2008 Nissan Xterra

● Typical for this model
2008 Nissan Xterra
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:11:35.278Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Xterra Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 214 complaints 2001: 150 complaints 2002: 157 complaints 2002 2003: 72 complaints 2004: 84 complaints 2005: 845 complaints 2005 2006: 780 complaints 2007: 557 complaints 2008: 119 complaints 2008 2009: 19 complaints 2010: 38 complaints 2011: 24 complaints 2011 2012: 16 complaints 2013: 4 complaints 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

POWER TRAIN 36%

36% of complaints: power train — 43 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20131212

ENGINE 19%

19% of complaints: engine — 23 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
AIR BAGS 17%

17% of complaints: air bags — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20180107

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, 20121129

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20090930

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
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, 20180107

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, 20091228

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 9 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20071231 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 MO

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.

Campaign 07V528000 — check if this car was fixed

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

R Date not on file — service brakes, air

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.

Campaign 07E105000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Nissan Xterra — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (43 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 07E105000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V528000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • 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

▲ 2010 ▲ 2003 ▲ 2004

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2006 ■ 2007

See all years ranked →

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 36% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Xterra have?

8 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.