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2009 Nissan Altima steering complaints

Page 2 of 30: complaints 11 to 40 of 859, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2009 Nissan Altima steering problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Sep 30, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · OK

The steering column lock actuator went out & left me stranded at night away from my home. I got in the car & it wouldn't start.

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 May 28, 2022 · Steering · NY

My vehicle suddenly failed to start due to a defective ESCL, which locked the steering column. The vehicle needed to be towed to a Nissan dealership to replace the part at a cost of $1500. Defective ESCLs are a known issue and a service campaign was implemented by Nissan to replace these defective parts in 2009-2010 Altimas and Maximas. Unfortunately, the campaign expired in 2020 and Nissan refuses to fix this part after the expiration. I never received notification of this issue despite purchasing and owning the vehicle throughout the entire 2017-2020 campaign. Despite Nissan referring to this as a non-safety issue because the part is not known to fail during operation of the vehicle, this problem can cause operators to be suddenly stranded with no option of immediate repair. I believe the Nissan campaign to replace these defective parts should be reopened with no expiration, as there are hundreds of thousands of vehicles impacted.

Filed Mar 8, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · CA

The vehicle steering got locked and would not want to start again, this could of happen anywhere and spend more money to tow and also a risk being in the freeway. This should be a recall due to a lot of complaints, or a free repair due to being very expensive, almost 200 for a safety issue. There is a TSB NTB10-053 ,

Filed Jan 20, 2022 · Steering · 80,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while his son was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact mentioned that the vehicle failed to start and was given a jump start by another vehicle. The contact stated that the steering column box needed to be tapped in order for the vehicle to operate. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in Technical Service Bulletin: 10119195. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jan 13, 2022 · Steering · CA

My vehicle is inoperable due to electronic steering column box. This locking mechanism is not engaging and has caused the vehicle to stop operation. I have been told this system is an anti theft device. It stopped working all of the sudden and I had to have the vehicle towed home thankfully I did not get into an an accident due to this mechanical failure.

Filed Jan 5, 2022 · Steering · NY

2009 Nissan Altima It's relating to the Steering Assembly lock that was defective. I have this vehicle and this issue came up in 2013 and it was fixed. I had this issue come up again in late 2021 and I need to fix it again out of pocket. I read in your article that in 2017 Nissan issued a fix to this. I paid about $600 in 2013 and now they're quoting $1800 plus tax. Would I still be eligible to have this covered by Nissan as it's a known recurring problem? Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Nov 29, 2021 · Steering · KY

Steering column is locked not allowing the car to turn on.

Filed Nov 19, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · 80,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle and attempting to start the vehicle, the contact depressed the Push to Start button and depressed on brake pedal to start the vehicle however, the vehicle would not start. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and replaced the battery and the key slot to attempt to fix the issue however, the battery replacement failed to fix the vehicle. The contact called a local dealer and was informed over the phone that the failure could be related to the electronic steering locking module and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Oct 22, 2021 · Steering · TX

Drove car to to store came back 20 minutes later car would not start. Red key appear on dash - Had to have car towed. Informed Steering wheel lockout. Nissian award of problem, but never issue recall. Base on my research found out they did a voluntary bring in your car to fix problem, but no recall. Who is going to know they have a problem until it happens< The bring in your cechile program ended May 2020 during the pandemic. Now it's going to cost $1300 to repair, not counting money spent for tow and car rental. I have bought 3 Nissian never will I buy another one.

Filed Sep 13, 2021 · Steering · WA

Went to work with no issues. Got off and went to grocery store and when I came out to leave, car would not start. The key indicator and steering lock indicator on indicating a malfunction. Car would not start for no reason. After a day I had to have the car towed to my house at my expense. It is terrible to have so many people have the same issue and being stranded by this malfunction, which is extremely unsafe. Terrible to see how nissan will not fix this obvious error on their part to protect their customers safety. Now I am being told that the recall to fix this wasnover may of 2020 and it is going to cost over a thousand dollars. I was never notified of a recall and this fox should be honored but it is not. Terribly disappointed. Nissan, get your act together!!!!

