Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2009 Nissan Frontier: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2009 Nissan Frontier, most recently filed February 2023. Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2009 Nissan Frontier. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2009 Nissan Frontier. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 23V067000 Filed Feb 10, 2023

Driver's Side Air Bag Cover Emblem May Detach

Air bags · frontal
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
16.1% repairedof 404,690 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 23V067000
Listed for 2009 Nissan Frontier. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 10V401000 Filed Sep 10, 2010

PORTABLE AUTOMOTIVE GPS PRODUCTS/OVERHEATS

Equipment · electrical · navigational system(global positioning system)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Repair progress not yet reported7,948 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 10V401000
Listed for 2009 Nissan Frontier. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 08V690000 Filed Dec 29, 2008

FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR HOUSING/ROAD SALT

Air bags · frontal
Official NHTSA text
Summary
NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.
Consequence
THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Repair progress not yet reported242,720 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 08V690000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (37)

37 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
1involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Nissan Frontier, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 37.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2009 compares with other Frontier years

Best and worst Frontier years →
2005200620072008200920102011201220132014
This year (2009)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined

21
mpg combined
19
city
23
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,200
CO₂ tailpipe
423 g/mi
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks

What it costs you to run

$3,110per year
$259per month
714gallons a year

Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2009 Nissan Frontier configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive19 / 23 / 21$3,200423
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive17 / 22 / 19$3,550468
4 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive16 / 20 / 18$3,700494
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17$3,950523
4 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 19 / 17$3,950523
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 19 / 16$4,200555

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2009 Frontier for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Frontier years

Where to next

2009 Nissan Frontier FAQ

How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Frontier have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 23V067000 (air bag), 10V401000 (electrical), 08V690000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2009 Nissan Frontier problems?

Owners filed 37 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (9), Power train (8), Service brakes (5) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2009 Nissan Frontier get?

EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 19 city, 23 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2009 Frontier compare with other years?

Among the 2005–2014 Nissan Frontier model years at least five years old, the 2009 drew the fewest complaints (37) and the 2006 the most (617). The 2009 drew 37. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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