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2008 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Frontier years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Frontier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 64.

About this comparison →
136Owner complaints

Model-year median: 64

5Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
532
2005617
2006520
2007136
200837
200959
201064
2011
Compare all Frontier years →

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

What owners reported most

Power Train
54Engine
26Air Bags
21Electrical System
13Fuel/propulsion System
13
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
10Engine And Engine Cooling
9Unknown Or Other
5Seat Belts
4Steering
4Suspension
4Electronic Stability Control (esc)
3Fuel System, Gasoline
3Structure
3Exterior Lighting
2Seats
2Service Brakes
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Electronic Stability Control
1Equipment
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Tires
1Traction Control System
1Wheels
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

108 reports with mileage · 28 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 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine complaints

26 reports
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54,500 miles · Jan 26, 2014
Engine

ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A WHINING NOISE THAT I HAD NEVER HEARD IN MY 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER 4.0 TRUCK. THE NOISE IS NEW AND OVER THE LAST WEEK OR SO, IT COMES AND GOES. VEHICLE WENT OUT OF WARRANTY 2.5 MONTHS AGO AT 5 YRS 2.5 MONTHS OLD. 54500 MILES ON THE TRUCK. THE WHINE PITCH INCREASES WITH ENGINE SPEED. IN NEUTRAL AS YOU RE…

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ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A WHINING NOISE THAT I HAD NEVER HEARD IN MY 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER 4.0 TRUCK. THE NOISE IS NEW AND OVER THE LAST WEEK OR SO, IT COMES AND GOES. VEHICLE WENT OUT OF WARRANTY 2.5 MONTHS AGO AT 5 YRS 2.5 MONTHS OLD. 54500 MILES ON THE TRUCK. THE WHINE PITCH INCREASES WITH ENGINE SPEED. IN NEUTRAL AS YOU REV THE ENGINE YOU HEAR THE WHINE NOISE GO UP AND DOWN WITH THE RPMS. VERY DISAPPOINTING TO THINK I AM STUCK WITH A LARGE $1500 TIMING BELT ISSUE WITH WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A WELL DESIGNED VEHICLE FROM A COMPANY I THOUGHT I COULD TRUST HIGH QUALITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561549

89,212 miles · Jun 19, 2013
EnginePower Train

TRANS COOLER RUPTURED WITHIN RADIATOR CAUSING WATER/COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID DESTROYING TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520765

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2013
Engine

ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY FLUTTERS WHILE IN GEAR. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN AROUND THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, ETC. IT WENT OVER THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD STILL LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED THAT IT MAY NEED A THROTTLE ADJUSTMENT. AFTER SPEA…

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ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY FLUTTERS WHILE IN GEAR. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN AROUND THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, ETC. IT WENT OVER THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD STILL LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED THAT IT MAY NEED A THROTTLE ADJUSTMENT. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE MECHANIC HE SAID THE THROTTLE WAS WITHIN RANGE AND IT WAS REPORTED TO HIM THAT ALL FRONTIERS AND PATHFINDERS HAVE THAT PROBLEM. SOMEONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO FORCE NISSAN TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499440

80,000 miles · Jan 15, 2013
EnginePower Train

A WHINING OR BUZZING TYPE NOISE HAS DEVELOP FROM THE TIMING CHAIN AREA CAUSED BY EXCESS SLACK IN THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS. NISSAN HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (NTB09-128) REGARDING THIS ISSUE. REPLACEMENT OF BOTH SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS AND THEIR TENSIONER SHOES WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPAIR THIS CONCERN. MY 2008 FRONTIER HAS …

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A WHINING OR BUZZING TYPE NOISE HAS DEVELOP FROM THE TIMING CHAIN AREA CAUSED BY EXCESS SLACK IN THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS. NISSAN HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (NTB09-128) REGARDING THIS ISSUE. REPLACEMENT OF BOTH SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS AND THEIR TENSIONER SHOES WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPAIR THIS CONCERN. MY 2008 FRONTIER HAS 89K MILES ON IT (OUT OF NISSAN'S 60K WARRANTY) AND HAS BEEN WHINING FOR SOMETIME NOW. NISSAN KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM PER THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED TSP. IT IS MY WORRY THAT IF THE CHAIN BREAKS OR FAILS WHILE DRIVING IT THE MOTOR WILL INSTANTLY STOP/FAIL AND POSSIBLY LOCK UP THEREFORE PUTTING MYSELF AND FAMILY AND OR OTHERS AT GREAT RISK FOR INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493008

95,000 miles · Jan 12, 2013
EnginePower Train

I RECEIVED A LETTER FOR A SETTLEMENT OFFER FROM NISSAN ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILURE WHICH LEADS TO TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I STARTED TO RESEARCH WHAT WAS WRONG AND WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT SEEING AS MY FRONTIER HAS 102,000 MILES ON IT AND IS NOT COVERED BY THE SETTLEMENT OFFER. AS I DID SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT ABOUT…

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I RECEIVED A LETTER FOR A SETTLEMENT OFFER FROM NISSAN ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILURE WHICH LEADS TO TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I STARTED TO RESEARCH WHAT WAS WRONG AND WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT SEEING AS MY FRONTIER HAS 102,000 MILES ON IT AND IS NOT COVERED BY THE SETTLEMENT OFFER. AS I DID SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT ABOUT A SYMPTOM BEFORE TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURS WHICH IS AT AN IDLE YOU HAVE A LOSS OF HEAT UNTIL YOU REV THE ENGINE OR START TO ACCELERATE AND HEAT RETURNS. I NOTICED THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED AROUND NOVEMBER 2012 WHILE I HAD LEFT MY TRUCK RUNNING WHILE PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES WHICH I NORMALLY DO NOT DO. I STARTED TO DRIVE AND THE HEAT WAS WORKING AGAIN SO I THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A THERMOSTAT STICKING AND WATCHED MY VEHICLE FOR THE SIGNS OF THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN. I DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE I DO NOT LET MY TRUCK SIT IDLE LONG ENOUGH UNTIL I TESTED IT TODAY AND WHEN I LET IT SIT IDLE FOR A MINUTE THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY AND RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTION WHEN I STARTED DRIVING IT. I AM TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT GETS WORSE BUT I DO NOT KNOW IF I WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT. SO AS FOR THE TIME BEING I WILL HAVE TO DRIVE MY ONLY VEHICLE TO WORK AND HOPE THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT FAIL COMPLETELY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE. HOPEFULLY I CAN FIND A AFFORDABLE REPAIR OR NISSAN WILL BE FORCED TO REPAIR IT BEFORE SOMEONE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS HAS THIS HAPPEN AND US CONSUMERS SUFFER BODILY INJURY OR FATALITIES BEFORE THEY WILL DO THE HONORABLE THING AND ADMIT THEIR VEHICLE HAS FAULTY MATERIALS USED IN ITS CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR THEM. ONLY THEY WILL SUFFER IN THE END IF THEY DO NOTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492357

50,000 miles · Dec 30, 2012
EnginePower Train

FAILED TRANSMISSION TWICE DUE TO LEAK OF COOLANT CAUSED BY RADIATOR LEAK. OCCURRED AT 50K AND 64K MILES. FIRST FAILURE CAUSED A DELAY AFTER PRESSING ACCELERATOR ALLOWING ENGINE TO REV BEFORE ENGAGING WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. BOTH REPLACEMENTS COVERED BY WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490527

Official recalls

5

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.

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.

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.