SUBJECT: Improper Recall Remedy Denial – the federal safety agency Recall #25V437000 (Nissan R25A8/R25A9) Vehicle: 2020 Nissan Altima 2.0L VC-Turbo Mileage at Failure: 147,540 Incident Description: The vehicle experienced a sudden catastrophic engine failure resulting in a permanent no-start condition. The vehicle had been parked normally and completely failed to start the following morning. An independent certified mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed substantial metal shavings and bearing debris in the oil pan. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Nissan dealership service department for remedy under open the federal safety agency Campaign #25V437000. The dealership dropped the oil pan, re-confirmed the presence of metal bearing debris, and initially acknowledged this triggered an engine replacement under the recall. The claim was submitted to Nissan corporate warranty/Powertrain Call Center (PCC). Basis of Complaint (Recall Non-Compliance): Nissan North America and the dealership have officially declined the zero-cost recall remedy mandated by federal law, demanding nearly $10,000 for an engine replacement. Nissan claims the engine failed due to "loss of compression" rather than bearing breakdown. This claim is mechanically flawed: 1. In the KR20DDET VC-Turbo multi-link architecture, lower-link and crankshaft bearing degradation directly disrupts piston stroke geometry, scores cylinder walls, and causes severe loss of compression and eventual no-start. 2. The documented metal debris in the oil pan meets the exact diagnostic trigger in Nissan's recall bulletin for a full engine replacement. 3. Nissan has provided no diagnostic evidence showing an alternate source for the metal shavings in the pan. Nissan is evading its legal obligation under 49 U.S.C. § 30120 to remedy a known safety defect without charge. I request immediate ODI intervention regarding recall non-compliance.
Nissan Altima won't start problems
933 of the 15,497 owner complaints about the Nissan Altima describe won't start, most of them for the 2009 model year.
- owner complaints
- 933
- worst model year
- 2009
- typical repair cost reported
- $995
- typical mileage
- 77,000
By model year
Often reported together
Steering lock-up 321Key fob 106Stalling 69Check engine light 64Loss of power 25Warning lights 15Jerking 15Headlights 13
Trouble codes mentioned
P0776 2P0965 1P0340 1P0335 1P0309 1B26E9 1
What owners say
Got the car from kingdom Chevy on 66 and western on February 2024 used at 62.000. I took the car back twice because the screen in the car kept cutting off fading on and fading off. Secondly, the Bluetooth plug would not work. I did not have the car a month. They kept telling me that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. I took my vehicle to the dealer and was told that there were no recalls on the vehicle and that basically my car was one of the cars that got put in the bad batch. I was also told that the only recall on this car was the hood. No one could open the hood, even if I pull the latch in the car. I explained to the guy at the Nissan dealer again that the board kept cutting on and off and all he said was it was the Bluetooth. Today my car does not start without me getting a jump. Lastly, I’ve been stopped by the cops three times on my way from work at night because the lights are auto and they they do not work properly. I really do not know what to do at this point. I called last week to speak to someone and I spoke to someone named David, who was not at all trying to help me, but was trying to sell me a car😡. He informed me that since it wasa used vehicle, the warranty has already iexpired. More importantly they are no longer kingdom Chevy. It is now under new ownership, and that they do not have access to the Records. I ended up with this vehicle because the vehicle that they recently leased to me. The engine went out once I got my oil changed at Valvoline.
The issue appears to involve the vehicle’s battery system. The issue is abnormal battery drain and corrosion buildup on the battery terminals. The failure results in the vehicle being unable to start without warning. The battery and affected components are available for inspection upon request. This issue creates a safety risk because the vehicle can become inoperable without warning, leaving me stranded. This could occur in unsafe or vulnerable situations, such as being stuck in traffic, in an isolated area, or during extreme weather conditions. The unpredictability of the failure increases the risk, as there is no reliable warning before the vehicle will not start. I've been stranded multiple times. Yes. An independent mechanic can confirm the issue. There were little to no warning indicators prior to failure. The issue primarily presents as unexpected battery drain and corrosion, followed by the vehicle failing to start. Any symptoms that did occur were inconsistent and did not provide sufficient warning of the impending failure.
I am having issues with the back-up camera display on the radio screen freezing up occasionally while backing up and once it went black while backing up. I have also had dozens of issues with the drivers door not opening. Occasionally when i try to exit the vehicle the door will not fully unlatch to open. It will only partially unlatch to open a crack. I have tried locking/unlocking, shutting off the vehicle and starting the vehicle, roll down the window and try to exit using the outside handle, but was unable to exit the vehicle. The only way I could get out of the vehicle was to exit through the passenger door. After several minutes or longer it will finally open to exit. This is a severe entrapment issue. These issues have happened on multiple occasions, but did not start until after the factory warranty ended.
Attempted to start 2023 Nissan Altima. Engine did not turn over. Dashboard lights came on and then shut off. No further response. Had Altima towed to Nissan Dealer and after two weeks of sitting at the dealership. We were informed that the BCM unit needed to be replaced and fobs reprogrammed. Cause of BCM FAILURE UNKNOWN.
