IllustrationThe rear suspension subframe is completely corroded and causes vehicle suspension parts to break off unannounced and causes vehicle to swerve severely and most likely is going to cause and accident or death, Nissan has been informed of this issue and refuses to address a proper repair
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
Suspension complaints
7 reportsVehicle 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…
Read full complaint
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.
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a grinding sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the tie rod end and ball joints replaced. The ve…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a grinding sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the tie rod end and ball joints replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 10E019000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.
WHENEVER I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 65 MPH AND HIT A BUMP MY TRUCK WILL ROCK VIOLENTLY BACK AND FORTH. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. ALSO, THE BACK END OF TRUCK IS VERY WOBBLY IF I DRIVE OVER A HUMP. I'M AFRAID THAT THE TRUCK IS GOING TO ROLLOVER.
IVE BEEN HAVING UPTEEN AMOUNT OF ISSSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR BACK IN 2015. WITH TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR PROBLEMS. THOSE ARE FIXED. IT ALSO HAS A FUEL PUMP ISSUE WHICH THERE IS A RECALL FOR!! MY CAR READA EMPTY AT A QUARTER OF A TANK. ALSO MY DRIVE TRAIN. WHEEL HUBS ETC. IVE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES …
Read full complaint
IVE BEEN HAVING UPTEEN AMOUNT OF ISSSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR BACK IN 2015. WITH TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR PROBLEMS. THOSE ARE FIXED. IT ALSO HAS A FUEL PUMP ISSUE WHICH THERE IS A RECALL FOR!! MY CAR READA EMPTY AT A QUARTER OF A TANK. ALSO MY DRIVE TRAIN. WHEEL HUBS ETC. IVE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH THOSE. MY SWAY BAR AND TIRE RODS MY FRONT SUSPENSION SOUNDS LIKE AND FEELS LIKE ITS FALLING APART. MY CAR DONT ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD, WHEN IM BRAKING GOING DOWN HILL THE RPMS GO UP TO 3 OR 4 RPMS AS IM BRAKING. NOW I HAVE MY 3 YR OLD TWIN BOYS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND ALL I WANT IS A SAFE VEHICLE FOR MY KIDS AND MYSELF. NOW THE ISSUES IVE BEEN HAVING, THERE ARE RECALLS FOR BUT NOT FOR MY VEHICLE 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY AND INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE HEATING SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE AND CAUSED AN ABNORMAL ODOR TO EMIT INSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHICH IRRITATED THE CONTACT'S EYES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANS…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY AND INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE HEATING SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE AND CAUSED AN ABNORMAL ODOR TO EMIT INSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHICH IRRITATED THE CONTACT'S EYES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE NOISE WOULD GET LOUDER WHEN MAKING A TURN AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MEC…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE NOISE WOULD GET LOUDER WHEN MAKING A TURN AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, THE HOUSING AND THE BALL JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
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.