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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

Structure complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
1,100 miles · May 24, 2014
Service BrakesStructure

THE BRAKE PEDALS TRAVELS FURTHER DOWN THAN TOP OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IN WINTER WHEN WEARING WINTER BOOTS I HAD TO MAKE AN QUICK STOP TO AVOID A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING THE STREET ON A CROSSWALK. I FOUND MYSELF DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR AT SAME TIME NEARLY HITTING PERSON. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER INCIDENTS NOT AS SERIOU…

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THE BRAKE PEDALS TRAVELS FURTHER DOWN THAN TOP OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IN WINTER WHEN WEARING WINTER BOOTS I HAD TO MAKE AN QUICK STOP TO AVOID A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING THE STREET ON A CROSSWALK. I FOUND MYSELF DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR AT SAME TIME NEARLY HITTING PERSON. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER INCIDENTS NOT AS SERIOUS. I CALLED DEALER AND NISSAN WITH NO SATISFACTION. I ALSO ASKED NON-DEALER SHOPS AND THEY SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG AS FAR AS THEY COULD SEE. MY CONCLUSION IS THAT THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. THE BRAKE PEDAL, IN AN EMERGENCY, SHOULD NOT TRAVEL THAT FAR DOWN. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593851

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

85 miles · Apr 26, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TAIL GATE FALLS OFF WHEN OPENING. THE REMOVABLE TAILGATE IS BOTH LIGHT ENOUGH AND DOES NOT HAVE A CATCH ON THE HINGE TO PREVENT THE GATE FROM FALLING OUT WHEN LIFTING UP ON THE TAILGATE LATCH WITH ONE HAND. THIS CAN ALSO HAPPEN IF THERE IS ANY SNOW ON THE BACK BUMPER. THIS IS BOTH A SAFETY CONCERN, AS I HAD THE GATE FALL OFF …

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TAIL GATE FALLS OFF WHEN OPENING. THE REMOVABLE TAILGATE IS BOTH LIGHT ENOUGH AND DOES NOT HAVE A CATCH ON THE HINGE TO PREVENT THE GATE FROM FALLING OUT WHEN LIFTING UP ON THE TAILGATE LATCH WITH ONE HAND. THIS CAN ALSO HAPPEN IF THERE IS ANY SNOW ON THE BACK BUMPER. THIS IS BOTH A SAFETY CONCERN, AS I HAD THE GATE FALL OFF WITH A LOAD OF WOOD IN MY HANDS CAUSING ME TO DROP EVERYTHING, AND IT DAMAGES THE VEHICLE AS THE TAILGATE RIGHT REAR CORNER GETS CAUGHT IN THE BODY MOUNTED HINGE. THE RESULT OF THIS IS THE RIGHT REAR CORNER OF THE TAILGATE IS BENT ~90. I HAVE TAKEN THIS BACK TO THE DEALER 2 TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM AND FILED A REPORT WITH NISSAN USA. BOTH NISSAN AND THE DEALER CLAIM THIS IS A DESIGN FEATURE - REMOVABLE TAILGATE. IN OBSERVING OTHER FRONTIERS, IT IS APPARENT THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM JUDGING BY THE NUMBER OF DAMAGED TAILGATES ARE OUT THERE. EVERYONE I WORK WITH THAT OWNS A FRONTIER HAS HAD THE GATE FALL OFF. IN LOOKING ONLINE - IT APPEARS TO AFFECT NISSAN FRONTIER TRUCKS BACK TO 2005. MINE FELL OFF 3 DAYS AFTER TAKING DELIVERY DAMAGING THE TAILGATE, AND DOES EVERY TIME YOU OPEN IT IF YOU DON'T USE 2 HANDS, ONE TO LIFT UP THE LATCH, ONE TO HOLD THE GATE IN THE HINGES. I HAVE OWNED 3 TRUCKS, INCLUDING A 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER FOR A PERIOD OF 7 YEARS. I AM AWARE THAT TAILGATES ARE REMOVABLE AND THAT YOU MUST CLEAN DEBRIS OFF THE BUMPER PRIOR TO OPENING THEM. I WAS NOT AWARE THE TAILGATE SHOULD FALL OUT OF IT'S HINGES WHEN OPENING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327653

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.