Used 2009 Nissan Altima Sedan Consumer Reviews
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2009 2.5 S
zhon, 12/31/2010
2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new in October 09 and have only positive things to say about it. Great power and acceleration for a 4cyl. Some reviewers have stated problems with a delay on acceleration. I have not experienced this, my car accelerates immediately and quickly. I barely have to touch the gas. Much more responsive than any other 4cyl I have driven, and I have driven many. The engine did sound like a diesel when it was below freezing, but that seems to have gone away after the first 6000 miles or so. It is no louder than any other 4cyl. One suggestion for those concerned about problems with the CVT: read the owners manual for proper break in procedures on a new transmission.
3 Major Failures within 50k miles
jmayor88, 04/15/2013
2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought this car used at 40k miles, history was good. I have driven it for 50k miles (so at 90k now). Since I have purchased it, there have been 3 major failures, and also a recall that turned out to be nothing. The first major failure was the exhaust manifold cracking and needing to be replaced. An exhaust manifold should never crack that early, and the exhaust shop told me he has seen a lot of Altimas with this problem. Second major problem was the Electronic Steering Column Lock. This failure caused me to be stranded, as the car would not start. As of two days ago the final major failure occurred. Dealer is saying it is a rod bearing! STAY AWAY - much better options out there.
Was bought brand new and would buy again
Keith M, 01/20/2021
updated 08/01/2022
2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
UPDATE #2 July/2022 Well, I am thinking now that I probably didn't need to replace the transmission. We had this grinding noise coupled with a "pause" issue after stopping (this is noted in my original post). Turns out the issue was a fairly large hole in an air intake hose and a bad axle. The local Nissan dealer could not find the pause issue. It was a shade tree mechanic on disability that found it. Thank God! Car now has 265,000 and with the remanufactured transmission, I feel this car can go another 250k. Here's hoping! ----------------------------------- UPDATE!! Jan 29, 2022 Well, the CVT went out at 256,000 miles. From what I have been reading, this is considered excellent given the track record of this tranny. With that said, I decided to get it replaced. I chose to do this since the market for used cars is insane and we bought the car new and it has an excellent service record. We did buy a used Honda CR-V since my Accord that has 405,000 on it and is becoming problematic. This way we saved some money by fixing the Altima and I will have the CR-V to replace the Accord. ----------------------------------------------------------- My wife and I bought this brand new back in August of 2009. We liked the price and what you would get for the best bang for the buck. We traded a four wheel drive on the Clunker Deal that was offered back then. We got a good price for the trade in and some price credits which sweetened the deal. Our Altima is stored in the garage and isn't out in the sun much as the wife works third shift. As it stands now, ours has 237,000 miles with some normal maintenance repairs such as the alternator, serpentine belt. I keep spreadsheets on all of our vehicles and so far, this one is the cheapest to run, even against my 1996 Honda Accord that has 397,000 miles on it. Lately, some issues have been cropping up but nothing major. I see a lot of reviews about being stranded with ignition issues. This was true for us as well. Fortunately for us, the first time this happened, it was covered under the manufacturer's warranty. The power steering lock assembly went bad. If we had to pay out of pocket, it would have cost around $800. For those that have the ESCL issue, reference this link >> http://www.nissanproblems.com/escl/ We just had another issue with the car not wanting to start. The battery was fully charged and I find out that the brake light switch was bad. The other issue we have noticed lately is that after being stopped at a light, when you start to accelerate, it sometimes refuses to move, even with the engine running and you are pushing on the accelerator. After about 3 or 4 seconds it will go. This has happened about 4 times and not totally sure what the issue is. My thinking is the gas cap with a vapor lock issue. I read you are not supposed to keep pumping gas after it shuts off. Topping off is not recommended so I hope this is the issue or maybe a faulty gas cap. Keep in mind that these recent issues just came about after 230,000 miles are the car. I plan to drive this one in the ground since I have done some of the maintenance such as oil changes. I do have my CVT transmission serviced every 60,000 miles since I know the transmission is critical. I have been fortunate so far with mine. All in all I am very happy with this car and as long as you are not spending more than $700 or so per year in repairs/maintenance, you should hang on to them. That is cheaper than a car payment. I am trying to see if this will pass my Honda Accord for price and durability. So far, it is performing cheaper by 1 cent per mile (4 cents). -Keith
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All Good Until Now
Roman M, 11/17/2016
2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
As long as you perform routine maintenance you should have a long lasting Altima. The items needing attention after 120,000 miles include ignition coils and now the most important and costly single item to date, the electronic steering lock. The extended dealer warrant for the ESCL ran out in 2015 for the 2009 model. Of course mine failed a year later. There is no recall for this well known issue concerning the lock so it will leave you stranded somewhere down the road, believe it. You can bang on the box for a temporary remedy, disable it with the knowledge that you are driving with a faulty item, or cough up $1000 to get it fixed at the dealer. All good choices. The honeymoon is over. I can live with the tire press low light (how easy is it to check your own pressures?), the CVT surge when accelerating, the routine maintenance, affordable brakes and parts easily replaced, but the one item I feel entrapped by Nissan's non committal to address and fix is what burns me. Again, $1000 for a box you need to get going. Before you buy that used Altima consider this and ask if the ESCL was changed. Otherwise, it's a good comfortable car for commuting or day trips.
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Nissan worst car I've ever purchased
Gipson, 08/20/2015
2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought this 2009 Altima with 40,000 miles on it. Within a month the tps sensors went out. 600$ to repair. Less than 2years later those same sensors go out again another 600$ to repair. 4Years into the car the transmission is going bad and Nissan does not repair or even troubleshoot the transmission they only suggest replacing it when they feel it might b the issue. HONDA HERE I COME!!! I also have a 2003 honda that has 180,000 miles that I've had over 8years no issues at all with it.
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