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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 →

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

What owners actually said

328 reports
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

220,000 miles · May 20, 2019
Air Bags

MAY14,2019 MY HORN STOPPED WORKING AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS FLASHING. NOTICED MY AIR BAG CAME ON WHEN I STARTED IT UP ON MAY 14, 2019 ALSO THAT DAY I HAD A CAR PULL OUT IN FRONT ME AND NOTICED THE HORN DOES NOT WORK EITHER. AFTER GOOGLING THE PROBLEM I WAS INFORMED NISSAN HAD A RECALL BUT DEALERS WERE NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM AND C…

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MAY14,2019 MY HORN STOPPED WORKING AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS FLASHING. NOTICED MY AIR BAG CAME ON WHEN I STARTED IT UP ON MAY 14, 2019 ALSO THAT DAY I HAD A CAR PULL OUT IN FRONT ME AND NOTICED THE HORN DOES NOT WORK EITHER. AFTER GOOGLING THE PROBLEM I WAS INFORMED NISSAN HAD A RECALL BUT DEALERS WERE NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM AND CHARGING CUSTOMERS TO FIX IT AT THEIR COST.

NHTSA ODI #11208552

130,000 miles · Apr 30, 2019
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUOUSLY BLINKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TRI-CITIES NISSAN (3602 BRISTOL HWY, JOHNSON CITY, TN 37601, (423) 401-2360), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES. THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUOUSLY BLINKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TRI-CITIES NISSAN (3602 BRISTOL HWY, JOHNSON CITY, TN 37601, (423) 401-2360), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V690000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11204783

146,000 miles · Apr 29, 2019
Engine

THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING HARD.THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAYS MY TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILED, CAUSING MY COOLANT AND RADIATOR FLUID TO MIX. BECAUSE OF THIS I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, AND RADIATOR.

NHTSA ODI #11204631

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 …

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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

97,300 miles · Feb 18, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH, 2019, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT AS SOON AS I COULD. AT THIS POINT, I NOTICED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE HAD DROPPED FROM 1/4 TANK DOWN TO EMPTY. I USED AN ODB2 SCANNER TO CHECK MY ERROR CODES, AND FOUND AN ERROR CODE P0463 (FUEL TANK LEVEL SENSOR - VOLTAGE…

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WHILE DRIVING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH, 2019, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT AS SOON AS I COULD. AT THIS POINT, I NOTICED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE HAD DROPPED FROM 1/4 TANK DOWN TO EMPTY. I USED AN ODB2 SCANNER TO CHECK MY ERROR CODES, AND FOUND AN ERROR CODE P0463 (FUEL TANK LEVEL SENSOR - VOLTAGE HIGH). I IMMEDIATELY PROCEEDED TO A GAS STATION, REFUELED, AND CLEARED THE ENGINE CODE TO SEE IF IT WOULD REAPPEAR. IT HAS NOT SINCE REAPPEARED. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDERS, AND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE ISSUE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID IS 10V075000. I CALLED NISSAN'S PUBLIC NUMBER AND A LOCAL DEALERSHIP OWNED SERVICE CENTER. NEITHER FOUND ANY ACTIVE RECALLS REGARDING MY VEHICLE, AND NEITHER KNEW WHAT A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE MANAGER OF THE SERVICE CENTER. I LEFT A VOICE MAIL FOR THEM THURSDAY AFTERNOON, BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK. BASED ON THE SYMPTOMS MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING, I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS LIKELY SUFFERING FROM THE SAME ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN THE AFOREMENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN, AND THAT MY VEHICLE, AND LIKELY OTHERS, WERE MISSED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11180918

138,800 miles · Feb 15, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED AT 123,000 WAS RUNNING GREAT TILL 6 MONTHS LATER AT 138860 MILES ALL OF A SUDDEN TRUCK DID NOT WANT TO START. NO CRANK NOTHING. HAD BEEN SERVICED ONE MONTH BEFORE AND COME TO FIND OUT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. BAD RADIATOR BY NISSAN AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED/REBUILT

NHTSA ODI #11180202

148,000 miles · Jan 16, 2019
EnginePower Train

EXPERIENCING JERKING AT OR ABOVE 40 MPH, CHANGED TRANSMISSION FLUID, FLUID WAS CONTAMINATED APPEARED PINK AND MILKY AT DRAINING,HARD SHIFTING.

NHTSA ODI #11170290

110,000 miles · Jan 15, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT DISPLAYING THE CORRECT FUEL LEVEL. ALSO, THE FUEL AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT DISPLAYING THE CORRECT FUEL LEVEL. ALSO, THE FUEL AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #11170131

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.