NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Nissan Xterra Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2009 Nissan Xterra has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 19 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Nissan dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 Nissan Xterra, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2009 Nissan Xterra owner complaints

Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Nissan Xterra, describing incidents dated April 20, 2009 to March 6, 2026.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 6 complaints
Power Train 6 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Structure 2 complaints

Newest complaints

ODI #11722570 · Filed March 6, 2026
I took my car to complete Recall NumberPC945, I was told that my car has an issue with the driver side air Bag - Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: REPLACE SPIRAL CABLE - C1163/B1049 and also another issue related to the driver side airbag that is under the steering wheel. I was quoted over $2000…
ODI #11430763 · Filed August 27, 2021
Cracked cooler tube caused transmission oil & coolant to mix causing transmission failure.
ODI #11340619 · Filed July 21, 2020
A FAULTY RADIATOR CAUSED MY TRANSMISSON AND COOLANT TO LEAK TOGETHER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. NOW MY TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED

Read all 19 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2009 Nissan Xterra in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP12-004: Transmission Failures
Closed October 22, 2016

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Driver's Side Air Bag Cover Emblem May Detach

NHTSA #23V067000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported February 10, 2023 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 404,690 vehicles

Repair completion: 16.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Nissan campaign PC944, PC945, PC946 · Owners notified December 8, 2023

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the drivers 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

PORTABLE AUTOMOTIVE GPS PRODUCTS/OVERHEATS

NHTSA #10V401000 · Equipment — Electrical — Navigational System(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) · NHTSA notice

Reported September 10, 2010 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 7,948 vehicles

Owners notified September 16, 2010

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

AFTERMARKET SEAT COVER

NHTSA #10E043000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported September 3, 2010 · MARATHON SEAT COVERS, INC.

Potentially affected: 294 vehicles

Owners notified September 14, 2010

Defect description

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 SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Safety consequence

AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET MARATHON SEAT COVERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON GENERAL MOTORS, FORD, CHRYSLER, TOYOTA, OR NISSAN VEHICLES.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

LOWER LINK REPLACEMENT PARTS

NHTSA #10E019000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Arm · NHTSA notice

Reported May 20, 2010 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 1,873 vehicles

Owners notified July 12, 2010

Defect description

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, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

Safety consequence

IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Notes

FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR HOUSING/ROAD SALT

NHTSA #08V690000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported December 29, 2008 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 242,720 vehicles

Owners notified January 26, 2009 · Vehicles built June 1, 2004 – November 19, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2009 Nissan Xterra 4-DR w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

26% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

19 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Nissan Xterra.

Air Bags

ODI #11722570

Incident: March 6, 2026 · Filed: March 6, 2026

I took my car to complete Recall NumberPC945, I was told that my car has an issue with the driver side air Bag - Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: REPLACE SPIRAL CABLE - C1163/B1049 and also another issue related to the driver side airbag that is under the steering wheel. I was quoted over $2000 to fix the issue. The recall is to replace the decal over the airbag and I think the issue is bigger than that, the issue is the airbag clock spring/ spiral cable that malfunctions and not only the plastic plate. A quick Google search will show you that this is a known issue that impacts thousands of Xterra owners. Nissan is fraudulently just replacing the plastic Nissan Emblem when the issue is way bigger than that and could cause bodily harm to the driver if the air bag doesn't deploy.

Power Train; Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #11430763

Incident: May 4, 2021 · Filed: August 27, 2021

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

Power Train

ODI #11340619

Incident: June 23, 2020 · Filed: July 21, 2020

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

Power Train

ODI #11219416

Incident: May 30, 2019 · Filed: June 12, 2019

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 COUPLE BUSINESS DAY AFTER THE EXTENSION EXPIRED ON 5/31/19.

Engine

ODI #11203345

Incident: February 13, 2018 · Filed: April 24, 2019

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

Service Brakes

ODI #11171459

Incident: December 18, 2018 · Filed: January 22, 2019

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.

Power Train; Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Engine

ODI #11083706

Incident: April 2, 2018 · Filed: April 6, 2018

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

Power Train

ODI #10896965

Incident: August 16, 2016 · Filed: August 18, 2016

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.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #10765231

Incident: September 1, 2015 · Filed: September 18, 2015

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.

Electrical System; Air Bags; Service Brakes

ODI #10765122

Incident: August 3, 2015 · Filed: September 18, 2015

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.

Other Nissan Xterra model years

Check your 2009 Nissan Xterra VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Nissan Xterra at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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