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#BS-2009-NISPAT-70F22009 Nissan Pathfinder
Based on reports from 51 owners and 4 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Green Light
Based on 51 complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, and 4 recalls.
Top reported problems
brake pedal intermittently depresses to floor
3 complaints • Severity 10/10
master cylinder stopped working
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
cracked radiator and transmission failure
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
Preview: What's in your full report
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
9 owners reported airbags issues — failures commonly reported around 90K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 90–120K miles (14 reports) • Median: 90K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Airbags (9 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2009 Nissan Pathfinder: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 18% of all reports filed for the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder, with 9 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 90,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 90K-mile mark.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 16% of all reports filed for the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder, with 8 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 16% of all reports filed for the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder, with 8 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder, with 5 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to brakes-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (4 recalls)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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 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 POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Nissan Pathfinder is the 2005 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is transmission.
2009 Nissan Pathfinder vs. Class Average (Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD)
This vehicle
51
Class avg
220
Below the class average — fewer complaints than typical sport utility vehicle - 2wd vehicles. A good sign.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 51 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 4 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Nissan Pathfinder Model Years
2009 Nissan Pathfinder: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder?
Is the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
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Does the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
What mileage do Nissan Pathfinder problems start?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
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Get the Full 2009 Nissan Pathfinder Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 51 owner reports. Know before you buy.