2009 Nissan Xterra Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Nissan Xterra, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags623.1%
- Powertrain (other)519.2%
- Engine415.4%
- Electrical311.5%
- Driver assistance27.7%
- Brakes27.7%
- Body & structure27.7%
- Suspension13.8%
- Transmission13.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I took my car to complete Recall NumberPC945, I was told that my car has an issue with the driver side air Bag - Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: REPLACE SPIRAL CABLE - C1163/B1049 and also another issue related to the driver side airbag that is under the steering wheel. I was quoted over $2000 to fix the issue. The recall is to replace the decal over the airbag and I think the issue is bigger than that, the issue is the airbag clock spring/ spiral cable that malfunctions and not only the plastic plate. A quick Google search will show you that this is a known issue that impacts thousands of Xterra owners. Nissan is fraudulently just replacing the plastic Nissan Emblem when the issue is way bigger than that and could cause bodily harm to the driver if the air bag doesn't deploy.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. 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. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Cracked cooler tube caused transmission oil & coolant to mix causing transmission failure.
A FAULTY RADIATOR CAUSED MY TRANSMISSON AND COOLANT TO LEAK TOGETHER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. NOW MY TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Cracked cooler tube caused transmission oil & coolant to mix causing transmission failure.
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. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND LINES FLUSHED AND ALSO HAD TO TAKE MY CAR INTO A TRANS EXPERT TO FLUSH AND INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. 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. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE HORN BUT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE FOR IT TO SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE HORN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Cracked cooler tube caused transmission oil & coolant to mix causing transmission failure.
RADIATOR INTERNAL FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS BUT NO ONE CAN COME UP WITH A SOLUTION, INCLUDING AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER REPAIR SHOP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. 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. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL DISENGAGED AND DAMAGED THE RING AND PINION; OVERHAUL REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,485.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR HATCH AND REAR BUMPER WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE REAR BUMPER AND HATCH DOOR NEEDED TO BE PULLED OFF IN ORDER TO BE SANDED AND RE-PAINTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL DISENGAGED AND DAMAGED THE RING AND PINION; OVERHAUL REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,485.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE IN 2ND GENERATION NISSAN XTERRA. CLUTCH BURNT OUT AT UNDER 5000 MILES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW IN 4WD LO. I HAVE 20 YEARS MANUAL DRIVING EXPERIENCE, AND HAVE NEVER BURNED OUT A CLUTCH. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE IT IS A WEAR ITEM. MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM - SOME WITH TRANSMISSION DISENGAGING WITHOUT ANY NOTICE WHICH COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS ON A HIGHWAY. MANY HAVE DESCRIBED CLUTCH AS "EXPLODED" OR "TOTALLY SHREDDED" WHEN TAKEN APART. WE BELIEVE THIS IS BECAUSE NISSAN DUMPED THE 350 Z CLUTCH, WHICH IS MADE FOR A LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTS CAR, INTO A HEAVY AND POWERFUL 4WD. THIS CLUTCH IS UNDERPOWERED FOR THE 265 HP XTERRA. NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM, YET IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. MORE INFO AND DETAILS OF THE FREQUENCY OF THIS FAILURE CAN BE FOUND AT EDMUNDS.COM UNDER THE NISSAN XTERRA CLUTCH PROBLEM POST. NISSAN HAS BEEN TOTALLY INCONSISTENT IN ITS PARTIAL, COMPLETE, OR LACK OF REIMBURSED FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .