2008 Nissan Pathfinder
This year had more than double the complaints of 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 19 |
| 1988 | 17 |
| 1989 | 15 |
| 1990 | 38 |
| 1991 | 39 |
| 1992 | 30 |
| 1993 | 49 |
| 1994 | 91 |
| 1995 | 170 |
| 1996 | 159 |
| 1997 | 217 |
| 1998 | 149 |
| 1999 | 104 |
| 2000 | 112 |
| 2001 | 230 |
| 2002 | 156 |
| 2003 | 110 |
| 2004 | 67 |
| 2005 | 1050 |
| 2006 | 837 |
| 2007 | 561 |
| 2008 | 328 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 40 |
| 2011 | 45 |
| 2012 | 23 |
| 2013 | 889 |
| 2014 | 573 |
| 2015 | 318 |
| 2016 | 103 |
| 2017 | 183 |
| 2018 | 76 |
| 2019 | 73 |
| 2020 | 50 |
| 2022 | 133 |
| 2023 | 97 |
| 2024 | 68 |
| 2025 | 42 |
| 2026 | 7 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
47% of complaints: power train — 154 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
ON NOVEMBER 6, 2015 AROUND OR ABOUT 7:00PM MY V6 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON WHILE IN FIRST GEAR IN MOSTION; THE SUV ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TURNED OFF HAD NO BRAKES AND HAD A FENDER BENDER WHILE IN MOTION , HAD THE SUV...
NHTSA ODI report, 20151109
A coolant hose leaked in transmission and shorted tcm causing total transmission failure and totaling out vehicle
NHTSA ODI report, 20231028
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171109
19% of complaints: engine — 61 distinct reports on file.
16% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 51 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: air bags — 36 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK. I REAR ENDED SOMEONE. I WAS DOING 50 TO 55 MILES PER HOUR BEFORE I HIT MY BRAKES. THERE WASN'T ENOUGH TIME TO SLOW DOWN MUCH.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190113
TAKATA RECALL, I'VE BEEN TOLD SEVERAL TIMES THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I WAS RECENTLY IN ACCIDENT WITH MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE. I REAR ENDED AN SUV IN THE BROOKLYN BATTERY TUNNEL. MY SPEED WAS APPROX 15-25MPH.
NHTSA ODI report, 20151227
I WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION ON 8/16/10 IN MY 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER TRAVELING 60 MPH AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20100823
8% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 25 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
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
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
Transmission Failures
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 driverÂs 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 Pathfinder — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (154 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (61 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (51 reports on file for this year).
- 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
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder have?
5 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.