| Issue ID | 1344962 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10938626 |
| Manufacurer | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| Brand | NISSAN |
| Model | ALTIMA |
| Model Year | 2009 |
| File date | 23/12/16 |
| Component | STEERING |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | Nissan altima 2009 parked on side of road in order to change drivers. The electronic steering column lock activated after the vehicle was turned off and the vehicle could not be restarted. This was an extremely dangerous and emotionally damaging experience. What should have been an easy routine change to an experienced driver in an unknown neighborhood resulted in passengers being stranded and requiring assistance to contact and wait for a tow-truck for an otherwise functioning vehicle. The vehicle was ultimately brought to nissan for repairs (at the recommendation of nissan consumer affairs) with estimated cost of $1290. Compared to the listed kbb price of the vehicle at $6442, the costs for repair is about 20% of the value of the vehicle. Nissan consumer affairs later informed us that the vehicle is outside of warranty (which was extended for a period of 6 years up to 2015 as nissan was aware of the escl defect for our vin) and will not assist with repairs. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 75000 |
| Number of Occurences | 1 |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | BELTSVILLE, MD |
| VIN pattern | 1N4AL21E39CXXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | N |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | |
| No. of fatalities | |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Drive train type | FWD |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 0 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |