MYRModel Year Report

2008 Nissan Xterra

● Typical for this model
2008 Nissan Xterra
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:56:34.378Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
119
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

39% of complaints

Complaints per year

2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 150 complaints 2002: 157 complaints 2002 2003: 72 complaints 2004: 84 complaints 2004 2005: 845 complaints 2006: 780 complaints 2006 2007: 557 complaints 2008: 119 complaints 2008 119 2009: 19 complaints 2010: 38 complaints 2010 2011: 24 complaints 2012: 16 complaints 2012 2013: 4 complaints 2014: 10 complaints 2014 2015: 10 complaints
2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 150 complaints 2001 2002: 157 complaints 2002 2003: 72 complaints 2003 2004: 84 complaints 2004 2005: 845 complaints 2005 2006: 780 complaints 2006 2007: 557 complaints 2007 2008: 119 complaints 2008 119 2009: 19 complaints 2009 2010: 38 complaints 2010 2011: 24 complaints 2011 2012: 16 complaints 2012 2013: 4 complaints 2013 2014: 10 complaints 2014 2015: 10 complaints 2015
2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 150 complaints 2001 2002: 157 complaints 2002 2003: 72 complaints 2003 2004: 84 complaints 2004 2005: 845 complaints 2005 2006: 780 complaints 2006 2007: 557 complaints 2007 2008: 119 complaints 2008 119 2009: 19 complaints 2009 2010: 38 complaints 2010 2011: 24 complaints 2011 2012: 16 complaints 2012 2013: 4 complaints 2013 2014: 10 complaints 2014 2015: 10 complaints 2015

2008: 119 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19990
2000214
2001150
2002157
200372
200484
2005845
2006780
2007557
2008119
200919
201038
201124
201216
20134
201410
201510

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

39% · 47 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and automatic transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving through the intersection, my vehicle suddenly lost power causing me to get rear ended. Very minimal damage to my vehicle but my daughter was in the car with me.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-12-12

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the contact shifted the vehicle into drive, and the vehicle unexpectedly went into reverse with no warning light illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-08-11

Engine

19% · 23 reports
FIRE

Air bags

19% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Noticed shuddering at first, then a stumbling upon hitting gas 120000 miles took truck in and had ext. Cooler put on, flushed out tranny fluid, new radiator, new gaskets and filters in tranny $1,100.00 job.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-07

Also filed under Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that a vehicle failed to yield at the red light and proceeded to crash into the contacts drivers door.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-11-29

Air bags in my SUV didn't deploy when I got in accident driving @45MPH front in wreck twice and neither time it came out.

NHTSA ODI report, 2009-09-30

Service brakes

11% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

When the breaks is pressed in an emergency to stop it pushes the vehicle forward and does not stop when it should.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-09

Electrical system

9% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing software.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Plastic tray that the battery sits on broke, causing the bar that holds the battery in place to arch over and set the plastic fuse holder on the battery to catch fire. The vehicle stalled the died.

NHTSA ODI report, 2009-12-28

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2007-12-31Service brakes, hydraulic07V528000 On certain sport utility vehicles, the antilock brake system/vehicle dynamic control (ABS/vdc) actuator is designed with one ball in the valve section. Some ABS/vdc actuators were manufactured with…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS/vdc actuator with a new one. The recall began on December 31, 2007. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2008-02-25Equipment08V045000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2009-01-26Air bags08V690000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2010-03-22Fuel system, gasoline10V075000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2010-07-12Suspension10E019000 Nissan is recalling certain front and rear lower links, p/nos. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, and 54500ZR00A, sold…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2010-09-16Equipment10V401000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2012-06-11Defect petitionClosed 2016-10-22 Transmission Failures
  8. R
    2023-12-08Air bags23V067000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    Date not on fileService brakes, air07E105000 Certain continental automotive ABS and ESC control modules sold for installation on the vehicles listed above. Some of the hydraulic valves in the ESC module were built with extra check balls.

    Remedy: Each vehicle manufacturer will file a defect report and remedy plan for their vehicles which included these modules as original equipment. Vehicles will be repaired at no cost to the owner.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Nissan Xterra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 47 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 23 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 23 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07E105000 · Service brakes, air
  • Recall 07V528000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 08V045000 · Equipment
  • Recall 08V690000 · Air bags
  • Recall 10V075000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 10E019000 · Suspension
  • Recall 10V401000 · Equipment
  • Recall 23V067000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Nissan Xterra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Nissan Xterra is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Nissan Xterra?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Xterra have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.