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2009 Nissan Xterra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
19Owner complaints

Model-year median: 78

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
780
2006557
2007119
200819
200938
201024
201116
2012
Compare all Xterra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
6Power Train
6Electrical System
3Engine
3Service Brakes
2
All reported categories
Structure
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1Suspension
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 16 of 19 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2026
Air Bags

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 i…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11722570

109,000 miles · Sep 18, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemService 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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10765122

95,000 miles · May 13, 2015
Air 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: …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10716124

73,100 miles · Apr 5, 2014
Air 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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10577708

78,000 miles · May 15, 2013
Air 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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10512085

27,500 miles · Jun 28, 2011
Air Bags

AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT 23 JUNE 2011 LOCATION: PLEASANT VALLEY TRAIL, PANAMINT MOUNTAINS, DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CA TIME: APPROXIMATELY 6 PM I WAS DRIVING ON A POPULAR 4X4 TRAIL ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK ON THE EVENING OF 23 JUNE 2011. I WAS ALONE AND CRAWLING DOWN A STEEP DECLINE IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE,…

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AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT 23 JUNE 2011 LOCATION: PLEASANT VALLEY TRAIL, PANAMINT MOUNTAINS, DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CA TIME: APPROXIMATELY 6 PM I WAS DRIVING ON A POPULAR 4X4 TRAIL ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK ON THE EVENING OF 23 JUNE 2011. I WAS ALONE AND CRAWLING DOWN A STEEP DECLINE IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, LOW RANGE, IN 1ST GEAR. I MADE A TRANSITION FROM ONE SET OF DEEP RUTS TO ANOTHER. THE CAR ROCKED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND BACK. THE MOTION WAS ABRUPT, BUT NOT VIOLENT IN ANY WAY, AND THE SAME MOTION THAT ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT TRAVELS ON THIS POPULAR TRAIL WOULD FACE. ON COMPLETION OF THE ROCKING MOTION THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT MY FACE WAS AGAINST THE WINDOW CHECKING MY SIDE CLEARANCE ON THE ROAD. MY ELBOW WAS RESTING ON THE WINDOW SILL, AND I WAS STEERING WITH ONE HAND AT THE 9 O'CLOCK POSITION AND THE OTHER AT THE 5 O'CLOCK POSITION. ON DEPLOYMENT MY FACE WAS STRUCK ON THE LEFT FRONT AND SIDE, LEAVING ME WITH FACIAL PAIN, BRUISING, A BLOODY NOSE, AND RINGING EARS. THE ARM RESTING ON THE WINDOW SILL WAS FORCED DOWN AND FORWARD, LEVERING MY SHOULDER UP AND FORWARD. I WAS DAZED AND DISORIENTED FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE SEATBELT PRE-TENSIONER FIRED, PULLING THE BELT TIGHT ENOUGH AROUND MY PELVIS TO LEAVE BRUISES AND PAIN. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS IN FIRST GEAR, LOW RANGE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN I PULLED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, IF I HAD BEEN IN 4 WHEEL HIGH RANGE THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE LIKELY CONTINUED DOWNHILL AND GONE OVER THE EMBANKMENT AND DOWN A 400' 60 DEGREE SLOPE. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PRODUCT DESIGN ERROR AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FAR GREATER INJURIES OR DEATH. THE MOTION THAT SET OFF THE DEPLOYMENT WAS ONE THAT I HAVE HAD ON HUNDREDS OF OCCASIONS WITH OTHER VEHICLES IN MY MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF OFF ROAD DRIVING EXPERIENCE. IT OCCURRED ON A POPULAR TRAIL USED BY THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES EACH YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10409192

Official recalls

3

23V067000 · Air Bags:frontal

Feb 10, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver’s 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.

10V401000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

Sep 10, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal

Dec 29, 2008

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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP12004 · Transmission Failures

Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

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 that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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 that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

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 that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission

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 that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

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 that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train

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 that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.