The Lemon Index2009 Nissan Altima.
The 2009 Nissan Altima is about average by owner complaints: 146 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 86, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 21 to 34 mpg combined. The best Nissan Altima year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,601 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Altima year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 55K to 107K miles on the car (1,288 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 60K–105K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 59K–100K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 59K–110K miles
Recalls 4
- equipment 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM.
- suspension 2009
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS.
- body structure 2009
NISSAN IS RECALLING 225 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH AN OU…
Show all 4 recalls
- wheels 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 3,403 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 16-INCH ALLOY WHEELS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 117 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Altima, maxima; power steering hose service part change
- Service information on the removal and installation of service parts, on certain vehicles, for
- SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $1900–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Car only 3 years old. Steering lock malfunction. Was stranded. Car won't even start. Had to have towed. Part is super expensive. How is this possible on relatively new car?
2009 Nissan Altima owner · NHTSA complaint 10481507
More owner reports
I was driving the vehicle and I hit a curb and the steering wheel locked up the entire security system causing my car to shut down.
NHTSA complaint 10456684
Steering lock unit malfunctioned. Car would not start.
NHTSA complaint 10487521
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Nissan Altima reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 86; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Altima year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2009 Nissan Altima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (35%), electrical (25%) and airbags (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Altima have?
4 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Nissan Altima get?
21 to 34 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Nissan Altima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 55,000 and 107,000 miles. The middle report was at 78,600 miles, from 1,288 complaints.
Does the 2009 Nissan Altima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Nissan Altima cost in fuel a year?
About $1900 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Nissan Altima have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Altima year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2011 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works