THE AIRBAG EXPLODED ON DRIVER'S SIDE, KNOCKED BE UNCONSCIOUS FOR A FEW MINUTES, WHEN I CAME TOO THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. I HIT A IRON POLE IN FRONT OF WAL-GREEN'S. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME.THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY, IN WHICH THEY PICKED UP THE CAR AND TOOK IT AWAY.
2009 Nissan Sentra steering problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT
WHILE CROSSING THE STREET FROM ONE PARKING LOT TO ANOTHER THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON MY 09 NISSAN SENTRA. WAS GOING LESS THAT 5MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED AT ALL. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND WAS IN DRIVE. AFTER ABOUT 30 OR 40 SECONDS ATTEMPTING TO TURN STEERING WHEEL EITHER WAY IT FINALLY WENT BACK TO NORMAL . DROVE CAR ABOUT 50 MILES BACK HOME WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS.…
MY CAR SWERVES TOO MUCH ON THE FREEWAY. SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN 2009, I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CAR. EVEN AFTER TAKING IT TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS, I AM STILL SCARED I AM GOING TO DIE DUE TO THE CAR. THE SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS I AM TAKEN THE CAR TO HAVE CLAIMED THERE IS NO PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED IT TOO. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2009 Nissan Sentra?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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