NISSAN XTERRA · model year

2009 NISSAN XTERRA

25 NHTSA complaints, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009NISSANXTERRA carries 25 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 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 XTERRA is power train with 5 filings, followed by air bags (4) and engine (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 54 investigation files overlapping the 2009 XTERRA, 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.

25
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

25 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN5
AIR BAGS4
ENGINE3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
SERVICE BRAKES2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN1
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
SUSPENSION1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1

Recalls (5)

08V69000029/12/2008

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

10E01900020/05/2010

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

10V40100010/09/2010

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.

23V06700010/02/2023

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.

10E04300003/09/2010

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

Recent Complaints

20210827POWER TRAIN

Cracked cooler tube caused transmission oil & coolant to mix causing transmission failure.

20210827ENGINE

Cracked cooler tube caused transmission oil & coolant to mix causing transmission failure.

20210827VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Cracked cooler tube caused transmission oil & coolant to mix causing transmission failure.

20200721POWER TRAIN

A FAULTY RADIATOR CAUSED MY TRANSMISSON AND COOLANT TO LEAK TOGETHER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. NOW MY TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED

Mileage: 260,000

20190612POWER TRAIN

I PURCHASED THIS 1 OWNER TRADE IN 4/11/19. AS OF 5/9/19 I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE PRONOUNCED ISSUES WITH LOSING POWER AROUND 40 MPH . DIAGNOSTICS CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE COOLING COIL WHICH RESULTED IN COOLANT IN MY TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH DAMAGE THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM UNDER THE CLASS ACTION REQUIRED EXTENDED WARRANTY. AS I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND HONESTLY AFRAID TO FIND OUT SINCE I STILL OWE 5000 DOLLARS ON THE CAR I PUT OFF GETTING THE DIAGNOSTICS. THE FINAL STRAW CAME WHEN I WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND LOST POWER TRYING TO MERGE INTO FAST TRAFFIC. I FINALLY CALLED A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTICS ON 5/31/19 AND TOOK THE FIRST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT ON 6/4/19. I WAS TOLD THERE MAY BE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THE DIAGNOSIS THE NEXT DAY 6/5/19 AND NISSAN IS REVIEWING MY CLAIM. I AM PRAYING THEY WON'T DENY IT BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSTICS WERE COMPLETED A COUPL

Mileage: 98,600

20190424ENGINE

I TOOK MY XTERRA IN BECAUSE IT CONSTANTLY BLEW HOT AIR. UPON INSPECTION I WAS INFORMED OF THE TSB ISSUED BY NISSAN THAT THE RADIATOR TUBES CAN CRACK AND MIX COOLANT WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THAT I WAS LOW ON COOLANT BECAUSE OF THAT. THE TECH INFORMED ME THAT THE LEAK WAS MINIMAL BUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACES ASAP. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND LINES FLUSHED AND ALSO HAD TO TAKE MY CAR INTO A TRANS EXPERT TO FLUSH AND INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION

Mileage: 103,000

20190122SERVICE BRAKES

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DURING THE LAST YEAR I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH THE BREAK SYSTEM OF MY NISSAN XTERRA. WHEN USING THE BREAKS THE ANTI LOCK BREAK SYSTEM (ABS) WONT WORK AND THE VEHICLE TAKES LONER TO STOP. I HAVE TO PRESS THE BREAKS ALL THE WAY TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS BUT NO ONE CAN COME UP WITH A SOLUTION, INCLUDING AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER REPAIR SHOP.

Mileage: 3

20180406ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

RADIATOR INTERNAL FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.

Mileage: 104,000

20180406ENGINE

RADIATOR INTERNAL FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.

Mileage: 104,000

20180406POWER TRAIN

RADIATOR INTERNAL FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.

Mileage: 104,000

20160818POWER TRAIN

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR MY WIFE, WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY IN RUSH-HOUR IN AUGUST IN PHOENIX, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND LOST ALL POWER TO THE TRANSMISSION, I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HAD FAILED AND SPRAYED FLUID ALL OVER THE ENGINE,-THIS ALL HAPPENED WITH ZERO WARNING AND NO SERVICE INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED. I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO MY HOUSE AND INSPECTED FURTHER, CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID AT 120K I NO LONGER QUALIFY FOR A WARRANTY COVERED REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS VERY MUCH AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I'M NOW FACING A REPAIR BY MYSELF OR PAY A MECHANIC TO FIX AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW.

20150918SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STOP LAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE AC FAILED AND THE BLOWER AMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

Mileage: 109,000

20150918AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STOP LAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE AC FAILED AND THE BLOWER AMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

Mileage: 109,000

20150918ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STOP LAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE AC FAILED AND THE BLOWER AMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

Mileage: 109,000

20150918STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL LOUD NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL DISENGAGED AND DAMAGED THE RING AND PINION; OVERHAUL REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,485.

Mileage: 41,485

20150918SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL LOUD NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL DISENGAGED AND DAMAGED THE RING AND PINION; OVERHAUL REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,485.

Mileage: 41,485

20150513AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V690000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

Mileage: 95,000

20140405AIR BAGS

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT STARTS BLINKING AFTER ENGINE STARTUP AND CONTINUES TO BLINK UNTIL ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. SENT EMAIL TO NISSAN IN DEC 2013 REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND THEY INDICATED "A REVIEW OF OUR SYSTEM INDICATES THAT THE ABOVE-REFERENCED VEHICLE IS NOT CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN ANY RECALLS OR SERVICE CAMPAIGNS." I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THIS IS NOT A NISSAN ISSUE WHEN THERE HAVE BEEN AIR BAG SENSOR RECALLS IN 2005, 2006, 2007 ,2008 ,2009, AND 2010. *TR

Mileage: 73,100

20130515AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG SATELLITE SENSOR HAD CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

Mileage: 78,000

20130410STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR HATCH AND REAR BUMPER WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE REAR BUMPER AND HATCH DOOR NEEDED TO BE PULLED OFF IN ORDER TO BE SANDED AND RE-PAINTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

Compare 2009NISSANXTERRA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 5 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 NISSAN XTERRA have?
The 2009 NISSAN XTERRA has 25 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 NISSAN XTERRA?
Yes, the 2009 NISSAN XTERRA has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 NISSAN XTERRA?
The most-complained component for the 2009 NISSAN XTERRA is POWER TRAIN with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ENGINE.
Is the 2009 NISSAN XTERRA 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.