IllustrationWE OWN A 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER TRUCK/ 4 WHEEL DRIVE, 6CYL. THE BRAKES ARE FAR TOO SOFT,AND SPONGY, REQUIRE FAR TOO MUCH PEDAL TRAVEL TO BE SAFE OR EFFECTIVE, OR TO BE EFFECTIVELY USED BY ANYONE!! ALL FRONTIER MODELS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. THEY NEED TO BE RECALLED/BRAKE SYSTEM CORRECTED & MADE FIRMER, SAFER! *TR
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
What owners actually said
136 reportsI HAVE A 8 MONTH OLD FRONTIER NISSAN VEHICLE , WITH JUST 1 SERVICE ON TIME EVERYTHING - THE FAILURE I GOT A LOOSE NUT ON THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER - WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL ON A MOUNTAIN WITH SNOW - LOST ALL BRAKE FLUIDS AND BRAKE SYSTEMS JUST WENT HARD TO WORK AND NOT A UNIFORM BRAKE. TO CORRECT I WENT TO DEALER AND THE…
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I HAVE A 8 MONTH OLD FRONTIER NISSAN VEHICLE , WITH JUST 1 SERVICE ON TIME EVERYTHING - THE FAILURE I GOT A LOOSE NUT ON THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER - WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL ON A MOUNTAIN WITH SNOW - LOST ALL BRAKE FLUIDS AND BRAKE SYSTEMS JUST WENT HARD TO WORK AND NOT A UNIFORM BRAKE. TO CORRECT I WENT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY JUST RE-TORQUE THE NUT AND THAT'S IT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CRASH. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER ALL THE AIR BAGS (FRONT, REAR, AND THE ONES NEAR THE SUNROOF) DEPLOYED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT AN AIR BAG TECHNICIAN WOULD CALL HIM. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CRASH. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER ALL THE AIR BAGS (FRONT, REAR, AND THE ONES NEAR THE SUNROOF) DEPLOYED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT AN AIR BAG TECHNICIAN WOULD CALL HIM. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEALER WAS GIVING HIM THE RUN AROUND. THE VEHICLE NEVER LOST POWER WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR NECK AND BACK PAINS, IN ADDITION TO FACIAL BURNS FROM THE AIR BAGS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 22,000.
6- DAYS AFTER BUYING A BRAND NEW 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER 2WD/SE CREW CAB THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT STAY ON .ON THE DAY I WENT TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START, I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY WORKED ON IT FOR A WEEK.THEY STATED THAT SOMETIMES IT WOULD START AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULDN'T ,THEY …
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6- DAYS AFTER BUYING A BRAND NEW 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER 2WD/SE CREW CAB THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT STAY ON .ON THE DAY I WENT TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START, I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY WORKED ON IT FOR A WEEK.THEY STATED THAT SOMETIMES IT WOULD START AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULDN'T ,THEY SAID THEY HAD TO CALL THE NISSAN TECH LINE THAT INSTRUCTED THEM TO CHECK SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS BUT IT STILL WOULD NOT START SO THE TECH LINE TOLD THEM TO REPLACE THE -"IPDM E/R".THEY SAID THE TRUCK WAS THEN FIXED AND TO PICK IT UP. I PICKED UP THE TRUCK AND WENT APPROXIMATELY 2-MILES TO A STORE AND WHEN I CAME BACK OUT THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START AGAIN,I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE NISSAN DEALER AGAIN.THIS TIME THEY WORKED ON IT FOR 6-DAYS AND THEY SAID --"CHECKED WIRING GOING INTO IPDM BOX,FOUND WHEN WIGGLING WIRES THEY COULD HERE A CLICK AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK ,THEY UNPLUGGED WIRING AND TRACED WIRE BACK INTO MAIN ENGINE HARNESS,FOUND WIRE WAS SPLICED TO ITSELF AND HAD A LOOSE CONNECTION,REPAIRED WIRING AND CONFIRMED OPERATION,PROGRAMMED ALL KEYS TOGETHER, CLEARED ALL CODES,CLEARED SELF LEARNING CONTROL,RELEARNED IDLE AIR VOLUME AND RECALIBRATED STEERING ANGLE SENSOR".THEY HAD ME PICK UP THE TRUCK AGAIN ON 9/10/08 AND SO FAR IT IS OK. *TR
MY 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER 4X4 CREWCAB IS THROWN ALL OVER THE ROAD BY NORMAL WIND DRAFT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ON WINDY DAYS IT IS A NIGHTMARE TO KEEP ON THE ROAD. YOU CANNOT RELAX WHILE DRIVING OR YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD BEFORE YOU KNOW IT! I AM AFRAID I AM GOING END UP IN A WRECK BECAUSE OF IT …
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MY 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER 4X4 CREWCAB IS THROWN ALL OVER THE ROAD BY NORMAL WIND DRAFT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ON WINDY DAYS IT IS A NIGHTMARE TO KEEP ON THE ROAD. YOU CANNOT RELAX WHILE DRIVING OR YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD BEFORE YOU KNOW IT! I AM AFRAID I AM GOING END UP IN A WRECK BECAUSE OF IT OR AT THE VERY LEAST I BELIEVE I MIGHT BE STOP AND ACCUSED OF DRIVING DRUNK. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND HAD IT CHECKED. NOTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG. THEY TELL ME IT IS WIND DRAFT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK AS I CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT NOW AND I DON'T THINK NISSAN IS GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, EVEN THOUGH THE LOOK ON THE SHOP FORMAN'S FACE TOLD ME HE KNOWS IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT HE CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT AND THAT HE IS UNCOMFORTABLE BEING CAUGHT IN THIS POSITION. THIS IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE TO OPERATE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. IN MY OPINION, IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS IS REALITY!!!!!!!! *TR
2008 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH OWNER MANUAL ERRORS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PAGE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL HAS ERRORS ABOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT A CORRECTED PAGE SHOULD BE SENT TO ALL CONSUMERS. *KB
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.