SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the driver is resting their left foot on the brake pedal while accelerating. Advise the customer not to rest their foot on the brake while accelerating. * Use CONSULT-III plus in Engine Data Monitor to check operation of the brake lamp circuit signal. Monitor the brake switch during the incident; it should be "OFF". Please see this bulletn for further details.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Nissan Cube powertrain problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 19 powertrain complaints filed for the 2009 Nissan Cube, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 19.
Powertrain accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 9 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Cube's CVT transmission shows up repeatedly across 19 complaints with one core issue: it stops working, sometimes with no warning. Owners describe complete loss of drive at 5,900 miles, 26,000 miles, 79,000 miles, 111,000 miles, and 124,000 miles. The vehicle either won't accelerate despite engine running, feels like it's slipped into neutral, or stalls outright mid-drive. One owner had the transmission replaced four times on the same car; another reports the replacement unit failed with the identical symptom. Highway failures are especially dangerous—vehicles coasting to a stop with no power assist to brakes, stranding families 150 miles from home.
Some failures produce no warning light; others trigger check engine codes pointing to transmission component or step motor malfunction. The transmission range switch can fail too, preventing engine start or causing severe acceleration lag in intersections. Less dramatic but still reported: slipping, harsh shifting, shuddering, and blackened fluid.
Nissan issued an extended 10-year warranty acknowledging these failures are a known problem. However, owners report being denied coverage once they're out of warranty, even by one mile. At least one owner had the transmission replaced, only to encounter the same hesitation issue afterward—suggesting the underlying problem may persist even after parts replacement.
Same Nissan Cube powertrain reports on nearby years: 2011
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Transmission Failure - Complete Loss of Drive
The CVT transmission abruptly stops engaging, leaving the vehicle unable to accelerate or move, even at low speeds or after restart. The engine may continue running but transmission is inoperative. In some cases, the vehicle coasts to a stop mid-drive.
When: Varies widely: 5,900 miles to 124,000 miles; one case at 26,000 miles with recurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not accelerate despite engine running and gas pedal pressed; Vehicle feels like it's in neutral with no response to throttle; Complete loss of propulsion on highway or at low speed; Vehicle coasts to stop; cannot be restarted into drive/reverse; Engine may stall when transmission fails; No warning lights in some cases; check engine light in others
Codes mentioned: Transmission part failure codes (3 codes stored in one case), Step motor malfunction code (CVT component)
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement; at least one owner reports replacement 4 times on same vehicle. One case shows failure recurred after first replacement and manufacturer refused additional help. Another case shows same issue persisted after transmission replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty coverage to 10 years for CVT transmission due to known problems. Out-of-warranty claims denied. Some owners report Nissan refusing further assistance after second failure.
CVT Transmission Range (Neutral Safety) Switch Failure
The transmission range switch intermittently fails to maintain proper electrical contact, causing multiple downstream issues. This switch signals the transmission position to the engine control module and is critical for start enable and shift logic.
When: Not specified in narratives
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard PRNDL indicator fails to illuminate; Engine will not start even when shifter is in Park or Neutral; Severe acceleration delay (several seconds) after engine is already running and vehicle enters an intersection; Driver must wait for engine to respond even with accelerator fully depressed
Repairs/costs cited: Switch replacement (Nissan part number: SWITCH ASSY 20150227 31918-1XCOD)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs mentioned. One owner recommends Nissan redesign switch with redundant contacts.
CVT Transmission Hesitation and Delayed Acceleration
The transmission exhibits intermittent hesitation, flat spots, or delayed response to throttle input. Vehicle may pause for 15-30 seconds before responding to accelerator, or stall briefly then resume normal operation. Often occurs after sudden braking or on highway ramps.
When: Occurs after transmission replacement in at least one case; happens repeatedly over time
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator unresponsive for 15-30 seconds despite full pedal depression; Engine revs but vehicle does not accelerate; Vehicle hesitates when exiting highway or in intersections; Condition repeats multiple times during same drive; RPM climbs but no corresponding power delivery; Vehicle stalls then restarts after a few minutes and works briefly before recurring
Repairs/costs cited: No repair noted in narratives; one owner reports condition started after dealership transmission replacement.
CVT Transmission Slipping, Vibration, and Shudder
Transmission slips under acceleration and loses power. Vehicle vibrates and shudders during motion and even when stationary. Unable to reach highway speeds.
When: 124,000 miles in reported case
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips during acceleration; Vehicle vibrates and shudders in motion; Lack of power; unable to reach 50 mph; Vehicle vibrates when stationary (engine off or idle)
CVT Transmission Noise, Jerking, and Harsh Shifts
The transmission produces excessive noise, jerks during operation, and shifts harshly, particularly during braking. Fluid may leak and appear blackened or discolored.
When: 111,000 miles in one reported case
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revving sounds from transmission; Transmission jerking; Harsh shifting, especially while braking; Transmission leaks; CVT fluid blackened or discolored in color; Loss of power on acceleration; gas pedal hesitation
Repairs/costs cited: Fluid inspection showed blackened CVT; owner reported needing repair or replacement
Unintended Acceleration After Transmission Failure
Vehicle abnormally accelerates on its own after losing acceleration response, or accelerates without pedal input. Occurs at low speeds.
When: 5,907 miles in reported case
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to accelerate properly at low speed; Vehicle then abnormally accelerates without pedal being depressed; Condition recurs
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replaced at dealer (three service visits for this issue)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was contacted; no further response noted
CVT Clutch Failure
The transmission clutch fails, rendering the vehicle unable to move. Occurs suddenly without warning while vehicle is parked.
When: After 1 year and 1 month of ownership; vehicle was in warranty when it failed but owner had just passed warranty expiration
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not move in Reverse or Drive after parking overnight; No warning or prior symptoms
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis: clutch failure in transmission. Owner noted warranty had just expired; extended warranty (CarMax MaxCare) denied coverage as maintenance issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty claim denied (out of warranty)
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 automatic. After several attempts decided to shut car off and re-start. Hoping this method would allow for ECM to…
Was driving home with my husband from the grocery store. Pulled onto highway and car stopped accelerating. Pulled over and car would rev up but not go in drive or reverse. Car was towed back home and being traded in. It's 1,000 miles over the extended warranty. They should recall these knowing the CVT is bad. *tr
Faulty transmission, discolored, broken. Needs to either be repaired or replaced. At 111,000 miles my car had trouble stopping. I almost got hit in the middle of the intersection. Have really bad whiplash and continue to see a chiropractor every 2 weeks. I have taken my Nissan cube 2009 111,000 miles to 3 mechanics. (Nissan, meineke and pismo automotive) have documentation available upon…
This car since purchase has had the transmission replaced four times. When the transmission fails the car coasts to a stop which on the highway is a danger as the car is susceptible to be hit by other cars. In addition when the transmission fails the engine stops and the braking system is rendered inoperable the only way to stop the car is via the emergency break. The transmission failure in…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2009 Nissan Cube?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 73,500 and 121,000 miles, with the median around 99,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 73,500; a quarter make it past 121,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.