SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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 →
328Owner complaints

Model-year median: 97

4Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1,050
2005837
2006561
2007328
200837
200940
201045
2011
Compare all Pathfinder years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
155Engine
61Fuel/propulsion System
51Air Bags
41Fuel System, Gasoline
30
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
23Unknown Or Other
22Electrical System
21Vehicle Speed Control
10Suspension
7Service Brakes
6Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Structure
4Steering
3Tires
3Exterior Lighting
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Seats
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility
2Forward Collision Avoidance
1Fuel System, Other
1Seat Belts
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
Clear category filter
183,000 miles · Jul 20, 2020
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STUMBLE FOR A SECOND, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN FELT LIKE IT HAD ALMOST NO POWER. WOULDNT ACCELERATE WELL, DIDNT SHIFT NORMALLY, AND DIDNT FEEL LIKE IT WAS RUNNING AS WELL AS NORMAL. WHEN WE PARKED THE VEHICLE, I TURNED IT OFF TO HOPEFULLY "RESET" WHATEVER MAY HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN I TRIED TO …

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STUMBLE FOR A SECOND, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN FELT LIKE IT HAD ALMOST NO POWER. WOULDNT ACCELERATE WELL, DIDNT SHIFT NORMALLY, AND DIDNT FEEL LIKE IT WAS RUNNING AS WELL AS NORMAL. WHEN WE PARKED THE VEHICLE, I TURNED IT OFF TO HOPEFULLY "RESET" WHATEVER MAY HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT WOULDNT START. THE STARTER WOULDNT EVEN TRY TO START THE MOTOR, LIKE IT WASNT EVEN GETTING POWER. BEING A MECHANIC BY TRADE, I JUMPED OUT TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND HAD MY WIFE TRY TO START IT WHILE I WATCHED & LISTENED... AS SHE TURNED THE KEY TO START IT, I COULD HEAR THE STARTER RELAY CLICK TO SEND VOLTAGE TO THE STARTER, BUT THE STARTER WASNT RESPONDING. AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION, I FOUND A BLOWN FUSE IN THE FUSEBOX UNDER THE HOOD. IT WAS THE "A/T ECU" FUSE. THIS IS WHERE THINGS GET BAD. I REPLACED THE FUSE TO GET US HOME, BUT AS SOON AS WE GOT HOME AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, I TRIED IMMEDIATELY TO RESTART IT. AGAIN, NOTHING HAPPENED... NO CRANK, NO START. SAME FUSE WAS BLOWN AGAIN. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT FUSE IS ON THE CIRCUIT TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THIS MODULE HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND NOW BLOWS THE FUSE EVERY TIME IT IS REPLACED. THAT LED ME TO DROP THE TRANSMISSION PAN TO CHECK IT OUT, AND WHAT DID I FIND? TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL CLOUDED UP AND CONTAMINATED WITH RADIATOR COOLANT. HOW DID THAT GET THERE? AFTER INSPECTING THAT, I FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR HAD FAILED AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANS FLUID. THIS COOLANT IS ALSO DAMAGING THE CLUTCHES IN THE TRANSMISSION, AS IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO PUT EXTRA STRESS ON THEM DUE TO THE WAY THE VEHICLE SHIFTS NOW. THEN I REALIZED NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH PATHFINDERS, TITANS, AND MANY NISSAN VEHICLES HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. NOW I'M UPSET BECAUSE I HAVE A TRUCK WITH AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM THAT NISSAN SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR, AND SHOULD FIX.

NHTSA ODI #11340525

179,500 miles · Mar 8, 2020
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO ANTIFREEZE COOLANT CROSS CONNECTION INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. COST TO REPAIR $4,700.00. 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE 4.0 4WD. TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRAVELING A 4 LANE DIVIDED STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHWAY MOVING STRAIGHT. 03/08/2020

NHTSA ODI #11316852

107,000 miles · Dec 20, 2019
Power Train

RADIATOR LEAKED AND MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION OIL LOOKS LIKE STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE. GEARS NOW GRIND WHEN SHIFTING DURING NORMAL DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11290320

135,000 miles · Dec 19, 2019
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING IN FIRST GEAR. HAS WHEN INTO LIMP MODE MANY TIMES. HAVE HAD THE FLUID CHANGE A COUPLE TIMES. ONCE IT WAS SLIPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. HAD IT REMOVE AND REBUILT. ANTIFREEZE WAS FOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION. HOW MANY REPORTS BEFORE THEY RECALL THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #11290035

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2019
Power Train

VEHICLE ROUGH SHIFTING AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN WENT TO A SAFETY MODE AND WONT START ANYMORE. APPARENTLY IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM CAUSED FROM THE RADIATOR OIL COOLER. MECHANIC IDENTIFIED THE SITUATION AS A SAFETY RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11286495

170,194 miles · Sep 17, 2019
EnginePower Train

TAMARA RECALL. VEHICLE IN MOTION 60MPH JUMPED FROM 2WD TO 4WD AUTOMATICALLY. VEHICLE THEN LOCKED IN 5TH GEAR. MECHANIC STATED RADIATOR FLUID MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID, THEN BOTH CONTROL MODULES EXPIRED. VEHICLE WILL NOT START OR CRANK.

NHTSA ODI #11256219

122,000 miles · Sep 17, 2019
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT LEAST 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO CONFIRMED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTERNALLY INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THEY COULD NOT ASSIS…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT LEAST 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO CONFIRMED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTERNALLY INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THEY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.*DT *DL

NHTSA ODI #11256123

139,000 miles · Jun 24, 2019
Power Train

RADIATOR FLUID AND COOLANT ARE MIXING. RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION ARE BUSTED. CAR BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11222214

150,000 miles · Mar 27, 2019
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING MY NISSAN PATHFINDER 2008 ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 3 CHILDREN'S WHEN I NOTICED HIGH VIBRATION COMING INSIDE THE CAR I WAS NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON I TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN DEALER I WAS TOLD MY RADIATOR BROKE AND MIXED COOLANT WITH MY TRANSMISSION COST TO REPAIR $5800.

NHTSA ODI #11192003

160,000 miles · Feb 19, 2019
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #11181191

Official recalls

4

23V067000 · 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 driver’s 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

1

DP12004 · 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.