2009 Nissan Cube Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Nissan Cube ranks worst of the 6 model years with a complaint index of 100 and 101 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Top problem areas are electrical (24 complaints), steering (23), engine (22), and it carries 3 recalls covering airbags, fuel system, and TPMS.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 6 Cube years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 101
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 26 city / 29.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2009 Nissan Cube problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System24 (24%)
- Steering23 (23%)
- Engine22 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain20 (20%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (11%)
- Brakes9 (9%)
- Airbags8 (8%)
- Fuel System8 (8%)
- Other8 (8%)
- Structure & Body8 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Instrument panel lights suddenly go black or dim while driving, sometimes triggered by using the windshield wipers.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deflate properly after a crash, contributing to injuries.
- Rearview mirror brackets have broken more than once even under normal handling.
- Tire pressure monitoring sensor lights stay on even when tire pressure is correct, with some owners noting a related recall.
- Exhaust system components separate at the flange, with heat reportedly melting nearby bumper plastic and raising fire risk.
- Front tires lose air faster than normal due to corrosion around the valve stem, and some tires reportedly split near the wheel wells.
2009 Nissan Cube recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V230000Apr 9, 2026Airbags47,928 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Cube vehicles. The driverâs air bag inflator may rupture or detach from the steering wheel during air bag deployment.
Risk: A driver's air bag that ruptures or detaches can strike the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front air bag inflator serial number, and replace the inflator as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall is R26A1. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 14, 2026.
- NHTSA 10V330000Jul 22, 2010Fuel System46,000 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage
Nissan is recalling model year 2009-2010 nissan cube vehicles manufactured from january 30, 2009 through july 30, 2010. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity." when the vehicle was rotated following a rear moving barrier crash test as required, the amount of fuel leakage exceeded the allowable limits.
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will develop a special protector and attach it to the gasoline recirculation tube at the location of the filler neck connector. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on september 13, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
- NHTSA 09V393000Oct 5, 2009Suspension, Wheels & Tires143,223 vehicles
Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, washington d.c., west virginia and wisconsin. The material in the nut used to secure the sensor-transmitter of the tire pressure monitoring system (tpms) may corrode and potentially crack in areas with heavy concentrations of road salt. If this occurs, the nut may come out of the sensor-transmitter and the tpms lamp will illuminate.
Risk: If the tpms lamp is disregarded and the vehicle continues to be driven in this condition, the tire will quickly lose air pressure at a consistent rate resulting in a flat tire increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The dealer will replace the tpms nut with a new, more robust nut. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before november 9, 2009. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261 and infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
2009 Nissan Cube fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 29.5 MPG
- Combined
- 27.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,375
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Cube years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Nissan Cube reliable?
- Among the 6 model years with data, 2009 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst overall, with 101 complaints logged and an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Cube?
- NHTSA data shows electrical system issues lead at 24 complaints (24%), followed by steering (23 complaints, 23%), engine (22 complaints, 22%), and transmission/powertrain (20 complaints, 20%).
- Does the 2009 Nissan Cube have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: one for airbag inflators that may rupture, one for a fuel system compliance issue, and one for a TPMS sensor nut replacement.
- What year Nissan Cube should I avoid?
- The 2009 and 2010 model years both carry an Avoid verdict, with 2009 having the higher complaint index at 100 versus 80 for 2010.
- What is the median mileage for problems on the 2009 Nissan Cube?
- Across all reported problems, the median mileage at failure is 73,500, though individual areas vary, such as 86,000 for electrical issues and 32,400 for suspension issues.