a faulty steering lock mechanism that has been recalled in some nissan models but not the altima. The part itself is $500 and the labor will take it to almost $1000 or more. This is completely absurd. What would happen if this happened to my wife and infant daughter on the wrong side of town. What if this part had failed when we were in the mountains or off the beaten path. If a part is going to be recalled in one model, it needs to be recalled in all models. This is extremely unsafe and to know that nissan is aware of this issue is unacceptable. We also own a murano that uses an actual key to start --- I'm considering replacing both after learning about this. I hope someone will respond to this.
Car will not start,turn over,or do anything. Im a girl and was 70 miles from home stranded in middle of no where had no cell service and was stuck there for 2 hours. Thankfully I flagged someone down to get a ride into town where I was able to use a phone and get car towed home.
After our first real freeze of the winter (low 20's), the car was locked up for no reason. Pressing the push button ignition, inserting the fob into the key holder, nothing will start the car. The brake pedal is heavy, no lights comes up on the instrument panel and the steering wheel is totally locked out. Had to get the altima towed into a local dealership and come to find out it's a steering wheel lock out control unit that needs to be replaced. Car just came off the 36month warranty in september'12 and I am now turning in the 39month lease and now a $1k repair. Thanks nissan... Also, had the nissan original battery replaced twice! Original battery only has an 18month prorated warranty! Not sure if it all relates somehow. This steering wheel lock control should be a manufacturer's responsibility to keep it for the life of the car.
When I entered my car I noticed that the push brake light wasn't on like it normally is for the intelligent key start. I pushed down on the brake and it felt very stiff. A yellow key light kept flashing and everytime I would try and start the car it would stay in lock and wouldn't even try to start. I didn't hear the ignition, nothing. I tried to check the battery, I used a different key, I put the key in the slot and nothing worked. I was stranded. The car was working fine and had no previous indicators that something could go wrong. As I searched online for a fix I found many people who had the same problem and had to pay a huge amount of money to get it fixed. Nissan promotes how safe, reliable and economical their cars are, but the anti-theft system of the steering wheel lock can disable the vehicle leaving a driver stranded with only one option, which is, to be towed to a dealer. This a serious safety flaw in the 2009 nissan altima. Nissan was supposed to be a reputable company. However, with these types of malfunctions, and no support for their customers, I feel very unsatisfied and unsafe with my purchase. Nissan needs to provide a recall and fix these sensor issues.
Steering lock unit malfunctioned. Car would not start.
Upon attempting to start the car, ignition would not change from "lock" to "acc" or "on". Intelligent key warning lamp was lit steady on dash. Steering wheel column was not locked. All power and other functions worked (lights, door locks, etc). Battery is fine. Independent testing found steering lock control module part 48700-9n00b faulty. Similar/same part on nissan gtrs was recalled, part number 48700-jf00a or 48700-jf00b, being replaced by 48700-jf00c same part number is failing for nissan 370zs as well, same years and same part number 48700-jf00a or 48700-jf00b, yet they are not being recalled. This problem is also occurring in nissan maximas and nissan muranos however I could not find the part number. In all models of nissan this part was removed in mid 2010 due to consistent failure. The part costs approximately $500 from nissan, is usually out of stock and back ordered, and also costs another $400-$500 to be installed at a dealer. There should be a make-wide recall for all models for this part, not just the gtr because it's the most expensive of them.
Without any warning my 2009 nissan altima would not start. I could not depress the brake in order to start the car. The car recognized the intelligent key was inside the car, I could lock/unlock the doors and trunk, dome lights worked. Basically I was stranded. I contacted the dealer I purchased car from (whom are not familiar with nissan vehicles) and an extended warranty, they had me troubleshoot. I called lock & key company, not familiar working with this nissan problem. Called nissan dealer while waiting, they advised me a typical problem with this yr/make and I was at the mercy of nissan to repair, he forgot to tell me that it wasn't covered under any warranty program and no recall. Vehicle towed to dealership/service dept I purchased car from, they towed to local nissan dealer. Now they want $750 for repairs on something that even nissan is aware of (I called nissan no. America) and they will investigate if perhaps something else triggered the sensor to not work properly. My car will stay at dealer until I get an answer and the $750. It could have happened at any time, no warning lights, car didn't act up in any way. This poses huge risks, people could be stranded at night or on the side of a road.
After work my wife's car would not start. The intelligent key warning light was on but the push button was non responsive even with the fob in the key fob slot. We had the vehicle towed to the dealer and was told it the steering lock control unit had gone bad and is preventing the ignition swith from working. This part should be recalled by nissan since it prevents starting the car leaving you stranded.
Went out to start car in the am to leave for work and car wouldnt start. All electrics however still did,. Steering wheel was locked I couldnt get it out of park. Tried to jump it. That didnt work eitther. So we replaced the battery. That didnt work. Still wouldnt start. Dealer came and towed it to the dealership today. Said its the steering lock assembly going bad. I need it replaced. Its not covered under warrenty. 723.00 it will cost me. Dealership stated they have had this issue with many many 2009 altimas.. Why is this not a recalled part?
