Total Complaints
44 filings
NISSAN FRONTIER · model year
44 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009NISSANFRONTIER carries 44 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires, 0 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 FRONTIER is air bags with 9 filings, followed by power train (6) and fuel system, gasoline (3). 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 5 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 1 investigation file overlapping the 2009 FRONTIER. 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.
Total Complaints
44 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 9 |
| POWER TRAIN | 6 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 3 |
| TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| STRUCTURE | 2 |
| WHEELS | 2 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT | 1 |
| VISIBILITY | 1 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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, PEN
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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, ARM
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
EQUIPMENT
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING S
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated the air bag warning light had been illuminated for two years. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Mileage: 170,000
Airbag warning light blinking and won't go off. Was not able to reset. Diagnostic Code 12.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated and shut off. The failure occurred while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that it took a while for the vehicle to regain full power. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle had to be towed after shutting off. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the camshaft and crankshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. MY MECHANIC NOTICED A RECALL, CAMPAIGN ID R0807, BUT THE RECALL ONLY AFFECTS VEHICLES REGISTERED IN 'SALT' STATES. I LIVE IN VA BUT TRAVELED EXTENSIVELY IN PA, MARYLAND, DC FOR WORK FOR MANY YEARS. SINCE MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE THAT THE RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR, MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO BORDERING STATES TO ACCOUNT FOR FREQUENT TRAVEL ACROSS STATE LINES.
Mileage: 72,000
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING AND THE FRONT AIR BAG CRASH ZONE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL IN EFFECT, BUT ONLY FOR VEHICLES IN 'SALT' STATES. MY VEHICLE IS REGISTERED IN VA, BUT I TRAVELED IN PA, MD, AND DC FOR SEVERAL YEARS FOR WORK, SO MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED ON THE EXISTING WARRANTY RECALL.
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO AN ALREADY FILED CLAIM. COMPLAINT # 11331805 CLAIM # [XXX]. DEALERSHIP NEVER INFORMED ME THAT THE WAY TO FIX THE AIRBAG ON MY 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER PRO 4X WAS TO REPLACE EACH PART UNTIL THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. NISSAN HAS A VERY INTERESTING WAY TO FIX SOMETHING EVEN AFTER THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Mileage: 116,750
THE DRIVER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS BAD. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE AIR BAG IS A TAKATA. VEHICLE IS A 2009 FRONTIER PRO 4X WITH 117,000 MILES. CONTACTED NISSAN AND WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE MILEAGE AND AGE DOES NOT WARRANT ANY ASSISTANCE FROM NISSAN IN MAKING THE REPAIR. THERE WAS A RECALL ON TAKAT AIR BAGS.
Mileage: 116,750
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000.
Mileage: 175,000
MY CONTROL ARMS ARE WORN AND I ONLY HAVE 55,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK. MY TIRES ARE WEARING AND THE FRONT END POPS, AND IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT.
Mileage: 54,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KING WINDWARD NISSAN (45-568 KAMEHAMEHA HWY, KANEOHE, HI 96744, (808) 235-6433) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KING WINDWARD NISSAN (45-568 KAMEHAMEHA HWY, KANEOHE, HI 96744, (808) 235-6433) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
2009 NISAN FRONTIER 114K MILES SAME SINGS AS MANY OTHERS VIBRATION WHEN SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR START HAPPENING IN THE MORNING SPECIAL WINTER PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE AND NOW HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.
Mileage: 105,000
NISSAN FRONTIERS OF ARE EXPERENCING MANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR EMISSION SYSTEMS. EVAP CONTROL VALUES ARE FAILING AT VARIOUS MILEAGES. THE DEALERS BLAME DUST IN THE SYSTEM. THE DEALERS ARE CHARGING VERY HIGH PRICES TO REPAIR THE SYSTEM. NISSAN HAS ALREADY CHANGED THE EVAP CONTROL VENT SWITCH DESIGN 3 TIMES. THIS MEANS THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND ARE REFUSING TO RECALL THE TRUCKS.
Mileage: 60,097
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING ON MY DASHBOARD. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH THIS WARNING.
MY 09 NISSAN FRONTIER SE (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) GRINDED A BIT WHEN CHANGING GEARS. I NOTICED IT WAS BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEARS. SOMETIMES IT WAS LOUDER AND LONGER THAN OTHER TIMES. SOMETIMES IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AT ALL. I NOTICED IT HAPPENS WHEN I ACCELERATED SLOWLY WITH THE GAS ONLY SLIGHTLY PRESSED. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AT ALL WHEN ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE FREEWAY, FOR EXAMPLE.I HAD PURCHASED MY FRONTIER AS A USED TRUCK WITH ABOUT 113K MILES ON IT FROM THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN EVERETT, WA AND NOTHING WAS SAID OF ANY TRANSMISSION ISSUES (AS YOU'D EXPECT FROM A DEALER). ONLY ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER AFTER PURCHASING IT THE TRANSMISSION STARTED DOING VERY STRANGE THINGS. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD, MY TRUCK WAS SHIFTING LIKE NORMAL. HOWEVER, ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN SHIFTING TO THE NEXT GEAR I HEARD AND FELT A LOUD THUMP FROM THE ENGINE, THEN THE TRUCK SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS IN A VERY HIGH GEAR AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV VERY LOUDLY WHILE I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, BUT MY TRUCK WASN'T ACCELERATING AT A
Mileage: 113,700
FAULTY AIRBAG SENSOR. AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY BLINKS, DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALED CENTER CRASH ZONE SENSOR IS FAULTY. BEING TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, DESPITE BEING AN INCLUDED MODEL/YEAR AND BEING DRIVEN IN AN INCLUDED STATE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER HAD REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY THREE YEARS AGO AND THAT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Mileage: 92,000
THE NUTS ON THE AIR SENSORS ON TIRES CORRODED AND CRACKED . THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH LED TO A NISSAN RECALL OF 2008-09 MURANOS AND FIT MODELS. ( LIVING IN MARYLAND FROM 2009 UNTIL 2015)
Mileage: 51,000
MY WIFE AND I OWN NISSAN VEHICLES. 2 YEARS AGO WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON HER 2005 PATHFINER. IN OCTOBER OF 2015 MY 2009 FRONTIER TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL BECAUSE OF COOLANT MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH NISSAN
Mileage: 121,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RINGING PINION HAD FAILED AND THE REAR END ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,709.
Mileage: 67,709
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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.