RoadVitals

2009 Nissan Cube Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
101
+1 complaint in 30 days
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
3
Reports on file since Jul 16, 2009

What this page shows

Our database holds 101 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Nissan Cube. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 101 · page 1 of 5

Airbags
Filed Jul 27, 2026

Recall issued. Kelly Nissan of 275 Broadway, Lynnfield MA 01940 told me to check back in a month to see if the parts were then available then a month later told me the parts were no longer being manufactured and were unavailable.

NHTSA ID
11753022
Incident
Jul 1, 2026
Airbags
Filed Jul 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Cube. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 26V230000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11748522
Incident
Jun 16, 2026
Airbags
Filed Jun 22, 2026

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Cube. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V230000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that parts were on back order. The contact was later informed that the parts were not available and were no longer manufactured. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11745655
Incident
Jun 22, 2026
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Jun 16, 2025

The TPMS light keeps flashing off and on and all my tires are the pressure they're supposed to be

NHTSA ID
11667201
Incident
Feb 1, 2025
Steering
Filed May 3, 2025

2009 Cube would not start. Steering wheel locked prevented me from starting the car. Called AAA and they tried to jump start and still would not start. AAA towed my car to Capital Nissan in San Jose and they confirmed it was the Steering Lock Unit. Replaced and charged me 1363.46. After researching online there was a recall (not my Cube and I don't know why) back in 2011. I also found that "recalls never expired". I feel because this incident happened at a later time the Steering Lock Unit became defective. I've noticed the warning light on my dashboard for awhile but it was off and on and have been taking my car for maintenance over the years at Premier Nissan (now called Capitol Nissan in San Jose) and thought maybe the tech would find the problem. I feel because it was defective and recalled I shouldn't have to pay for parts and labor. Also on my Invoice they wrote down the mileage as 140000 and that is not true. My Cube has 138000.

NHTSA ID
11658609
Incident
Apr 11, 2025
Engine
Filed Jan 5, 2024

Many complaints about the nissian cube... the battery are good and even put new batteries in the key fob.. the car isn't registering it and steering wheel is locked bc is a security feature.. many complaints online for these.. is this a recall yet?

NHTSA ID
11563802
Incident
Jan 4, 2024
Electrical
Filed Jan 21, 2023

Started my car at 9. Went to start my car at 10. Wouldn’t start. The escl has failed.

NHTSA ID
11502911
Incident
Jan 17, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Jan 1, 2022
Fire reported

Unknown

NHTSA ID
11445788
Incident
Dec 29, 2021
Airbags
Filed Nov 10, 2021

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Cube. The contact stated that the horn failed to operate as needed while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where he was informed that the clockspring was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that if the clockspring was not replaced, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash. The manufacturer informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

NHTSA ID
11440018
Incident
Oct 25, 2021
Mileage
142,000 mi
Filed Aug 7, 2020

THE BACK DOOR LATCH/LOCK DOESN'T WORK. IT PERMANENTLY LOCKED AND CAN'T BE UNLOCKED WITH KEY OR ELECTRONIC KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND LOCKED IN MY APARTMENT DESIGNATED SPACE. WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE TRUNK, IT WOULDN'T UNLOCK. MY RESEARCH ON THE CUBE OWNER'S BLOG INDICATED SEVERAL OTHERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY HAD ESTIMATES FROM DEALERS OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPAIR THE LOCK. NISSAN DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. IT REQUIRES REPLACING THE ENTIRE LOCKING MECHANISM. THERE ARE A FEW INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS ON LINE OF HOW TO REPAIR THE LOCK. IT REQUIRES REMOVING BACK DOOR INSIDE OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11343917
Incident
Aug 1, 2020
Mileage
141,500 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 5, 2020

ON 07/20/2020 TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING. VEHICLE VIBRATES AND SHUTTERS IN MOTION. LACK OF POWER. AT 124,000 MILES. UNABLE TO GET TO 50 MPH. VEHICLE ALSO VIBRATES WHEN STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID
11343543
Incident
Jul 20, 2020
Mileage
120,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 30, 2020

TIRE VALVE STEM LEAKING AIR, TIRE GOING FLAT ON 2009 NISSAN CUBE. I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BEFORE.