Car began shuddering when trying to accelerate. Car periodically will stop running or not start. No dash lights came on until recently when car would not start the battery nd engine light came on This all started end of September. Has been diagnosed by Nissan Dealership with 2nd diagnosis by an automotive shop close to my home. Informed this is a known issue with this make and model. Researched online and found this the be true. I received no notification. Both came up with transmission and CVT internal problem. Safety hazard for car to die in traffic. I have cancer and heart failure which makes general mobility an issue. I can’t quickly exit the car nd get out of the way of traffic. Informed only the dealership can address the issue. Quoted $6700 to repair/replace
I’ve had my battery and alternator checked and both are good. Multiple times now my car has either not started until it gets a jump. Took it to a shop and was told its electrical issues. I was at my a football game for my kids out of state and my car would not start after having it off for over an hour,me n my kids were stuck for 3 hours before they got someone out to jump start the car. I take it to another shop tomorrow for additional testing. No lights have appeared and no warning before it happens.
backup camera fails consistently backup camera screen goes grey. it is dangerous because you cannot see behind or to the side when backing up. it has been to the dealer and they claim they cannot replicate the issue. the problem is more consistent now and it is out of the 36000 mile warranty. the camera system is now failing daily. no warning lamps. the vehicle also has a no start condition, and it won't detect the key fob intermittently resulting in me being stranded 3 times. also taken to the dealer and the problem could not be replicated. the camera problem does not seem to be affected by weather conditions wet or dry hot or cold the problem started at approx. 10000 miles took it to the dealer at 34000 miles now i have 48000 miles car is 2 years old.
There is a recall for altimas from years 2019-2021 with an issue where the engine will not start after the battery light on the dashboard comes on. After a few minutes the car will start up and ride like normal. This also happens in the 2018 model of the altima. This happened to us multiple times. The battery is good, and there is no reason for the engine not to start right aqay. Why is there no recall for the 2018 models?
Vehicle door locks stopped working with key fob and with interior controls. Radio volume control on unit doesn’t work only the steering wheel control. Radio will randomly change station by itself. Radio will randomly turn on when car is off. Car will not start and has to be jumped for no apparent reason. Battery has had to been replaced twice in the last 4 years. Dealership has not been able to replicate any of the issues other than the door locks that where repaired under an extended warranty that we purchased. There has to be some kind of electrical issue with these cars as I have seen many other reports of same issues from other people
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.
- Risk
- Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800‑647‑7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1‑800‑662‑6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.
Recall number 25V437000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.5l engine, the crankshaft position sensor can overheat causing a brief interruption in the signal output from the sensor.
- Risk
- If the interruption in the signal from the crankshaft position sensor is so brief that the electronic control module (ECM) logic does not have time to diagnose the condition, the engine may stop running without warning while the vehicle is driven at a low speed increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the ECM free of charge. Certain my 2006 altimas which have been previously remedied under recall campaign 06v223 (nissan r0606) are not included in this recall since the reprogramming for 06v223 also included this reprogramming. The recall began on december 31, 2007. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 07V527000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles, if a sufficiently hot object enters the air filter housing through the engine fresh air intake system and contacts the engine air filter, the flammability characteristics of the air filter material are such that the filter may ignite.
- Risk
- If the air filter material ignites, a fire may occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the air filter with a new one that has improved anti-flammability material characteristics. The recall began on july 3, 2007, and will continue through october 1, 2007. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 07V267000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.5l engine, the crank angle sensor is affected by temperature variations. Under certain driving conditions, these variations in temperature can be large enough to cause a brief interruption in the signal output from the sensor.
- Risk
- If the interruption in the signal from the sensor is so brief that the electronic control module (ECM) logic does not have time to diagnose the condition, the engine may stop running without warning while the vehicle is driven at a low speed increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the ECM free of charge. The recall began on august 21, 2006. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 06V242000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5l engines may experience excessive engine oil consumption as a result of improper performance of the piston rings.
- Risk
- If the oil is not maintained at least at the minimum level, engine damage can occur and in extreme cases result in an engine fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the electronic control module (ECM or engine computer). Your vehicle will also be inspected to determine if it has been consuming engine oil at a higher than normal rate. In a small percentage of vehicles, engine replacement will be needed. On june 9, 2006, nissan notified owners of the possibility of excessive oil consumption and the importance of maintaining the oil at a proper level. Follow-up letter to owners advising them of the status of the recall was sent during august 2006. Followup letter to owners was sent on november 15, 2006. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 06V223000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor may have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by the existence of flux residue during the soldering process.
- Risk
- This could cause the "service engine soon" warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause reduced engine power, or cause the engine to stop running without warning during vehicle operation, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s). Vehicles involved in a previous recall campaign, 01v357, are also included in this new campaign. The replacement sensors used in that campaign are also affected. Owner notification began on december 22, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261 or infiniti at 1‑800‑662‑6200.
Recall number 03V455000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles equipped with the 2.5 liter engine, the exhaust pipe hanger pin may catch debris from the road that could be ignited by contact with the main catalyst. Also on 2002 altima and sentra vehicles, certain engine operating conditions may cause the pre-catalyst to overheat and damage the catalyst substrate.
- Risk
- Either of these two conditions could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove the protruding portion of the exhaust pipe hanger pin. In addition to the corrective action, in order to reduce the risk of fire in the event of poor or improper maintenance that could result in oil spillage, heat shield(s) will be installed on the pre-catalyst and exhaust tube. Owner notification began on july 28, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261. Nissan recall nos. R3007, r3014, r3015, r3016, r3017. Also on 2002 altima and sentra vehicles, certain engine operating conditions may cause the pre-catalyst to overheat and damage the catalyst substrate. If substrate particles enter the combustion chamber, they could score the cylinder walls, resulting in increased oil consumption. If the engine oil level is not checked on a periodic basis and drops below the low level, and the driver continues to operate the vehicle ignoring noticeable engine noise, engine damage may occur which could result in a fire. The pre-catalyst will be tested to ensure it is working properly and replaced if necessary. If damage is found inside the pre-catalyst, it will be necessary to replace the engine.
Recall number 03V084000 · Recall details
Questions about the Nissan Altima won't start
Which Nissan Altima years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2009 (564 complaints), 2002 (56 complaints) and 2003 (55 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Nissan Altima?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $995 (median of 269 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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