2009 Nissan Altima: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2009 Nissan Altima: 4 recalls, 1547 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Wheels Vehicle recall #08V464000 · 2008 · 3,403 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the lug nuts become loose, it could eventually result in a loss of control and a crash without warning.
The fix: 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.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #09V006000 · 2009 · 225 vehicles
What's wrong: 214, "side impact protection." these vehicles May have been manufactured with an out-of-specification weld on the door assembly.
Why it matters: This does not meet the standard requirements.
The fix: All the affected vehicles have been brought back from the dealerships and remedied at the factory. No vehicles had been retailed.
Suspension Vehicle recall #09V358000 · 2009 · 26,398 vehicles
What's wrong: The upper front strut insulators May have been manufactured out of specification resulting in a potential for the strut insulator to crack.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Equipment Vehicle recall #10V401000 · 2010 · 7,948 vehicles
What's wrong: The batteries contained in the affected gps units can overheat.
Why it matters: Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 8 mention a fire, 21 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (859): the most common themes are steering problems (761).
- Electrical (466): the most common themes are door / lock issues (337), won't start (191).
- Other / unknown (146): the most common themes are won't start (30).
- Engine (107): the most common themes are won't start (31).
The 2009 Nissan Altima has 1547 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 34 Altima model years for complaints (3.4× the average Altima year). Complaints peaked in 2016 (406 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 78,931 miles. Neighboring years: 2008 (1030 complaints, 4 recalls), 2010 (381 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Premium |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2009 Nissan Altima.
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FAQ
Does the 2009 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2009 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2009 Nissan Altima problems?
Owners have filed 1547 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (859), electrical (466), other / unknown (146).
What gas mileage does the 2009 Nissan Altima get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.5 L, Manual 6-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2009 Nissan Altima repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.