IllustrationMY NISSAN PATHFINDER IS A 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS 23,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS NOW FEB. 1, 2010, AND THERE IS VERY LITTLE TREAD LEFT. I HAVE VERY YOUNG CHILDREN AND I AM CONCERNED THAT THE TIRES WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF TREAD OR FEAR OF A BLOWOUT. THE TIRES ARE BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONG TRAIL T/A P265/65R17. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pathfinder 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
130–25K
1225–50K
3050–75K
6075–100K
127100–150K
35150K+
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
What owners actually said
328 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY LEVEL OF IMPACT. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE V…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY LEVEL OF IMPACT. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR IN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE PART. THERE WERE CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED AND THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE PART AVAILABILITY IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2010. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
I OWN A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 68,000 MILES. MY FUEL GAUGE SENSOR NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. *TR
I PURCHASED MY 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN EARLY JANUARY 2009. EARLY FEBRUARY 2009 MY FRIEND SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING THAT IT WAS NOT ON. SHE IS AT LEAST 5 FEET 8 INCHES AND 135 POUNDS. I AM ALSO THE SAME HEIGHT AND WEIGHT AND IT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME WHEN I SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AS WEL…
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I PURCHASED MY 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN EARLY JANUARY 2009. EARLY FEBRUARY 2009 MY FRIEND SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING THAT IT WAS NOT ON. SHE IS AT LEAST 5 FEET 8 INCHES AND 135 POUNDS. I AM ALSO THE SAME HEIGHT AND WEIGHT AND IT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME WHEN I SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AS WELL. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME SOMEONE LIGHTER THAN 160LBS SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND IF THE PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WASN'T SITTING IN SUCH A WAY TO TOUCH THE SENSOR, THEN IT WOULD NOT WORK. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT IT IS OPERATING PROPERLY ACCORDING TO NISSAN STANDARDS. SO IF I OR MY PASSENGER ARE NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT IN SUCH A WAY TO SET OFF THE SENSOR, THEN WE AREN'T PROTECTED. IT WASN'T AS IF WE WERE SITTING ON OUR KNEES OR IN SOME WEIRD POSITION. WE WERE SITTING AS WE WOULD IN ANY VEHICLE. I ALSO BROUGHT UP THAT IN AN ACCIDENT, WHEN THE CAR IS BEING JOSTLED AROUND, THAT CONTROLLING HOW WE SIT IN THE SEAT IS THE LAST THING ON OUR MIND AND WE WOULDN'T GET THE BENEFIT OF AN AIRBAG? I ALSO BROUGHT UP THAT THE DRIVER AIRBAG LIGHT DOES NOT GO ON AND I AM THE ONE WHO USUALLY DRIVES IT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE DRIVER AIRBAG ALWAYS STAYS ON BECAUSE IT IS THE DRIVER. NISSAN HAS NOT GIVEN ME ANY RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 99 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. FOUR OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 99 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. FOUR OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V690000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). SHE FEELS THAT HER VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE AND WANTS TO KNOW WHY A RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED. THE MILEAGES AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD KEPT GETTING WET. AFTER THE 4TH SERVICE I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A BULLETIN OUT ON THE A/C EVAPORATOR COIL AND THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER. THEY WILL CALL AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ME WHEN THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.…
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PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD KEPT GETTING WET. AFTER THE 4TH SERVICE I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A BULLETIN OUT ON THE A/C EVAPORATOR COIL AND THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER. THEY WILL CALL AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ME WHEN THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER MALFUNCTIONS AND ALL GAUGES, SPEEDOMETER, AND WARNING SYSTEMS STOP WORKING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING. THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL CAUSE THE CARS TO ACCELERATE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FIFTY PERCENT OF THE TIME WHEN SHE OCCUPIES THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT, THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. SHE WEIGHS 120 LBS AND IS APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET TALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FIFTY PERCENT OF THE TIME WHEN SHE OCCUPIES THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT, THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. SHE WEIGHS 120 LBS AND IS APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET TALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE AND ADVISED HER TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. WHEN SHE RESETS THE TRIP ODOMETER ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, IT DOES NOT MATCH THE ODOMETER LOCATED ON THE NAVIGATION COMPUTER. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE NUMBER ON THE NAVIGATION COMPUTER WAS A 2 PERCENT DIFFERENCE FROM THE ODOMETER ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. UPDATED 03-05-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ODOMETER TRIP READING ON THE DASH WAS NOT MATCHING THE TRIP READING ON THE CENTER COMPUTER. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS OFF BY 2%. THE DEALER RECALIBRATED THE COMPUTERS
Official recalls
423V067000 · 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.
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.