SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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

What owners actually said

136 reports
140,000 miles · Sep 20, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER AND THE GAS VENT CONTROL VALVE HAS FAILED WHERE THE BACK WASH FLAP AT THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK HAS FALLEN INTO THE GAS TANK NECK PREVENTING ME FROM BEING ABLE TO PUT GAS INTO THE GAS TANK. I CALLED NISSAN HEADQUARTERS AND THEY TRANSFERRED ME TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE SERVICE MANAGER THERE SAID I WOULD…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER AND THE GAS VENT CONTROL VALVE HAS FAILED WHERE THE BACK WASH FLAP AT THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK HAS FALLEN INTO THE GAS TANK NECK PREVENTING ME FROM BEING ABLE TO PUT GAS INTO THE GAS TANK. I CALLED NISSAN HEADQUARTERS AND THEY TRANSFERRED ME TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE SERVICE MANAGER THERE SAID I WOULD BE CHARGED $150.00 JUST FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. I THINK THIS IS OUTRAGES BECAUSE I READ ON YOUR GOVERNMENT SITE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MORE NISSAN MODELS TOO. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. RESPECTFULLY, MICHAEL H.

NHTSA ODI #10908090

113,000 miles · Aug 28, 2016
Power Train

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…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #10899064

113,000 miles · Aug 17, 2016
Air BagsSeat BeltsUnknown Or Other

ON THE 22ND OF JULY 2016, MY 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER DEPLOYED BOTH SIDES OF ITS CURTAIN AIRBAGS. I WAS TRAVELING AT ROUGHLY 3-5 MPH ON FREEST ROAD 618 OUTSIDE OF CAMP VERDE, ARIZONA. THE ROAD HAD A SLIGHT INCLIN OF MAYBE 1-2%, WITH SLIGHTLY MUDDY GROUND DUE TO IT RAINING. MY FRONTIERS FRONT LEFT TIRE ROLLED ONTO A ROUNDED ROCK NO T…

Read full complaint

ON THE 22ND OF JULY 2016, MY 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER DEPLOYED BOTH SIDES OF ITS CURTAIN AIRBAGS. I WAS TRAVELING AT ROUGHLY 3-5 MPH ON FREEST ROAD 618 OUTSIDE OF CAMP VERDE, ARIZONA. THE ROAD HAD A SLIGHT INCLIN OF MAYBE 1-2%, WITH SLIGHTLY MUDDY GROUND DUE TO IT RAINING. MY FRONTIERS FRONT LEFT TIRE ROLLED ONTO A ROUNDED ROCK NO TALLER THAN 4-5 INCHES TALL AND SLIPPED OFF OF IT TO THE LEFT. THE SLIPPING OFF OF THE ROCK WAS WHEN THE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS IN THE DRIVERS SEAT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND MY LITTLE BROTHER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. MY LITTLE BROTHER SUFFERED A RUG BURN LIKE SCRAPE ON HIS NECK WHERE THE BAG IMPACTED HIM. THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF IMPACT ANYWHERE ON THE TRUCK WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY A NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT.

NHTSA ODI #10896777

163,073 miles · Aug 7, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION COOLER IN RADIATOR LEAKED CAUSING ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO BREAK DOWN

NHTSA ODI #10893786

85,000 miles · Aug 1, 2016
Electrical System

WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED, THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR WILL DROP TO THE BOTTOM (EMPTY SETTING) AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE, THE GAUGE WILL GRADUALLY MOVE UP. THE PROCESS WILL REPEAT ITSELF WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOMETIMES REMAINING ON AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL TURN OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10892205

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION COMPLETALLY CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT AND CAR DID NOT MOVE ANYMORE. START SLPPING IN OVERDRIVE. ONES I STARTED AND IT HAS A WEIRD SOUND AND WENT HOME BUT IN THE WAY THE CAR STOPS COMPLETALLY.

NHTSA ODI #10883460

61,000 miles · Jul 1, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART MINUTES LATER. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND THE FLIP ERROR LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED S…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART MINUTES LATER. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND THE FLIP ERROR LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #10882045

52,000 miles · Jun 30, 2016
Power Train

RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. RESULTING IN A FAILED TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS STARTED SLIPPING GEARS. ONLY 52000 MILES ON TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI #10881760

110,300 miles · May 19, 2016
Power Train

RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO CROSS CONTAMINATION OF RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSED BY CRACKED ATF LINE RUNNING THROUGH ENGINE COOLANT CHAMBER IN RADIATOR.

NHTSA ODI #10865767

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2016
Power TrainSuspension

AFTER THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON ON MY FRONTIER, I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC. MECHANIC STATES THAT I HAVE A FAULTY COOLANT. ITS A KNOWN ISSUE BY NISSAN FRONTIERS. BASICLY THE COOLANT WILL LEAK INTO MY RADIATOR WHICH THEN WILL MESS UP THE TRANSMISSION. THIS WILL COST ME ABOUT $4000.00.

NHTSA ODI #10862923

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.