Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 Nissan Gt-R
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
627.3%
Median failure at 21,800 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
522.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 5,500 mi
Lights
418.2%
Median failure at 22,500 miles
Other & Unspecified
14.5%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
14.5%
Median failure at 8,800 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
14.5%
Brakes
14.5%
Median failure at 18,950 miles
Steering
14.5%
Median failure at 36,800 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
14.5%
Median failure at 11,400 miles
Engine & Cooling
14.5%
Median failure at 28,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
527.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
844.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
527.8%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2009peak 3Aug 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2009 Nissan Gt-R
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE14034Opened 4 Nov 2014Closed 27 Feb 2015STEERING:COLUMN
Steering column separation
In a January 28, 2015 letter to NHTSA, Nissan identified a safety defect in the steering column assemblies used in certain model year (MY) 2008 and 2009 Infiniti EX35, Infiniti FX35/45 and Nissan GT-R vehicles equipped with power tilt/telescope steering columns supplied by Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd (NHTSA Recall No. 15V-054, Nissan R1501/R1502).The recall covers a total of 16,973 vehicles, including 15,647 MY 2008 Infiniti EX35 vehicles manufactured from June 29, 2007 (SOP) to April 25, 2008; 1,100 MY 2009 Infiniti FX35/45 vehicles manufactured from October 31, 2007 (SOP) to April 16, 2008; and 226 M...
Recalls on the 2009 Nissan Gt-R
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20150601,702 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, the steering column upper bearing retainer may fail due to a manufacturing defect. if this occurs, the upper bearing may experience additional stress causing excessive play in the steering wheel. This could result in vehicle instability and increase the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace steering shaft on EX35/FX35/45 and replace steering column assembly on GT-R.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 26,000 milesDallas, TXFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DURING A TRACK DAY MY FUEL EVAP CANISTER CAUGHT FIRE. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER GT-R OWNERS THAT DO NOT EVEN TRACK THE CAR WITH NORMAL DRIVING, THAT HAVE DISPLAYED A FUEL STAIN IN THE PASSENGER FENDER LINER THAT IS SOAKED FROM FUEL FROM AN OVERWHELMED (?BADLY DESIGNED) CANISTER
NHTSA complaint #10852043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 8,800 milesNorth Little Rock, AR
VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan GT-R. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a blinding glare coming from the windshield, compromising driver visibility. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 8,800.
NHTSA complaint #11540564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,950 milesAtlanta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES
I NOTED AN ERROR MESSAGE ON MY DASH REGARDING A FAILURE TO THE ABS.I WENT TO THE DEALER WHO PULLED A CODE "C1111" FOR A FAILED HYDRAULIC CONTROL ASSEMBLY; A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. MY CAR HAS ONLY 19K MILES, AND IS LIGHTLY DRIVEN. ONLINE RESEARCH ON GT-R BLOGS, AND ELSEWHERE REVEAL THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON EARLY GT-RS, AFFECTING A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THEM AT LOW MILEAGE. I CONTACTED NISSAN'S GT-R REPORT LINE, AND THEY WERE OF NO HELP. I RECENTLY SAW A RECALL ON OTHER NISSAN PRODUCTS RELATED TO THEIR ABS SYSTEMS. ALTHOUGH THIS IS A SMALL NUMBER OF MANUFACTURED CARS, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY DEVICE, AND I BELIEVE NEEDS TO BE SCRUTINIZED CAREFULLY. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
NHTSA complaint #11161730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,800 milesCentreville, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1. MANY LEDS IN DASH CLUSTER HAVE GONE OUT WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE DRIVING AT NIGHT. 2. THERE IS A FAILURE OF THE AM/FM TUNER. BOTH ISSUES ARE KNOWN TO NISSAN BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX IN MY CAR STATING THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT AFFECTED WHICH IT MOST CERTAINLY IS: HTTP://WWW.2009GTR.COM/2012/01/NISSAN-EXTENDS-WARRANTY-ON-INSTRUMENT.HTML
