IllustrationCROSS CONTAMINATION OF THE RADIATOR FLUID AND TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO FAULTY MFG(NISSAN) DESIGN CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. $3000 OUT OF POCKET DUE TO A MFG FAULT!
2008 Nissan Pathfinder
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Pathfinder years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pathfinder years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
130–25K
1225–50K
3050–75K
6075–100K
127100–150K
35150K+
277 reports with mileage · 51 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 155 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports
Power Train complaints
155 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TRANSMITION FAILURE HARD SHIFTING DUE TO COOLANT CONTAMINATES THE TRANSMITION, RADIATOR AND TRANSMITION NEEDS TO BE REPLACE
FELT JERKING WHILE DRIVING AT 40-45 MPH TO THE POINT WHERE IT FELT LIKE I WAS LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. IT FELT LIKE IT WOULD GO TO NEUTRAL AND SUDDENLY BACK INTO GEAR REALLY HARD SO IT WOULD CAUSE SOMETHING LIKE A TORQUE PULL. SO, TOOK TO DEALER SERVICE SHOP AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE RADIATOR CRACKED …
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FELT JERKING WHILE DRIVING AT 40-45 MPH TO THE POINT WHERE IT FELT LIKE I WAS LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. IT FELT LIKE IT WOULD GO TO NEUTRAL AND SUDDENLY BACK INTO GEAR REALLY HARD SO IT WOULD CAUSE SOMETHING LIKE A TORQUE PULL. SO, TOOK TO DEALER SERVICE SHOP AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED COOLANT FLUID INTO THE RADIATOR COOLER CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. FORTUNATELY, DIDN'T LOSE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING BUT IT FELT CLOSE TO SOMETIMES. I BELIEVE A LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE.
WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO FAULTY RADIATOR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO CHANGE GEARS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A TRANSMISSION FLUSH BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND VIBRATING WITH AN ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO CHANGE GEARS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A TRANSMISSION FLUSH BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND VIBRATING WITH AN ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE CONNECTION PIECE TO THE RADIATOR AND THAT CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED IN WITH RADIATOR FLUID. LEAKING OUT OF TRUCK. KNOW ISSUE WITH NISSAN TRUCKS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHIFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT ANTI-FREEZE AND OIL LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHIFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT ANTI-FREEZE AND OIL LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
HOW IS THIS NOT A RECALL?? IM DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WITH MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSMISSION DECIDES TO START SHAKING AND SLIP RIGHT OUT OF GEAR AS I AM IN THE FAR LEFT LANE TRYING TO GET OVER TO STOP THE CAR!! ALMOST CAUSING A HUGE ACCIDENT!! ALL MY TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS LEAKED IN WITH MY COOLANT FOR MY RAD. DESTR…
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HOW IS THIS NOT A RECALL?? IM DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WITH MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSMISSION DECIDES TO START SHAKING AND SLIP RIGHT OUT OF GEAR AS I AM IN THE FAR LEFT LANE TRYING TO GET OVER TO STOP THE CAR!! ALMOST CAUSING A HUGE ACCIDENT!! ALL MY TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS LEAKED IN WITH MY COOLANT FOR MY RAD. DESTROYING MY TRANSMISSION.
MY RADIATOR WAS REPLACED IN 8/14 DUE TO A HOSE COMING LOOSE AND CAUSING FLUIDS TO COMINGLE. 5/2/15 WHILE DRIVING MY CHILDREN HOME FROM SOCCER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR COULD BARELY ACCELERATE. I DROVE TO A GARAGE, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TOWED CAR TO THE GARAGE THAT REPLACED RADIATOR …
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MY RADIATOR WAS REPLACED IN 8/14 DUE TO A HOSE COMING LOOSE AND CAUSING FLUIDS TO COMINGLE. 5/2/15 WHILE DRIVING MY CHILDREN HOME FROM SOCCER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR COULD BARELY ACCELERATE. I DROVE TO A GARAGE, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TOWED CAR TO THE GARAGE THAT REPLACED RADIATOR 8/11/14, AFTER TWO AND A HALF DAYS AM BEING TOLD MY 08 PATHFINDER MUST BE TOWED TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. THE CAR HAS 89,000 MILES. *TR
Official recalls
423V067000 · Air Bags:frontal
Feb 10, 2023
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the drivers 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.
10V401000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)
Sep 10, 2010
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
10V075000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank
Mar 3, 2010
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal
Dec 29, 2008
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP12004 · Transmission Failures
Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
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 satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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 satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
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 satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
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 satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
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 satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train
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 satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.