NISSAN CUBE · model year

2009 NISSAN CUBE

143 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009NISSANCUBE carries 143 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 CUBE is electrical system with 22 filings, followed by steering (21) and power train (19). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 54 investigation files overlapping the 2009 CUBE, and 5 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

143
Complaints
4
Crashes
4
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

143 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22
STEERING21
POWER TRAIN19
ENGINE15
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
WHEELS6
SERVICE BRAKES6
STRUCTURE:BODY5
AIR BAGS4
TIRES3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)3
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES2

Recalls (2)

10V33000022/07/2010

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

NISSAN IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 NISSAN CUBE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 30, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ROTATED FOLLOWING A REAR MOVIN

09V39300005/10/2009

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND,

Recent Complaints

20250616WHEELS

The TPMS light keeps flashing off and on and all my tires are the pressure they're supposed to be

20250616SERVICE BRAKES

The TPMS light keeps flashing off and on and all my tires are the pressure they're supposed to be

20250616UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The TPMS light keeps flashing off and on and all my tires are the pressure they're supposed to be

20250503STEERING

2009 Cube would not start. Steering wheel locked prevented me from starting the car. Called AAA and they tried to jump start and still would not start. AAA towed my car to Capital Nissan in San Jose and they confirmed it was the Steering Lock Unit. Replaced and charged me 1363.46. After researching online there was a recall (not my Cube and I don't know why) back in 2011. I also found that "recalls never expired". I feel because this incident happened at a later time the Steering Lock Unit became defective. I've noticed the warning light on my dashboard for awhile but it was off and on and have been taking my car for maintenance over the years at Premier Nissan (now called Capitol Nissan in San Jose) and thought maybe the tech would find the problem. I feel because it was defective and recalled I shouldn't have to pay for parts and labor. Also on my Invoice they wrote down the mileage as 140000 and that is not true. My Cube has 138000.

20240105ENGINE

Many complaints about the nissian cube... the battery are good and even put new batteries in the key fob.. the car isn't registering it and steering wheel is locked bc is a security feature.. many complaints online for these.. is this a recall yet?

20240105UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Many complaints about the nissian cube... the battery are good and even put new batteries in the key fob.. the car isn't registering it and steering wheel is locked bc is a security feature.. many complaints online for these.. is this a recall yet?

20230121ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Started my car at 9. Went to start my car at 10. Wouldn’t start. The escl has failed.

20220101FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Unknown

20211110AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Cube. The contact stated that the horn failed to operate as needed while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where he was informed that the clockspring was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that if the clockspring was not replaced, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash. The manufacturer informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

Mileage: 142,000

20200807UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE BACK DOOR LATCH/LOCK DOESN'T WORK. IT PERMANENTLY LOCKED AND CAN'T BE UNLOCKED WITH KEY OR ELECTRONIC KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND LOCKED IN MY APARTMENT DESIGNATED SPACE. WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE TRUNK, IT WOULDN'T UNLOCK. MY RESEARCH ON THE CUBE OWNER'S BLOG INDICATED SEVERAL OTHERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY HAD ESTIMATES FROM DEALERS OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPAIR THE LOCK. NISSAN DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. IT REQUIRES REPLACING THE ENTIRE LOCKING MECHANISM. THERE ARE A FEW INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS ON LINE OF HOW TO REPAIR THE LOCK. IT REQUIRES REMOVING BACK DOOR INSIDE OF VEHICLE.

Mileage: 141,500

20200805POWER TRAIN

ON 07/20/2020 TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING. VEHICLE VIBRATES AND SHUTTERS IN MOTION. LACK OF POWER. AT 124,000 MILES. UNABLE TO GET TO 50 MPH. VEHICLE ALSO VIBRATES WHEN STATIONARY.

Mileage: 120,000

20200730WHEELS

TIRE VALVE STEM LEAKING AIR, TIRE GOING FLAT ON 2009 NISSAN CUBE. I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BEFORE.

