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2008 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pathfinder years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →
328Owner complaints

Model-year median: 97

4Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1,050
2005837
2006561
2007328
200837
200940
201045
2011
Compare all Pathfinder years →

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

What owners reported most

Power Train
155Engine
61Fuel/propulsion System
51Air Bags
41Fuel System, Gasoline
30
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
23Unknown Or Other
22Electrical System
21Vehicle Speed Control
10Suspension
7Service Brakes
6Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Structure
4Steering
3Tires
3Exterior Lighting
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Seats
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility
2Forward Collision Avoidance
1Fuel System, Other
1Seat Belts
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Visibility/wiper
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

277 reports with mileage · 51 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 155 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 51 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 reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2023
Service BrakesSuspensionUnknown Or Other

Vehicle suddenly started having problems while driving. Loud whining noise and shaking and scrubbing sound while driving. Was driving fine before sudden issues. Quotes by three different mechanics stated possible issues that incuded wheel bearing, ball joints, water pump, fan clutch, and brakes. Was told that all parts under veh…

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Vehicle suddenly started having problems while driving. Loud whining noise and shaking and scrubbing sound while driving. Was driving fine before sudden issues. Quotes by three different mechanics stated possible issues that incuded wheel bearing, ball joints, water pump, fan clutch, and brakes. Was told that all parts under vehicle were loose and close to becoming unraveled.

NHTSA ODI #11528847

100,000 miles · Sep 6, 2018
Service Brakes

FOR SEVERAL YEARS, RANDOMLY WHEN I WOULD FIRST START MY CAR AND DRIVE THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD BE ON AND WHEN I HIT THE BREAKS A GRINDING NOISE COULD BE HEARD. SINCE IT WAS SO RANDOM I OFTEN THOUGHT I HIT THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN I WAS PREVIOUSLY GETTING OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE - IF I PUSHED THE PARKING BRAKE DOWN AND RESTARTED MY CAR…

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FOR SEVERAL YEARS, RANDOMLY WHEN I WOULD FIRST START MY CAR AND DRIVE THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD BE ON AND WHEN I HIT THE BREAKS A GRINDING NOISE COULD BE HEARD. SINCE IT WAS SO RANDOM I OFTEN THOUGHT I HIT THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN I WAS PREVIOUSLY GETTING OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE - IF I PUSHED THE PARKING BRAKE DOWN AND RESTARTED MY CAR THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF AND ALL WOULD BE WELL. WITHIN THE LAST TWO WEEKS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY REOCCURRING.THIS PAST WEEKEND, RESTARTING MY CAR WOULDN'T CORRECT THE ISSUE AND WAS INOPERABLE FOR SEVERAL HOURS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I AM AWARE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON OTHER NISSAN MODELS (ARMADA, FRONTIER, QX 56, TITAN). HERE IS A LINK TO THE VIDEO OF MY CAR HTTPS://DRIVE.GOOGLE.COM/OPEN?ID=1BVK0LYX_-BS270QVM1ZZHBEX1WLV4DDD

NHTSA ODI #11127905

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2018
Service Brakes

I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CODE P1774, IN MY CAR AND I WANT TO KNOW IF I CAN HELP

NHTSA ODI #11076027

95,000 miles · Sep 13, 2016
Fuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT READING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A FUEL SENSOR FLOAT ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIRS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT READING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A FUEL SENSOR FLOAT ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIRS WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AS IT DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, BUT FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE AND THAT THE DELTA STROKE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE DELTA STROKE SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY CAMPAIGN FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE WAS AVAILABLE, BUT THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE ACCEPTABLE MILEAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10906146

134,000 miles · Sep 2, 2016
Service Brakes

ON SEPT 1, 2016, I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON MY DAILY COMMUTE TO WORK 32 HIGHWAY MILES NOTICED THE RED BRAKE LIGHT COME ON IN THE VEHICLE. I WAS SURPRISED AS MY FRONT & REAR BRAKES WERE DONE IN MAY 2016. ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY IN THE FAST LANE I DECIDED TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND TAP THE BRAKES TO SEE IF…

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ON SEPT 1, 2016, I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON MY DAILY COMMUTE TO WORK 32 HIGHWAY MILES NOTICED THE RED BRAKE LIGHT COME ON IN THE VEHICLE. I WAS SURPRISED AS MY FRONT & REAR BRAKES WERE DONE IN MAY 2016. ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY IN THE FAST LANE I DECIDED TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND TAP THE BRAKES TO SEE IF IT WOULD MAKE THE LIGHT GO AWAY. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, I HAD NO BRAKES! WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER BESIDE ME, A CAR IN FRONT OF ME AS WELL AS BEHIND ME, AFTER ALL IT WAS RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I PANICKED! I THOUGHT THIS WAS IT! NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS , PUT ON MY HAZARDS AND PRAYED, AS THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, I WAS TRIED TO MOVE INTO THE RIGHT LANE WITHOUT ACCELERATING. I WAS FORCED THEN TO ACCELERATE AGAIN TO BE ABLE TO SWITCH LANE AND IT WAS AFTER DOING SO, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO WHAT WAS A HALF OF SHOULDER AND RIDE DOWN IT UNTIL I WAS GOING SLOW ENOUGH I THROUGH IT IN PARK. THINKING BACK I SHOULD HAVE USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. STRANDED ON HALF OF A SHOULDER FOR 45 MINUTES BEFORE THE POLICE SHOWED UP WAS TERRIFYING. I THOUGHT FOR SURE ONE OF THE TRACTOR TRAILERS WAS GOING TO HIT ME. I WAS SO CLOSE TO THE GUARDRAIL I COULD NOT EXIT MY CAR. A TOW TRUCK TOOK MY DISABLED VEHICLE TO MY GARAGE, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT MY BRAKES WORKED PERFECTLY FINE. NO LIGHT WAS ABLE TO STOP ON A DIME. I WAS NOT IMAGINING THEY FAILED, THEY DID NOT WORK! MY MECHANIC, THE OWNER OF WARREN BRAKE AND TIRE FOR 40 YEARS, WHAT HE WAS ABOUT TO FIND OUT HE HAS NEVER HEARD. THE COMPUTER GAVE A CODE OF C1179 DELTA STROKE SENSOR SIGNAL FAILURE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT WILL CAUSE INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AND I WANT ACTION DONE NOT ONLY TO FIX MY VEHICLE BUT TO LOOK AT ALL NISSANS TO PREVENT SUCH AN OCCURRENCE FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10903271

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

MY BRAKES LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. I HAVE REPLACED ALL THE BULBS AND THEY ARE STILL IS NOT WORKING. THERE IS A FORUM ON THE WEB REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10630468

Official recalls

4

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.

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.