2009 Nissan Cube Problems
Compared with other Nissan Cube years
More complaints than typical for this model
68/100 1.5× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.5× that of a typical Nissan Cube year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 6 of its 101 complaints were filed by the end of 2011.
- Most reported problem: Steering column lock failure, car will not start (31 complaints, median 85,933 mi).
- 3 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2011
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 101filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 73,500miles, 79 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 29 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 28 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Nissan Cube (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2009 Nissan Cube most often describe a steering-column lock that leaves the car unable to start, CVT transmission problems that cause loss of power or complete failure to move, and exhaust system failures where the muffler flange separates or rusts through. Complaints are spread across a wide mileage range, with many reported between roughly 50,000 and 130,000 miles, and the steering-lock complaints often describe the car being parked before it will not restart.
- Transmission and drivetrain
CVT transmission slipping or failing to move
- 25 complaints (25%)
- median 105,050 mi at 7.2 yrs old (22 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2012–2020
Complaints describe the continuously variable transmission failing to engage: the engine revs but the car does not move, or it jerks and loses power while driving. Some owners report the car coasting to a stop on the highway or refusing to move from a parking spot, and several say the dealer replaced the transmission, sometimes more than once. Others mention stalling, shuddering, or an error code pointing to a transmission component, with dealers sometimes covering repairs under an extended warranty on the transmission. Spread from roughly 5,000 to over 130,000 miles, with many reports above 90,000 miles.
What to check: Ask for transmission service records and whether the CVT has been replaced or repaired under warranty; during a test drive, check for hesitation, shuddering, or delayed engagement when accelerating from a stop.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Takata recall. My CUBE will not go anywhere, I put it in drive push gas and car will not roll. It won't drive in any of gears. Vehical drove my family last nite, we went on a trip, got to destination went to bed , woke up to leave and car will not go anywhere . Started the engine and put car into drive pushed accelerator and car will not roll. We are stuck in yosemite 150 miles from home.”
NHTSA complaint #11080061, filed 2018-03, 99,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11150141, filed 2018-11, 111,100 miles - Steering
Steering column lock failure, car will not start
- 31 complaints (31%)
- median 85,933 mi at 7.2 yrs old (24 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- owner-quoted repair $814 (median of 5 quotes)
- filed 2013–2025
Owners describe the car starting normally, then after being parked and shut off it will not restart; the keyless start does not respond and the steering wheel is locked. In several cases the vehicle was towed to a dealer and diagnosed as a failed steering column lock unit that had to be replaced, with owners reporting parts and labor costs of several hundred to around $1,000. Some owners report repeated replacements, and one notes a prior replacement under an earlier service campaign also failed later. A related bulletin describes a service campaign for a no-start condition tied to the electronic steering column lock. Reported from about 20,000 to 150,000 miles, frequently after the car had been parked for a short time.
What to check: Ask whether the steering column lock has ever been replaced and keep the paperwork; if the car will not restart after parking, have the lock unit checked before assuming it is a battery problem.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The electronic steering wheel lock failed car wont start . The part was replaced in july 2011 on a recall the new part failed in june 2014 Nissan would not replace a 2ed time under recall, with much begging they paid for part I paid for labor. This left my wife stranded in a less than ideal spot Nissan extended the warranty on this same part on 2009 Nissan altima but not on CUBE.”
NHTSA complaint #10598117, filed 2014-06, 46,894 miles“The steering lock column in my 2009 Nissan CUBE failed, disabling the car from starting, and putting me in a safety risk as I was stuck in a location away from my home, and unable to start my vehicle. It was not a battery issue- the lights worked, I could unlock and lock the vehicle, but I could not start the car using my intelligent key. It was towed to a Nissan dealership where I am being charged nearly $1,000 in parts and labor to replace a part that Nissan has acknowledged is faulty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10928967, filed 2016-12, 68,000 miles - Engine
Exhaust flange separation and muffler rust
- 10 complaints (10%)
- median 57,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2012–2017
Owners report the exhaust separating at the flange between the muffler and pipe, or the pipe and muffler rusting through, leaving the muffler hanging or dragging. Some describe the heat from the broken exhaust melting or scorching the rear bumper cover, and owners raise concern that exhaust gases may enter the cabin. Dealers and the manufacturer are described as declining coverage, with some owners told the corrosion was not covered under the emissions warranty. Mostly reported between about 37,000 and 100,000 miles, with several owners in snow-belt areas linking it to road salt.
