Research · Subcompact Cars

2009 Nissan GT-RRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 19 owner complaints for the 2009 Nissan GT-R. Most complaints involve electrical system (6) and exterior lighting (4). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Feb 2015
Owner complaints
19
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: column

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2008 Infiniti EX35 vehicles equipped with the power tilt/telescope option included in the premium package, manufactured June 29, 2007, to April 25, 2008, 2009 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2007, to April 16, 2008, and 2009 Nissan GT-R vehicles manufactured March 14, 2007, to April 25, 2008. The steering column outer tube may not be round, resulting in extra stress being applied to the upper steering bearing. This stress may cause the bearing retainer to fracture, creating extra play in the steering wheel or a possible loss of steering.

SteeringReported Feb 2, 2015NHTSA 15V054000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

19 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2009 – Aug 2023
  1. Electrical system6
  2. Exterior lighting4
  3. Fuel system, gasoline4
  4. Visibility1
  5. Service brakes1
  6. Fuel/propulsion system1
  7. Steering1
  8. Vehicle speed control1
  9. Engine1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each GT-R model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200919
201011
20111
20131
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

6 reports
“1. MANY LEDS IN DASH CLUSTER HAVE GONE OUT WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE DRIVING AT NIGHT. 2. THERE IS A FAILURE OF THE AM/FM TUNER. BOTH ISSUES ARE KNOWN TO NISSAN BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX IN MY CAR STATING THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT AFFECTED WHICH IT MOST CERTAINLY IS: HTTP://WWW.2009GTR.COM/2012/01/NISSAN-EXTENDS-WARRANTY-ON-INSTRUMENT.HTML”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 26, 2017Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11048465

Exterior lighting

4 reports
“THE INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER ON A 2009-2010 GTR HAS A COMMON PROBLEM WHERE THE LEDS BEHIND THE FUEL GAUGE END OF BURNING OUT. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND OFFERED A FACTORY EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM 3 YEARS / 36K MILES TO 6 YEARS / UNLIMITED MILES. EVEN SO, FOR OWNERS LIKE MYSELF WITH A LOW MILEAGE CAR THAT HAVE PASSED THE TIME PERIOD BUT HAVE A BROKEN CLUSTER. IT'S A COMMON AND KNOWN ISSUE AND DUE TO THIS TECHNICALITY NISSAN REFUSES TO REPLACE THE CLUSTER.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 15, 2017Exterior lightingODI 10966003

Fuel system, gasoline

4 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN GT-R. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL SPILLED OUT FROM THE FILLER NECK WHILE REFUELING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,900. UPDATED 02/22/12 *BF UPDATED 03/01/12”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 13, 2012Fuel system, gasolineODI 10447751
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
GT-R
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162118$4,300494
  • GT-R
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Turbo
    16 city · 21 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Nissan GT-R as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 5333
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 GT-R questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan GT-R have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Nissan GT-R problems?

Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (6), exterior lighting (4), fuel system, gasoline (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Nissan GT-R get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Nissan GT-R at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026