AI Damage2009 Nissan Xterra: common problems
Owners of the 2009 Nissan Xterra filed 19 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 19
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 32% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 32% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 16% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 11% of all complaints
- 7 Electronic stability control 5% of all complaints
- 8 Engine and cooling 5% of all complaints
- Air bags: 6 complaints (32% of all).
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (32% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (16% of all).
- Engine: 3 complaints (16% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (11% of all).
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
- automatic, 5-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 19 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 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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.
Cracked cooler tube caused transmission oil & coolant to mix causing transmission failure.
As of 5/9/19 I started to experience pronounced issues with losing power around 40 mph . Diagnostics confirmed that it was due to a leak in the cooling coil which resulted in coolant in my transmission fluid which damage the transmission. I have filed a claim under the class action required extended warranty.
I took my xterra in because it constantly blew hot air. Upon inspection I was informed of the tsb issued by nissan that the radiator tubes can crack and mix coolant with transmission fluid and that I was low on coolant because of that. The tech informed me that the leak was minimal but needed to be replaces asap.
On several occasions during the last year I've had issues with the break system of my nissan xterra. When using the breaks the anti lock break system (abs) wont work and the vehicle takes loner to stop. I have to press the breaks all the way to get the vehicle to stop.
Purchased this vehicle for my wife, while she was driving down the freeway in rush-hour in august in phoenix, the vehicle started smoking and lost all power to the transmission, I noticed the transmission cooler had failed and sprayed fluid all over the engine,-this all happened with zero warning and no service…
The contact stated that while driving at 15 mph, the air bag warning light illuminated and the brake lights failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the stop lamp needed to be replaced. In addition, the ac failed and the blower amp needed to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan xterra. While driving at any speed, the vehicle made an abnormal loud noise without warning. The failure recurred continuously.
While driving at an unknown speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that a sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
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 8,437 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 23% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Xterra has 172 complaints (18 years in the data). This year has 19, 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.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
- Xterra 2000214 sources
- Xterra 2001150 sources
- Xterra 2002157 sources
- Xterra 200372 sources
- Xterra 200484 sources
- Xterra 2005845 sources
- Xterra 2006780 sources
- Xterra 2007557 sources
- Xterra 2008119 sources
- Xterra 201038 sources
- Xterra 201124 sources
- Xterra 201216 sources
- Xterra 20134 sources
- Xterra 201410 sources
- Xterra 201510 sources
- Xterra 201630 sources
- Xterra 99993 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Xterra?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, powertrain, electrical system. Total complaints: 19. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (16%), warning lights, check engine (16%), rust, corrosion (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 Nissan Xterra?
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 Xterra 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.