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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

22 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2023
Service BrakesSuspensionUnknown Or Other

Vehicle suddenly started having problems while driving. Loud whining noise and shaking and scrubbing sound while driving. Was driving fine before sudden issues. Quotes by three different mechanics stated possible issues that incuded wheel bearing, ball joints, water pump, fan clutch, and brakes. Was told that all parts under veh…

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Vehicle suddenly started having problems while driving. Loud whining noise and shaking and scrubbing sound while driving. Was driving fine before sudden issues. Quotes by three different mechanics stated possible issues that incuded wheel bearing, ball joints, water pump, fan clutch, and brakes. Was told that all parts under vehicle were loose and close to becoming unraveled.

NHTSA ODI #11528847

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2022
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

Bought vehicle I’m second owner it was sold as is from a dealership with airbag lights on after a certain amount miles check engine light came on said I had e -regular voltage to fuel injectors 1 gear started slipping then loss of power when accelerating next revolutionary trans-sensor went and now when I st…

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Bought vehicle I’m second owner it was sold as is from a dealership with airbag lights on after a certain amount miles check engine light came on said I had e -regular voltage to fuel injectors 1 gear started slipping then loss of power when accelerating next revolutionary trans-sensor went and now when I start the vehicle the A/T ECU Fuse keeps blowing out and the radiator coolant has transmission fluid mixing into it.

NHTSA ODI #11486041

159,000 miles · Apr 9, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other

FAULTY RADIATOR. LEAKING COOLANT INTO MY TRANSMISSION. NOTICED LOSING COOLANT AND SMELLED RADIATOR FLUID AFTER DRIVING. DID RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM WAS ABLE TO FIND THE FAULTY RADIATOR PART NUMBER WHICH HAPPENED TO MATCH THE ONE I HAD.

NHTSA ODI #11407171

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY AND THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A WIERD NOISE AND THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE LOSING POWER AND SKIPPING GEARS, I PULLED OVER AND THERE WAS A MIXTURE OF OF WATER AND SOMETHING ELSE, LOOKED LIKE MILK COMMING OUT THE RADAR AREA MY CAR ONLY HAS 153000 MILES

NHTSA ODI #11395025

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2019
Unknown Or Other

COOLANT FLUID CONTAMINATING THE TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ODI #11246316

160,000 miles · May 24, 2019
Unknown Or Other

CAR DROVE FINE ON DEC 26TH 2018 I STARTED IT UP ON DEC27TH IT STARTED AMD I PUT IT IN REVERSE IT WOULDNT MOVE I CUT IT OFF AMD IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN HAD IT TOWED TO SHOP A FEW DAYS LATER THEY KEPT IT FOR A WEEK AMD FOUND OUT THE TCM WAS FRIED DUE DO TO COOLANT CONTAMINATION CAR STILL NOT RUNNING AS OF 5/24/19 IT IS STILL SITT…

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CAR DROVE FINE ON DEC 26TH 2018 I STARTED IT UP ON DEC27TH IT STARTED AMD I PUT IT IN REVERSE IT WOULDNT MOVE I CUT IT OFF AMD IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN HAD IT TOWED TO SHOP A FEW DAYS LATER THEY KEPT IT FOR A WEEK AMD FOUND OUT THE TCM WAS FRIED DUE DO TO COOLANT CONTAMINATION CAR STILL NOT RUNNING AS OF 5/24/19 IT IS STILL SITTING IN THE YARD I STILL OWE 18 MONTHS ON IT NO WARNING NO NOTHING JUST DIED OUT OF NOWHERE

NHTSA ODI #11209898

145,000 miles · Dec 30, 2018
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON VEHICLE AND NISSAN SAYS NOT PART OF YEARS OF PATHFINDER RECALL ''. SAME ISSUE AS OTHER BUT A 2008 MODEL. NISSAN WANTS TO MUCH MONEY TO FIX A NISSAN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SAYS CONNECTOR. WILL NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT OR MAY DEPLOY ANY TIME?????? SAFETY ISSUE FOR PUBLIC. APPROX TIME OF ISSUE STARTED

NHTSA ODI #11164102

127,000 miles · Jun 9, 2018
Unknown Or Other

RADIATOR FAILURE.... CAUSING RADIATOR FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. RUINING THE TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER BOARD. I WAS DRIVING IT AND IT WAS ACTING WEIRD, SO I PARKED IT TURNED THE CAR OFF WENT TO TURN IT BACK ON AND IT WOULDN'T START.

NHTSA ODI #11100725

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2018
Unknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL I READ THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME COLAINTS ON NISSAN PATHFINDERS 08 TO 10 ON TRANSMISSIONS . I'M HAVING A PROBLEM OUT OF MY TRANSMISSION. IT STICKS AND SOMETIMES I HAVE TO CUT MY CAR OFF FOR IT TO SHIFT BACK SO I CAN PULL OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11097792

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2018
Unknown Or Other

THIS CAR HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES OF A VIBRATION THAT COMES AND GOES EVERY NOW AND THEN AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND MECHANICS AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT'S MAKING THAT VIBRATION ON THE VEHICLE AND JUST THE OTHER DAY 01/10/2018 MY WIFE WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WORK AND SHE SAID THAT THE CAR STARTED VIBRATING VERY BAD THA…

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THIS CAR HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES OF A VIBRATION THAT COMES AND GOES EVERY NOW AND THEN AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND MECHANICS AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT'S MAKING THAT VIBRATION ON THE VEHICLE AND JUST THE OTHER DAY 01/10/2018 MY WIFE WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WORK AND SHE SAID THAT THE CAR STARTED VIBRATING VERY BAD THAT IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL A PART AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND IT STOP VIBRATING AFTER A LITTLE BIT AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BUT THE LIGHT IS ON SO I HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND SEE WHAT'S THE ISSUE AND HOPEFULLY HE FINDS IT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11062101

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.