VehicleVerdict

2009 Nissan Frontier problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2009 Nissan Frontier is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 44 owner complaints run below the Frontier median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (9), transmission (8), and fuel system (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

44

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Frontier years?

See all Frontier years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Nissan Frontier problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags920%
Transmission818%
Fuel System511%
Brakes511%
Tires & Wheels49%
Body & Structure37%
Suspension37%
Visibility & Wipers25%
Engine25%
Other25%
Latches & Locks12%

Does the 2009 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V067000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2023 · 404,690 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

Consequence

A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

10V401000Electrical SystemSeptember 10, 2010 · 7,948 units

Defect

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.

10E043000OtherSeptember 3, 2010 · 294 units

Defect

MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Consequence

AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy

MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

10E019000SuspensionMay 20, 2010 · 1,873 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence

IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

08V690000AirbagsDecember 29, 2008 · 242,720 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.

Consequence

THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING AND THE FRONT AIR BAG CRASH ZONE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL IN EFFECT, BUT ONLY FOR VEHICLES IN 'SALT' STATES. MY VEHICLE IS REGISTERED IN VA, BUT I TRAVELED IN PA, MD, AND DC FOR SEVERAL YEARS FOR WORK, SO MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED ON THE EXISTING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KING WINDWARD NISSAN (45-568 KAMEHAMEHA HWY, KANEOHE, HI 96744, [PHONE]) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, AND ENGINE NEEDED TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 1, 2017 · fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER LX. THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN IT EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOMETIMES HE ACCIDENTALLY DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN HE WAS TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES BECAUSE THE PEDALS ARE SO CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 11, 2010

NISSAN FRONTIERS OF ARE EXPERENCING MANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR EMISSION SYSTEMS. EVAP CONTROL VALUES ARE FAILING AT VARIOUS MILEAGES. THE DEALERS BLAME DUST IN THE SYSTEM. THE DEALERS ARE CHARGING VERY HIGH PRICES TO REPAIR THE SYSTEM. NISSAN HAS ALREADY CHANGED THE EVAP CONTROL VENT SWITCH DESIGN 3…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 16, 2018

THE NUTS ON THE AIR SENSORS ON TIRES CORRODED AND CRACKED . THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH LED TO A NISSAN RECALL OF 2008-09 MURANOS AND FIT MODELS. ( LIVING IN MARYLAND FROM 2009 UNTIL 2015)

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 27, 2016

2009 Nissan Frontier — common questions

Is the 2009 Nissan Frontier reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 44 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Frontier year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2009 Frontier problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (9 complaints), transmission (8 complaints), fuel system (5 complaints).

Does the 2009 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Nissan Frontier. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Nissan Frontier under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Frontier years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Frontier years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2000, 2022, 2008, 2001, 2002, 1998. The cleanest record among Frontier years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.