2009 Nissan Frontier Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Nissan Frontier. Part of Generation 2 (D40) — 2005–2021.

20082010
Complaints
44
per 10K Sold
16.1
US Sales
27,415
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Fatalities
Recalls
2

Worst 2009 Nissan Frontier Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#19 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:130,100 mi
#26 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:99,283 mi
Fires:1
#33 complaints

Gasoline Fuel System

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Nissan Frontier.

Airbags
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
130,100
Transmission / Drivetrain
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
99,283
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Manual Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Tailgate
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Nissan Frontier. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2009 Nissan Frontier

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~412,638 vehicles.

23V067000Air Bags:frontal
~404,690 affected

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.

10V401000Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)
~7,948 affected

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.

Other Nissan Frontier Years

2009 Nissan Frontier — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 Nissan Frontier reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2009 Nissan Frontier has 44 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 9 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 Nissan Frontier?
Top reported problems: Airbags (9 complaints, avg 130,100 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (6 complaints, avg 99,283 mi); Gasoline Fuel System (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Nissan Frontier?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 117,773 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2009 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 Nissan Frontier include 1 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2009 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 412,638 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2009 Nissan Frontier?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Frontier reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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