The Lemon Index
20082010Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 18,341 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 6 complaints in its first 3 years.
6 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Toyota Highlander 772009 Honda Pilot 182009 Ford Explorer
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 23V067000 (airbags), 10V401000 (equipment) and 10E019000 (suspension) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records. (249 owners named a transmission repair bill; the middle one was $5,000.)
- Any overheating, coolant smell or leaks? Ask whether the water pump or radiator was replaced. (121 owners named a cooling repair bill; the middle one was $5,000.)
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Nissan's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 6 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Transmission problems in every Nissan Pathfinder year →
Check engine light on? Codes owners of the Nissan Pathfinder (2007–2011) name most: P0463 Fuel Level Sensor A Circuit High · P0717 Input/Turbine Speed Sensor A Circuit No Signal · U1000 · P0850 Park/Neutral Switch Input Circuit · C1179. Look up any code →
What repairs cost
Repair bills owners named in their complaints to the government (NHTSA), 2005–2012 Nissan Pathfinder, in U.S. dollars.
- Transmissionone repair bill$3,000–$6,000middle $5,000 · 249 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 10312948, 10339057, 10442243
- Coolingone repair bill$2,500–$6,000middle $5,000 · 121 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 10332546, 10399142, 11090094
- Engineone repair bill$500–$2,700middle $1,200 · 43 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 10743877, 10532432, 10500622
- Electricalone repair bill$1,100–$5,000middle $2,500 · 30 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 10521009, 10456698, 10488718
- Fuel systemone repair bill$500–$705middle $550 · 14 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 10237921, 10330933, 10335702
Not enough reports yet for a number: Airbags (4), Brakes (3), 4x4 & axles (2), Suspension (2), Doors, locks & windows (1). We show a range once 5 owners name a bill.
Each range is the middle half of the bills owners wrote down (one repair, parts and labor as they said it), not a yearly or total cost. Owners who complain often had expensive repairs, so typical bills can be lower. Prices depend on the shop, the miles and where you live.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 199 YouTube videos · 15.7M views · 2005–2012 Nissan Pathfinder
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical858K views
2005 Nissan Pathfinder Radio RemovalEnfig · 506K views · 5 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door530K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2005 Nissan Pathfinder | AQ1113Filterheads · 361K views · 5 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors492K views
2005-2012 Nissan Pathfinder Camshaft Position Sensors (P0340 & P0345)BeeCee Built · 269K views · 6 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring358K views
2005 - 2012 Nissan Pathfinder / 2005 -2021 Frontier Head light Housing ReplacementGrim Repair · 167K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Oil changes & service311K views
VDC and Slip indicator Reset. Nissan Pathfinder R51 2008Norman No Mates · 140K views · 5 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank300K views
How to Replace the Fuel Pump on the Nissan Pathfinder 2005 to 2014Haynes Manuals · 131K views · 3 videos - Cooling system282K views
How to Thermostat replacement on the Nissan Pathfinder 2005 to 2014Haynes Manuals · 211K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter278K views
How to Check and Top Off Transmission Fluid - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder, 4.0L (2005-2012)Insane Oil · 63K views · 6 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Nissan Pathfinder SUV 3rd Generation 2005-20121A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 614K views
Nissan Pathfinder 3rd Gen R51 2005-2012 Common ProblemsMaxTheCarGuy · 108K views
2011 Nissan Pathfinder Review - The PERFECT Reliable, Family SUV?!Ant's Car Reviews · 105K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2009 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 4
- Airbags · recall issued 2023
The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM.
- Suspension · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 A…
Show all 4 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2008
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…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Nissan Pathfinder recall, all years · All Nissan recalls
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,400–$5,700 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 5.6L 8-cyl.
Every Nissan Pathfinder year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 20 Nissan Pathfinder years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-pathfinder/?y=2009" title="Nissan Pathfinder reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="652" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/nissan-pathfinder/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Nissan Pathfinder reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
We can't score it: only 18,341 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Nissan Pathfinder problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (33%), body structure (33%) and seat belts (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder get?
14 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder cost in fuel a year?
About $4,400 to $5,700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 5.6L 8-cyl.
What Nissan Pathfinder year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2012 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works