Model year guide

2009 Nissan Altima

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2009 Nissan Altima is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 105 on record.

2009 Nissan Altima — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2009 Nissan Altima at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints1,547
Combined24 mpg
Typical price$7,419

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2009 Nissan Altima recalls 4

Wheels NHTSA Campaign #08V464000 · 15/09/2008

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.

Fix: 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. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-80…

Structure:body:door NHTSA Campaign #09V006000 · 09/01/2009

NISSAN IS RECALLING 225 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION WELD ON THE DOOR ASSEMBLY.

Fix: ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIPS AND REMEDIED AT THE FACTORY. NO VEHICLES HAD BEEN RETAILED.

Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System) NHTSA Campaign #10V401000 · 10/09/2010

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.

Fix: 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.

Suspension NHTSA Campaign #09V358000 · 16/09/2009

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS. THE UPPER FRONT STRUT INSULATORS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT INSULATOR TO CRACK.

Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT STRUT INSULATORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2009 Nissan Altima common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 1,547 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2009 Nissan Altima MPG & running costs

Combined24 mpg
City21 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,938

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2009 Nissan Altima worth?

Low
$4,000
Typical price
$7,419
High
$10,000

From 104 comparable 2009 Nissan Altima listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2009 Nissan Altima costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,690
Depreciation (5 yrs)$5,000
Total$19,690
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($7,419) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,416), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2009 Nissan Altima trims & engines on record

Trims
2.5 S · 3.5 SE · 3.5 SL
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl 170 hp · 3.5L 6-cyl 255 hp

2009 Nissan Altima vehicles on record

2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E19C102230 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE1N4BL24E19C108940 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E19C130965 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E59C131858 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E69C194306 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E19C169328 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E79C141646 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE1N4BL24EX9C138759 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E99C188144 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E89C151943 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E09C171779 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E09C148454 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E69C159586 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE1N4BL24E79C139416 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E79C200503 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E39C133317 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 3.5 SL1N4BL21E79C160707 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE1N4BL24E49C121911 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E69C156347 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24EX9C200415 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E49C100228 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE1N4BL21E59C186724 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E99C139381 2009 Nissan Altima 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S1N4AL24E89C132552

Other Nissan Altima model years

2025 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993

2009 Nissan Altima — frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Nissan Altima have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2009 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Altima?

Based on 1,547 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, air bags, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Nissan Altima get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2009 Nissan Altima at about 24 mpg combined (21 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 2009 Nissan Altima worth?

Comparable 2009 Nissan Altima listings run roughly $4,000–$10,000, typically around $7,419 (from 104 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.