The 2009 Altima is split into two reliability worlds: the 2.5L I4 is generally solid but suffers CVT transmission failures, while the 3.5L V6 has catastrophic engine problems from oil consumption leading to spun bearings and complete internal destruction.
CVT Transmission Failure (2.5L models)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: shuddering or jerking during acceleration, whining or grinding noise, hesitation when accelerating from stop, slipping between gear ratios, check engine light with P0868 or P17F0 codes
Fix: CVT replacement or remanufactured unit swap. 8-12 labor hours. Oil cooler often replaced simultaneously as contamination is common cause. Nissan extended warranty to 120k on some VINs but most are out of coverage now.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
VQ35DE Catastrophic Engine Failure from Oil Consumption (3.5L models)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: excessive oil consumption (1qt per 1000mi or worse), blue smoke from exhaust, engine knock or rod knock, low oil pressure warning, sudden loss of power followed by seized engine
Fix: Piston ring wear allows oil into combustion chamber. If caught early, engine rebuild with new rings/pistons (25-35 hours). Most cases discovered too late after bearing damage — requires short block or complete engine replacement (20-30 hours installed). This is THE killer issue for V6 Altimas of this generation.
Estimated cost: $4,500-8,000
Front Lower Control Arm Bushing Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking over bumps, steering wheel vibration, uneven tire wear on inside edge, wandering or loose steering feel
Fix: Front lower control arm bushings deteriorate. Replace complete control arms (Nissan doesn't sell bushings separately for reasonable cost). 2-3 hours both sides with alignment. Related to NHTSA suspension recall but many vehicles still have worn components.
Estimated cost: $600-900
Transmission Mount Collapse (both engines)
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: excessive vibration at idle in gear, clunk when shifting from reverse to drive, engine rocks forward during hard acceleration, visible sagging of engine when inspected from below
Fix: Upper transmission mount (torque mount) hydraulic fluid leaks out and mount collapses. Simple replacement, 1-1.5 hours. Often discovered during CVT diagnosis but not the cause of transmission problems.
Estimated cost: $200-350
Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure (2.5L primarily)
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: no-start condition with cranking, stalling while driving with no restart, intermittent dying at operating temperature, P0335 or P0340 codes
Fix: Sensor fails due to heat exposure. Located on rear of engine block near flywheel. 1.5-2 hours labor due to access difficulty. Always verify with scope testing before replacement as wiring issues can mimic sensor failure.
Estimated cost: $250-400
Strut Mount Bearing Failure
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking or popping when turning steering wheel while stopped, grinding noise during turns, steering doesn't return to center smoothly
Fix: Front strut mount bearings wear and bind. Replace strut mounts (upper mount assemblies). 2-3 hours both sides. Often done when replacing struts but can be done independently.
Estimated cost: $350-550
Owner tips
On 3.5L V6 models, check oil level religiously every 500 miles — this engine WILL consume oil and WILL destroy itself if run low. Budget $30/month for extra oil.
CVT fluid should be changed every 60k miles despite Nissan calling it 'lifetime' — use only Nissan NS-2 or NS-3 fluid, never universal CVT fluid.
Inspect transmission oil cooler lines for seepage during oil changes — coolant mixing with CVT fluid causes rapid transmission death.
If buying a V6 model, have pre-purchase inspection include compression test and leak-down test — oil consumption problems show up here first.
Buy a 2.5L I4 model with documented CVT replacement or budget $4k for eventual transmission work; avoid the 3.5L V6 entirely unless you can verify meticulous oil consumption monitoring by previous owner — it's a time bomb.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: 3.5L V6 uses Group 35; battery located in engine bay
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Every control module on the 2008-2012 Nissan Altima — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
📍 CVT: integrated into valve body inside transmission. 6-speed manual: no TCM present
🔧 CONSULT-III Plus with NTIS subscription
⚠️ CVT models: TCM is internal; requires transmission pan removal and fluid replacement; adaptive learning reset required
Electric Power Steering Control Unit (EPS)2.5 hr R&Raftermarket tool +0.5 hr▸ programming details
📍 Integrated with steering column assembly, below instrument panel at base of steering column
🔧 Autel MaxiSys or Launch X431
⚠️ Steering angle sensor calibration and zero-point learning required after replacement
Anti-lock Brake System Control Unit (ABS)1.8 hr R&Raftermarket tool +0.3 hr▸ programming details
📍 Engine bay, driver side inner fender well, mounted to ABS hydraulic unit
🔧 Autel MaxiSys or Launch X431
⚠️ Brake bleeding and ABS initialization required after replacement; VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) integrated on models so equipped
Body Control Module (BCM)1.5 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +1.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Behind driver side lower dash panel, above fuse box, left of steering column
🔧 CONSULT-III Plus with NTIS subscription
⚠️ VIN programming and Intelligent Key registration required; controls interior lighting, power windows, door locks, and integrates CAN gateway functions
⚠️ Mileage programming required by law; VIN must be written to replacement unit
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
SUSPENSION · 09V358000
2009-09-16
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS. THE UPPER FRONT STRUT INSULATORS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT INSULATOR TO CRACK.
Consequence: IF THE STRUT INSULATOR IS CRACKED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT ROD TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION, WHICH COULD AFFECT VEHICLE STABILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT STRUT INSULATORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR · 09V006000
2009-01-09
NISSAN IS RECALLING 225 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION WELD ON THE DOOR ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIPS AND REMEDIED AT THE FACTORY. NO VEHICLES HAD BEEN RETAILED.
WHEELS · 08V464000
2008-09-15
NISSAN IS RECALLING 3,403 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 16-INCH ALLOY WHEELS. SOME THESE WHEELS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THIS COULD CAUSE ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE LUG NUTS ATTACHING THE WHEEL TO THE VEHICLE TO BECOME LOOSE.
Consequence: IF THE LUG NUTS BECOME LOOSE, IT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF IT IS EQUIPPED WITH ONE OF THE AFFECTED WHEELS. IF IT IS, THE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES THAT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
19mpg
Highway
27mpg
Combined
22mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
Capability & size
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Wiper blades
2007-2012 Altima (L32) generation, sedan body style, no rear wiper
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2009 Nissan Altima 3.5L V6 VQ35DE and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.