Nissan Cube problems
100 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Nissan Cube? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- steering — 23 owner reports · tends to show around 78,169 mi · ~$700 to fix
- powertrain — 19 owner reports · tends to show around 99,102 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 14 owner reports · tends to show around 97,250 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 67,759 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 99,102 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2009 Nissan Cube
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2009 Nissan Cube
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~79,000 misteering~$700
- ~94,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~99,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Car will not start. Sitting on a residential street. Electronic steering control lock defect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan cube. The contact stated his daughter was stranded when the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the steering lock module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle…
Personal research was done on the internet to find how this happened on other nissans, the versa, the altima, and now the cube. Unfortunately, this can cause a wreck because the parts can fall onto the road from a speeding car, and hit another car on the highway. The issue is…
We left sears and proceeded to pull out of parking spot. Stepped on gas pedal and RPM went to over 5 grand. Vehicle moved by drifting. After rpms dropped vehicle started to move but not very well. Vehicle showed signs of transmission not engaging. The transmission is a CVT type…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 2 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. PE25005 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2009 Nissan Cube reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Nissan Cube is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Nissan Cube?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Nissan Cube does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Nissan Cube?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 23 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,169 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Nissan Cube a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 100 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 78,169 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Nissan Cube?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 23 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,169 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 78,169 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Cube has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Nissan Cube?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 100 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.