VehicleVerdict

2009 Nissan Pathfinder problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2009 Nissan Pathfinder is among the quieter years of the Pathfinder on NHTSA's books: 51 complaints (59% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (11), airbags (11), and transmission (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

51

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Pathfinder years?

See all Pathfinder years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1122%
Engine1122%
Transmission816%
Brakes510%
Electrical System510%
Other24%
Fuel System24%
Body & Structure24%
Speed Control12%
Steering12%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)12%
Seat Belts12%

Does the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

4 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.

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.

THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM IS MAKING NOISE. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS REOCCURRING ISSUE AND HAS SENT OUT AN TSB TO DEALERS THAT DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE. THERE REALLY SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM SINCE 2004 OR EARLIER. I AM LUCKY THIS DID NOT FAIL ON MY RECENT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 2, 2017

I STRUCK A DEER WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER AND SLIGHT DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT FENDER. ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT A HIGH IMPACT COLLISION WITH THE DEER, THE WIRING FROM THE BUMPER TO THE AIRBAG WAS CUT IN TWO. THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHED ON THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 16, 2010 · crash

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH, AND HAD TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE RADIATOR FAILED, CAUSING RADIATOR FLUID TO GET INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS RUINED THE TRANSMISSION. COST IS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 24, 2020

@NISSAN FOUND A NEARLY FATAL SOFTWARE BUG IN THE 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE KEY IS NOT RECOGNIZED AND YOU CONTINUE TO DRIVE AS THE VEHICLE WILL ALLOW, THE BRAKE SYSTEM CAN FAIL AND IT FEELS LIKE YOU LOST THE BRAKES! TO FIX PULL OVER AFTER MASHING THE BRAKES TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE TRUCK TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 8, 2014

I STRUCK A DEER WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER AND SLIGHT DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT FENDER. ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT A HIGH IMPACT COLLISION WITH THE DEER, THE WIRING FROM THE BUMPER TO THE AIRBAG WAS CUT IN TWO. THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHED ON THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 16, 2010 · crash

2009 Nissan Pathfinder — common questions

Is the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 51 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Pathfinder year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2009 Pathfinder problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (11 complaints), airbags (11 complaints), transmission (8 complaints).

Does the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Nissan Pathfinder years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Pathfinder years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2013, 2007, 2014, 2008, 2015, 2001, 1997, 2017, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2022, 1998, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among Pathfinder years belongs to 1986.

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.