YearToAvoid

2009 Nissan Altima Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

95/100

#2 most-complained of 21 Altima years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2009 Nissan Altima has 1,547 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 95 out of 100 — #2 highest of 21 Altima model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is steering (859 complaints, 56% of the total). Complaints report 36 crashes, 8 fires, 21 injuries, and 2 deaths.

Complaints
1,547
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
36 / 8
Injuries / deaths
21 / 2
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 29 hwy

Top 2009 Nissan Altima problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering859 (56%)
  2. Electrical System474 (31%)
  3. Engine158 (10%)
  4. Other153 (10%)
  5. Structure & Body104 (7%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain95 (6%)
  7. Airbags91 (6%)
  8. Brakes72 (5%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires54 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers48 (3%)
2009 Nissan Altima complaints: complaints filed per quarter2232008 Q42011 Q12013 Q22015 Q32017 Q42020 Q12022 Q22024 Q4
2123 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q4 to 2026 Q1; peak 2013 Q1 (223).

2009 Nissan Altima recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 10V401000Sep 10, 2010Other7,948 vehicles

    Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)

    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.

  2. NHTSA 09V358000Sep 16, 2009Suspension, Wheels & Tires26,398 vehicles

    Suspension

    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).

  3. NHTSA 09V006000Jan 9, 2009Structure & Body225 vehicles

    Structure:body:door

    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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2009 Nissan Altima →

2009 Nissan Altima fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,075
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2009 compared with other Altima years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Good45471324
2008Avoid851,028424
2009Avoid951,547424
2010Caution60380323
2011Good30241124.5

All Nissan Altima years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Nissan Altima a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Nissan Altima ranks #2 of 21 among Altima model years (Complaint Index 95/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 1,547 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Altima?
The most reported problem areas are steering (859 complaints), electrical system (474 complaints), and engine (158 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 79,000 miles.
Does the 2009 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2009 Nissan Altima, most recently reported 2010, covering other, suspension, wheels & tires, and structure & body.
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Nissan Altima?
EPA rates the 2009 Nissan Altima at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,075. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.