Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
My 2009 nissian Altima drove great unless it was raining. When there was just a slight drizzle my Altima would hydroplain uncontrollably. I was driving on interstate 40 in tennessee and it started to rain. My Altima started hydroplaining really bad. I was driving at most 40 miles an hour in a 70 MPH zone. It sounded like something was really wrong with the rear part of the car. The water from the road completely lifted the rear end of the car off the ground. I believe it was the tires that caused the problem. They were continental conti pro contact tires size 215/60/r16. It was so bad I pulled over at a rest area for the night. The next morning I start my trip again. The car was fine until it started misting rain again. I was going about 40 MPH when the car hydroplained and spun out of control. I ended up in the ditch with a totalled car. …
I have had the car 2-3 years now and the tires have loosened up on me while driving, the car stopped running and had to do some kind of steering column lock work, it is rusting on the drivers side floor panel, and the transmission is out of it which happen on the road at work with two of my clients. Which the clients both are diagnosed with a disability. Very frightening when you make a left turn and your car stops infront of oncoming cars. That could have been a major tradegy.if only nadsan would have fixed that transmission problem many years ago when they were made aware of the problem( malfunction) and Nissan will not budge one bit to help fix the transmission unless I pay diagnostics and a transmission bill of over 5400.00. Who ever heard of a transmission costing that much money? They are the worst and I will never purchase a Nissan ever again. Thanks for your consideration.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While driving various speeds, the contact heard a grinding noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Shortly after, the contact drove over a pothole, which flattened the driver's side tire. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The contact stated that after a spare was installed on the vehicle, the noise grew louder. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger side alloy wheel, rear driver side alloy wheel, lk2 engine cradle 2.5, both top control arms and knuckles needed to be replaced. The insurance company declared the vehicle destroyed. The failure mileage was 25,000.
Luckily the car was parked and wouldn't start for this incident. After having it towed they needed to replace the steering lock mechanism. We're glad it wasn't being driven on the highway at the time it failed and possibly locked up the steering column. That could have been deadly. The replacement cost of this part is outrageous and should have been covered or replaced by Nissan. They've had a history of issues with this and should refund us the $1000 it cost just for the repair bill. It's ridiculous that people keep getting taken for something like this. Something needs to be done to remedy this situation.
The vehicle was parked and two of the tire pressure sensors failed causing the tires to lose all their air. Previously, in December 2013 one sensor failed while the vehicle was being driven. The mileage at that time was 51,300. We had no idea that the tire pressure sensors could fail due to exposure to a northern climate (ice, snow and salt.) after the latter occurrence our research indicates that their have been Nissan recalls related to the tire pressure sensors on other 2009 Nissan models.
First issue was with passenger seat airbag sensor. My wife or other passenger would be sitting in passenger seat and the sensor in the seat would not work and therefore the passenger airbag was disabled, putting passenger safety at risk. Second issue. Had to replace tire pressure monitoring sensor due to leaking tire pressure. Have had to replace 2 out of 4 so far in the last year. Causes low tire pressure and unsafe driving condition.
I have a Nissan Altima just bought 2016. When driving 20 min or more when you come to a stop about 3 seconds after. You feel a shift or jolt, in the engine the harmonic balancer or timing chain. I was driving 70 down i45 busy traffic, as audial and all a sudden my car starts loosing power and I was almost hit in the rear by a mac truck. When I was safely at a stop, I killed it and it cranked back up with half the power. 1500 rpms
The front suspension has caused my tyrode to come off cause the bracket that is on the strut bar that the stabalizer bolts onto has broke off from where its attached to. I can not keep the front right wheel tight it has came off with me driving down a city street which was seagoviille rd. In seagobille tx. All problems front suspension.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima equipped with Michelin primacy mxv4 tl tires, size: 215/55r17 (na). While the vehicle was stationary, the inner and outer walls of all four tires cracked. The tires were not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The tire and vehicle failure mileage was 86,500.
Passenger seat airbag sensor malfunctions with someone sitting in the seat, the warning light comes on that passenger airbag is disarmed. Very unsafe. Tires TPMS valves constantly leak even after service. Replaced 3 out of 4 of them, and 4th one needs to be replaced.
Related recalls
Wheels
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.
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.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2009 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2009 Nissan Altima, 2% of the model year's 1,547 complaints. The component named most often is pressure monitoring and regulating systems (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Nissan Altima wheel & tire problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-464 (wheels, Sep 15, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Nissan Altima wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to wheels & tires 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.