Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I purchased this car and the dashboard is melting and sticky. It's affecting visibility to the point where I found myself trying to lift up to look overtop of the blinding glare on my windshield due to my melting dashboard and got into an minor accident Like was reflecting off the dashboard onto the windshield obstructing my view and resulted in me rear bumping into the rear of another car that was towing a very small trailer that I couldn't see through the reflection on the windshield. Since then im noticing almost every dashboard on a Nissan Altima look the same if not worse and absolutely has to and needs to be acknowledged by Nissan for Nissan Altimas everywhere, not just in Florida. A recall NEEDS to be issued to resolve this very serious safety hazard. I'm lucky no one was injured. …
Direct sun radiating on the dashboard has resulting in a deterioration of the surface, creating a sheen that creates a reflection on the windshield that is a constant distracts and under certain circumstances (depending on where the sun is at on the horizon), can impair the driver's view of traffic and objects in front of the vehicle. The deterioration of the dashboard began after about five years of being owned and operating in Texas (and resulting sun and heat), but is becoming increasingly problematic as the dashboard surface continues to degrade.
My dashboard is melting and creating a dangerous glare on my windshield. I just had a minor accident this past week due to the glare being so bad that it interferes with my everyday driving. I am living with fear every time I commute anywhere with this vehicle whom I've owned ever since I bought from the Nissan dealer.
We are owners of one of the "melting dash" altimas model year 2009. The glare that the dash projects onto the windshield in sunny conditions is a safety hazzard. On more than one occasion, we have almost hit other cars or people because of the bad reflection in the windshield from the melted dash. We have contacted Nissan, but they do not seem to be interested in fixing the problem. Please address this safety issue before anyone is killed or injured because of this defect.
Dash board is melting causing intense glare on windshield. First noticed last summer 2014 and now that hot warm weather has returned 2015 it is getting worse! Dashboard is sticky/gummy. Unable to see clearly due to glare. Im am afraid to drive my car and cause an accident since it has become very difficult to drive. Glare obstructs visibility. I have always used a windshield sun shade dashboard is still hot and sticky when I return to my car and check it.
The dashboard and steering wheel on my 2009 Nissan Altima are melting due to the high temperatures in the cabin. When the vehicle is in the sun, the top surface of the dashboard melts, and restricts the forward visibility by causing a glare on the windshield. This makes it extremely difficult to see objects that are close to the vehicle in the sun.
I have 2009 Nissan Altima and it has a very sticky, shiny dashboard. Some part of the dashboard is so shiny that it creates a glare on windshield during daytime when it is sunny outside and makes it very difficult to see the other cars, pedestrians etc.during driving. This a huge safety concern and should be take care of by Nissan asap.
Dash board melting very sticky can't clean blinding glare in windshield when in sun hard to see oncoming traffic this should be a recall but as I have read this is a major concern in hot humid climate along with the steering lock defects .seems Nissan doesn't care about safety only wants to sell the vehicle and take the profits
2009 Nissan Altima that has a sticky-melting dashboard that can not be cleaned it has a glare that make it very difficult to see out of the wind shield this can cause a major accident-Nissan will not fix it unless you pay them to replace it for almost $2000.00 and there are many complaints of this issiue all over south florida
The dashboard on my Nissan Altima 2009 becomes really sticky for no apparent reason. This problem becomes a safety hazard because the stickiness tends to spread to the windshield blocking the visibility. Please help!
Window & Wiper complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2009 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2009 Nissan Altima, 3% of the model year's 1,547 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Nissan Altima window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2009 Nissan Altima, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Nissan Altima window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.