IllustrationMY COOLANT MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. CAUSING IT NOT TO ACCELERATE. NISSAN MECHANIC SAYS IT'LL COST 6000 DOLLARS TO COMPLETELY FIX. ABSURD!!!!!! 120,000 MILE VEHICLE.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Frontier 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
140–25K
1325–50K
1750–75K
2975–100K
26100–150K
9150K+
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
Power Train complaints
54 reportsNOTICED SHAKING IN PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AFTER DOING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF WORKED TO THE FRONT END. TO FIND OUT THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WERE MIXING FLUID. SHOP TOLD ME TRANSMISSION IT IS DONE AND MUST BE REBUILT AND RADIATOR MUST BE REBUILT. BEEN TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE …
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NOTICED SHAKING IN PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AFTER DOING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF WORKED TO THE FRONT END. TO FIND OUT THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WERE MIXING FLUID. SHOP TOLD ME TRANSMISSION IT IS DONE AND MUST BE REBUILT AND RADIATOR MUST BE REBUILT. BEEN TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FRONTIER.
TRANSMISSION LOCKED DURING DRIVING COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING WITH COOLANT CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURES
STARTING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION IT STARTED POPPING AS I WOULD BACK UP , SO I THOUGHT IT WAS THE DRIVE SHAFT. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THEY FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR COOLING SYSTEM HAD LET GO LETTING THE COOLING AND TRANSMISSION MIX. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON THIS IF NISSAN NEW ABOUT IT. IT STARTED…
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STARTING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION IT STARTED POPPING AS I WOULD BACK UP , SO I THOUGHT IT WAS THE DRIVE SHAFT. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THEY FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR COOLING SYSTEM HAD LET GO LETTING THE COOLING AND TRANSMISSION MIX. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE WASN'T A RECALL ON THIS IF NISSAN NEW ABOUT IT. IT STARTED TO SLIP A COUPLE OF TIMES AS I WENT TO PULL OUT AND THAT'S WHEN I TOOK IT TO GARAGE.
TRANSMISSION COOLER IN RADIATER FAILED AND COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND OVERHEATING.BROKE DOWN ON SIDE OF ROAD AND HAD TO BE TOWED.
DRIVERS SIDE REAR AXLE SEAL LEAK. DIFFERENTIAL VENT LEAK. BOTH STARTED ABOUT 100,000 MILES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, HE OBSERVED AN ABNORMAL THUMPING SOUND FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MADE THE MANUFACTURER AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO HIS LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, HE OBSERVED AN ABNORMAL THUMPING SOUND FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MADE THE MANUFACTURER AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO HIS LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER (TOM HESSER NISSAN , 900 ONEIL HWY, DUNMORE, PA, 18512) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR HOSE WAS LEAKING FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,892. ... .UPDATED 11/16/17 *BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 11/30/2017*JS
ENGINE COOLANT HAS LEAKED FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SECTION OF THE RADIATOR, THEN INTO THE TRANSMISSION RESULTING IN OVER $5200 IN A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. HAVING CHECKED VARIOUS WEB SITES I NOTICE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. MY QUESTION IS: IF NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS…
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ENGINE COOLANT HAS LEAKED FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SECTION OF THE RADIATOR, THEN INTO THE TRANSMISSION RESULTING IN OVER $5200 IN A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. HAVING CHECKED VARIOUS WEB SITES I NOTICE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. MY QUESTION IS: IF NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, WHY HAS A RECALL NOT BEEN ISSUED? ALSO, WHY SHOULD OWNERS BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FOOTING THE BILL FOR REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION? DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS, I WILL BE CONTACTING THE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY THAT PROVIDES OVERSIGHT OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND RECALLS. IT IS UNSATISFACTORY THAT NISSAN DOES NOT OWN UP TO IT'S RESPONSIBILITIES!
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JAN OF 2017 AS A USED TRUCK. HAD LESS THAN 2 MOS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. AS WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC FOR REPAIR, WE DISCOVERED NISSAN HAS HAD THIS ISSUE ON SEVERAL OF THEIR MODELS. THE RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RUINED THE TRANSMISSION.
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO AN ITEM ALREADY UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA. I AM ANOTHER VICTIM OF NISSAN'S LEAKING TRANSMISSION COOLER LEADING TO A CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSOIN FAILURE. MY TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN SECOND GEAR UPON ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN. FORTUNATELY I WAS 1/2 MILE FROM MY HOME ON A SIDE STREET AND NOT ON THE INTE…
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THIS IS IN REGARDS TO AN ITEM ALREADY UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA. I AM ANOTHER VICTIM OF NISSAN'S LEAKING TRANSMISSION COOLER LEADING TO A CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSOIN FAILURE. MY TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN SECOND GEAR UPON ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN. FORTUNATELY I WAS 1/2 MILE FROM MY HOME ON A SIDE STREET AND NOT ON THE INTERSTATE WHERE SUCH A PROBLEM COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE FIX IS RELATIVELY CHEAP BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER BEGINS TO LEAK. UNFORTUNATELY CONSUMERS ARE UNAWARE OF THE ISSUE UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE, AND THE REPAIR REQUIRES A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR COSTING $5000 TO $6000. ALTHOUGH NO WRECK WAS INVOLVED IN MY INCIDENT, THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT IS DEFINATELY PRESENT IF SUCH A FAILURE WHERE TO HAPPEN ON A CONGESTED INTERSTATE.
Official recalls
523V067000 · 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.
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.