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Nissan FrontierModel year report

2009 Nissan Frontier Problems

Compared with other Nissan Frontier years

Typical for this model

56/100 1.2× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with a typical complaint level 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
37filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
60,097miles, 33 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
19 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl RWD · 17 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Nissan Frontier (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2009 Nissan Frontier. The part named most often is air bags, with 9 complaints (24% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (8) and brakes (5). 33 of the complaints include a mileage, and 39% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,097 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 99 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns and 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation and 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 13 Nissan Frontier model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 56 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (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.

Also reported: Wheels (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “My airbag warning light is on. My mechanic noticed a recall, campaign id r0807, but the recall only affects vehicles registered in 'salt' states. I live in va but traveled extensively in pa, maryland, dc for work for many years. Since my vehicle is experiencing the failure that the recall was issued for, my vehicle should be covered as part of the recall. The recall should be extended to bordering states to account for frequent travel across state lines.”

NHTSA complaint #11354855, filed 2020-09, 72,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “My wife and I own Nissan vehicles. 2 years ago we had to replace the transmission on her 2005 pathfiner. In october of 2015 my 2009 Frontier transmission started to fail because of coolant mixing with the transmission fluid. I did research and found that this is an ongoing issue with Nissan”

NHTSA complaint #10816699, filed 2015-12, 121,000 miles

Brakes: “The brake pedals travels further down than top of accelerator pedal. In winter when wearing winter boots I had to make an quick stop to avoid a pedestrian crossing the street on a crosswalk. I found myself depressing the brake pedal and accelerator at same time nearly hitting person. There have been other incidents not as serious. I called dealer and Nissan with no satisfaction. I also asked non-dealer shops and they said that nothing was wrong as far as they could see. My conclusion is that this is a design problem. The brake pedal, in an emergency, should not travel that far down. …”

NHTSA complaint #10593851, filed 2014-05, 1,100 miles

Fuel system: “Nissan frontiers of are experencing many problems with their emission systems. Evap control values are failing at various mileages. The dealers blame dust in the system. The dealers are charging very high prices to repair the system. Nissan has already changed the evap control vent switch design 3 times. This means they know they have a problem and are refusing to recall the trucks.”

NHTSA complaint #11123290, filed 2018-08, 60,097 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

39% of the 33 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 11,200 and 100,000 miles.

21%0–106%10–2512%25–5024%50–759%75–10021%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (33 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 60,097 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.

’0910’11’13’15’17’19’21’23
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Nissan Frontier. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Frontier Crew Cab · sedan RWD/AWDnot rated4 / 4——4 · 19.8% risk
Frontier King Cab · coupe RWD/AWDnot rated4 / 5——4 · 19.8% risk

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 Frontier version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Frontier 2WD2.5L 4-cyl5-speed manual192321$3,200
Frontier 2WD2.5L 4-cyl5-speed automatic172219$3,550
Frontier 2WD4.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual162018$3,700
Frontier 2WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic152017$3,950
Frontier 4WD4.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual151917$3,950
Frontier 4WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic151916$4,200

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

Recall details for the 2009 Nissan Frontier → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 99 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 99 bulletins →

Other model years of the Nissan Frontier

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026112,7001421—Too new
20259—3421—Too new
2024221,1003421—Too new
2023664,500142194 · MoreToo new
20221122,0006420100 · MoreRising
20212026,5002420—Rising
20202328,0002420—Rising
20192812,000141921 · FewerRising
2018259,7452—1931 · FewerRising
20173817,500141950 · TypicalStable
20164432,5001—1946 · TypicalStable
20153329,0000—1923 · FewerStable
20144235,0002—1944 · TypicalFalling
20134827,0001—1950 · TypicalStable
20128043,0003—1972 · MoreRising
20116447,8001—1949 · TypicalFalling
20105941,0004—1972 · MoreRising
20093760,0973—1956 · TypicalFalling
200813685,0005—1977 · MoreStable
200752082,0001—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200661780,0004—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200553290,0003—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20046661,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20037765,5004—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200212469,5004—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200113473,8503—16Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200018988,1253—19Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19997880,0002—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
1998129110,0002—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Nissan Frontier model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Nissan Frontier have?

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2009 Nissan Frontier as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Nissan Frontier is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 9 complaints (24% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 8.

Has the 2009 Nissan Frontier 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 Frontier get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Nissan Frontier (Frontier 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Nissan Frontier reported?

Among the 33 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,097 miles and the middle half falls between 11,200 and 100,000 miles; 39% 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.