The Lemon Index
200820102nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 16,455 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 5 complaints in its first 3 years.
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Jeep Wrangler 2772009 Toyota 4Runner2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 23V067000 (airbags), 10V401000 (equipment) and 10E043000 (equipment) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Nissan sent dealers 87 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Rear axle seal leaks”?
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 5 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.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 27K miles (8K to 44K km) on the car (5 of all 5 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 87 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rear axle seal leaks
- The 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay
- SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- 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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 5 recalls
- 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…
- 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
Government investigations
- ClosedTransmission failures2012–2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,350–$3,550 (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.
Every Nissan Xterra year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-xterra/?y=2009" title="Nissan Xterra reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" 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-xterra/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Nissan Xterra reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Nissan Xterra reliable?
We can't score it: only 16,455 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 5 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Nissan Xterra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (40%), transmission & drivetrain (20%) and airbags (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Xterra have?
5 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 Xterra get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Nissan Xterra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Nissan Xterra cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Nissan Xterra have?
4.0L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Xterra year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third 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