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2009 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Nissan Frontier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 64.

About this comparison →
37Owner complaints

Model-year median: 64

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
617
2006520
2007136
200837
200959
201064
201178
2012
Compare all Frontier years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
9Power Train
8Fuel System, Gasoline
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Structure
3
All reported categories
Suspension
3Engine
2Tires
2Visibility
2Wheels
2Equipment
1Equipment Adaptive/mobility
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

33 reports with mileage · 4 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

4 reports
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10,331 miles · Jun 1, 2010
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

WEAK CLUTCH 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER SE 4X4 4.0 LITRE, 6 SPEED MAN TRANSMISSION. 10,331 MILES AND CLUTCH SLIPS IN 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH AND LITTLE NO ENGAGEMENT IN REVERSE. SLIPS ON SUDDEN ACCELERATION. MANUFACTURER ALWAYS BLAME CUSTOMER'S ON FAULT. TRUCK WAS NOT ABUSED BY ME. MANUFACTURER IS NOT ADMITTING FAILURE. IF YOU SEARCH FOR N…

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WEAK CLUTCH 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER SE 4X4 4.0 LITRE, 6 SPEED MAN TRANSMISSION. 10,331 MILES AND CLUTCH SLIPS IN 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH AND LITTLE NO ENGAGEMENT IN REVERSE. SLIPS ON SUDDEN ACCELERATION. MANUFACTURER ALWAYS BLAME CUSTOMER'S ON FAULT. TRUCK WAS NOT ABUSED BY ME. MANUFACTURER IS NOT ADMITTING FAILURE. IF YOU SEARCH FOR NISSAN FRONTIER CLUTCH PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET, YOU WILL SEE, THAT THE SAME POWERPLANT BELONGS TO A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AND AT 13,000 AND THE 24,000 THIS PERSON HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH AS WELL AS SLIPS. 2ND ISSUE, THE BRAKES ASSEMBLED ON MY TRUCK WERE MISSING ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT BRAKE PAD RETAINER SPRINGS. BRAKES PULL RIGHT AND DAMAGED RT ROTOR. REQUIRED MACHINE SHOP TO REPAIR LATERAL OUT OF ROUND. POSSIBLE CAUSE IS MISSING LOWER RETAINERS SPRINGS AND NOW DEVELOPED INTO STICKING CALIPERS. 3RD ISSUE. RATTLE NOISE FROM SUSPENSION AREA ON UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES OR MANHOLE LIDS AT SLOW SPEEDS. UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE WITH SUSPENSION BOTH LOADED AND UNLOADED. HAVE USED EVEN RUBBER MALLET TO NO AVAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10334158

5,500 miles · Mar 24, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD FALL ONTO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSING EITHER THE BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR PEDALS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD FALL ONTO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSING EITHER THE BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR PEDALS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN POSSESSION OF THE DEALER AND WAS AWAITING A RESOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 9,400. UPDATED 08/17/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10321796

130 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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 APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130 AN…

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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 APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9600. UPDATED 4/28/10 *CN UPDATED 06/14/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10317973

2,500 miles · Jan 29, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ABS SYSTEM ON THE 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER MALFUNCTIONS ANY TIME FULL BRAKING IS REQUIRED WHEN ANY SNOW COVER IS ON THE ROAD SURFACE. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE DURING THOSE CONDITIONS, YOU MUST ANTICIPATE A STOP AND SLOW SPEED THROUGH THE ACCELERATOR TO COAST TO A STOP. IF YOU DEPRESS THE BRAKE TO FULL OR NEAR THE BRAKES START…

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THE ABS SYSTEM ON THE 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER MALFUNCTIONS ANY TIME FULL BRAKING IS REQUIRED WHEN ANY SNOW COVER IS ON THE ROAD SURFACE. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE DURING THOSE CONDITIONS, YOU MUST ANTICIPATE A STOP AND SLOW SPEED THROUGH THE ACCELERATOR TO COAST TO A STOP. IF YOU DEPRESS THE BRAKE TO FULL OR NEAR THE BRAKES START TO JUMP (FELT THROUGH THE FOOT PEDAL AND STEERING WHEEL) MAKING AN AUDIBLE NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SLIDES UNCONTROLLED. FOLLOWING PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IN LATE 2008 AND AFTER NUMEROUS INCIDENTS ON LIGHT TO HEAVY SNOWY CONDITIONS I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BUCKEYE NISSAN IN JANUARY 2009 WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. I INSISTED THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN RIDE WITH ME THROUGH THE SNOWY PARKING LOT TO TEST SO HE COULD UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION. AFTER WE TESTED THE BRAKING SYSTEM, HE TOLD ME THIS WAS "NORMAL WITH ABS SYSTEMS". I HAVE 4 VEHICLES, ALL WITH ABS AND NOTHING CAN COME CLOSE TO THIS. I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS "NORMAL". A VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT IF YOU HAD TO SUDDENLY APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD CRASH AND/OR ROLL OVER. I HAVE WANTED TO GO TO A DEALERSHIP AND TEST DRIVE A SIMILAR VEHICLE WHEN THE CONDITIONS ARE COMPARABLE, HOWEVER, I DO NOT LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE A DEALER IS NEARBY AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN TO PERFORM A COMPARISON ON MY OWN. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES, OR IF THIS IS INDEED "STANDARD" FOR THIS MODEL. IF IT IS THE STANDARD, DEFINITELY NEEDS ATTENTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10303124

Official recalls

3

23V067000 · Air Bags:frontal

Feb 10, 2023

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 & remedy

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.

10V401000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

Sep 10, 2010

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 & remedy

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.

08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal

Dec 29, 2008

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP12004 · Transmission Failures

Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.