NHTSA ID
11342424
Incident
Jul 30, 2020
Mileage
56,400 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 28, 2020

MY 2009 NISSAN CUBE HAD A RECALL FOR THE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRICAL STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL). IT WENT OUT IN JANUARY 2020 AND THE NISSAN DEALER WANTS 832.00 TO REPAIR WHAT IS A NISSAN MANUFACTURING DEFECT. INVESTIGATING THIS IT WAS FOUND THAT IN JANUARY 2012, JUST BEFORE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM THE NISSAN DEALER, THE ESCL RECALL WAS FIXED AT THE MURFREESBORO DEALERSHIP. AS I WASNT THE OWNER AT THE TIME I DO NOT HAVE PAPERWORK TO SHOW THIS, ONLY THE WORD FROM THE DEALER. THE ESCL IS OBVIOUSLY STILL A PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID SINCE IT WAS FIXED ONCE THAT MET THE RECALL CRITERIA AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECTIVE ESCL. THE RED LIGHT WITH THE KEY CAME ON WHEN IT WAS PARKED AT A STORE AND WOULDN'T MOVE SO IT WAS TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALER. THEY HAVE STATED THE PART IS 579.93 AND THE LABOR WILL BE 312.50. NISSAN CONSUMER HOTLINE WAS CONTACTED AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS REPAIRED BUT WOULDN'T GIVE ME A DATE/PLACE SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM TO GET THIS INFORMATION. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO STATED IT WAS DONE IN JANUARY 2012 WHEN IT WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION TO SELL ON THE LOT. SINCE IT IS A DOCUMENTED MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY AND THE DEALERSHIP SUPPOSEDLY DID THE WORK WHILE THE CAR WAS FOR SALE ON THEIR LOT (MEANING WE HAVE TO TRUST THEY ACTUALLY DID THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR), WHEN THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS WHY IS IT NOT BEING COVERED? THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET OF NISSAN 2009 CUBE OWNERS WHO TO THIS DAY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ESCL AND THE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILLS THAT GO WITH IT.

NHTSA ID
11302545
Incident
Jan 26, 2020
AirbagsFuel systemOther / unspecified
Filed Nov 18, 2019

1) CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THE LIGHT IS BACK ON ALMOST A YEAR LATER AND HAS CONTINUED TO FLASH ON AND OFF. 2) TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF AND I REPLACED AND ALIGNED MY TIRES AND STILL IT CONTINUES. 3) WHEN PUTTING GAS IN MY TANK THE GAUGE IS NEVER ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP AND YET THE PUMP WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO INPUT MORE GAS. ALSO THE GAS IS NOT LASTING THE AMOUNT OF MILE IT SHOULD, AND THE READING DOES NOT SEEM ACCURATE.

NHTSA ID
11280798
Incident
Aug 7, 2019
ElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 9, 2019

THE ANTITHEFT LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. NOW THE CAR WONT START.

NHTSA ID
11242923
Incident
May 8, 2019
Mileage
98,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 29, 2019

VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. TRANSMISSION WENT COMPLETELY OUT.

NHTSA ID
11240458
Incident
Jul 20, 2019
Mileage
197,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 19, 2019

THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS PROGRESSIVELY GONE LOWER TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THERE IS A SPONGY FEEL AND ONLY ENGAGES FULLY AT THE LAST MOMENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. STOPPING IS AT THE LAST MOMENT, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO BE PUMPED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES. THE ROTORS, BRAKE PADS AND SHOES AND NEW BRAKE FLUID HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT THE BRAKE ISSUE REMAINS.

