2009 Nissan Altima electrical system problems

The 2009 Nissan Altima has 492 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 23% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

492

Electrical System complaints

23%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Altima electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

10V401000Electrical SystemSeptember 10, 2010 · 7,948 units

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.

What owners report

“CAR WON'T START DO TO A DEFECTIVE ESCL ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK. THE CAR LEFT ME STRANDED AFTER WORK AT MIDNIGHT. THE CAR IS USELESS IT DOES NOT START. I WAS NEVER INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ESCL.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 23, 2016 · crash

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2009 Nissan Altima have?

NHTSA has 492 complaints about the 2009 Nissan Altima electrical system — 23% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2009 Nissan Altima electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 10V401000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.