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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2009 Nissan PathfinderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 37 owner complaints for the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder. Most complaints involve air bags (11) and power train (8). The EPA rates it 14–18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14–18mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Feb 2023
Owner complaints
37
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$4,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 10, 2023NHTSA 23V067000

Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)

Free remedy

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.

EquipmentReported Sep 10, 2010NHTSA 10V401000

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

SuspensionReported May 20, 2010NHTSA 10E019000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

37 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2009 – May 2021
  1. Air bags11
  2. Power train8
  3. Engine7
  4. Service brakes5
  5. Engine and engine cooling4
  6. Electrical system4
  7. Fuel/propulsion system2
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  9. Steering1

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 Pathfinder model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996159
1997225
1998149
1999113
2000128
2001239
2002171
2003110
200467
20051,050
2006837
2007561
2008328
200937
201040
201145
201223
2013891
2014575
2015321
2016107
2017188
201878
201976
202053
2022137
2023107
202487
202558
202615
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

11 reports1 crash
“MY DASHBOARD HAS A LOGO OF A RED FLASHING PASSENGER WITH A AIRBAG RED BALL. IT FLASHES NON STOP WHEN EVER I TURN ON THE IGNITION. HOWEVER WHEN I CHECKED FOR AIR BAG RECALL IT'S NOT COMING UP ON THE LIST. ANY SUGGESTIONS?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2021Air bagsODI 11414622

Power train

8 reports
“I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH, AND HAD TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE RADIATOR FAILED, CAUSING RADIATOR FLUID TO GET INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS RUINED THE TRANSMISSION. COST IS ABOUT $4,000 TO REPLACE, AND THIRD PARTY WARRANTY IS REFUSING TO COVER ANY OF IT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 2, 2020Power trainODI 11377508

Engine

7 reports
“THIS TRUCK IS VERY WELL CARED FOR,,ALL OF A SUDDEN ITS STALLING AT ANY TIME,,SOME HARD STARTS,,RUNS PERFECT ,THAN STALLS,WHILE DRIVING,NO STEERING,VERY SCARRY,I THOUGHT IT WAS BAD GAS I FILLED 2 MORE TIME FROM GOOD GAS STATION 89 AND 91 OCTAN,”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2020Electronic stability control (esc), Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11349535
All 2009 Pathfinder problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl · 5.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Automatic (S5)
Drive
Rear-Wheel 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 5, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Pathfinder FE 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152218$4,400494
Pathfinder 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$4,700523
Pathfinder 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
142016$5,000555
Pathfinder 2WD
Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 5.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131915$5,300592
Pathfinder 4WD
Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 5.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131814$5,700635
  • Pathfinder FE 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $5,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 4WD
    Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $5,700/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 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 Pathfinder as of Nov 5, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 5, 2026Vehicle 5328
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 Pathfinder questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 5, 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 Pathfinder problems?

Owners filed 37 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (11), power train (8), engine (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder at 14–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 5, 2026