Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Nissan Cube, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 13 | 13% |
| Power train | 13 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 7% |
| Steering | 6 | 6% |
| Air bags | 5 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 3% |
| Wheels | 3 | 3% |
| Engine | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Recall issued. Kelly Nissan of 275 Broadway, Lynnfield MA 01940 told me to check back in a month to see if the parts were then available then a month later told me the parts were no longer being manufactured and were una
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Cube. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 26V230000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. Th
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Cube. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V230000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that parts were on back order. The
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The TPMS light keeps flashing off and on and all my tires are the pressure they're supposed to be
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
2009 Cube would not start. Steering wheel locked prevented me from starting the car. Called AAA and they tried to jump start and still would not start. AAA towed my car to Capital Nissan in San Jose and they confir
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Many complaints about the nissian cube... the battery are good and even put new batteries in the key fob.. the car isn't registering it and steering wheel is locked bc is a security feature.. many complaints online for t
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Started my car at 9. Went to start my car at 10. Wouldn’t start. The escl has failed.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Cube. The contact stated that the horn failed to operate as needed while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where he was informed that the clockspri
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2009 Nissan Cube. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND,
Risk: IF THE TPMS LAMP IS DISREGARDED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, THE TIRE WILL QUICKLY LOSE AIR PRESSURE AT A CONSISTENT RATE RESULTING IN A FLAT TIRE INCREASING THE RISK OF A
Fix: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TPMS NUT WITH A NEW, MORE ROBUST NUT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NI
NISSAN IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 NISSAN CUBE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 30, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ROTATED FOLLOWING A REAR MOVIN
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SPECIAL PROTECTOR AND ATTACH IT TO THE GASOLINE RECIRCULATION TUBE AT THE LOCATION OF THE FILLER NECK CONNECTOR. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECA
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Cube vehicles. The driver’s air bag inflator may rupture or detach from the steering wheel during air bag deployment.
Risk: A driver's air bag that ruptures or detaches can strike the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the front air bag inflator serial number, and replace the inflator as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's c
| Reliability raw | 66 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 80 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 43 | below average |
| Efficiency | 51 | average |
Percentile ranks against other wagons in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 13 of them (13%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 66/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 64/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.