2009 Nissan Frontier Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
15/100
#18 most-complained of 21 Frontier years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2009 Nissan Frontier has 37 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 15 out of 100 — #18 highest of 21 Frontier model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is airbags (9 complaints, 24% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash and 1 fire.
- Complaints
- 37
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15.5 city / 20 hwy
Top 2009 Nissan Frontier problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags9 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (22%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (16%)
- Brakes5 (14%)
- Fuel System5 (14%)
- Structure & Body3 (8%)
- Engine2 (5%)
- Other2 (5%)
- HVAC1 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (3%)
2009 Nissan Frontier recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V067000Feb 10, 2023Airbags404,690 vehicles
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.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 10V401000Sep 10, 2010Other7,948 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 08V690000Dec 29, 2008Airbags242,720 vehicles
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, 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.
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.
2009 Nissan Frontier fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15.5 MPG
- Highway
- 20 MPG
- Combined
- 17.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,700
- 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 Frontier years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Nissan Frontier a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Nissan Frontier ranks #18 of 21 among Frontier model years (Complaint Index 15/100, verdict: Good). It has 37 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Frontier?
- The most reported problem areas are airbags (9 complaints), transmission & powertrain (8 complaints), and suspension, wheels & tires (6 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 60,097 miles.
- Does the 2009 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2009 Nissan Frontier, most recently reported 2023, covering airbags and other.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Nissan Frontier?
- EPA rates the 2009 Nissan Frontier at 17.5 MPG combined (15.5 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.