Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2009 Nissan Altima. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗PORTABLE AUTOMOTIVE GPS PRODUCTS/OVERHEATS
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
SUSPENSION/STRUT INSULATOR CRACKING
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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).
PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR/FMVSS 214
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
ALLOY WHEELS
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (1,547)
1,547 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The steering is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 1,547 |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 859 | 55.5% |
| Electrical system | 466 | 30.1% |
| Unknown or other | 146 | 9.4% |
| Engine | 107 | 6.9% |
| Power train | 95 | 6.1% |
| Air bags | 91 | 5.9% |
| Structure | 90 | 5.8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 49 | 3.2% |
| Service brakes | 47 | 3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 41 | 2.7% |
How 2009 compares with other Altima years
Best and worst Altima years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1,091 | 1 |
| 2006 | 824 | 3 |
| 2007 | 471 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1,029 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1,547 | 4 |
| 2010 | 381 | 3 |
| 2011 | 241 | 1 |
| 2012 | 426 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2,312 | 12 |
| 2014 | 1,114 | 8 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 26 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,600
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 342 g/mi
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 26 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2009 Altima for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2009 Nissan Altima FAQ
How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Altima have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 10V401000 (electrical), 09V358000 (suspension), 09V006000 (structure), 08V464000 (wheel). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2009 Nissan Altima problems?
Owners filed 1,547 complaints with NHTSA. Steering (859), Electrical system (466), Unknown or other (146) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2009 Nissan Altima get?
EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual version at 23 city, 32 highway and 26 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2009 Altima compare with other years?
Among the 2005–2014 Nissan Altima model years at least five years old, the 2011 drew the fewest complaints (241) and the 2013 the most (2,312). The 2009 drew 1,547. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.