AI Damage2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid: common problems
Owners of the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid filed 54 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 54
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 48% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 39% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 4% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 4% of all complaints
- Steering: 26 complaints (48% of all).
- Electrical system: 21 complaints (39% of all).
- Engine: 7 complaints (13% of all).
- Air bags: 4 complaints (7% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (6% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 54 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 26 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While pulling into a parking space at the park, as I took my foot off the brake, the car surged forward as if I had pushed the gas pedal. My foot never touched the gas pedal. The car ran over the parking stopper and the sidewalk onto the soccer field fence. Luckily, no one was hurt.
I was going slow pulling into a parking stall when my car "jumped" and suddenly went forward crashing into the railing. There was a witness that saw me pulling into the parking stall slowly when my car "jumped" crashing through the railing.
The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the vehicle stalled with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact researched the warning light in the owners manual, which informed the contact to shut-off the vehicle and immediately contact the dealer.
The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to freedom nissan of south burlington ([address], south burlington, [ZIP], [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the passenger seat cushion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
In 2013, I was stranded at work late at night due to a faulty steering wheel lock. I got into my car and went to start it and the key light was lit on the dash and my car wouldn't start. The car had to be towed to the nearest dealership the next day to replace the steering wheel lock.
The passenger seat sensor to detect an occupant and enable/disable the passenger airbag failed. This is an item critical to occupant safety that is not a wear-and-tear item and one which should reasonably be expected to last the life of the vehicle.
The dealership "confirmed, checked and found the steering lock is faulty, removed and replaced. Cleared all codes and reprogrammed both keys". Parts replaced were 1 48700-jf00d lock steering and 2 48703-06f0a screw-steering lock, lightening my wallet by $948.33.
For some unknown reason my car would not start on thanksgiving. It only showed a key. I went to nissan the next day to get a new battery for my key fob. And had to get it towed. They said it was a steering column lock and it was over $900. Never heard of such a thing and at such a ridiculous expense.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,128 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 14% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Altima Hybrid has 23 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 54, above average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 54. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (43%), won't start (35%), stalls while driving (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2009 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.