The 2009 Nissan Pathfinder has 4 safety recalls and 37 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (11 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints37filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
2009 Nissan Pathfinder in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA recall 23V067000 · Feb 10, 2023 · 404,690 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driverÂs 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.
Problem: 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.
Risk: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
NHTSA recall 10E019000 · May 20, 2010 · 1,873 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA recall 08V690000 · Dec 29, 2008 · 242,720 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2009 Nissan Pathfinder 4-DR w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
22.8%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Pathfinder FE 2WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
Pathfinder 2WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel
Pathfinder 4WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
Pathfinder 2WD
15mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
5.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,500/year to fuel
Pathfinder 4WD
14mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
5.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,850/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags Frontal
11
1
0
0
91,500 mi
Power train
8
0
0
1
100,000 mi
Engine
7
0
0
0
108,000 mi
Service brakes
5
0
0
0
82,292 mi
Electrical system
4
1
0
0
72,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Cooling system › Radiator assembly; Cooling system
4
0
0
0
101,000 mi
Structure Body
2
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
2
0
0
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
2
0
0
0
—
Seat belts
1
0
0
0
—
Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner
1
0
0
0
—
Visibility Glass, side/rear
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
May 7, 2021Engine VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT LOW TO MODERATE SPEEDS OR IN PARK. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHICH WAS THE DIAGNOSED ISSUE.
Apr 15, 2021 · 92,000 milesAir bags 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?
Dec 19, 2020 · 87,000 milesPower train THE VEHICLE JUST STOP. HAD TOW TO THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED WITH COOLENT IN THAT DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION
Nov 24, 2020 · 107,000 milesPower train 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.
Jul 20, 2020Electronic stability control (esc) 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,
Jul 15, 2020 · 92,000 milesEngine 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.
Jun 15, 2020 · 11,300 miles · 1 injuryPower train 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…
Feb 1, 2019 · 100,000 milesPower train 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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
DP12004 · opened Jun 11, 2012 · closed Oct 22, 2016Transmission Failures On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood…
