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2009 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →
37Owner complaints

Model-year median: 97

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
837
2006561
2007328
200837
200940
201045
201123
2012
Compare all Pathfinder years →

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

What owners reported most

Air Bags
11Power Train
8Engine
7Service Brakes
5Electrical System
4
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
4Fuel/propulsion System
2Unknown Or Other
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Equipment
1Seat Belts
1Steering
1Structure
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

29 reports with mileage · 8 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 11 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 →
  • Engine. Review the 7 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 reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

37 reports
110,000 miles · Jan 22, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WAS ON MY WAY HOME AND TRUCK LIGHTS CAME ON TRANSMISSION STARTED JUMPING AND ALL LIGHTS CAME ON ... PARKED CAR WOULD NOT CRANK THE NEXT DAY ,,, CALLED AND HAD TOWED. WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WAS NOT ANY GOOD AND IT WOULD COST ME $4800 TO FIX ... NO ONE OFFERED TO HELP .. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD CONTACT…

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WAS ON MY WAY HOME AND TRUCK LIGHTS CAME ON TRANSMISSION STARTED JUMPING AND ALL LIGHTS CAME ON ... PARKED CAR WOULD NOT CRANK THE NEXT DAY ,,, CALLED AND HAD TOWED. WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WAS NOT ANY GOOD AND IT WOULD COST ME $4800 TO FIX ... NO ONE OFFERED TO HELP .. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD CONTACT NISSAN SO I DID , WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT IT WAS TO BAD THAT I WAS PAST THE EXTENTION OF THE WARENTY OF THE TRUCK. AND THEY COULD NOT HELP AT ALL.... AND HUNG UP. IT COST ME $3800 TO REPAIR MY CAR.. I FEEL RIPPED OFF, AND WILL MOST LIKLEY NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN EVEN THOUGH I HAVE OWNED 3. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560943

3,000 miles · Jul 26, 2012
Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE AIR CONDITIONER THEN ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESET THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER TO TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE AIR CONDITIONER THEN ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESET THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER TO TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER SWITCH WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ODI #10467775

38,000 miles · Aug 22, 2011
Structure

I OWNED A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER AFTER FRONT WINDSCREEN WAS HIT BY A SMALL STONE THERE APPEARED A CRACK WHICH I DISMISSED. I NOW HAVE A 2009 PATHFINDER AND THE FRONT WINDSCREEN WAS HIT BY A SMALL STONE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOW AGAIN I HAVE A CRACKED WINDSCREEN - 2ND TIME AROUND IS NOT AN ACCIDENT - I CONSIDER IT A DE…

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I OWNED A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER AFTER FRONT WINDSCREEN WAS HIT BY A SMALL STONE THERE APPEARED A CRACK WHICH I DISMISSED. I NOW HAVE A 2009 PATHFINDER AND THE FRONT WINDSCREEN WAS HIT BY A SMALL STONE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOW AGAIN I HAVE A CRACKED WINDSCREEN - 2ND TIME AROUND IS NOT AN ACCIDENT - I CONSIDER IT A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10420919

14,000 miles · Dec 8, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THERE MAY BE A FAILURE IN THE RADIATOR AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS UNTIL THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO D…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THERE MAY BE A FAILURE IN THE RADIATOR AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS UNTIL THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000.

NHTSA ODI #10369609

36,000 miles · Mar 4, 2010
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrash

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 DASHBOARD, BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT AC…

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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 DASHBOARD, BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE BODY SHOP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR THE WIRING HARNESS BECAUSE NONE ARE AVAILABLE. IF A SLIGHT ACCIDENT MANAGED TO SEVER THE WIRES THEN WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN A HIGH IMPACT CRASH WHEN THE WIRES ARE SEVERED. NO AIRBAG. NISSAN NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT IMMEDIATELY AND THEY NEED TO HAVE PARTS ON HAND DUE TO THE SHODDY WORKMANSHIP AND DESIGN OF THE WIRING HARNESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316755

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2009
Air Bags

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DISENGAGES WHEN I SIT IN THE SEAT (AS IF A CHILD IS SITTING THERE.) I AM AN ADULT, 38 YEAR OLD FEMALE, 5'2" WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 115 POUNDS. WHENEVER I AM IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, I WILL HAVE NO AIR BAG IF WE ARE IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289908

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2009
Seat Belts

MY SEATBELTS DO NOT LOCK WHEN THE BREAKS ARE MASHED. FOR EXAMPLE WHEN A BREAKS ARE SUDDENLY MASHED IN THE SEATBELTS CATCH TO PREVENT THE PASSENGER FROM GOING ANYWHERE. (MINE DON'T) I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH 2009. IN MAY 2009, THE DEALERSHIP REQUESTED THAT A BRING IT BACK FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC EXAMINATION. WHEN I RE…

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MY SEATBELTS DO NOT LOCK WHEN THE BREAKS ARE MASHED. FOR EXAMPLE WHEN A BREAKS ARE SUDDENLY MASHED IN THE SEATBELTS CATCH TO PREVENT THE PASSENGER FROM GOING ANYWHERE. (MINE DON'T) I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH 2009. IN MAY 2009, THE DEALERSHIP REQUESTED THAT A BRING IT BACK FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC EXAMINATION. WHEN I RETURNED IN JUNE THEY STATED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT MADE FOR THE SEATBELTS TO LOCK. THAT MY VEHICLE IS PROPERLY WORKING. I KNOW THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275908

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.