Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Nissan Titan, and it carries 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 7 | 15% |
| Power train | 5 | 11% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 11% |
| Engine | 3 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 4% |
| Steering | 1 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Titan. The contact stated while attempting to cold start the vehicle, the Master warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was difficult to start. The contact had the vehicle towed to an i
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I received a recall notice for my 2009 Nissan Titan. I have brought the truck to Premier Nissan, 6636 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, LA on multiple occasions to have the work performed without success. I last brought the tr
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
When driving my fuel gage shows a quarter tank but my tank is empty. Other 2009 Nissan Titans, they have the recall from March 2010. But my vin doesnt have it. Even though im having the exact same issue.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
As I backed into a parking spot I proceeded to try to switch from drive to reverse to straighten out and the lever went floppy. I am stuck in drive with the emergency brakes engaged. The wires under the column shifter wo
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Titan. The contact stated that the air bag emblem had separated; however, the air bag emblem cover remained attached. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
My fuel gauge on my truck does not work properly. When my gauge shows a quarter tank full its completely empty. The reason i know it doesn't is because it died on me in the middle of an intersection and blocked traffic.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Our 2009 Nissan Titan was involved in a roll over accident and no air bags deployed. The driver side air bags did NOT deployed at all. My son ended up with a broken collarbone, fractured back rib and possibly humorous fr
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
MY FUEL PUMP ISSUE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON MY TRUCK. I'VE TRIED FOR A MONTH TO GET IT INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND KEEP BEING PUT OFF TIL THE NEXT WEEK. IT FINALLY QUIT COMPLETELY AND I HAD IT TOWED. I WAS PUT OFF ANOT
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2009 Nissan Titan. 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 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, ARM
Risk: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES. THE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT PIN END WAS NOT SPIN-FORMED TO SPECIFICATION DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THE PIVOT PIN COULD SLIDE AND CAUSE TH
Risk: THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE UNUSUAL AND NOTICEABLE LOOSENESS IN THE PEDAL AND A REDUCTION IN BRAKING FORCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE PIVOT PIN HAD BEEN FORMED PROPERLY AND WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CON
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE MAY INACCURATELY DISPLAY THAT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS SOME FUEL, TYPICALLY ABOUT ONE QUARTER TANK, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL SENDER UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW IMPROVED SENDER CARD. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY
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.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix: Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 73 | good |
| Performance | 79 | good |
| Efficiency | 27 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 7 of them (15%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (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 74/100, 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: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. 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.