CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Nissan Cube electrical problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 14 electrical complaints filed for the 2009 Nissan Cube, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Nissan Cube we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 14.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommendations are expected to promote uniformity during the connection process, therefore reducing the number of incorrect âTest with DCAâ and âReplaceâ results. HINT: If 12 volt batteries are allowed to discharge for a prolonged period of time, battery life may be drastically reduced. This condition may lead to premature battery replacement and customer dissatisfaction. IMPORTANT: ï· CPX-900 is now an accepted testing tool to use along with or in place of the DSS-500
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly spray Silicone-based lubricant or grease, or inadvertently overspray Silicone-based lubricant or grease onto any interior electrical components. These types of lubricants can be detrimental to the proper operation of electrical components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The standout complaint across these 14 narratives is the Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) failing repeatedly, leaving owners stranded without warning. Owners report paying $650 to $900 to replace the unit, and the defect returns even after Nissan issued a recall and supposedly fixed it. One owner's lock failed in January 2020, more than eight years after a recall repair in January 2012—and Nissan declined to cover it again. Another owner faced the car not starting in a remote area, her wife exposed to heat stress in the stopped vehicle. The ESCL failure prevents starting, shifts from staying locked in Park, and triggers a red key-symbol light.
Beyond the ESCL, owners report the instrument panel going completely black during driving, then lighting up again—behavior tied to windshield wiper use. The airbag control unit misfires, rear door handles jam closed with no external access, and the TPMS warning light fires repeatedly even with correct tire pressures. Nissan has extended the ESCL warranty on paper but won't reimburse owners who already paid or who exceed mileage limits. The manufacturer has kept the service campaign open for Altimas and Maximas but not uniformly applied it to Cubes, frustrating owners who view this as a safety defect the company acknowledged but doesn't fully address.
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) Failure
The electronic steering column lock mechanism fails, preventing the engine from starting and immobilizing the vehicle. The failure appears to be a design defect affecting multiple model years and related Nissan/Infiniti platforms. Owners report the ESCL was subject to a recall, but units continue to fail even after the recall repair has been performed, and Nissan has declined to cover repeat failures under warranty or recall.
When: Variable; failures reported from around 280 miles to 280,000+ miles in service; one recall repair documented in January 2012, failure occurred January 2020; other specific timing unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start after ignition is turned off; Key fob must be visible and steering wheel must be manually locked to achieve start; Red light with key symbol illuminates on dashboard; Shifter stuck in Park, preventing vehicle movement; Loss of key reading by vehicle electronics
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost $579.93 parts + $312.50 labor ($892.43 total) at one dealership; another owner paid $650; requires replacement of ESCL unit or internal 'plunger' component within steering electrical box
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for ESCL defect (service campaign active on Altimas and Maximas but not applied uniformly to Cubes or other affected vehicles); extended warranty offered on the ESCL part, but many owners are denied coverage if they exceed mileage thresholds or if prior recall work does not prevent recurrence; Nissan Consumer Hotline acknowledged prior repair but refused to cover repeat failures
Instrument Panel Electrical Malfunction
The instrument panel lights and gauges go completely dark during normal operation, then suddenly illuminate again. The failure correlates with activation of the windshield wiper control. Dealer could not diagnose the root cause but referred the issue to the manufacturer.
When: Failure occurred between 280 and 330 miles on the odometer (likely a fresh vehicle or instrument cluster reading error in the report)
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument panel lights go completely black while driving; Lights illuminate again suddenly; Dimming pattern correlates with windshield wiper activation and deactivation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but no resolution documented in complaint
Airbag Control Unit Malfunction
The airbag control unit fails, triggering a warning light on the dashboard. The failure may require replacement of the airbag control unit and possibly the steering wheel airbag itself.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Blinking light on dashboard; Airbag warning light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Owner states the control unit must be replaced and possibly the airbag on the steering wheel; owner believes this should be covered under warranty
Back Door Handle Failure
The rear door handle fails to unlock, trapping the door and preventing access from the outside. Owner characterizes this as a known problem for these vehicles.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Rear door will not unlock; No key access available to open or repair the handle
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor Malfunction
The tire pressure warning light illuminates repeatedly even when tire pressures are within normal range. One tire sensor reportedly malfunctioned, and new tires were installed but the problem persisted. The tire shop reset the warning light after finding and correcting a low-pressure tire.
When: Complaint filed after 3 years of ownership; timing of sensor failure not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Tire pressure warning light illuminates frequently; New tires deflate without apparent cause; Light activates even when tire pressures are correct
Repairs/costs cited: One tire was found very low in pressure; resetting the light resolved the immediate symptom, but owner suspects systemic sensor issues
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The steering lock has failed, and the start button no longer works on the vehicle because the "plunger" has failed within the steering electrical box.
I bought my Nissan cube in 2010 (used with about 23,000 miles). I have been having trouble with the air condition making a fan noise, slowing down, going faster then cutting off. The dealer said it was normal bor the a/c to do that, but now I believe it is really going to die out. I have also been having trouble with my cube where you press on the gas and the car is going anywhere, then in a…
Had electrical trouble with your 2009 Nissan Cube?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2009 Nissan Cube?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 77,000 and 135,000 miles, with the median around 94,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 77,000; a quarter make it past 135,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Nissan/Cube.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.