2009 Nissan Altima
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Steering
Steering leads by volume: 885 of 1,601 complaints (55%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (8) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 1,044 in 2008 to 1,601 in 2009.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | vs. 2009 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,850–3,500 | 1,850–3,500 | 1,850–3,700 | 1,850–2,950 | 1,900–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–34 | 22–34 | 21–34 | 21–34 | 21–33 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–35 / 26–33 | 19–35 / 26–33 | 18–35 / 26–33 | 18–35 / 27–33 | 18–33 / 27–33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 261–404 | 261–404 | 261–423 | 261–423 | 269–423 | |
| Complaints filed | 498 | 1,044 | 1,601 | 392 | 245 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 30 | 57 | 38 | 25 | 12 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 22 | 14 | 8 | 11 | 5 | |
| Injuries reported | 16 | 33 | 21 | 37 | 9 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Altima have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2009 Nissan Altima?
Steering: 885 of 1,601 NHTSA complaints (55%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Nissan Altima get?
EPA rates it 21–34 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Nissan Altima?
EPA estimates $1,850–$3,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (9)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 23 mpg | 32 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 23 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 27 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | $3,700 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 19 mpg | 26 mpg (low) | 22 mpg | $3,500 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 23 mpg | 32 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 23 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 27 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | $3,700 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg | 26 mpg (low) | 22 mpg | $3,500 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 35 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (high) | $1,850 (low) | 261 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 124 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 97 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 487 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 75 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 885 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 57 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 96 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 53 | 15 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 107 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 54 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 159 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) · Campaign 10V401000 · Sep 10, 2010
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.
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 · Campaign 09V358000 · Sep 16, 2009
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.
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).
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR · Campaign 09V006000 · Jan 9, 2009
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.
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.
WHEELS · Campaign 08V464000 · Sep 15, 2008
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.
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.