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 ↗2009 Nissan Altima visibility problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
2crashes
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility 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.
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 ↗WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The bulk of complaints center on the dashboard—a defect that strikes after five years of ownership, particularly in hot climates. The matte-black finish gradually becomes sticky and shiny, and the degraded surface bounces light onto the windshield with enough glare to block the driver's view of traffic. Owners describe it as "melting," and some note that touching it leaves fingerprints that sink into the material. It collects dirt and resists cleaning; one Nissan dealer's suggestion of Armor All provides no relief.
Several owners report near-accidents due to this glare, especially during winter months when sun angles are low and the effect worsens at night with oncoming headlights. Nissan has declined to recall or repair the issue outside warranty; replacement costs run around $2,000.
Separately, sunroof failures are serious and abrupt. Owners report the sunroof glass separating from the frame and exiting the vehicle while driving 55+ mph, or the moonroof shattering spontaneously during rain, spraying glass fragments into and out of the cabin. One owner experienced paint damage from flying glass. Webasto (the sunroof supplier) issued a recall tied to installation defects and manages the repair process, though owners report slow response and restricted installer options.
Two isolated complaints mention a windshield crack without apparent cause and front windows rolling down on their own when the vehicle is parked and locked.
Same Nissan Altima visibility reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2010 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Sunroof/moonroof detachment or shattering
Sunroof glass panel separates from frame and exits vehicle during driving, or moonroof spontaneously shatters. Owners attribute the sunroof failures to improper installation and sealant failure.
When: While driving at highway speeds (55+ mph); moonroof failure occurred during rain
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise heard before detachment; Sunroof separates from frame while closed; Moonroof shatters spontaneously; Glass fragments enter vehicle cabin and exit vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Sunroof company (Webasto) recall process initiated; installer replaced glass. One owner reported approximately $2,000 quoted for moonroof-related repairs, though narratives do not specify exact repair costs for sunroof detachment.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for sunroof installation defect. Webasto managed recall process with designated installers. Nissan dealer (Don Franklin Lexington Nissan) notified and appointment scheduled.
Dashboard surface degradation and glare
Dashboard coating deteriorates and becomes sticky and shiny, particularly in hot climates. The degraded surface creates a bright reflection on the windshield that reduces driver visibility and causes discomfort.
When: Degradation begins after approximately 5 years of ownership in hot climates; worsens over time and becomes more problematic in winter with low-angle sun and night-time light reflection
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard surface becomes sticky and shiny; Matte black finish breaks down to glossy, reflective finish; Severe glare reflects onto windshield in sunny conditions; Glare obscures view of traffic and objects in front of vehicle; Dashboard surface cannot be cleaned effectively; Dirt collects on sticky surface; Fingers sink into melting material when touched
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan dealer suggested cleaning with Armor All; no effective cleaning resolves the issue. Replacement dashboard quoted at approximately $2,000; warranty denial resulted in owners bearing full cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan refuses to acknowledge defect or repair under warranty once warranty period expires. No recall issued despite multiple owner complaints citing safety hazard.
Windshield cracking
Windshield develops crack without apparent cause or impact.
When: At 98,000 miles; no warning or triggering event reported
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield cracked without warning
Window auto-operation via key fob
Front windows roll down automatically when vehicle is off and owner is not present, using either key fob.
When: Vehicle off and owner not in vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Front windows roll down on their own while vehicle is not operating; Occurs with both primary and secondary key fobs
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2009 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $350.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 18,000 and 98,000 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 18,000; a quarter make it past 98,000. 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 $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.