IllustrationAIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES-DEALER SAID NEEDS NEW AIRBAG MODULE
2008 Nissan Xterra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Xterra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 78.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra 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
170–25K
925–50K
1550–75K
1775–100K
29100–150K
19150K+
106 reports with mileage · 13 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 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 23 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 reports3 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
119 reportsTAKATA RECALL PASSENGER FRONT SEAT SENSOR FAILED SINCE ONE YEAR OLD DISABLING AIRBAG, FLASHING DASH LIGHT AT ALL TIMES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED ROYAL NISSAN AT (225) 924-0400 (LOCATED AT 9325 AIRLINE HWY, BATON ROUGE, LA 70815) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 34416631. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
COMPLETE FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION DURING RUSH HOUR. VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR AT A COST OF $5,500.
COMPLETE FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION DURING RUSH HOUR. VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR AT A COST OF $5,500.
MY CAR STOPPED ON A HIGHWAY. THE TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR FAILED ON 5/25/2018. THE CAR HAS 130,000 MILES ON IT. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OF A PROBLEM.
TIMING CHAIN NOISE UPON STARTING ENGINE GETTING VIBRATIONS AND NOISE--SIMILAR TO SPEED BUMPS ON ROADWAY-- IN VEHICLE DRIVE TRAIN AROUND 40 TO 50 MPH (TRANSMISSION?)
LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, NO ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON AND NO OTHER ISSUES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. TRAVELING ON I75 AT ABOUT 65MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY SLOWS DOWN AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 25-30MPH SO I HAD IT TOWED…
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LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, NO ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON AND NO OTHER ISSUES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. TRAVELING ON I75 AT ABOUT 65MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY SLOWS DOWN AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 25-30MPH SO I HAD IT TOWED HOME. I LATER HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND PAID FOR A DIAGNOSIS, THE SERVICE TECH SAID AN AFTERMARKET MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR CAUSED THE ALL THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS TO GO BAD AND THEY WANTED $3,500 TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND EXHAUST MANIFOLDS BEFORE THEY WOULD CONTINUE DIAGNOSING THE VEHICLE. I CALLED MY SAE CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HAD IT TOWED TO HIM. HE SAID THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WAS THE FACTORY SENSOR THAT CAME ON THE CAR, AND SHOULDN'T HAVE CAUSED A FAILURE IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ESPECIALLY WITHOUT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. HE SAID THAT NISSAN HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS GOING BAD AND CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE, SO UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE ENGINE HAS DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDERS AND VALVES AND WILL NEED REPLACED OR AT LEAST OVERHAULED. I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR AN ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTERS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH A RECALL AND PREVENTED THE ENTIRE ISSUE. NISSAN HAS AN INTERNAL BULLETIN ABOUT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURES AND ENGINE DAMAGE PROVING THEY HAD PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THE ISSUES INCLUDING ISSUES WITH THE TIMING CHAINS THAT FAIL WHICH IS ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THIS ENGINE THAT I HAVEN'T COME ACROSS YET.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL ROBERTSON NISSAN (928 N 28TH AVE, PASCO, WA 99301, (509) 545-3000) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A RENTAL. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER STATING THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AV…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL ROBERTSON NISSAN (928 N 28TH AVE, PASCO, WA 99301, (509) 545-3000) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A RENTAL. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER STATING THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AND HE NEEDED TO RETURN THE RENTAL. TWO WEEKS LATER, WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE RADIATOR OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPAIRED AT A NISSAN DEALER RATHER THAN AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 29163686. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
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 BESIDES T…
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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 BESIDES TRYING TO TAKE A MULTI-NATIONAL COMPANY TO COURT IF THE GOVERNMENT BODY WHO LOOKS INTO THIS WON'T ACT? PLEASE REVISIT THIS "RADIATOR INTERMIX" PROBLEM!
Official recalls
623V067000 · 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.
08V045000 · Equipment:other:labels
Jan 25, 2008
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES REQUIREMENTS FOR TIRE SELECTION TO PREVENT OVERLOADING.
Remedy: 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.
07V528000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
Nov 16, 2007
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.