Electronic steering control lock failed, leaving me stranded on the side of the road, apparently a common problem with 09 nissan, contacted nissan and opened a case, they called back and refused to help, with anything. What a joke nissan is turning out to be. There are literally thousands of posts on this problem, and nissan gives an unlimited mileage replacement that ended in 2014, I offered to pay for the labor if they would replace the part, obviously they have no interest in my future business.
2009 Nissan Altima steering complaints
Page 9 of 30: complaints 221 to 250 of 859, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Electronic steering column lock (escl) failed and was sticks and stranded. I am a full time student as well as working full time. Had to get my 09 altima towed to the dealship and lost out on work and made my daily life a financial hardship. It is going to cost me $1100 just for the part and labor. This is a known issue with 2009 altima's and needs to be recalled until nissan fixes the issue. This is very dangerous situation to be in, if I was camping and had no cell phone service my life could seriously be in danger. Please issue a recall for this part.
The steering lock mechanism failed while stopped and parked, resulting in my significant other being stranded twice in a 3 day period. The first day a light tapping on the device allowed the car to be started. But after the second time, nothing could be done to get the car to start. This has happened 5 total times now over the course of the past 2 years. What if this were to happen in below 0 conditions where help is not close by?
My car would not start and I was forced to sit in my car for hours as the stores had closed and it took over a hour to have my car towed. This left me in a situation in which I could have been harmed as a young woman in vulnerable situation. Nissan states that this is a manufacturer irregularity which means this is something that shouldn't be happening and is a manufacture issue. After getting it diagnosed by a certified nissan dealer, I was told it was my escl. Nissan should honor their word and fix the issue at no cost since it's a manufacture malfunctioning issue in which the customer has no control over.
Luckily the car was parked and wouldn't start for this incident. After having it towed they needed to replace the steering lock mechanism. We're glad it wasn't being driven on the highway at the time it failed and possibly locked up the steering column. That could have been deadly. The replacement cost of this part is outrageous and should have been covered or replaced by nissan. They've had a history of issues with this and should refund us the $1000 it cost just for the repair bill. It's ridiculous that people keep getting taken for something like this. Something needs to be done to remedy this situation.
The vehicle steering locked up in grocery store parking lot, leaving me stranded, it had to be towed to dealership, the day before thanksgiving leaving me with no transportation. The shuttle van had shut down for the day, being out of work and not having the funds for a rental car, I did get a loaner car. They called on friday and stated they did have the part needed for the repair and hopefully would have car ready by monday afternoon to the tune of $1021.00. I reviewed information on this problem seeing the mileage of vehicles starting at 88,000 to 156,000 miles, my vehicle has 57,000 miles. Needless to say I am very unhappy that this has not been made a recall by nissan as it certainly should. The car was parked.
In the evening of nov 26, 2016. It was a freezing cold night. My car could not start with "key and key sign" light on. It was on briefly before. But it went away after changing battery on the fob. This time I tried all tricks from internet and it does not work. Finally I took the electric steering lock from the steering rod. Depress the piston. The car can be turned on. From internet, there are so many 2009 altima owner has the same issue and nissan also knew it because it extended the warranty to march 2016. It could fail anytime and anywhere. It is a big safety issue. I suggest nissan to make the warranty lifetime and replace all defective steering lock.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. While attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start and the electronic steering lock warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the lock steering and screw steering lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,640.
My car will not start and had to be towed to a garage. I replaced the battery in the car and replaced the battery on the key fob. I have seen several complaints on this and it seems to be the steering control unit in which is pretty pricey....I just replaced the CVT transmission in which cost me $2200.00 this was also recall but I was over my miles to have this honored by nissan.
My nissan altima. 2009. Been having problems with the steering wheel lock coil the car did not want to start so a person walking by told me that he had the same problem with the steering wheel lock coil. So I looked it up and it was recalled when I called nissan they told me yesterday was the last day. And the part is $800 I think that is to much for a little part that locks and starts the car.
Two days before my car turned off and won't turn on again this key symbol and the word "key" showed up on my dashboard. Two days later, we went to sunday dinner parked, I forgot to roll the windows up. I go to turn the car on again and it wont start. I had to have it towed almost 30 miles and now they want me to pay them 1040 to fix the problem. I purchased my car 4 months ago, with no mention from anyone that there was a possibility of this becoming an issue. Which I think is funny that they are even selling people these cars with the extent of people having this problem and with no word to the fax that the extended warranty is up. This is ridiculous that 4 months into owning this car I have to put almost 1500 with tow, parts, and labor into it already. I would have never bought this year or model if I knew this was a standard issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan altima. The contact stated that the steering wheel lock malfunctioned. The key icon illuminated when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they diagnosed that the steering wheel lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,000.