NHTSA complaint #11048465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,800 milesCentreville, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1. MANY LEDS IN DASH CLUSTER HAVE GONE OUT WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE DRIVING AT NIGHT. 2. THERE IS A FAILURE OF THE AM/FM TUNER. BOTH ISSUES ARE KNOWN TO NISSAN BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX IN MY CAR STATING THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT AFFECTED WHICH IT MOST CERTAINLY IS: HTTP://WWW.2009GTR.COM/2012/01/NISSAN-EXTENDS-WARRANTY-ON-INSTRUMENT.HTML
NHTSA complaint #11048465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesRochester, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I'M WRITING THIS BECAUSE THE INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER LIGHT IS OUT ON MY 2009 GT-R, AND IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE TRIED TO WORK WITH NISSAN OF AMERICA/CANADA BUT LIKE MOST WITH THEIR LIGHTS OUT THE 'EXTENDED' WARRANTY EXPIRED BEFORE THE ISSUE OCCURRED. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THEIR GAUGE CLUSTER LIGHTS OUT. HTTP://WWW.GTRLIFE.COM/FORUMS/TOPIC/44110-OFFICIAL-NAGTROC-GAUGE-LIGHT-OUT-THREAD/PAGE-14 THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT THAT NISSAN WILL NOT OWN UP TO OR ACKNOWLEDGE. NO VEHICLE WITH UNDER 15K SHOULD HAVE THESE KINDS OF ISSUES. NISSAN NEEDS TO STAND BY THEIR WORK AND RECALL THIS UNIT. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THE NHTSA HOTLINE BUT THEY WERE OF NO HELP. SEEMS NO ONE WANTS TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT ANYMORE, ONLY WHAT IS EASY. PLEASE DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND MAKE NISSAN RECALL THIS ISSUE SO OWNERS DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A FACTORY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10991660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,500 milesLOS Gatos, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER ON A 2009-2010 GTR HAS A COMMON PROBLEM WHERE THE LEDS BEHIND THE FUEL GAUGE END OF BURNING OUT. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND OFFERED A FACTORY EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM 3 YEARS / 36K MILES TO 6 YEARS / UNLIMITED MILES. EVEN SO, FOR OWNERS LIKE MYSELF WITH A LOW MILEAGE CAR THAT HAVE PASSED THE TIME PERIOD BUT HAVE A BROKEN CLUSTER. IT'S A COMMON AND KNOWN ISSUE AND DUE TO THIS TECHNICALITY NISSAN REFUSES TO REPLACE THE CLUSTER.
NHTSA complaint #10966003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,200 milesJacksonville, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SPEEDOMETER IS INACCURATE. THE FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T WORK. THE DIGITAL SCREEN ON THE GAUGE CLUSTER DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. SOME OF THE LIGHTING IS OUT SUCH AS BEHIND THE RPM GAUGE. THERE IS AN ORANGE EXCLAMATION POINT ICON LIT UP ON THE GAUGE CLUSTER AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10898016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,242 milesAlamo, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER LEDS GONE OUT, AS WELL AS THE INDICATOR DISPLAY. IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND THEY REMAIN OUT. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUES IN MANY OF THE FORUMS. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN.
NHTSA complaint #10853359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesDallas, TXFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DURING A TRACK DAY MY FUEL EVAP CANISTER CAUGHT FIRE. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER GT-R OWNERS THAT DO NOT EVEN TRACK THE CAR WITH NORMAL DRIVING, THAT HAVE DISPLAYED A FUEL STAIN IN THE PASSENGER FENDER LINER THAT IS SOAKED FROM FUEL FROM AN OVERWHELMED (?BADLY DESIGNED) CANISTER
NHTSA complaint #10852043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,995 milesSAN Antonio, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER LEDS GONE OUT, AS WELL AS THE SHIFT INDICATOR DISPLAY. MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHAT SPEED YOU ARE TRAVELING AT AND GEAR YOU ARE IN. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR SOME BUT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. IM ON THE 2ND REPLACEMENT THAT HAS FAILED FROM NISSAN.
NHTSA complaint #10824837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,800 milesMaricopa, AZ
STEERING
I OWN A 2009 GTR AND I BELIEVE IT USES THE SAME STEERING LOCK AS ALTIMA. THE CAR ONLY HAS 36K MILES AND I ALSO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. CAR WONT START DUE OR THE STEERING LOCK FAILED TO DISENGAGE. I HAVE IT TOW TO MY HOUSE AND I DID SOME RESEARCH. FOUND OUT THAT 2009 TO 2010 HAS STEERING ISSUE. THIS IS A DEFINITELY SAFETY ISSUE. I ALSO FIND OUT THE IT REQUIRED A HAMMER TO START THE 100K GT-R. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW ON THE MODULE, PARTS MUST BE RECALL. STAND BEHIND YOU PRODUCT NISSAN. DON'T RUN AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10824575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesEaston, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE LED LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER HAVE GONE OUT. IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND THEY REMAIN OUT. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUES IN MANY OF THE FORUMS. ALTHOUGH THEY HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY AT ONE POINT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT SILL NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. HERE IS ONE OF THE LINKS TO ONE OF THE THREADS: HTTP://WWW.GTRLIFE.COM/FORUMS/TOPIC/44110-OFFICIAL-NAGTROC-GAUGE-LIGHT-OUT-THREAD/
NHTSA complaint #10816307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IT IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE FOR THESE GUAGE CLUSTERS TO GO OUT AND IT REQUIRES A $2000 REPLACEMENT. NISSAN WOULD NOT HONOR MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. HTTP://WWW.GTRLIFE.COM/FORUMS/TOPIC/44110-OFFICIAL-NAGTROC-GAUGE-LIGHT-OUT-THREAD/PAGE__ST__240 HTTP://WWW.GTRHERITAGE.COM/TOPIC/4877-09-CLUSTER-REPAIR/
NHTSA complaint #10783023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
IT IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE FOR THESE GUAGE CLUSTERS TO GO OUT AND IT REQUIRES A $2000 REPLACEMENT. NISSAN WOULD NOT HONOR MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. HTTP://WWW.GTRLIFE.COM/FORUMS/TOPIC/44110-OFFICIAL-NAGTROC-GAUGE-LIGHT-OUT-THREAD/PAGE__ST__240 HTTP://WWW.GTRHERITAGE.COM/TOPIC/4877-09-CLUSTER-REPAIR/
NHTSA complaint #10783023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IT IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE FOR THESE GUAGE CLUSTERS TO GO OUT AND IT REQUIRES A $2000 REPLACEMENT. NISSAN WOULD NOT HONOR MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. HTTP://WWW.GTRLIFE.COM/FORUMS/TOPIC/44110-OFFICIAL-NAGTROC-GAUGE-LIGHT-OUT-THREAD/PAGE__ST__240 HTTP://WWW.GTRHERITAGE.COM/TOPIC/4877-09-CLUSTER-REPAIR/
NHTSA complaint #10783023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Lafayette, IN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE NHTSA HAS BANNED MANY CARS FROM THE U.S. INCLUDING MANY SOUGHT BY PRIVATE COLLECTORS AND CITIZENS ALIKE, OFFERING LITTLE TO NO EXPLANATION, AND DOES NOT OFFER A LIST OF VEHICLES WITH EXPLANATIONS ON THEIR WEBSITE. WHILE MY COMPLAINT IS NOT ABOUT A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE, IT DOES CONCERN THE NHTSA, AND I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THE REASONING BEHIND THE FIGHT AGAINST DOMESTIC VEHICLES. NOTE: VEHICLES ON LIST MEET STANDARDS AND HAVE NEWER MODELS ON THE ROAD IN THE U.S SUCH AS THE 2009 NISSAN GT-R R35 (SKYLINE) ALTHOUGH THE 1999 SKYLINE R34 GT-T.
NHTSA complaint #10703841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesSmithtown, NY
ENGINE
ABOUT A YEAR AGO, EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT WITH THE CAR IDLING, WE WOULD HEAR A SLIGHT RATTLING NOISE. BUT EVERY TIME WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, WHICH IS ONLY A FEW MILES FROM OUR HOUSE, THE NOISE WAS NOT THERE OR NOT ENOUGH TO BRING IT INTO SHOP TO BE CHECKED OUT SO NOTHING WAS EVER DOCUMENTED. THE NOISE WAS INTERMITTENT BECAUSE IT WAS THE EARLY STAGES OF THE "RATTLE FROM THE FLYWHEEL HOUSING" CONDITION. ONE TIME MY HUSBAND BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WITHOUT CHECKING IT IN LET THE GTR TECH HEAR A RECORDING HE MADE OF THE NOISE WHEN IT WAS HAPPENING. THE TECH RESPONSE WAS THAT THE SOUND DID APPEAR TO BE THE INFAMOUS "FLY WHEEL HOUSING RATTLE," BUT WHEN HE HEARD THE CAR RUNNING AT THAT TIME, THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WAS NOT OCCURRING AND HE REPLIED TO THE SLIGHT NOISES WE WERE HEARING AS NORMAL TO THIS CARS DESIGN. NOW THE NOISE IS WORSE BECAUSE THIS CONDITION DEVELOPED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS NO LONGER INTERMITTENT. ON 11/25/13 MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN OF SMITHTOWN AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND COULD BRING IT IN AT OUR COST. NISSAN'S SERVICE BULLETIN IS AT09-010 NTB09-147 2009-2010 GT-R RATTLE FROM FLYWHEEL HOUSING DECEMBER 18, 2009. THIS IS A CONDITION THAT DEVELOPS OVER TIME, NOT ONE THAT ONE MOMENT IT WORKS AND THE NEXT IT DOESN'T. IT'S NOT THAT MY HUSBAND DID NOT DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED OR THAT THE CONDITION PROGRESSED TO THE POINT OF NEEDING ATTENTION TWO MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, BUT THAT NISSAN IS TRANSFERRING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THEIR DESIGN FLAW, WHICH THEY HAVE DOCUMENTED WITH THEIR SERVICE BULLETIN, TO THE UNSUSPECTING OWNER WHO MAY HAVE A SIMILAR SITUATION WHERE THIS FLYWHEEL RATTLE HAPPENS TO THEM OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY. BUYER BEWARE! WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM! WE ARE URGENTLY REQUESTING YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10556197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,400 milesArlington, VA
POWER TRAIN
SHIFTING FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH GEAR, UNDER ACCELERATION, TRANSMISSION THEN LET GO. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I NO LONGER HAD GEARS 2-4-6. CALLED A TOW TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #10453430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,300 milesSurprise, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN GT-R. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL SPILLED OUT FROM THE FILLER NECK WHILE REFUELING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,900. UPDATED 02/22/12 *BF UPDATED 03/01/12
NHTSA complaint #10447751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,500 milesMiramar, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2009 NISSAN GT-R DEVELOPS A STRONG IN-CABIN SMELL OF GAS FUMES DURING "SPIRITED DRIVES" ON THE RACE TRACK. THIS HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE TRACK AND THE SMELL IS OVERWHELMING. NISSAN REDESIGNED THE EVAP SYSTEM FOR 2010, SO IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ALREADY. I HAD MY EVAP VALVE CHANGED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE SITUATION. MANY OTHER GT-R OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE... SEE: HTTP://WWW.NAGTROC.ORG/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?SHOWTOPIC=30072 SOME OF THESE EVENTS HAPPEN EVEN DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, BUT IT SEEMS THAT DRIVING AT THE RACE TRACK UNDER HIGH LOADS BRINGS THE SMELL OUT IN MOST GT-R'S. ANOTHER ISSUE WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED IS THAT WHEN REFUELING THE CAR GAS WILL OFTEN POUR OUT OF THE FILLER OPENING WHEN REMOVING THE PUMP HANDLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN FILLING IT RAPIDLY AND WHEN THE CAR IS HOT.
NHTSA complaint #10307343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,800 milesMiramar, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DRIVING A 2009 NISSAN GT-R ON A ROAD COURSE RESULTS IN A STRONG FUEL SMELL WITHIN THE PASSENGER CABIN. THIS APPEARS TO OCCUR FREQUENTLY IN OTHER GT-R'S AS WELL. IN FACT, NISSAN REDESIGNED THE FUEL TANK AND EVAP CANISTER SYSTEM IN 2010 GT-R'S BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10290422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,176 milesColorado Springs, CO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CAR LEAKS FUEL THROUGH THE EVAP SYSTEM AND WILL SPILL FUEL DURING FILL UPS.
NHTSA complaint #10272986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.