2008 Nissan Frontier

◆ Worse than typical
2008 Nissan Frontier
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:29:06.041Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Frontier Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 1998: 129 complaints 1998 1999: 78 complaints 2000: 189 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 124 complaints 2002 2003: 77 complaints 2004: 66 complaints 2005: 532 complaints 2006: 616 complaints 2006 2007: 520 complaints 2008: 136 complaints 2008 2009: 37 complaints 2010: 59 complaints 2010 2011: 64 complaints 2012: 78 complaints 2013: 48 complaints 2014: 42 complaints 2014 2015: 33 complaints 2016: 42 complaints 2017: 38 complaints 2018: 25 complaints 2018 2019: 28 complaints 2020: 22 complaints 2021: 17 complaints 2022: 110 complaints 2022 2023: 62 complaints 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 7 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2008: 136 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1998129
199978
2000189
2001134
2002124
200377
200466
2005532
2006616
2007520
2008136
200937
201059
201164
201278
201348
201442
201533
201642
201738
201825
201928
202022
202117
2022110
202362
202417
20257
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 38%

38% of complaints: power train — 51 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TRANSMISSION COOLER IN RADIATER FAILED AND COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND OVERHEATING.BROKE DOWN ON SIDE OF ROAD AND HAD TO BE TOWED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171130

ENGINE 19%

19% of complaints: engine — 26 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20151125

TRANSMISSION COOLER IN RADIATER FAILED AND COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND OVERHEATING.BROKE DOWN ON SIDE OF ROAD AND HAD TO BE TOWED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171130

AIR BAGS 15%

15% of complaints: air bags — 21 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the driver's side air bag suddenly deployed without an impact.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240129

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20151125

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 68 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A CRASH WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BARRIER, AND TWO ADDITIONAL VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140602

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 13 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 12 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TRUCK STOPS RUNNING WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS AROUND 45MPH. ENGINE OFF.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171212

SAFETY TIMELINE

2008 — complaint volume: 136
R 20080225 — equipment

NISSAN IS RECALLING 5,523 MY 2008 TITAN, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEH

Remedy: NISSAN WILL MAIL A CORRECT TIRE PLACARD AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Campaign 08V045000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090126 — air bags

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, MA

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. THE

Campaign 08V690000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100322 — fuel system, gasoline

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 EMBO

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 BE

Campaign 10V075000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100712 — suspension

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Campaign 10E019000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100916 — equipment

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.

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 SEP

Campaign 10V401000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20120611 — DP (closed 20161022)

Transmission Failures

R 20231208 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 23V067000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Nissan Frontier — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (51 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (26 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08V045000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V690000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V075000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E019000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V401000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V067000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2015 ▲ 2009 ▲ 2017

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2005 ■ 2007

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Nissan Frontier reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Nissan Frontier is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Nissan Frontier?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Frontier have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.