NHTSA ID
11221176
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
Mileage
50,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 8, 2019

THE CUBE WILL FREQUENTLY STOP WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. IT IS POSSIBLE TO PUMP THE ACCELERATOR AT THE MOMENT THIS HAPPENS AND SOMETIMES THE ENGINE WILL CATCH AND CARRY ON. IF THIS DOES NOT WORK, THE CAR MUST BE SHUT DOWN FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE ATTEMPTING A RESTART. UNFORTUNATELY ONCE THIS SITUATION HAPPENS, IT WILL VERY LIKELY RECUR SOON AFTER. IT IS MY OBSERVATION THAT THIS HAPPENS MOST OFTEN WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS QUITE HIGH (75 F AND ABOVE). ON COOL DAYS THE SITUATION IS NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN UNLESS THE CAR IS DRIVEN OVER AN HOUR IN DURATION. AS ANOTHER OBSERVATION IT IS MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN IF THE GAS GAUGE IS LESS THAN FULL. I TRIED TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM TWICE FOR MAUS NISSAN BUT IT DID NOT OCCUR. THERE WAS A ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT ON DURING BOTH THOSE ATTEMPTS INDICATING A CATALYTIC CONVERTER ERROR. SINCE THAT TIME (EARLY 2018) THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WITHOUT ANY SERVICE ENGINE WARNING BEING ON. THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, I TOOK THE CAR INTO NISSAN IN CHATTANOOGA. THEY SAID THERE WAS A LITTLE TOO MUCH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEY REMOVED SOME AND I CONTINUED ON THE FLORIDA. WITHIN 10 MINUTES THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. WHILE IN FLORIDA, WE LIMIT DRIVING TO EARLY MORNINGS AND EVENINGS FOR LESS THAN 30 MINUTES AND WE MAINTAIN THE GAS TANK ON FULL.

NHTSA ID
11185466
Incident
Mar 1, 2019
Mileage
90,000 mi
Filed Mar 2, 2019

REAR HATCH DOOR LOCK DOES NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE LOCK HAS WORKED AND THEN IT QUITS WORKING. IN AN EMERGENCY A PERSON WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THROUGH THE HATCH DOOR. ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE IN THE EARLY MODELS.

NHTSA ID
11183698
Incident
Mar 2, 2019
Mileage
46,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 18, 2019

SAME ISSUE AS THE OWNERS IN THIS THREAD WITH REGARDS TO THE ESCL. WENT TO START MY CAR AS A SNOW STORM WAS STARTING AND NO LUCK. MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ESCL AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE CUBE. HOWEVER, MY PARTNER OWNS A 2009 ALTIMA AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE A MONTH AGO AND GOT IT FIXED AT NO COST. THE FACT THAT NUMEROUS 09 CUBE OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE AROUND THE SAME TIME WITH NO OFFER TO RECALL OR REIMBURSE US IS RIDICULOUS. I HAVE EMAILED CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH SCREEN SHOTS OF EVERYONE'S COMPLAINT AND REACHED OUT TO NISSAN VIA TWITTER. THEY HAVE RESPONDED AND ARE LOOKING INTO THE ISSUE NOW. FINGERS CROSSED THEY DO SOMETHING FOR US

NHTSA ID
11180885
Incident
Feb 12, 2019
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 13, 2019

