repaired · 2025 Q3
Air bags: frontal
Risk. A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
2009 Nissan PathfinderProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 37 owner complaints about the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-067 the manufacturer reports only 16% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 10, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder has problems
37 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
11Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
8Power train1 crash/fire/injury
7Engine
5Service brakes
4Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
4Engine and engine cooling
2Fuel/propulsion system
1Electronic stability control (ESC)
1Visibility
55 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 11 | 1 |
| Power train | 8 | 1 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 |
| 5 other systems | 5 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2009 Nissan Pathfinder recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)
Risk. OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
no report yet
Air bags: frontal
Risk. 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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other Pathfinder year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Pathfinder median. How we score
1917153839304991170159217149104112230156110671,05083756132837404523891577321105188797648137107876415
'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2009 Nissan Pathfinder safety ratings
2009 Nissan Pathfinder 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
- Rollover: 3 stars (22.8% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder, and the recalls they led to.
- Transmission FailuresNo recall
In owners' words
What Pathfinder owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
MY DASHBOARD HAS A LOGO OF A RED FLASHING PASSENGER WITH A AIRBAG RED BALL. IT FLASHES NON STOP WHEN EVER I TURN ON THE IGNITION. HOWEVER WHEN I CHECKED FOR AIR BAG RECALL IT'S NOT COMING UP ON THE LIST. ANY SUGGESTIONS?
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.
THE RECALL FOR AIR BAG IMPACT SENSOR FORM A WHILE BACK FOR NISSAN VEHICALES IN THE NORTHERN STATES IS NOW AFFECTING MY PATHFINDER (THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON). MY PATHFINDER WAS ORIGINAL PURCHASED DOWN SOUTH BEFORE I PURCHASED IT IN ERIE PA. IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN GET THE RECALLED EXTEND TO MY…
Own a 2009 Pathfinder?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.