IllustrationVEHICLE ROUGH SHIFTING AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN WENT TO A SAFETY MODE AND WONT START ANYMORE. APPARENTLY IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM CAUSED FROM THE RADIATOR OIL COOLER. MECHANIC IDENTIFIED THE SITUATION AS A SAFETY RECALL.
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 reportsMY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY AIRBAG MODULAR FAILED DUE TO CORROSION AND THAT THERE'S ONLY 1 LEFT IN THE WHOLE UNITED STATES. THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE ME $1,500.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, WHEN IT WAS RECALLED PREVIOUSLY BY NISSAN. I LIVE IN MARYLAND AND WAS NEVER AWARE OF THIS RE…
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MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY AIRBAG MODULAR FAILED DUE TO CORROSION AND THAT THERE'S ONLY 1 LEFT IN THE WHOLE UNITED STATES. THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE ME $1,500.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, WHEN IT WAS RECALLED PREVIOUSLY BY NISSAN. I LIVE IN MARYLAND AND WAS NEVER AWARE OF THIS RECALL AND NISSAN SHOWS NO RECALLS EVER MADE ON MY VEHICLE.
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY, NO POWER NO LIGHTS. IT HAD SHUT OFF ON ME ABOUT 1 WEEK AGO IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING
TAMARA RECALL. VEHICLE IN MOTION 60MPH JUMPED FROM 2WD TO 4WD AUTOMATICALLY. VEHICLE THEN LOCKED IN 5TH GEAR. MECHANIC STATED RADIATOR FLUID MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID, THEN BOTH CONTROL MODULES EXPIRED. VEHICLE WILL NOT START OR CRANK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT LEAST 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO CONFIRMED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTERNALLY INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THEY COULD NOT ASSIS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT LEAST 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO CONFIRMED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTERNALLY INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THEY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.*DT *DL
MY 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND WAS REPLACED TWICE IN 2017. I BROUGHT TO THE NISSAN AUTHORIZED DEALER FIRST FOR A THUMBING SOUND WHEN PUSHING GAS PEDAL AFTER TAKING THE FOOT OFF. WHEN IT WORSENED THEY SAID IT WAS THE CALIPERS AND CHANGED MY CALIPERS FOR $2000. BUT THE THUMBING SOUND PERSISTED. AFTER A FEW M…
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MY 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND WAS REPLACED TWICE IN 2017. I BROUGHT TO THE NISSAN AUTHORIZED DEALER FIRST FOR A THUMBING SOUND WHEN PUSHING GAS PEDAL AFTER TAKING THE FOOT OFF. WHEN IT WORSENED THEY SAID IT WAS THE CALIPERS AND CHANGED MY CALIPERS FOR $2000. BUT THE THUMBING SOUND PERSISTED. AFTER A FEW MONTHS THEY SAID IT WAS TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND THEY CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION TWICE. THE THUMBING SOUND PERSISTED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ABOVE 40 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE SOUND GOT WORSE. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND BROKEN METAL PIECES IN THE REAL AXLE BOX. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY SAID THEY CANNOT HELP SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL. I SEE SIMILAR INCIDENTS REPORTED BY CONSUMERS IN THE INTERNET. NOW I HAVE TO PAY $3000 TO REPLACE THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY ACCORDING TO THE QUOTE GIVEN BY THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED DURING THE WARRANTY TIME AND NISSAN DEALERSHIP COULDN'T DIAGNOSE IT. NOT THEY SAY THE WARRANTY WAS OVER A YEAR AGO. HAVING THE GEAR BOX BROKEN IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN. THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD BUT NOW NISSAN REJECTS TO CORRECT IT.
COOLANT FLUID CONTAMINATING THE TRANSMISSION
I BOUGHT THE NISSAN PATHFINDER BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT IN LATE 2007. IT ONLY HAS 45 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. I'VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE UNTIL NOW. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I THOUGHT SOMEONE WAS STEALING GAS OUT OF MY VEHICLE, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE IT'S KEPT BEHIND A LOCKED FENCE . SATURDAY JULY 13TH…
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I BOUGHT THE NISSAN PATHFINDER BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT IN LATE 2007. IT ONLY HAS 45 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. I'VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE UNTIL NOW. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I THOUGHT SOMEONE WAS STEALING GAS OUT OF MY VEHICLE, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE IT'S KEPT BEHIND A LOCKED FENCE . SATURDAY JULY 13TH I HAD TO FILL UP BECAUSE OF A STORM. WHEN I GAS FINISHED FUELING IT SHOWED THAT I HAD AN EMPTY TANK. I KNEW THAT WAS WRONG SO I DECIDED TO GIVE NISSAN A CALL AT 1-800-647-7261. I SPOKE TO AN AGENT AND TOLD HIM MY PROBLEM, HE GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER AND TOLD ME TO CALL THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP CLOSEST TO ME . I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY SERVICES I HAD DONE TO MY VEHICLE. . I DON'T AGREE . THERE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AS MYSELF AND I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM . IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME , PLEASE FEEL FREE TO HELP. I'M ON A FIXED INCOME AND THIS WAS NOT ANY NEGLIGENCE ON MY PART. I HAVE A CASE NUMBER ALREADY ON FILE WITH NISSAN, BUT THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T WANT TO HONOR IT. [XXX]. HEL ME WIT THE NEXT STEP TO GET MY VEHICLE FIXED. THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. CONSERVED ABOUT SAFETY TO DRIVE THE CAR
RADIATOR FLUID AND COOLANT ARE MIXING. RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION ARE BUSTED. CAR BROKE DOWN WHILE DRIVING.
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.