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2009 Nissan Pathfinder Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Nissan Pathfinder has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Radiator failure allowing transmission fluid contamination.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder.

Reported to NHTSA

Radiator failure allowing transmission fluid contamination

POWER TRAIN, ENGINE

9 NHTSA complaints · 2010-12 → 2020-12

“MY 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER (AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT), STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND OVERHEATING. LO AND BEHOLD WE HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IS MIXING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11342448
“I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH, AND HAD TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE RADIATOR FAILED, CAUSING RADIATOR FLUID TO GET INTO THE TRANSMISSION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11377508
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10794416

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windows and doors operating without driver input

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2015-12 → 2016-07

“THIS VEHICLE PERIODICALLY WILL ROLL BOTH WINDOWS DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OFF, THE KEYS REMOVED AND YOU ARE NOT NEAR THE CAR. TRIED EVEN REMOVING THE BATTERIES FROM THE REMOTES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10810994
“DOOR AJAR LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. CAR LOCKS AND UNLOCKS ON ITS OWN. ALL FOUR WINDOWS ROLL DOWN ON THEIR OWN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION. RADIATOR LEAKS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10891895

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission gear-shift malfunction

POWER TRAIN

2 NHTSA complaints · 2020-02 → 2020-06

“WHEN DRIVING UPHILL ON LONG MOUNTAIN ROADS AND SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOWN TO 2, 3 OR 4, THE CAR WON'T STAY IN GEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11308894
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT STAND STILL AT A PARKING LOT, WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN PARK. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11329033

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light illumination

AIR BAGS

10 NHTSA complaints · 2009-10 → 2021-04

“PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DISENGAGES WHEN I SIT IN THE SEAT (AS IF A CHILD IS SITTING THERE.) I AM AN ADULT, 38 YEAR OLD FEMALE, 5'2" WEIGHING APPROXIMATELY 115 POUNDS. WHENEVER I AM IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, I WILL HAVE NO AIR BAG IF WE ARE IN AN ACCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10289908
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10725790
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10884201

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal loss requiring pumping to stop

SERVICE BRAKES

5 NHTSA complaints · 2014-02 → 2015-08

“I WAS ENTERING A PARKING LOT AND TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR PROCEED TOWARDS A BRICK WALL AND WINDOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10758609
“ON MARCH 6, 2014 WAS DRIVING MY PATHFINDER AND CAME TO A 4 WAY STOP. I APPLIED MY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP APPROXIMATELY 10 FT INSIDE THE INTERSECTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10573247
“@NISSAN FOUND A NEARLY FATAL SOFTWARE BUG IN THE 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE KEY IS NOT RECOGNIZED AND YOU CONTINUE TO DRIVE AS THE VEHICLE WILL ALLOW, THE BRAKE SYSTEM CAN FAIL AND IT FEELS LIKE YOU LOST THE BRAKES!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10563495

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling while driving

ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2021-05

“VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT LOW TO MODERATE SPEEDS OR IN PARK. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED WHICH WAS THE DIAGNOSED ISSUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11415614
“THIS TRUCK IS VERY WELL CARED FOR,,ALL OF A SUDDEN ITS STALLING AT ANY TIME,,SOME HARD STARTS,,RUNS PERFECT ,THAN STALLS,WHILE DRIVING,NO STEERING,VERY SCARRY,I THOUGHT IT WAS BAD GAS I FILLED 2 MORE TIME FROM GOOD GAS STATION 89 AND 91 OCTAN,”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11349535
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10819607

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD and 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

10 crashes 1990–2024

How the 10 occupant deaths break down

7

driver deaths

3

passenger deaths

10

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2013 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

1

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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