What to check: Inspect the exhaust flange and muffler area underneath for rust, cracks, or separation, and look at the rear bumper cover for heat damage; ask whether any exhaust components have been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The common problem of the exhaust system coming apart at the flange happened to my car. I was on a road trip from nashville, tn to pittsburgh, pa when the issue presented. I was told that it would not be dangerous to continue home with the issue and that it would just be very loud. When I got home I found that the heat from the broken exhaust had melted the back bumper leaving it stringing out. Also, the heat shield separating the exhaust from the fuel tank appears to not cover the area of the common separation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10717816, filed 2015-05, 55,000 miles“I have a 2009 Nissan CUBE. The CUBE was at the dealership for maintaince. I was informed that the CUBE has a exhaust leak, was told it is not covered under the emission warranty. I asked more questions about the issue, an was told by the dealership that it is a rust issue and not covered. I was told that they do not have the part. I again asked about the emission warranty, was told it did not apply. According to the warranty which is cover up to 80k miles for emission issues, but because of rust it is not covered. …”
NHTSA complaint #10609638, filed 2014-07, 71,206 miles - Air bags
Air bag warning light and air bag system faults
- 7 complaints (7%)
- median 66,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2014–2026
Complaints describe a flashing air bag warning light on the dash, with dealers replacing the air bag control unit and in some cases the steering-wheel air bag. One owner reports the horn stopped working and was told the clockspring needed replacement, which could affect air bag deployment. Some owners describe air bags that did not deflate fully after a crash. Bulletins describe diagnostic procedures for a stored occupant detection sensor code and field actions to replace Takata inflators. Mostly reported between about 48,000 and 70,000 miles, with some later reports above 140,000 miles.
Recall 26V23000010 related service bulletins
What to check: Check that the air bag warning light is off after the bulb-check sequence, confirm any inflator recall work was completed, and test the horn.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Was hit head on by a drunk driver and both airbags did not deflate all the way. The drivers airbag gave my mom a broken rib and broke vertebrae in her neck. Passengers side fractured my wrists. The seatbelt on passengers side almost cut me in half cause of locking up. Have sever whiplash and bruising. Prior to this airbag light was blinking on passengers side saying not enough weight was on it when it was. Cube was destroyed in wreck. The seatbelt always locked up on passenger side and almost broke my neck.”
NHTSA complaint #10659928, filed 2014-11, 70,000 miles“Blinking light on dash, air bag warning light. Air bag control unit malfunction, must be replaced and also possibly the air bag on the steering wheel. This should be covered under the warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10604724, filed 2014-06, 62,000 miles - Other or unknown
Rear hatch or door will not unlock
- 6 complaints (6%)
- median 75,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- filed 2014–2020
Owners describe the rear hatch or a rear door failing to unlock, either intermittently or permanently, so the hatch cannot be opened with the key or the electronic fob. One owner reported a dealer finding a faulty latching mechanism and quoting a repair cost, with the manufacturer declining coverage because the vehicle was out of warranty. Others note that replacing the whole locking mechanism was required. Reported between about 46,000 and 141,500 miles.
What to check: Test the rear hatch and each door lock with both the key fob and the manual release before purchase, and ask whether any latch or lock assembly has been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11343917, filed 2020-08, 141,500 miles“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 complaint #11183698, filed 2019-03, 46,000 miles
Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection pay particular attention to the steering column lock, CVT transmission behavior on a test drive, and the condition of the exhaust underneath, since these are the areas owners describe most. Ask for service records showing any lock, transmission, or air bag work already done.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 101 consumer complaints for the 2009 Nissan Cube. 79 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 73,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 87 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 2 Nissan Cube model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 68 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering23 23%
- Electrical system22 22%
- Engine15 15%
- Air bags8 7.9%
- Fuel system8 7.9%
- Other or unknown7 6.9%
- Brakes6 5.9%
- Body and structure6 5.9%
- Wheels6 5.9%
Also reported: Engine cooling (4), Tires (4), Electronic stability control (3), Vehicle speed control (3), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (3), Exterior lighting (2), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Suspension (2), Equipment (1), Seat belts (1).
