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moderate 72 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
This does not meet the standard requirements.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver s
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver s
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION If a CD/DVD Player incident is noted, a possible cause may be improper CD/DVD disc care, condition, or usage. This bulletin provides updated CD/DVD Player operation instructions to avoid potential incidents/customer concerns caused by improper care and usage of CD/DVD discs. To aid in solving customer concerns, use the guidelines in this bulletin when speaking to customers or inspecting incident vehicles. - Customers must not use discs that are warped, scratched, chipped, cracked, have abnormal edges or are otherwise damaged. Damaged or poor condition discs may cause the Player internal mechanism to jam or have optical pick-up errors. NOTE - Do not make a Warranty claim a
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The 2009 Nissan Altima has two distinct body-related failures documented in these complaints: a widespread melting dashboard problem and door lock or latch defects.
Melting Dashboard: Starting within 2–4 years of ownership, owners report the dashboard surface becoming sticky, then developing a shiny, glossy sheen. The melted material reflects intense glare onto the windshield, severely impairing visibility during bright sunlight. Owners describe the substance as tar-like, gummy, or sticky enough to collect dust and debris; one owner reports the glare so bad they avoid driving in daylight. The issue occurs regardless of climate control—one owner with a garage-parked vehicle still experienced it—though heat and UV exposure appear to accelerate deterioration. Nissan dealers acknowledge the problem but have historically denied warranty coverage, citing normal wear or lack of recalls. One owner noted Florida litigation where Nissan settled; another cites a 2017 class action where Nissan agreed to cover replacement except for a $250 owner cost. Multiple owners report being told replacement costs $2,000 or more.
Door Locks and Handles: Owners report door lock actuators failing (particularly rear doors), preventing automatic unlock/lock function. Other complaints describe internal door handle breakage—handles stop working suddenly with no accident or abuse, locking occupants in or preventing exit. Repair costs cited are $965 for multiple actuators; dealers have replaced handles at owner expense, only to see other doors fail with identical symptoms.
Water Intrusion: Several complaints describe water leaking into the cabin during rain—pooling on floorboards, entering through the sunroof drain system or the driver's door itself. One owner reports Nissan diagnosed a disconnected body drainage hose.
Same Nissan Altima body reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Dashboard surface becomes sticky and develops a shiny, reflective coating that creates intense glare on the windshield, severely impairing visibility during bright sunlight. The material collects dust and debris and cannot be cleaned off. Owners describe it as tar-like or gummy. Affects driving safety across all lighting conditions.
When: Typically within 2–4 years of ownership; occurs at low mileage (25,000–148,000 miles documented). Deterioration accelerates in summer heat regardless of climate control or sun-shade use.
Symptoms owners cite: Sticky residue on dashboard surface; Shiny, glossy, tar-like appearance; Intense glare reflected onto windshield; Severely reduced visibility while driving; Material spreads and worsens over time; Difficulty seeing road, vehicles, or pedestrians; Substance collects dust and debris
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer estimates $2,000+ for full dashboard replacement. One class action (2017, Gibbs Law Group) reportedly required Nissan to cover replacement except for $250 owner cost. Nissan initially denied warranty coverage on out-of-warranty vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan initially denied coverage citing no recalls and normal wear; some dealers later acknowledged the defect. One case cites Florida litigation where Nissan settled; another mentions 2017 class action lawsuit settlement.
Door lock actuators malfunction, preventing automatic unlock/lock operation on one or more doors. Electricity flows through the door but actuators do not respond. Risk of occupants being unable to exit in emergency.
When: Occurs at varying mileage; one case at 41,000 miles. Timing in owner's tenure not always specified.
Symptoms owners cite: Doors will not lock or unlock automatically; Actuators unresponsive despite power reaching doors; Inability to operate locks from inside or outside vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost cited as $965 for multiple actuator replacements. One owner states previous owner may have left doors open or windows down, causing water damage to electrical system.
Door handles break internally, preventing the door from being unlocked or opened from inside or outside. Handles stop working suddenly without accident or abuse. All four door handles can fail sequentially with identical symptoms.
When: Occurs at various mileage points; no specific timing provided in complaints.
Symptoms owners cite: Handle becomes non-functional; Door cannot be unlocked or opened from inside or outside; No prior warning or accident involved; Sequential failure across all four doors
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replacement is expensive; dealer has replaced multiple handles at owner's expense. Emergency exiting compromised.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan acknowledged complaint but took no corrective action.
Water leaks into the vehicle during rain or inclement weather, pooling on floorboards and seeping into the instrument panel. One case involved water trapped in the passenger front door requiring manual drainage. Recurring failure.
When: Occurs during and after rainy weather; one case noted at 2,000 miles (early in ownership).
Symptoms owners cite: Water pooling on front and rear floorboards; Moisture on driver-side floorboard; Water seeping into instrument panel and dashboard; Moisture freezing during cold weather; Recurring failure after rain events
Repairs/costs cited: One case: Nissan dealer diagnosed disconnected body drainage hose; repair cost $500. Sunroof drain tube also cited as needing replacement.
Hood latch fails to secure properly, causing the hood to suddenly open while driving. Hood flew up and struck the windshield, bending both sides of the car body and damaging the roof and trunk lid.
When: Multiple incidents of loose latch occurred over several months before hood fully opened while driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Hood only latches on first latch, not second latch; Hood suddenly opens while vehicle is in motion; Hood strikes windshield and body panels
Repairs/costs cited: Windshield damage and paint damage on roof and trunk from impact. Insurance covered $2,500 of paint damage.
Sunroof glass spontaneously shatters while driving at normal highway speeds (65 mph) with no external impact. Glass mushroomed outward as if exploding from inside, creating a 2-foot circular hole. Shattered glass caused paint chips on roof and trunk.
When: At approximately 13,000 miles on a new vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud explosion-like noise while driving; Sunroof glass shatters spontaneously; Large circular hole opens in glass; Glass pieces chip paint on roof and trunk
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan initially denied coverage, then agreed to pay for replacement glass as a 'goodwill repair' but refused to cover installation or paint damage ($2,500). Dealership covered installation; insurance covered paint damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan initially denied coverage; later approved glass replacement only as goodwill gesture. Refused to cover installation or secondary damage. Nissan Consumer Affairs curtly denied appeal.
Rust forms on the floorboards of the vehicle, creating structural and safety concerns. Rust corrosion is associated with brake issues and sensor failures.
When: Detected at 76,000 miles; owner states Nissan knew about the rust problem for a long time.
Symptoms owners cite: Rust visible on floorboards; Associated brake issues; Sensor failures causing air leaks; Unsafe driving condition
Repairs/costs cited: Owner spent $210 to repair air leaks due to failed sensors related to rust.
Engine fire occurred while driving. Fire started from mid-engine line and the vehicle was actively burning while in motion.
When: Vehicle was already on fire while owner was driving on the highway.
Symptoms owners cite: Car began to stutter while driving at normal highway speed; Smoke appeared under the hood; Flames emerged from under the hood
Repairs/costs cited: Fire Marshal determined fire started from mid-engine line.
Synthesized from 72 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 72 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 58 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 40,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover body issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.