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DOWNTOWN PARKING GARAGE WHILE MY WIFE WAS AT WORK. SHE CAME OUT OF WORK AFTER DARK, WITH NO ACCESS BACK INTO A BANKING BUILDING, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER CALLING ME AND TRYING A COUPLE THINGS, WE CALLED OUR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND I GOT IN MY CAR TO DRIVE 45 MINUTES THERE. MY WIFE HAD TO WAIT IN THE LOCKED CAR, ALONE, UNTIL MYSELF AND THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. THIS WAS AN UNSAFE SITUATION. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER AND FOUND OUT THE NEXT DAY THAT THE ESCL (ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL LOCK) HAD FAILED, WHICH PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING. AFTER SPENDING $650 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED, I DID SOME INVESTIGATION AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM NOT JUST ON THE NISSAN CUBE, BUT WITH ALTIMAS, MAXIMAS, 370Z AND INFINITI VEHICLES. AFTER OUR REPAIR, NISSAN HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE PART, BUT WE WERE PAST THE MILEAGE AND THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE US. THEY STILL HAVE AN OPEN SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ALTIMAS AND MAXIMAS, BUT NOT THE CUBE OR OTHER AFFECTED VEHICLES. THIS IS A SEVER SAFETY CONCERN. MY WIFE WAS ALONE IN A DARK PARKING RAMP FOR ALMOST AN HOUR IN THE INNER CITY. IMAGINE IF THIS HAPPENED TO OTHERS AFTER NISSAN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED IT AS A PROBLEM, AND SOMEONE GETS MUGGED OR KILLED WHILE IN AN UNSAFE AREA AND CANT GET THEIR CAR STARTED. NISSAN SHOULD ISSUE A 100% RECALL ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES AND PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT FOR OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
11179902
Incident
Feb 10, 2016
Mileage
86,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 4, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN CUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING. THE CONTACT HAD TO LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER FOR THE ENGINE TO START. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FOB HAD TO BE VISIBLE TO START THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11165272
Incident
Dec 21, 2018
Electrical
Filed Dec 11, 2018

THE STEERING LOCK HAS FAILED, AND THE START BUTTON NO LONGER WORKS ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE "PLUNGER" HAS FAILED WITHIN THE STEERING ELECTRICAL BOX.

NHTSA ID
11160731
Incident
Dec 10, 2018
Mileage
180,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Nov 8, 2018
1 injury reported

FAULTY TRANSMISSION, DISCOLORED, BROKEN. NEEDS TO EITHER BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. AT 111,000 MILES MY CAR HAD TROUBLE STOPPING. I ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. HAVE REALLY BAD WHIPLASH AND CONTINUE TO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR EVERY 2 WEEKS. I HAVE TAKEN MY NISSAN CUBE 2009 111,000 MILES TO 3 MECHANICS. (NISSAN, MEINEKE AND PISMO AUTOMOTIVE) HAVE DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. INCLUDING NISSAN WHEN THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD BE $260 TO DIAGNOSE I WENT TO 2 OTHER MECHANICS SHORTLY AFTER) OF WHICH, I COULDN'T GET A CLEAR ANSWER AS TO WHICH WAS GOING ON WITH MY ENGINE. THE TRANSMISSION CVT WHICH I NOW KNOW IT IS, BECAUSE OF YOUR WEBSITE, IT WAS MAKING ALL KINDS OF WEIRD NOISES (ENGINE REVVING). JERKING TRANSMISSION, SHIFTING (SLAMMING AND HARSH WHILE BRAKING) HAVE TRANSMISSION LEAKS REPORTED AND REPORTED THAT CVT WAS NOT ONLY LEAKING, BUT BLACKENED IN COLOR. (SAW IT YESTERDAY WHILE MECHANIC SHOWED ME INSIDE OF ENGINE AND CVT. WHEN I PRESS ON GAS PEDAL IT WOULD DROP OUT OF POWER AND HESITATES ON ACCELERATION. TAKING THE LEMON TO NISSAN AGAIN. IT'S CURRENTLY AT PISMO AUTOMOTIVE, AS SOON AS MECHANIC PUTS THE ENGINE BACK TOGETHER I WILL BE TOWING MY CAR (NISSAN SAID I HAD TO TOW IT TO THEM) BUT EVEN THEN, GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM NISSAN SAYING I HAVE TO PAY BUT IT WILL BE COVERED. *DT CONSUMER STATED BRAKES DID NOT FULLY STOP. UPDATED 12/06/18*JB

NHTSA ID
11150141
Incident
Nov 1, 2009
Mileage
111,100 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 22, 2018

THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL STEERING CONTROL LOCK (ESCL) THAT PREVENTS THE CAR FROM BEING ABLE TO START.

NHTSA ID
11141750
Incident
Sep 21, 2018
Mileage
88,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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