AI Damage2009 Nissan Pathfinder: common problems
Owners of the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder filed 37 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 37
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 30% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 22% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 19% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 11% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- 8 Electronic stability control 3% of all complaints
- Air bags: 11 complaints (30% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 8 complaints (22% of all).
- Engine: 7 complaints (19% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (14% of all).
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 5.6 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 37 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The airbag light flashed on the dashboard, but the airbag did not activate. The body shop has been unable to repair the wiring harness because none are available. If a slight accident managed to sever the wires then what would happen in a high impact crash when the wires are severed. No airbag.
Vehicle stalls intermittently at low to moderate speeds or in park. Camshaft position sensor was replaced which was the diagnosed issue.
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.
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,
My 2009 nissan pathfinder (after the warranty ran out), started having issues with the transmission and overheating. Lo and behold we have an issue where the radiator and transmission fluid is mixing.
The airbag light is flashing. We line in nm so we're not part of the recall but we drive frequently on snowy salty mountain roads so we might be affected by the same issue.
I turn on the heated steering wheel because it was cold and it started burning and smoking, leaving a burn mark in the steering. I was driving in brentwood new york me and family visiting family.
Consumer writes in regards to transmission slipping. The consumer stated the vehicle also experienced radiator failure. Anti-freeze has to be added to the vehicle almost daily and the water temperature would rise above normal levels.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,176 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 17% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Pathfinder has 176 complaints (42 years in the data). This year has 37, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
- Pathfinder 198719 sources
- Pathfinder 198817 sources
- Pathfinder 198915 sources
- Pathfinder 199038 sources
- Pathfinder 199139 sources
- Pathfinder 199230 sources
- Pathfinder 199349 sources
- Pathfinder 199491 sources
- Pathfinder 1995170 sources
- Pathfinder 1996159 sources
- Pathfinder 1997217 sources
- Pathfinder 1998149 sources
- Pathfinder 1999104 sources
- Pathfinder 2000112 sources
- Pathfinder 2001230 sources
- Pathfinder 2002156 sources
- Pathfinder 2003110 sources
- Pathfinder 200467 sources
- Pathfinder 20051,050 sources
- Pathfinder 2006837 sources
- Pathfinder 2007561 sources
- Pathfinder 2008328 sources
- Pathfinder 201040 sources
- Pathfinder 201145 sources
- Pathfinder 201223 sources
- Pathfinder 2013891 sources
- Pathfinder 2014576 sources
- Pathfinder 2015321 sources
- Pathfinder 2016244 sources
- Pathfinder 2017349 sources
- Pathfinder 2018206 sources
- Pathfinder 2019189 sources
- Pathfinder 2020143 sources
- Pathfinder 202132 sources
- Pathfinder 2022280 sources
- Pathfinder 2023194 sources
- Pathfinder 2024119 sources
- Pathfinder 202570 sources
- Pathfinder 202621 sources
- Pathfinder 99995 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, powertrain, engine. Total complaints: 37. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (16%), warning lights, check engine (14%), windows, sunroof (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2009 Nissan Pathfinder from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2009 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.