Mileage: 56,400

20200128ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

MY 2009 NISSAN CUBE HAD A RECALL FOR THE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRICAL STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL). IT WENT OUT IN JANUARY 2020 AND THE NISSAN DEALER WANTS 832.00 TO REPAIR WHAT IS A NISSAN MANUFACTURING DEFECT. INVESTIGATING THIS IT WAS FOUND THAT IN JANUARY 2012, JUST BEFORE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM THE NISSAN DEALER, THE ESCL RECALL WAS FIXED AT THE MURFREESBORO DEALERSHIP. AS I WASNT THE OWNER AT THE TIME I DO NOT HAVE PAPERWORK TO SHOW THIS, ONLY THE WORD FROM THE DEALER. THE ESCL IS OBVIOUSLY STILL A PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID SINCE IT WAS FIXED ONCE THAT MET THE RECALL CRITERIA AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECTIVE ESCL. THE RED LIGHT WITH THE KEY CAME ON WHEN IT WAS PARKED AT A STORE AND WOULDN'T MOVE SO IT WAS TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALER. THEY HAVE STATED THE PART IS 579.93 AND THE LABOR WILL BE 312.50. NISSAN CONSUMER HOTLINE WAS CONTACTED AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS REPAIRED BUT WOULDN'T GIVE ME A DATE/PLACE SO I CALLED THE DEALE

20200128ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 2009 NISSAN CUBE HAD A RECALL FOR THE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRICAL STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL). IT WENT OUT IN JANUARY 2020 AND THE NISSAN DEALER WANTS 832.00 TO REPAIR WHAT IS A NISSAN MANUFACTURING DEFECT. INVESTIGATING THIS IT WAS FOUND THAT IN JANUARY 2012, JUST BEFORE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM THE NISSAN DEALER, THE ESCL RECALL WAS FIXED AT THE MURFREESBORO DEALERSHIP. AS I WASNT THE OWNER AT THE TIME I DO NOT HAVE PAPERWORK TO SHOW THIS, ONLY THE WORD FROM THE DEALER. THE ESCL IS OBVIOUSLY STILL A PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID SINCE IT WAS FIXED ONCE THAT MET THE RECALL CRITERIA AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECTIVE ESCL. THE RED LIGHT WITH THE KEY CAME ON WHEN IT WAS PARKED AT A STORE AND WOULDN'T MOVE SO IT WAS TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALER. THEY HAVE STATED THE PART IS 579.93 AND THE LABOR WILL BE 312.50. NISSAN CONSUMER HOTLINE WAS CONTACTED AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS REPAIRED BUT WOULDN'T GIVE ME A DATE/PLACE SO I CALLED THE DEALE

20191118AIR BAGS

1) CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THE LIGHT IS BACK ON ALMOST A YEAR LATER AND HAS CONTINUED TO FLASH ON AND OFF. 2) TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF AND I REPLACED AND ALIGNED MY TIRES AND STILL IT CONTINUES. 3) WHEN PUTTING GAS IN MY TANK THE GAUGE IS NEVER ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP AND YET THE PUMP WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO INPUT MORE GAS. ALSO THE GAS IS NOT LASTING THE AMOUNT OF MILE IT SHOULD, AND THE READING DOES NOT SEEM ACCURATE.

20191118FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1) CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THE LIGHT IS BACK ON ALMOST A YEAR LATER AND HAS CONTINUED TO FLASH ON AND OFF. 2) TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF AND I REPLACED AND ALIGNED MY TIRES AND STILL IT CONTINUES. 3) WHEN PUTTING GAS IN MY TANK THE GAUGE IS NEVER ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP AND YET THE PUMP WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO INPUT MORE GAS. ALSO THE GAS IS NOT LASTING THE AMOUNT OF MILE IT SHOULD, AND THE READING DOES NOT SEEM ACCURATE.

20191118WHEELS

1) CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THE LIGHT IS BACK ON ALMOST A YEAR LATER AND HAS CONTINUED TO FLASH ON AND OFF. 2) TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF AND I REPLACED AND ALIGNED MY TIRES AND STILL IT CONTINUES. 3) WHEN PUTTING GAS IN MY TANK THE GAUGE IS NEVER ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP AND YET THE PUMP WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO INPUT MORE GAS. ALSO THE GAS IS NOT LASTING THE AMOUNT OF MILE IT SHOULD, AND THE READING DOES NOT SEEM ACCURATE.

20190809ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ANTITHEFT LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. NOW THE CAR WONT START.

Mileage: 98,000

20190809STEERING

THE ANTITHEFT LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. NOW THE CAR WONT START.

Mileage: 98,000

20190809UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE ANTITHEFT LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. NOW THE CAR WONT START.

Mileage: 98,000

Compare 2009NISSANCUBE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 5 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 NISSAN CUBE have?
The 2009 NISSAN CUBE has 143 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 NISSAN CUBE?
Yes, the 2009 NISSAN CUBE has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 NISSAN CUBE?
The most-complained component for the 2009 NISSAN CUBE is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 22 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2009 NISSAN CUBE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.