The Lemon IndexAll cars · Nissan Altima · 2009
2009 Nissan Altima. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 5
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | FWD | 23 / 32 / 26 | Regular | $2,400 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Auto (variable gear ratios) | FWD | 23 / 31 / 26 | Regular | $2,400 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios) | FWD | 35 / 33 / 34 | Regular | $1,850 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Auto (variable gear ratios) | FWD | 19 / 26 / 22 | Premium | $3,500 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | FWD | 18 / 27 / 21 | Premium | $3,700 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 55,000 and 107,000 miles. Median 78,600, from 1,288 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 80,000 | 60,000–105,000 | 727 |
| Electrical | 78,000 | 59,000–100,000 | 411 |
| Engine | 80,000 | 59,800–110,000 | 91 |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 111,000 | 60,000–149,800 | 76 |
| Airbags | 66,500 | 17,500–103,900 | 72 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Steering | 35% |
| Electrical | 25% |
| Airbags | 14% |
| Speed control | 10% |
| Brakes | 9% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,601 | 38 | 8 | 19 | 2 | 37 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 4
10V401000 Sep 2010 Equipment / Electrical / Navigational System(Global Positioning System)
Defect. NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Risk. OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy. NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
09V358000 Sep 2009 Suspension
Defect. NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS. THE UPPER FRONT STRUT INSULATORS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT INSULATOR TO CRACK.
Risk. IF THE STRUT INSULATOR IS CRACKED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT ROD TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION, WHICH COULD AFFECT VEHICLE STABILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT STRUT INSULATORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).
09V006000 Jan 2009 Structure / Body / Door
Defect. 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 OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION WELD ON THE DOOR ASSEMBLY.
Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy. ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIPS AND REMEDIED AT THE FACTORY. NO VEHICLES HAD BEEN RETAILED.
08V464000 Sep 2008 Wheels
Defect. NISSAN IS RECALLING 3,403 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 16-INCH ALLOY WHEELS. SOME THESE WHEELS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THIS COULD CAUSE ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE LUG NUTS ATTACHING THE WHEEL TO THE VEHICLE TO BECOME LOOSE.
Risk. IF THE LUG NUTS BECOME LOOSE, IT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF IT IS EQUIPPED WITH ONE OF THE AFFECTED WHEELS. IF IT IS, THE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES THAT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Manufacturer communications 117
Nissan filed 117 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- 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…
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | No | No |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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