NISSAN: CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT SET AND DTC P0605 IS STORED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Nissan Altima cruise control problems
critical 31 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
9crashes
4injuries
1fatality
What stands out
Of the 16 model years of Nissan Altima we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 31.
Owners have filed 31 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control 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.
SERVICE INFORMATION The "Lock / Unlock request buttons" that are located on the outside door handles of vehicles with Intelligent Key can be disabled (or enabled) through either the "Comfort & Conv." settings of the Audio/Visual/Navigation system, orthrough the "Combination Meter settings" depending on the vehicle model, year and trim level. NOTE: In some instances this feature may be unintentionally disabled. Please verify the status of this feature before any further diagnostic is performed. Please see this bulletin for further details.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Nissan Altima complaints center on two distinct drivability nightmares: unexpected acceleration and loss of power.
Unintended acceleration occurs at low speed during parking (5 mph or slower) or at standstill. Drivers report the vehicle surges forward despite their foot on the brake, sometimes requiring the emergency brake to stop it. Several owners describe collisions with parked vehicles, buildings, bushes, curbs, and barriers. In one fatal incident, a vehicle allegedly accelerated to 100 mph, jumped a curb into a schoolyard, and struck a wall. Dealerships cannot reproduce these failures when examined.
Loss of power and deceleration predominantly affects highway driving, especially after 1–4 hours or in heat above 80°F. Owners report speed dropping from 70 mph to 35–45 mph, engine whining, and zero response to the accelerator pedal even with foot to the floor. Some describe the car as entering "safety mode" on inclines. The condition resolves after the car cools for 15–30 minutes. Nissan dealerships have diagnosed transmission overheating in CVT models and extended their warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles, but recommend an external cooler ($1,000+) as a fix rather than transmission replacement, which some owners view as shifting blame to them.
A third group reports brake failures—the brake pedal slows the car briefly, then it surges forward suddenly and unpredictably.
Technicians frequently cannot replicate failures, and no service bulletins or recalls have addressed these issues.
Same Nissan Altima cruise control reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended Acceleration at Low Speed
Vehicle suddenly accelerates forward while driver has foot on brake during parking, low-speed maneuvers, or at standstill, with varying intensity. Some incidents resulted in collision with objects, parked vehicles, buildings, or barriers.
When: During parking or low-speed maneuvers (under 10 mph); one incident reported at 5 mph; one at 200 miles; multiple incidents within first 4 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden forward surge despite brake pedal pressed; Unable to stop vehicle with brake alone in some cases; Required emergency brake to halt in at least one case; Airbag deployment in several incidents; Vehicle continued to accelerate after initial impact in one case
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan dealership technicians unable to diagnose failures in multiple cases; no repairs completed; one owner notes they could not get car out of drive mode after accident
Uncontrolled Acceleration on Interstate/Highway
Vehicle accelerates suddenly and uncontrollably while driving on highways at highway speeds, including one reported incident to 100 mph with fatal outcome. Owner had witness confirming brake lights were on when acceleration occurred.
When: While driving interstate at 60-75 mph; one incident reaching 100 mph with fatality; incidents occurring within 4 months of new lease
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden unintended acceleration to high speeds; Acceleration occurred despite foot on brake; Vehicle jumped curb and left roadway in fatal incident
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer took position there is nothing wrong with the car
Loss of Power and Deceleration on Highway
Vehicle loses power and decelerates dramatically during highway driving, particularly during long trips or uphill driving. Engine makes whining sound; vehicle slows from 70 mph down to 40-35 mph or unable to maintain speed. Owners report CVT transmission overheating; some diagnosed at dealership as transmission overheating issue.
When: After 1-4 hours on highway; during summer heat (80+ degrees); on inclines or uphill sections; one owner after 128,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Speed drops from 70 mph to 40-35 mph without driver input; Engine whining or whirring sound; Vehicle won't accelerate even with pedal to floor; RPM needle won't move despite accelerator input; Inability to maintain speed on inclines; In manual mode, gears won't downshift; Problem resolves after vehicle cools (15-30 minutes)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report need for transmission cooler kit ($1000+); Nissan dealership diagnosed transmission overheating; one owner installed transmission valve kit and cooler
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan extended CVT transmission warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles; offers external cooler installation ($1000+) as 'fix' rather than transmission replacement; one dealership offered tune-up that did not resolve issue; Nissan stated cannot guarantee fix or prevent recurrence even with transmission replacement
Intermittent Loss of Acceleration Response
Engine fails to respond to accelerator pedal input for brief periods; vehicle slows or maintains low speed despite pressing gas to floor. Whining or whirring sounds accompany the condition. Problem resolves after minutes of waiting or coasting.
When: Intermittent; one incident at 24,023 miles; incidents occurring both on city streets and highways
Symptoms owners cite: Engine does not respond to accelerator input; Car slows or cannot maintain speed despite gas pedal pressed; Whining or whirring sound; Problem resolves after brief period of waiting; Check engine light did not illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to duplicate failure; no repairs completed; owner suspects electronic throttle control
Brake Pedal Malfunction with Sudden Acceleration
When brake pedal is pressed during deceleration, vehicle slows momentarily then suddenly accelerates forward. Condition is intermittent and unpredictable in severity. Resulted in collision with another vehicle.
When: Intermittent; occurs unpredictably
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal pressed but car accelerates instead of stopping; Requires harder brake pressure to achieve full stop; Sudden acceleration varies in intensity; Condition does not always occur
Loss of Power When Engine Hot
Vehicle loses all power output once engine reaches operating temperature, particularly in warm weather. No warning lights appear. Power returns after engine cools.
When: When engine hot; in warm weather (80+ degrees); triggered by heat buildup during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power/acceleration; No warning lights illuminated; Vehicle becomes undriveable until cooled
Jerking and Unexpected Speed Changes
Vehicle jerks abruptly and slows unexpectedly during normal driving with no user input. One complaint specifically references Takata recall in context of jerking.
When: City and highway driving at various speeds (35 mph noted)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jerks unexpectedly; Abrupt speed reduction; Vehicle slows and speeds up on its own; Whining sound during events
Catalytic Converter Degradation Affecting Performance
Failed catalytic converter causes vehicle to drive ineffectively with power loss and inability to accelerate properly. RPMs stay at 3000 but car won't accelerate.
When: One incident noted at 121,000 miles with odometer rollback history
Symptoms owners cite: Speed declines; RPMs stuck at 3000 without acceleration response; Overall ineffective driving
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement needed
Synthesized from 31 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2009 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2009 Nissan Altima?
It's a serious issue. 31 complaints have been filed, including 9 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 30,000 and 132,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 132,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control 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.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.