2008 Nissan Pathfinder problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
28
Recalls
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
158,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 12 of 28 complaints (43%).
  • Engine (8) and airbags (7) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 158,000 mi.
  • The 2008 Nissan Pathfinder has 3 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 14th of 21 Nissan Pathfinder model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 87% more complaints than the 2007 model year (15).

2008 Nissan Pathfinder problems by category

  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    12 complaints
  • Engine
    8 complaints
  • Airbags
    7 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    4 complaints
  • Suspension
    3 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    1 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    1 complaints
  • Electrical System
    1 complaints
  • Brakes
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Power train12
Engine8
Air bags6
Unknown or other4
Suspension3
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking1
Fuel/propulsion system1
Electrical system1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k110k–30k30k–60k360k–100k2100k–150k10150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2008 Nissan Pathfinder complaints that list mileage.

2008 Nissan Pathfinder recalls (3)

  • Recall 23V067000Feb 10, 2023404,690 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 10V401000Sep 10, 20107,948 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 10V075000Mar 3, 201080,689 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK

    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.

    Risk: 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • DP12004Opened Jun 11, 2012Closed Oct 22, 2016

    Transmission Failures

    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…

Recent 2008 Nissan Pathfinder complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jan 15, 2025MOFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    There was a recall concerning the fuel gauge not working correctly. The sensor in the tank needed replaced. Well my car had that recall fixed or so it says, but it is doing the same thing again. So are you gonna replace it again for no cost?
    NHTSA complaint #11636189 · source
  2. Filed Jun 1, 2024CTSuspension
    The 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
    NHTSA complaint #11591915 · source
  3. Filed Oct 6, 2023175,610 miFLAirbags
    The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was not made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet…
    NHTSA complaint #11548600 · source
  4. Filed Aug 22, 2023CAAirbags
    The passenger air bag warning light is flashing and the passenger air bag button that tells you that it is on and working when somebody gets in the car is off. Therefore the air bag will not deploy in a crash. The light just started flashing about 2 weeks ago approximately. There is also a recall on my vehicle for a component that could become a projectile in a crash if the air bag is deployed. This recall was made 02/09/23 and Nissan has no remedy for it. Therefore this…
    NHTSA complaint #11540217 · source
  5. Filed Jun 26, 2023SCBrakesOther / UnknownSuspension
    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 complaint #11528847 · source
  6. Filed Apr 10, 2023PAAirbags
    Front airbag sensor is bad. I checked it to see if this vehicle had its recall done for this known problem looks like it did because it don’t have a open recall for it.
    NHTSA complaint #11516231 · source
  7. Filed Jan 13, 2023150,785 miCAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle lost horn functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clockspring had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 150,785.
    NHTSA complaint #11501609 · source
  8. Filed Nov 2, 2022FLTransmission & Drivetrain
    Crack in defective radiator allowed coolant to mix in with transmission fluid. Coolant caused transmission to fail while driving it. transmission changed gears on its own and would not shift properly and engine just shut down
    NHTSA complaint #11491867 · source

Compare the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder with another vehicle →

Other 2008 Nissan models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology