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U.S. public vehicle records

Nissan CUBE problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

217 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

67,370 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2009 to 2014 model years. Data snapshot: . 164 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 49 of 217 complaints (22.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting4721.7%
Steering behavior4621.2%
Braking behavior209.2%
Electrical and battery issues167.4%
Engine operation104.6%
Fuel system concerns83.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
49
Power Train
48
Steering
40
Air Bags
23
Engine
21
Unknown Or Other
17
Fuel/Propulsion System
14
Structure:Body
10
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System49
Power Train48
Steering40
Air Bags23
Engine21
Unknown Or Other17
Fuel/Propulsion System14
Structure:Body10

Electrical System: 49; Power Train: 48; Steering: 40; Air Bags: 23; Engine: 21; Unknown Or Other: 17; Fuel/Propulsion System: 14; Structure:Body: 10

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
31
25,000 to 49,999
24
50,000 to 74,999
36
75,000 to 99,999
32
100,000 to 149,999
35
150,000 and above
6
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00031
25,000 to 49,99924
50,000 to 74,99936
75,000 to 99,99932
100,000 to 149,99935
150,000 and above6

Under 25,000: 31; 25,000 to 49,999: 24; 50,000 to 74,999: 36; 75,000 to 99,999: 32; 100,000 to 149,999: 35; 150,000 and above: 6

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (36). 53 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2009
3
2010
2
2011
7
2012
10
2013
10
2014
30
2015
27
2016
21
2017
25
2018
25
2019
25
2020
9
2021
2
2022
4
2023
4
2024
3
2025
3
2026
7
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20093
20102
20117
201210
201310
201430
201527
201621
201725
201825
201925
20209
20212
20224
20234
20243
20253
20267

2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 7; 2012: 10; 2013: 10; 2014: 30; 2015: 27; 2016: 21; 2017: 25; 2018: 25; 2019: 25; 2020: 9; 2021: 2; 2022: 4; 2023: 4; 2024: 3; 2025: 3; 2026: 7

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 47 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 46 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10463615 · 2012-06-29 (June 29, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN CUBE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY AND THE THEN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AFTER THE PEDAL WAS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND SERVICED FOR UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ISSUES BY REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT HAD NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THE TIME OF REPAIRS AND WAS UNAWARE IF THE FAILURE HAD BEEN REMEDIED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,907 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,890.

Owner-reported narrative. 5,907 miles reported. Look up ODI 10463615 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10488755 · 2012-12-13 (December 13, 2012)

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 RE-BOOT. NO SUCH LUCK. CAR CARRIED ON FOR SEVERAL MILES.DANGEROUS PART OF JOURNEY WAS AT RED LIGHTS AND INTERSECTION. WAS HOPING THAT WE WOULD NOT BE REAR-…

Owner-reported narrative. 61,540 miles reported. Look up ODI 10488755 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10557150 · 2013-12-24 (December 24, 2013)

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 WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,700. UPDATED 01/23/14

Owner-reported narrative. 20,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10557150 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10569477 · 2014-03-11 (March 11, 2014)

ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) FAILED, THE CAR WAS TOTALLY IMMOBILIZED, WAS NOT RESPONDING TO KEYLESS START, STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED. THE PROBLEM WITH ESCL LOCK IS KNOWN TO NISSAN, IT ISSUED A RECALL AND EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE PART FOR OTHER CAR MODELS. I'M WORRYING WHETHER THIS CAN HAPPEN WHILE CAR IS MOVING.

Owner-reported narrative. 86,169 miles reported. Look up ODI 10569477 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10532972 · 2013-07-31 (July 31, 2013)

I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN CUBE WHICH HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. WHEN I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM I FOUND OUT THAT IT ALSO IT CAUSES THE FAILURE OF ILLUMINATION OF THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS; WHICH CAN CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF REAR ENDED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10532972 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10622001 · 2014-08-13 (August 13, 2014)

I PUT MY CAR INTO DRIVE AND THAN PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I LOOKED DOWN AND I WAS IN "D" AFTER A FEW SECONDS I SHIFTED INTO LOW AND NOTHING HAPPENED. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE CAR TOOK OFF. *TR I WAS SO SCARED. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. I TRIED AGAIN, I PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND SAT THERE, THAN IT INCHED ALONG AND THAN TOOK OFF AGAIN LIKE I WAS ON A ROLLER COASTER. LUCKILY I WAS A BLOCK FROM THE DEALER. SO I DROVE IT THERE ON A WING AND A PRAYER. IT TOOK ME AT LEAST 10 MINS. I HAD TO MAKE A TURN AND OTHER DRIVERS WERE…

