Total Complaints
51 filings
NISSAN PATHFINDER · model year
51 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009NISSANPATHFINDER carries 51 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, 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 PATHFINDER is air bags with 9 filings, followed by power train (8) and engine (7). 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 4 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 4 investigation files overlapping the 2009 PATHFINDER. 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
51 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 9 |
| POWER TRAIN | 8 |
| ENGINE | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 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.
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT LOW TO MODERATE SPEEDS OR IN PARK. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHICH WAS THE DIAGNOSED ISSUE.
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT LOW TO MODERATE SPEEDS OR IN PARK. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHICH WAS THE DIAGNOSED ISSUE.
MY DASHBOARD HAS A LOGO OF A RED FLASHING PASSENGER WITH A AIRBAG RED BALL. IT FLASHES NON STOP WHEN EVER I TURN ON THE IGNITION. HOWEVER WHEN I CHECKED FOR AIR BAG RECALL IT'S NOT COMING UP ON THE LIST. ANY SUGGESTIONS?
Mileage: 92,000
THE VEHICLE JUST STOP. HAD TOW TO THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED WITH COOLENT IN THAT DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION
Mileage: 87,000
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH, AND HAD TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE RADIATOR FAILED, CAUSING RADIATOR FLUID TO GET INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS RUINED THE TRANSMISSION. COST IS ABOUT $4,000 TO REPLACE, AND THIRD PARTY WARRANTY IS REFUSING TO COVER ANY OF IT.
Mileage: 107,000
THIS TRUCK IS VERY WELL CARED FOR,,ALL OF A SUDDEN ITS STALLING AT ANY TIME,,SOME HARD STARTS,,RUNS PERFECT ,THAN STALLS,WHILE DRIVING,NO STEERING,VERY SCARRY,I THOUGHT IT WAS BAD GAS I FILLED 2 MORE TIME FROM GOOD GAS STATION 89 AND 91 OCTAN,
THIS TRUCK IS VERY WELL CARED FOR,,ALL OF A SUDDEN ITS STALLING AT ANY TIME,,SOME HARD STARTS,,RUNS PERFECT ,THAN STALLS,WHILE DRIVING,NO STEERING,VERY SCARRY,I THOUGHT IT WAS BAD GAS I FILLED 2 MORE TIME FROM GOOD GAS STATION 89 AND 91 OCTAN,
THIS TRUCK IS VERY WELL CARED FOR,,ALL OF A SUDDEN ITS STALLING AT ANY TIME,,SOME HARD STARTS,,RUNS PERFECT ,THAN STALLS,WHILE DRIVING,NO STEERING,VERY SCARRY,I THOUGHT IT WAS BAD GAS I FILLED 2 MORE TIME FROM GOOD GAS STATION 89 AND 91 OCTAN,
MY 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER (AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT), STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND OVERHEATING. LO AND BEHOLD WE HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IS MIXING. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM OTHERS HAVE REPORTED AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER INTEGRATED IN THE RADIATOR THAT ALLOWED ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURES OTHER THAN A SUDDEN JOLT OF THE VEHICLE LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AT SLOW AND HIGH SPEEDS.
Mileage: 92,000
MY 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER (AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT), STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND OVERHEATING. LO AND BEHOLD WE HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IS MIXING. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM OTHERS HAVE REPORTED AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER INTEGRATED IN THE RADIATOR THAT ALLOWED ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURES OTHER THAN A SUDDEN JOLT OF THE VEHICLE LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AT SLOW AND HIGH SPEEDS.
Mileage: 92,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT STAND STILL AT A PARKING LOT, WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN PARK. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE INJURED HER LEG WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SEEK ANY MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, HE ADVISED THE CONTACT HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER BAYOU NISSAN (13050 I-10 SERVICE RD, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70128, (504) 245-5900) AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,300. *DT*DT VEHICLE REPAIRED*JB
Mileage: 11,300
WHEN DRIVING UPHILL ON LONG MOUNTAIN ROADS AND SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOWN TO 2, 3 OR 4, THE CAR WON'T STAY IN GEAR. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING IT WILL SHIFT BY ITSELF INTO 5 WITHOUT ALLOWING YOU TO SHIFT DOWN AGAIN. YOU CAN ONLY GO INTO D OR STOP AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP ALREADY REPLACED THE SHIFTING ASSEMBLY, INSPECTED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION & WIRES FROM THE COMPUTER. NO PROBLEM COULD BE IDENTIFIED BUT THE ISSUE REMAINS. THE CAR WILL STAY IN LOWER GEARS WHEN DRIVING DOWNHILL. IT'S A MYSTERY AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO DIAGNOSE FURTHER. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS? THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER IS UNABLE TO HELP. THEY WORKED ON THE COMPUTER AND MAIN CIRCUIT BOARDS ABOUT 5 YRS AGO ' COULD THE HAVE POSSIBLY CAUSED THIS PROBLEM? ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
Mileage: 100,000
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING. WE LINE IN NM SO WE'RE NOT PART OF THE RECALL BUT WE DRIVE FREQUENTLY ON SNOWY SALTY MOUNTAIN ROADS SO WE MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY THE SAME ISSUE.
Mileage: 1
I TURN ON THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE IT WAS COLD AND IT STARTED BURNING AND SMOKING, LEAVING A BURN MARK IN THE STEERING. I WAS DRIVING IN BRENTWOOD NEW YORK ME AND FAMILY VISITING FAMILY.
Mileage: 184,148
RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AND FLASHING.
TAKATA RECALL- MY TRANSMISSION FLUID IS MIXING AND GOING INTO MY COOLANT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING AND MY GAGES IN THE CAR WAS NOT INDICATING TO ME THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. ALL I NOTICED WAS A THICK CHALKY FILM IN THE RADIATOR.
Mileage: 157,100
2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED RADIATOR FAILURE. ANTI-FREEZE HAS TO BE ADDED TO THE VEHICLE ALMOST DAILY AND THE WATER TEMPERATURE WOULD RISE ABOVE NORMAL LEVELS. *JS
2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED RADIATOR FAILURE. ANTI-FREEZE HAS TO BE ADDED TO THE VEHICLE ALMOST DAILY AND THE WATER TEMPERATURE WOULD RISE ABOVE NORMAL LEVELS. *JS
THE RECALL FOR AIR BAG IMPACT SENSOR FORM A WHILE BACK FOR NISSAN VEHICALES IN THE NORTHERN STATES IS NOW AFFECTING MY PATHFINDER (THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON). MY PATHFINDER WAS ORIGINAL PURCHASED DOWN SOUTH BEFORE I PURCHASED IT IN ERIE PA. IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN GET THE RECALLED EXTEND TO MY CAR AND OTHERS LIKE IT
Mileage: 132,000
THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM IS MAKING NOISE. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS REOCCURRING ISSUE AND HAS SENT OUT AN TSB TO DEALERS THAT DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE. THERE REALLY SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM SINCE 2004 OR EARLIER. I AM LUCKY THIS DID NOT FAIL ON MY RECENT LONG TRIPS ON THE HIGHWAY. IT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY.
Mileage: 170,000
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.