KnownCarProblems2008 Nissan Xterra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 119 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Nissan Xterra, most often about the transmission (40% of complaints, typically around 106,500 miles). It is 7th of 16 Xterra model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2008 Nissan Xterra problems
Transmission
47 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 106,500 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, automatic transmission.
I was driving at 65 miles ph and suddenly my car slowed down to 40 miles ph and I was very lucky noboday was riding my butt I had to exit the hwy and pull over.
My Nissan Xterra is a victim of the manufacturing defect where the coolant in the radiator mixes with the automatic transmission fluid, due to a leak in the transmission cooler, causing complete transmission failure. My transmission slips and driving is erratic, causing unsafe driving conditions. The repair is quoted…
Engine
31 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system.
I have an 08 Nissan Xterra the vdc/slip/engine/tire pressure/ and air bag lights are on. The engine seems to be stalling at take off. The fuel indicator is no longer working and had made attempts to get this fixed and the dealership said it wasn't on my vehicle. I don't think the Nissan dealership is handling their…
Car's heater blows cold air when car is idling. Nissan service technician advised that this was caused "by an air pocket" forming in the cooling system? The air pocket has to be removed - which of course costs money. We own two 2008 xterras. This also happened with our other 2008 Xterra.
Air bags
23 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 58,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Airbag light constantly blinking after turn on the vehicle and does not go off. Not sure if airbags installed are from takata. At least, I review if there is any recall based on VIN # and there is no apparently recall in this unit. Very concerned due to the fact last years a main cable that connect the horn and other…
Airbag light constantly blinking after turn on the vehicle and does not go off. Not sure if airbags installed are from takata. At least, I review if there is any recall based on VIN # and there is no apparently recall in this unit. Very concerned due to the fact last years a main cable that connect the horn and other…
Fuel system
18 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
Action requested: 2008 Nissan Xterra fuel gauge fails to operate properly and is safety concern. Issue: 2008 Nissan Xterra fuel gauge reading is erratic, inaccurate and, at times, inoperative. When functioning, fuel gauge is inconsistent. The problem began at approximately 65,000 miles and has persisted. The vehicle…
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. While operating the vehicle, the fuel gauge displayed false readings. The gauge showed that the fuel tank had less fuel than what was actually present. Also, on several occasions, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed and the vehicle did not immediately…
Brakes
12 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. While operating the vehicle, the fuel gauge displayed false readings. The gauge showed that the fuel tank had less fuel than what was actually present. Also, on several occasions, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed and the vehicle did not immediately…
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that he noticed a film of oil on the rear brake shields. Later while utilizing the emergency brake, the brake failed to engage and the vehicle rolled down a hill. The contact then attempted to lock the brakes by driving the vehicle at 10 MPH and putting the…
Electrical
11 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 73,500 miles. Parts named most often: software.
Service engine soon light came on while driving on residential streets. Had code checked. Code listed as p0462. Cleared code then restarted car. Upon starting car none of the gauges worked only the tachometer and speedometer worked. Fuel, temperature, oil, odometer, trip odometer and all warning lights to include turn…
Was driving Xterra 4x4 on the street when all of a sudden the vehicle shut itself off. Was able to luckily turn the vehicle back on but when we arrived home the vehicle would no longer start. Had it towed to Nissan who discovered the car has a defective ECM unit. This could have been very very dangerous and I believe…
Other or unspecified
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 164,000 miles.
I'm having transmission problems due to the known design flaw in the 2008 Xterra radiators that causes coolant to mix with transmission fluid. Nissan admitted the flaw and yet the NHTSA, who is supposed to help protect US, has concluded that Nissan isn't liable for these problems. What protection does a consumer have…
The radiator has taken in fluids from the transmission or? The radiator fluid appears milky and lotion like consistency from the radiator and overflow tank it has been shifting very loud and hard..
Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
The 4 tire pressure monitoring system valves (TPMS) failed on the same day according to the dealer. The dealer stated the failure of the TPMS valves is a known problem with 2008 Nissan xterras. The failure of the TPMS valve poses a significant safety issue either by misleading someone to believe a tire is going flat…
Today, with just over 19,000 miles on my 2008 Xterra , I had to replace my front brake pads and rotors. Both rotors were badly grooved especially on the inside surface and the inside pads were nearly completely worn. I had just had the vehicle inspected 2 months ago at my Nissan dealership and they reported no…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Nissan Xterra recalls
Air bags: frontal
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driverâs airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed december 8, 2023. Owners may contact nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are pc944, pc945, and pc946.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 titan, frontier, xterra, pathfinder, armada, and 2008-2009 quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)
Risk: Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by garmin technicians by replacing the battery and inserting a spacer on top of the battery free of charge. The safety recall began on september 16, 2010. Owners may contact garmin directly at 1-866-957-1981 or nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
Nissan is recalling certain vehicles that were equipped with a garmin nuvi model 750 navigation system. The batteries contained in the affected GPS units can overheat.
Fuel system: auxillary tank
Risk: This could cause the vehicle to run out of gas and stall in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel level sending unit inside the fuel tank with a new one that has a modified float arm. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before march 22, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2006 and model year 2008 frontier, xterra and pathfinder vehicles. The molded fuel tank shells can deform, causing the fuel sender float arm to contact an embossment molded into the tank shell causing the instrument panel fuel gauge to show that the vehicle has approximately one quarter tank when the fuel tank is empty.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: This issue could result in the non-deployment of the driver and passenger front air bags in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front czs with a redesigned sensor. The recall began on january 26, 2009. Owners in the other states will receive extended warranty coverage for the sensor to 10 years. These owners will be notified of the warranty extension by mail and will receive a sticker to place in their warranty booklet explaining the extended warranty coverage. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
Nissan is recalling 242,720 my 2005-2009 pathfinder, frontier and xterra vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. In those areas of the country which use heavy concentrations of road salt in the winter, a mixture of snow/water and salt can enter into the front crash zone sensor (czs) housing. If this occurs, the czs may internally rust resulting in a signal interruption. If this happens, the red air bag warning light will illuminate to alert the vehicle operator.
Equipment: labels
Risk: This standard specifies requirements for tire selection to prevent overloading.
Fix: Nissan will mail a correct tire placard and installation instructions to owners of the affected vehicles. The recall began on february 25, 2008. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
Nissan is recalling 5,523 my 2008 titan, frontier and xterra vehicles for failing to comply to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, 'tire selection and rims for motor vehicles.' the tire placard lists an incorrect vehicle capacity weight.
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: In ABS/vdc actuators with more than one ball, it is possible that fluid flow could be blocked and cause a reduction in brake force in one or both front wheels or affect operation of the ABS and/or vdc. This could result in a reduction in brake effectiveness without warning increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the ABS/vdc actuator with a new one. The recall began on december 31, 2007. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, the antilock brake system/vehicle dynamic control (ABS/vdc) actuator is designed with one ball in the valve section. Some ABS/vdc actuators were manufactured with more than one ball in the valve.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Transmission failures
Summary
On february 29, 2012 the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into my 2005-2010 nissan pathfinder, frontier, and xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.it will also be published in the federal register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfa
Questions about the 2008 Nissan Xterra
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Nissan Xterra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (47 complaints, typically around 106,500 miles); engine (31 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); air bags (23 complaints, typically around 58,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Xterra have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 10, 2023 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Nissan Xterra?
- It is 7th of 16 Xterra model years by number of complaints, with 119 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.