Went to work. Once entering back into the vehicle it wouldn't start showed key icon on the steering wheel. I researched online and it is the electronic steering column lock failure. I called nissan and was notified that the recall ended in 2015. I was not notified. Once I spoke to gene at nissan company said the dealer never notified them I was a nissan owner. Had to have the car towed to a mechanice
Drove my 2009 altima to local nissan dealership for an evap canister ses light issue. Got out of the car to get early bird paperwork and car would not restart when I returned to it. The service advisor advised that the steering lock mechanism would have to be replaced. My receipt for the steering lock mechanism alone shows a charge of $1110.78. Filed a complaint with nissan USA that same day and was given a case number (24724130). I was told it would have to be handled by the regional office and to expect a call nlt 11/22/16 by cob. Received a call from shonecia at 12:32pm on 11/22. The call was basically to inform me that because they had originally extended the warranty on the issue and it had ended they were not responsible for the repairs. When I protested that this is a safety issue, she just repeated the previous comments along with the fact that they only acknowledge maintenance receipts from "certified nissan-trained service departments" when considering how to handle repair reimbursements. My understanding is that even though they know this is a defect in the car, they have no intention of doing more that the previously mention warranty extension. I stressed that this really is a safety issue because there was absolutely no warning--not a light, not a whisper, not a shout-out--absolutely nothing! I told her my only silver-lining to yesterday was that it happened at the dealership and not out in the middle of nowhere. Pretty sure she didn't care and neither does nissan. I did advise her that I would be filing a complaint with you and my state attorney general.
My have problem with the electronic steering lock column and righ now no move and what can you to help me? My is in my house right now but mo start.
Steering wheel lock recall. The steering wheel was able to be turned all the way around and would not lock causing the car to be un-driveable. Once the car was powered off and to a stop the car would not start back up again.
My car would not start due to the electrical steering column lock failure . This is also known by nissan and they still have not recalled this issue. Which is very unfortunate to the nissan owners and it is expensive to fix.
Steering wheel lock would not release to start. This occurred very far from home and without warning. Nassan is aware of this and does not act in favor of owners to remedy the problem thus allowing for costly expense and repairs.
Vehicle would not crank after steering mechanism malfunction.
The key light stays on. The car keeps give me low battery warning even I just changes the battery in key fob. Now the "🔑 /key" lights on. The car could not start.
The steering wheel lock prevents your push to start to operate and this was an extended warranty for lifetime but nissan since has actually made it only available till january 2016 which is def still coming up as an ongoing issue today
I went to the mall to drop off a painting and my car wouldn't start when I left and was giving me the key indicator so after a 20 second search on google I found that a lot of nissan owners had the same problem as me, which was the steering wheel column not receding to where it should be in order to lock the wheel. I think its absurd the piece is 600 at the dealership and 400 online. Then the key needs to be reprogrammed, if I would have known about such a tedious problem that nissan was not accepting responsibility for, I would have just gotten another kind of car.
Car stalled twice both parked in a parking lot. Battery works and key fob works with doors. But engine wont start with push button start. Electronic steering column lock defect.
"takata recall" the steering wheel locked in my altima and it left me stranded in the road! The battery wasn't dead, the control key wasn't bad either. The dealer says is a $1,300 repair job! It's the steeringg wheel lock that needs replacement and I have seen youtube videos and it has happened to thousands of people with 09' altimas!! Why did you take the manufacture replacement in 2015!? This is so horrible! I understand that I have to replace wheels, engine oil and other wear and tear items, but how in the world can a part that is inside my steering wheel have problems!? I don't event have a key! I use "keyless control". This is so upsetting! Please listen to your customers and have it fixed by the manufactures expense!!!
Steering lock assembly malfunctioned car will not start. Nissan has knowledge the problem but won't repair honor repairing a defective part.
The electronic steering lock has malfunctioned. The car would not start, leaving myself and two children stranded.
Electronic steering column lock failure. Leaves car disabled where ever you are. Car will not start. Must be towed. Nissan had an earlier recall but never published it to 2009 altima owners.
Steering wheel lock malfunctioned causing car not to start. Was having a severe asthma attack at the time and was in a life or death situation. Thankfully others were around that could take me to the er. This part was a known issue as evidenced by an extended warranty on this part but no customer notification was ever issued to me. I was lucky! To be in a situation where you are panicked and not thinking clearly and trying to get help only to be held hostage by a known faulty part that would not let my car start is infuriating.
When parking in reverse, car does not start after 2 minutes. The electronis steering column lock unit (escl) malfunctions and shows error symbol on dashboard showing that immobilizer is activated and steering is locked. It is unsafe, dangerous and scary situation. I have family, with little kids in the car and stranded on side of a road, with car parked while the traffic is flying by. Nissan dealership and service center representative informed that there is no warranty and no recall. The cost of replacing steering wheel lock system is $1250.00. This can not done by any other repair shops as all the parts must come from nissan. It is a nissan monopoly and ransom to get this repaired.
Takata recall my daughters 2009 nissan altima was running fine, she parked it and ran inside to grab her school lanyard and right back out to go back to school when it wouldnt start. The key fob was in the car, and it was as if the car didnt recognize it. We searched online and did our own trouble shooting and replaced the brake switch and key fob batteries which didnt help. Had the car towed to our dealership and it is the steering lock at the tune of $1,005 . There was no warning of any issue and there was nothing we could do other than have it tested and pay .after looking at the national highway traffic safety admin page and seeing all of the complaints I do not understand how this has not been recalled. My daughter couldve been stranded anyplace and that is not acceptable to have no way to start this vehicle .now..do we play the waitin game to see if and when it happens again? This seems to be a recurring issue for the nissans and hopefully they will have to take responsibility in fixing the problem. Our family cannot afford this ,as I'm sure nobodys family can.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2009 Nissan Altima?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history