Example complaints
Steering: “The steering lock column unit in my 2009 Nissan CUBE failed, disabling the car from starting, and putting me at risk as I was stuck in a location away from my home, and unable to start my car. My car was parked on a city street. I could unlock and lock the vehicle, but I could not start the car using my intelligent key. It was towed to a Nissan dealership in newport, ri where I am being charged $814.00 in parts and labor to replace a part that Nissan has acknowledged is faulty not only in the CUBE, but also in the altima. …”
NHTSA complaint #11104122, filed 2018-06, 60,000 milesElectrical system: “The electronic steering control lock malfunctioned causing me to be unable to start my vehicle. The vehicle was stationary in my driveway at the time. There were no movements or sounds coming from the car when I tried to start it. Only the security indicator light and the key light were on in the dash. No response from the car when we attempted to jumpstart it. This essentially left me completely stranded and with living out in the country was very difficult and expensive to get the vehicle towed into the Nissan dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #10914086, filed 2016-10, 131,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Takata recall: car was fine when I parked it when I got up the next morning, I crank it put it in reverse and the car would not move. Towed the car to the dealer and they are saying it's the clutch in the transmission. I can't see how it go out overnight sitting cart, I've own the car 1 year and 1 month just passed the warranty. Carmax maxcare will not cover it says it is a maintenance issue. I have no pictures or documentation at the moment the car is at a Nissan dealer just sitting”
NHTSA complaint #11130918, filed 2018-09, 114,500 milesEngine: “I put my car into drive and than put my foot on the gas and nothing happened. I looked down and I was in d after a few seconds I shifted into low and nothing happened. After a few seconds the car took off. I was so scared. I slammed on the brakes. I tried again, I put the car into drive and sat there, than it inched along and than took off again like I was on a roller coaster. Luckily I was a block from the dealer. So I drove it there on a wing and a prayer. It took me at least 10 mins. I had to make a turn and other drivers were going around me. Because my car wasn't moving. …”
NHTSA complaint #10622001, filed 2014-08, 147,700 milesMileage when problems were reported
25% of the 79 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 100,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Nissan Cube. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cube · sedan FWD | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
| Cube Cargo · coupe FWD | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2009 Nissan Cube version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cube FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | CVT | 28 | 30 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Cube FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 24 | 29 | 26 | $2,600 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 26V230000Apr 9, 2026Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleCovers: Nissan Cube 2009–2010
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Cube vehicles. The driver’s air bag inflator may rupture or detach from the steering wheel during air bag deployment.
- 10V330000Jul 22, 2010Fuel system, gasoline › StorageCovers: Nissan Cube 2009–2010
Nissan is recalling model year 2009-2010 nissan cube vehicles manufactured from january 30, 2009 through july 30, 2010. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity." when the…
- 09V393000Oct 5, 2009Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systemsCovers: Nissan Cube 2009, Infiniti M35 2008–2010, M45 2008–2010 +2 more
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey…
Recall details for the 2009 Nissan Cube → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE25005Driver Airbag Inflator RuptureClosed · Jun 13, 2025
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 87 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11036449Aug 28, 2026Other or unknown. VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2009 CUBE OWNER’S MANUAL UPDATE Campaign ID # P9223 is no longer active. · Repair orders opened after this bulletin’s published date are no longer eligible for…
- 11033021May 30, 2026Air bags. VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2009-2010 CUBE; PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG CAMPAIGN ID # P0335 is no longer active. · Repair orders opened after this bulletin’s published date are no longer eligible…
- 11031705Apr 13, 2026Body and structure. CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT…
- 11031704Apr 13, 2026Body and structure. CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT…
- 11009068Sep 19, 2024Air bags. DTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin. IF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR…
- 11004962May 21, 2024Electrical system. VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004961May 21, 2024Electrical system. CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004960May 21, 2024Electrical system. CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001201Apr 30, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001194Apr 30, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Other model years of the Nissan Cube
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 7 | 60,000 | 1 | — | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 19 | 57,393 | 0 | — | 28 | — | Falling |
| 2011 | 31 | 72,000 | 0 | — | 28 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2010 | 56 | 50,000 | 2 | — | 29 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 101 | 73,500 | 3 | — | 29 | 68 · More | Falling |
All Nissan Cube model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Cube?
Owners of the 2009 Nissan Cube most often describe a steering-column lock that leaves the car unable to start, CVT transmission problems that cause loss of power or complete failure to move, and exhaust system failures where the muffler flange separates or rusts through. The issues reported most often: CVT transmission slipping or failing to move; Steering column lock failure, car will not start; Exhaust flange separation and muffler rust.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Nissan Cube have?
NHTSA recorded 101 consumer complaints for the 2009 Nissan Cube as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2009 Nissan Cube is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 23 complaints (23% of the total), followed by electrical system with 22.
Has the 2009 Nissan Cube been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Nissan Cube get?
The EPA rates the 2009 Nissan Cube (Cube, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 28 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Nissan Cube reported?
Among the 79 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 73,500 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 100,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.