Selling a Nissan Cube that's past fixing

The only U.S. Cube

North America got the third-generation Cube, the Z12, for model years 2009 through 2014. It went on sale in early May 2009, and Nissan dropped it here after 2014 for poor sales. Every U.S. car was assembled at Oppama, Japan, with a 1.8-liter four rated 122 hp and 127 lb-ft. The 1.8 and 1.8 S could have a six-speed manual. The CVT was optional on the S and standard on the 1.8 SL and the Krom.

The launch years carry most of the record: 157 of the 217 complaints NHTSA has on the Cube are on 2009 and 2010 cars.

Problems by year

Steering lock no-starts, 2009-2010

Steering and the electrical system tie as the components listed most on the 2009, with 16 complaints each, and they rank first and second on the 2010. Among the 2009's steering and electrical complaints, 24 mention a lock. Nissan's own Q&A confirms the 2009 Cube had the steering column lock condition: the lock unit can act up after the car is locked and keep the engine from starting. Nissan says a separate service campaign fixed it, but we could not find that campaign's number or end date.

CVT failures, 2009-2012

On the 2009, 18 of 101 complaints mention the transmission or CVT. On the 2011 it's 15 of 31, and power train becomes the top component; the 2012 adds 7 more. One owner wrote: "UNDER 59,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME MY CVT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED." Six-speed manual Cubes don't have this gearbox. We found no Nissan warranty extension that covers the Cube's CVT.

Recalls

• 2009-2010: the driver air bag inflator recall above (26V230).
• Built January 30, 2009 to July 30, 2010, 46,000 cars: too much fuel leaked when the car was rotated after a rear barrier crash test, which can feed a fire (10V330).
• 2009 Cubes sold or registered in 20 states and D.C.: the material used in a tire pressure sensor nut (09V393, part of 143,223 Nissans).
• 2013-2014 Cubes built July 3 to October 21, 2013: a start/stop button that can stick, so road vibration may shut the engine off while driving (15V418).

Complaints and recalls by model year

Cube figures come from NHTSA's bulk complaint and recall data, pulled October 10, 2026. The single death in the Cube file is in a 2014 complaint.

Repair or sell?

A no-start on a 2009 or 2010 may be the steering lock rather than the engine, so have the lock ruled out before you give up on the car. A failed CVT is a different story. With no extension behind it, the replacement is yours to pay for, and on a 12- to 17-year-old car the quote can pass what a running Cube sells for. Put the two numbers side by side. Bad transmission has AAA's repair ranges, and a car that doesn't run covers no-starts.

How the sale works

1. Ask for an offer online or call (877) 421-6008, with the VIN, mileage, transmission type and what's wrong.
2. Tell us where the Cube is parked and whether it rolls. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
3. Leave it whole, wheels and catalytic converter included, and have the title ready. Plates and insurance come after; after you sell lists each state's rule.