Filed Sep 7, 2021 · Steering · MI

Key warning light on dash which indicates steering lock module malfunction

Filed Jul 9, 2021 · Steering · NY

Steering lock mechanism malfunction leaving me stranded due to the car not starting. Intelligence key lock displaying indicating the issue being a malfunction. I was left stranded over 40 miles away from home. I’m stranded on an island and haven’t had any insurance rep look at it. Vehicle is being towed over 40 miles to a Nissan dealership. There was no warning. I went to work that day without any issues and when I was ready to leave the car would not start and the key light was on. I had to spend money on a rental car to get home. This is extremely unsafe to know this can happen due to a part Nissan is very aware of.

Filed Apr 19, 2021 · Steering · 192,000 miles · FL

I got in my car I drove up to the auto parts store which I took my neighbor to turn my car off went in came back out and the steering wheel was locked and would not unlock at which time I had it towed back to the house which cost me $125 and 3 hours. Come to find out the part is on recall that calls the car to do this and the manufacturer refuses to honor it saying I have to pay to replace it

Filed Mar 9, 2021 · Steering · 147,000 miles · IN

My steering column locked and my vehicle would not start. This also happened 8 years ago in the year 2013. I was stranded both times. The first time it was covered under the recall. But now there is no longer a recall in place. The repair is very costly.

Filed Mar 1, 2021 · Steering, Suspension · 210,000 miles · TX

The front suspension has caused my tyrode to come off cause the bracket that is on the strut bar that the stabalizer bolts onto has broke off from where its attached to. I can not keep the front right wheel tight it has came off with me driving down a city street which was seagoviille rd. In seagobille tx. All problems front suspension.

Filed Feb 19, 2021 · Steering · 165,000 miles · IA

Went to start my car the other day and it failed to start with a little key icon on the dashboard and my push to start button reading lock. I assumed that the battery was dead because it was about -20 degrees fahrenheit at the time, however when I went to jump it it still wouldn't even attempt to turn over when I pressed the start button. This appears to be a common issue with my make and model of car, however the manufacturer has issued a recall on only select cars for the make model and year despite it being widespread across the that line of vehicle for that year. While I was fortunate to be home when this happened, being stranded somewhere in this cold of weather without the ability to start your car could be very dangerous.

Filed Feb 9, 2021 · Steering · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that in 2014 the steering wheel locked while the vehicle was turned off. The contact was unable to start the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to jeffrey nissan (30800 gratiot ave, roseville, mi 48066) where the vehicle was repaired and returned to the contact. Recently, the contact stated that the same failure recurred with the security code error warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. There was no further assistance provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Feb 4, 2021 · Steering · 75,000 miles · NJ

My nissan altima 2009 doesn't start at all and the symptoms clearly shows that is the issue with escl that nissan altima has acknowleged, however the service campaign to replace it was for a limited time period and I was not informed about it. Today I was stranded as the car was just not starting.this is really frustrating. Could you please look into this.

Filed Jan 28, 2021 · Steering · 130,000 miles · DC

The steering column on the car has locked on me twice in two weeks, requiring two separate tows, $800 in repairs, $427 in towing and $69 in rental and uber. Car is back in the shop. I parked the car both times and when I came back the steering column was unable to be moved, brake pedal could not be depressed to start the car.

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 Jan 22, 2021 · Steering · 130,000 miles · UT

Sometimes when I turn off my car, a 'key' symbol will display on the dashboard and I am unable to start the car again. The steering wheel and brakes also become stiff. This problem occurs at random, but much more frequently the colder it is outside. The issue is with steering column lock actuator, which is under the panel below the steering wheel. To temporarily fix this issue I've seen other people tap it with an object such as a wrench, while pressing the start button and holding down the brake simultaneously. However, doing this does not always work. Having this problem with the nissan altima is a huge safety concern, I have had this happen when I was in an area with no cell reception and it was an extremely stressful situation. Nissan has recalled a select few of these parts, but the majority of people, including myself, were not included in the recall. Nissan should have to recall this faulty part as it is very unsafe, and makes the whole car unreliable.

