2009 Nissan Xterra: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2009 Nissan Xterra: 3 recalls, 19 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #08V690000 · 2008 · 242,720 vehicles
What's wrong: In those areas of the country which use heavy concentrations of road salt in the winter, a mixture of snow/water and salt can enter into the front crash zone sensor (czs) housing. If this occurs, the czs May internally rust resulting in a signal interruption. If this happens, the red air bag warning light will illuminate to alert the vehicle operator.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front czs with a redesigned sensor. The recall began on January 26, 2009. Owners in the other states will receive extended warranty coverage for the sensor to 10 years. These owners will be notified of the warranty extension by mail and will receive a sticker to place in…
Equipment Vehicle recall #10V401000 · 2010 · 7,948 vehicles
What's wrong: The batteries contained in the affected gps units can overheat.
Why it matters: Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by garmin technicians by replacing the battery and inserting a spacer on top of the battery free of charge. The safety recall began on September 16, 2010.
Airbags Vehicle recall #23V067000 · 2023 · 404,690 vehicles
What's wrong: Nissan north america, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 titan, frontier, xterra, pathfinder, armada, and 2008-2009 quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover May develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Why it matters: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driverâs airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Suspension Equipment recall #10E019000 · 2010 · 1,873 vehicles
What's wrong: 54501zq00a, 54500zq00a, 551a1zq00a, 551a0zq00a , 54501ea00a, 54500ea00a, 551a1ea500, 551a0ea500, 54501zr00a, and 54500zr00a, sold between November 25, 2009 and May 14, 2010 as replacement parts for model year 2004 through 2010 titan, armada, and qx56, and model years 2005 through 2010 frontier, xterra, and pathfinder vehicles. The lower control link assembly has two cylindrical collars forming the inboard attachment…
Why it matters: If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners and dealers will replace any affected lower link free of charge. The safety recall began on July 12, 2010.
Equipment Equipment recall #10E043000 · 2010 · 294 vehicles
What's wrong: These seat covers are made of heavier thread and are not compatible with seats containing side airbags. The heavier seat cover could interfere with full deployment of the airbag in the event of a crash.
Why it matters: An improperly deployed airbag could result in serious injury.
The fix: Marathon will notify owners of record and replace the seat cover free of charge. The safety recall began on September 14, 2010.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (6): the most common themes are leaks (2).
- Airbags (6): the most common themes are warning light on (3).
- Electrical (3): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
- Engine (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2009 Nissan Xterra has 19 owner complaints, ranking #12 of 16 Xterra model years for complaints (well below the 194 average). Complaints peaked in 2015 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 66,550 miles. Neighboring years: 2008 (119 complaints, 6 recalls), 2010 (38 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2009 Nissan Xterra.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2009 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2009 Nissan Xterra, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2009 Nissan Xterra problems?
Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (6), airbags (6), electrical (3).
What gas mileage does the 2009 Nissan Xterra get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.0 L, Manual 6-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2009 Nissan Xterra repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.