2009 nissan altima coupe was in parking lot and would not start. The intelligent key warning light was on dash. Had car towed to dealer. They advised steering lock control unit (part #48700-9n00b) was bad. This is a common problem on '09 altimas as well as 370z. Dealer offered 10% discount and advised $600 total. I called nissan customer care and escalated to regional office. This is a real safety issue because who knows where and when you can be stranded. Nissan has recalled this part on other models and discontinued this feature on subsequent models. This is a safety issue and something needs to be done!
Car will not start. The ikey light and the "red key" security light come on. The ikey opens the door locks, trunk. Holding the unlock key down resulted in the windows rolling down. Could not get the widows to go back up. Disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes, replacing the battery in the key fob, using either key did not work. Towed car to the dealer for diagnostics.
This morning was very cold. I warmed my car up, went to vote. When I left the poll, I get to my car and it won't start, says that there is no fob in the car. The red security light is flashing. So I put the fob in the "doghouse" that is supposed to work as a back up method.. Nothing.. Still won't start.. Disconnected the battery, reconnected and tried again.. Nothing. Did all my research to find many many page so complains about it.. It's the steering lock mechanism. Seems they did away with that feature in late 2010 models.. Guess they know why.. So now I'm stuck with a $700 bill for an issue hundreds of people are having. As a matter of fact, my car was the second 09 of the day with the same exact issue. Coincidence?? I think not.
My car it would not start. There was absolutely no activation of the ignition system. After following all trouble shooting advice in the car's manual, I towed the car to dealer where they stated an open circuit in steering control unit is not telling the control unit that the steering wheel is unlocked and ready to start. The steering lock control unit (part# 487009n00b) needed to be replaced. This is all part of the vehicle anti-theft immobilizer system. The cost to replace this unit was $1,062.90. I feel this is a serious safety flaw in the 2009 nissan altima. 1. This was a fully functioning car (except for anti-theft glitch) that left me and my daughter stranded in a very remote area. 2. Nissan promotes how safe, reliable and economical their cars are, but the anti-theft system can disable the vehicle leaving driver stranded with only one option, which is, to be towed to a dealer because of ant-theft system glitches. 3. The car, being economical, should not require an over $1,000 repair because of an anti-theft device circuit malfunction. 4. There are several conditions that can occur that will result in the nissan altima becoming immobilized stranding drivers. I am stating only one. This is particularly dangerous especially to female drivers. 5. I feel that nissan should come up with an override code or device that will allow a driver to escape from potentially dangerous situations that were created by nissan's vehicle immobilizer system. Especially when the car is fully functional except for an anti-theft immobilizing circuit falsely telling that the vehicle is not ready to start. I believe this is a serious safety flaw in their vehicle security system.
Car will not start. The intelligent key warning light is on and preventing me from starting the car.
09 nissan altima just over 44k miles the steering wheel lock malfunctioned. No lights on dashboard, brake pedal very stiff, the vehicle will recognize that the key is inside and outside and is inserted at the location on the left side on driver and is able to lock and unlock but it will not start at all. Towed to dealer and as I am over my 36k warranty but not over the 3 year warranty I had to pay over $800 to fix for a vehicle that is not even over 3 years old. I will not buy another nissan again.
Failure of car battery 18,730 miles I noted a strong smell of rotten eggs a few months ago and found that the positive post on the battery had considerable corrosion. I cleaned it off as best I could and hoped that would solve the problem. The smell of rotten eggs has continued and the corrosion returned and even more. It would appear that the positive post is no longer sealed into the battery. The battery is no longer a sealed maintenance free battery and thus is allowing sulfuric acid fumes to leak out around the post and corrode the terminal and all connecting cables.
Brake lights not lighting & push to start not working at times. Nissan said this is a known issue with the brake light switch & sub harness. After investigating the issue on the internet I found numerous reports of this problem. When the switch fails you are not aware of your brake lights not working.
I drove my 09 altima to the mall parked it, an hour later I tried turning it on and it wouldn't start. No crank, and it wouldn't even go to acc. I tried jump starting it and even change out the battery but no luck.
My 2009 nissan altima would not start. Vehicle is equipped with factory intelligent key starting system ,and the intelligent key warning light would blink on the dash.had vehicle towed to nearest nissan dealer. A faulty steering lock control unit (part #48700-9n00b) needed to be replaced. This is becoming a common issue with 2008-2009 nissan altima's and other nissan vehicles produced in those years. A recall should be started!
2009 nissan altima 2.5s was backed into in a parking lot, low speed collision, minor damage to rear bumper. A few days after this incident, when trying to start car with keyless ignition system, it took nearly 30 minutes to start. It is required that the brakes be depressed to start car, but when pushing on brakes, the brake lights do not turn on, and when ignition button is pushed it only turns on the accessories, which is the normal action expected if brake pedal was not being pressed. It is not clear if this is because of the collision or just highly coincidental. I believe that this is a problem with the brake switch. This is now an intermittent problem, but has made the car unreliable with the possibility to leave a driver stranded.
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