Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2009 Nissan Altima
NHTSA data on file today
The 2009 Nissan Altima has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,547 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #10V401000 PORTABLE AUTOMOTIVE GPS PRODUCTS/OVERHEATS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V358000 SUSPENSION/STRUT INSULATOR CRACKING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V006000 PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR/FMVSS 214 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08V464000 ALLOY WHEELS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 859 complaints
- Electrical System 466 complaints
- Unknown or Other 146 complaints
- Engine 107 complaints
- Power Train 95 complaints
- Air Bags 91 complaints
Of the 1,547 complaints on file, 36 report a crash and 8 a fire; across all 1,547 complaints, owners report 21 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2009 Nissan Altima has a high complaint count and several recall campaigns, indicating potential reliability issues. Steering and electrical complaints are notably high. The available data suggests owners may encounter recurring issues, though the specific details are somewhat limited.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering system | 50,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,200 | very common |
| electrical system | 40,000–90,000 miles | $300–$1,000 | very common |
| engine components | 60,000–110,000 miles | $400–$1,500 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake inspections and replacements
- Tire rotations and balancing
- Coolant flush and replacement
- Transmission fluid service
- Belt and hose checks
- Battery checks and replacements
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Steering wheel vibration
- Electrical malfunctions
- Engine stalling
- Unusual tire wear
- Brake pedal vibration
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2009 Nissan Altima at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.