Filed Jan 19, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · 116,000 miles · MO

Steering lock module failure, no start condition. Second occurrence, stranded again. Vehicle parked.

Filed Dec 27, 2020 · Steering · 88,000 miles · NJ

The electric column steering lock malfunctioned car cannot be started. Nissan knows about this problem they will not cover repair costs

Filed Dec 14, 2020 · Steering · 116,000 miles · CA

Out of nowhere a key light turned on the dashboard. Took it to the mechanic & was told it was probably the remote. Reprogrammed the remote & changed batteries but the light is still on. I've noticed the steering wheel no longer locks. They told me it'll cost to get it repaired. The car runs perfectly fine the only issue is that the light is on and the steering wheel doesn't lock. I was told if I don't get it fixed it can turn into a bigger problem. However, I've been seeing a lot of owners are having the same issue. The problem was not cause by me nor my driving. The part is faulty and should be recalled. Again. Since the recall for the steering wheel expired in may.

Filed Dec 8, 2020 · Steering · 95,000 miles · PA

Will not start steering wheel lock defective left me stranded

Filed Dec 7, 2020 · Steering · 116,000 miles · NJ

My husband and I purchased this as a used car.we have had the car for a few weeks with it working just fine up until last thursday when my husband was on his way to work and stopped for gas.he turned the car off and when he went to turn it back on, the car would not budge.we tried to jump it and got nothing. We replaced the battery and got nothing.looked on youtube to see what else it could be.came across a video talking about the steering lock on 2009 nissans are notorious for going out and preventing the car from starting. He tried to fix it and check the fuses under the steering and got it to start. We were so happy and thought it was just a fluke until he tried driving it somewhere else. He left the house, started just fine and went to his destination. Once he was done and tried to leave. There it was again. Car did not start. The steering was locked. Stuck.turns out there was a recall that ended in may of 2020 of this exact issue.I call nissan corporate office to see what I can do to get them to replace it since it is a safety issue and a manufactured issue and they were trying to tell me that the recall has expired and the issues that I'm reading a lot of people still having with this is no longer valid.and we will have to pay out of pocket.this is not right.being that's it's not our issue.I can understand if it was something we caused but we didn't, the previous owner never received notice of the recall. And now we have it and it falls on us because nissan decides to expire a known recall that is still happening. This is such a safety concern. We have children and like to go on road trips. What if we get stranded with our children in the middle of no where, no food no drinks no nothing and something bad happened because nissan refused to fix an issue that was their fault. Let me tell you. Huge law suit. I will not stop until someone gets this issues resolved.

Filed Dec 2, 2020 · Steering · 140,000 miles · CA

A faulty steering lock on the altima prevented me from starting my car. I was stranded in a remote area for 7.5 hours at near freezing weather.

Filed Nov 15, 2020 · Steering · 57,000 miles · PR

Some times dont start the key sibol appesrs altima 2009 coupe I lived in purto rico

Filed Sep 27, 2020 · Steering · 167,500 miles · MD

I was returning home from going out with friends and I got in my car to leave which I drove to my friends house a few hours before returning. She lives in an apartment complex so I was parked in the parking lot. I tried to start my car and it wouldn't start. There was a light on the dashboard that said key(it's yellow) . I could barely press down on the brake and I wasn't able to move the steering wheel. I called my friend who has the exact same make , model and year nissan as me and he said he had the exact same issue with his car a few months ago. Thank god I wasn't at an unknown place or I would have been trapped. I had to call a tow truck to get home. I wanted to report this because I'm not the only one this has happened to.

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