2009 Nissan Altima MPG
EPA ratings for the 2009 Nissan Altima run from 18–23 mpg in town to 26–32 on the highway, or 21–26 combined, depending on which of its 8 gasoline versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive, at 26 mpg combined. At the other end, the 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive manages 21 mpg combined, 5 mpg less. The EPA also rated a hybrid version, the best at 34 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2008 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima Hybrid | 2.5 L 4-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 35 | 33 | 34 | Regular · 261 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima Coupe | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | Regular · 342 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima Coupe | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | Regular · 342 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | Regular · 342 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | Regular · 342 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima Coupe | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Premium · 404 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Premium · 404 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima Coupe | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Premium · 423 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Premium · 423 g CO₂/mi |
2009 Nissan Altima fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2009 Nissan Altima costs about $2,510 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (26 mpg combined), or roughly 17 cents a mile.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2009 Nissan Altima specs
The EPA lists 3 engine choices for the 2009 Nissan Altima: 2.5 L 4-cyl, 3.5 L 6-cyl and 2.5 L 4-cyl hybrid. It came with continuously variable (CVT) and manual transmissions, with front-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Midsize Cars" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Manual 6-spd; Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 3.5 L | 6 | Automatic (variable gear ratios); Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 2.5 L hybrid | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2009 Nissan Altima problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 1,601 owner complaints about the 2009 Nissan Altima.
Steering is the most-reported area (40% of component mentions), followed by electrical system (22%) and engine (5%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 89 complaints a year: more than the 2008 (55 a year) and the 2010 (23 a year).
That ranks 2nd of 17 Nissan Altima model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 1,601, 38 mention a crash, 8 a fire and 19 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 888 | 40% |
| Electrical system | 487 | 22% |
| Unknown or other | 151 | 7% |
| Engine | 114 | 5% |
| Power train | 97 | 4% |
| Air bags | 96 | 4% |
| Structure | 92 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 52 | 2% |
| Visibility/wiper | 41 | 2% |
| Suspension | 35 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 34 | 2% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 26 | 1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 16 | <1% |
| Wheels | 16 | <1% |
| Seats | 15 | <1% |
| Tires | 13 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | <1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 11 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | <1% |
| Visibility | 7 | <1% |
| Equipment | 4 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 4 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 3 | <1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Air service brakes | 1 | <1% |
| Electric service brakes | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel was locked, preventing the remote start feature from functioning as designed. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was not yet repaired. …
The contact owns a 2009 Nisan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to detect that the key was present, activating the anti-theft immobilizer and preventing the vehicle from starting. …
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal clanking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was driving rough. …
2009 Nissan Altima recalls
The 2009 Nissan Altima has been the subject of 4 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 10V401000 from September 2010, concerns equipment.
09V006000 · January 9, 2009 · Structure
Problem: THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION WELD ON THE DOOR ASSEMBLY.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIPS AND REMEDIED AT THE FACTORY.
08V464000 · September 15, 2008 · Wheels
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Altima years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10V401000 | September 10, 2010 | Equipment | 2008–2010 |
| 09V358000 | September 16, 2009 | Suspension | 2009–2010 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash ratings for the 2009 Nissan Altima.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Nissan Altimas can be compared fairly. Among other 2009 models in the EPA's midsize cars class, the 2009 Chevy Malibu (26 mpg), 2009 Kia Optima (25 mpg) and 2009 Toyota Camry (25 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 34 | 1,046 | 55 | 4 |
| 2009 | 34 | 1,601 | 89 | 4 |
| 2010 | 34 | 393 | 23 | 3 |
| 2011 | 33 | 246 | 15 | 1 |
| 2012 | 26 | 426 | 28 | 4 |
Every Nissan Altima model year compared →
Similar 2009 models
FAQ
Is the 2009 Altima a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2009 Nissan Altima has 89 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (2nd most of 17 model years), 4 recall campaigns and up to 34 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2009 Altima problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are steering (888), electrical system (487) and engine (114). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2009 Altima have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Altima get?
The EPA rates the gasoline versions at 21–26 mpg combined (18–23 city, 26–32 highway). The hybrid version reaches up to 34 mpg combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Altima per year?
About $2,510 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).