Owner-reported narrative. 147,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10622001 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10721273 · 2015-05-25 (May 25, 2015)

THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SWITCH (COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS A NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH) WILL SOMETIMES FAIL TO MAKE PROPER ELECTRICAL CONTACT. THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN TWO OF THREE CONDITIONS. ONE CONDITION IS A FAILURE OF THE PRNDL INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD (AS OPPOSED TO THE PRNDL INDICATOR AT THE SHIFTER CONTROL) TO ILLUMINATE. THE NEXT TWO CONDITIONS ARE MUCH LESS BENIGN; THEY CAN BE MUCH MORE FRUSTRATING OR DANGEROUS. THE VERY FRUSTRATING CONDITION IS: BECAUSE THE SWITCH FAILS TO INDICATE THE SHIFTER IS IN PARK OR NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE CANNOT BE S…

Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10721273 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10788232 · 2015-11-04 (November 4, 2015)

THE INTELLIGENT KEY SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED YELLOW AND REMAINED ON WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STOPPED. I TOOK MY CUBE TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL STEERING LOCK SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS SAME DEALERSHIP REPAIRED MY CUBE 9/19/2011 FOR A RECALL ON THIS SAME PART. PART D8700-1FA0C LOCK STEERING WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND HAD TO BE REPLACE AGAIN IN MY 2009 CUBE. THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED THAT I CALL NISSAN TO REPORT THE ISSUE AND SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE REPA…

Owner-reported narrative. 41,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10788232 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10473800 · 2012-09-04 (September 4, 2012)

I WAS TRYING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR JUST STALLED WHEN I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THIS CONDITION WAS REPEATED SEVERAL TIME WHILE JUST DRIVING AROUND TOWN IN NORMAL TRAFFIC. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IF I WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND HAD TO ACCELERATE TO AVOID A CRASH, THIS TYPE OF ISSUE COULD LEAD TO DISASTER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED ON THE INTERNET WITHOUT ANY CONCERN BY NISSAN. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10473800 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10693324 · 2015-03-10 (March 10, 2015)

MY WIFE'S 2009 NISSAN CUBE HAS HAD INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY TO AND FROM WORK AND MOST RECENTLY IN A PARKING LOT (LUCKILY) IT LOCKED UP COMPLETELY. MOST TIMES SHE DESCRIBES IT LIKE IT IS STALLING, WHERE SHE IS ABLE TO MOVE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO. A FEW TIMES HOWEVER AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, EVERYTHING LOCKED UP. CAR WOULDN'T START, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, BRAKE PEDAL WOULDN'T EVEN BUDGE. AFTER…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10693324 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10610229 · 2014-07-13 (July 13, 2014)

WHILE DRIVING THE 09 NISSAN CUBE AT 75 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN DECELERATION AND TURNED ITSELF OFF IN THE MIDST OF HEAVY SEMI TRUCK TRAFFIC. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CAR RETURNED TO THE OWNER AND AFTER APPROXIMENTALLY FORTY MORE MILES OF DRIVING THE PROBLEM OCCURED AGAIN THREE MORE TIMES BEFORE THE OWNER WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A CELL SIGNAL AND BE TOWED OVER 150 MILES TO THE NEXT CLOSEST DEALERSHIP. THAT DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND THE V…

Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10610229 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10717816 · 2015-05-21 (May 21, 2015)

THE COMMON PROBLEM OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM COMING APART AT THE FLANGE HAPPENED TO MY CAR. I WAS ON A ROAD TRIP FROM NASHVILLE, TN TO PITTSBURGH, PA WHEN THE ISSUE PRESENTED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT BE DANGEROUS TO CONTINUE HOME WITH THE ISSUE AND THAT IT WOULD JUST BE VERY LOUD. WHEN I GOT HOME I FOUND THAT THE HEAT FROM THE BROKEN EXHAUST HAD MELTED THE BACK BUMPER LEAVING IT STRINGING OUT. ALSO, THE HEAT SHIELD SEPARATING THE EXHAUST FROM THE FUEL TANK APPEARS TO NOT COVER THE AREA OF THE COMMON SEPARATION. THIS MAKES ME FEEL IT WAS A V…

Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10717816 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2009
3
2010
2
2011
0
2012
0
2013
1
2014
1
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20093
20102
20110
20120
20131
20141

2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 0; 2012: 0; 2013: 1; 2014: 1

Year-by-year records

Nissan CUBE model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
20091013Not available
2010562-1
2011310-2
20121900
201331+1
2014710