2008 Nissan Pathfinder
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 328 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 9 involved a crash. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontalFeb 10, 2023
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.
A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Dealers will replace the drivers 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 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, navigational system(global positioning system)Sep 10, 2010
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.
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
Campaign 10V401000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, lower armMay 20, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.
IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, auxillary tankMar 3, 2010
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.
THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 10V075000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalDec 29, 2008
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, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.
THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
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. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 08V690000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
84 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Apr 15, 2013
IN FEBRUARY OF 2013, MY 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED VIBRATING AND SHAKING WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED OF 40 MPH. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS ROUGH ROAD BUT IT CONTINUED AND GOT WORSE. THE SUV SLIPS ALOT AND IT JERKS FORWARD EVEN WHEN I BRAKE. IT HAS BECOME SCARY TO DRIVE, BUT IT IS OUR FAMILY'S ONLY CAR. I NEED SOMETHING SAFE TO TRANSPORT MY YOUNG KIDS IN AND THIS DEFINITELY IS NOT A SAFE CAR. I TOOK THE SUV TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD DO TO A FAULTY RADIATOR AND THAT BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT SINCE I WAS BARELY OVER 80K MILES I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $2500. I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON NISSANS PART AND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE. I BOUGHT THE SUV IN 2010 AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED THAT ALREADY HAD 48K MILES ON IT. I ALSO HAVE A 84 MONTH/100K MILES LIMITED WARRANTY ON THE CAR THAT COVERS THE TRANSMISSION, BUT I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER MY TRANSMISSION SINCE MY TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED BY NISSAN'S FAULTY RADIATOR. THIS MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL. NISSAN IS THE WORST! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 26, 2013
THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT. NISSAN STATED IT WOULD COST 1000.00 FOR THE PART AND 500.00 LABOR. I HAVE HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2010. I STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE GAS GAUGE 3 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT. IT WAS BURNING OIL AND I HAD TO PAY 380.00 TO FIX THAT. THE TIRE SENSOR HAS BEEN OUT FOR 1 YEAR. NOW THIS ABOUT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THIS IS NOT A GOOD CAR. I FEEL I HAVE BEEN SCREWED AND NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR A CAR THAT I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE FIXED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 1, 2013
MY 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS A RADIATOR THAT FAILED CAUSING ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID THUS CAUSING A TOTAL FAILURE OF MY TRANSMISSION. IN RESEARCHING AFTER THE FAILURE I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN PATHFINDERS, FRONTIERS, AND XTERRAS FROM 2005-2008. IT IS TO THE POINT WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN THE TRANSMISSION LINE OUT OF THE COOLANT SYSTEM LOOP PRIOR TO THE RADIATOR FAILING IN ATTEMPT TO SAVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE INEVITABLE FAILURE. THESE RADIATORS NEED TO BE RECALLED TO PREVENT ANOTHER TRANSMISSION FROM TOTAL FAILURE AND THUS PREVENT SERIOUS ACCIDENTS RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH IN THE FUTURE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN! IN MY INSTANCE WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE AND MY 7 DAY OLD FIRST BORN SON TO HIS DOCTORS APPOINTMENT MY NISSAN PATHFINDER BEGAN TO HESITATE AND SLIP, THEN CATCH, AND SLIP, AND LOCK UP, AND JERK, AND THEN ONLY SLIP. I WAS FORCED TO PUSH MY VEHICLE A DISTANCE WHILE VEHICLES PROCEEDED TO PASS ME AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. ALL THE WHILE MY WIFE AND 7 DAY OLD INFANT INSIDE. I THEN NEEDED TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER CALLING THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT IS FAIRLY COMMON AND THEY WERE NOT SURPRISED. 2005-2008 NISSAN PATHFINDERS, XTERRAS, AND FRONTIERS HAVE FAULTY RADIATORS THAT ARE CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND ARE EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR THE PASSENGERS OF THESE VEHICLES. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE NISSAN ADMITS TO AND FIXES THIS AVOIDABLE PROBLEM? THIS IS VERY COMMON KNOWLEDGE FOR ALL TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOPS AS WELL AS NISSAN DEALERSHIPS. *TR
Power train, Engine, Feb 27, 2013
YOUR WEBSITE WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO PUT IN THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR AS AFFECTED PARTS. MY VEHICLE WITH 77,000 MILES ON IT HAD A SLIPPING ISSUE WITH MY TRANSMISSION AND WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP, ALONG WITH THE WARRANTY UPGRADE NOTICE PROVIDED BY NISSAN, FOR SERVICE. I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP OF THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND OF THE WARRANTY NOTICE, AND THAT I WANTED IT LOOKED AT. THEY CAME BACK TO ME AND VERBALLY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH MY TRANSMISSION. DEALER DID NOT NOTE IT ON THE WORK ORDER THAT THEY TEST DROVE AND SAID THERE WAS NO ISSUE. NISSAN IS KNOWN TO HAVE RADIATOR PROBLEMS THAT LEAD TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR MY TYPE OF VEHICLE. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OUT RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE ISSUE. NISSAN REFUSED TO DO THE WORK UNLESS I PAID FOR THE $3000 CO-PAY, AND PAID FOR THE TIMING CHAIN SHOES, ANOTHER NISSAN KNOWN ISSUE, ANOTHER $1800. MY VEHICLE IS A 2008 PATHFINDER WITH 92000 MILES ON IT NOW. JUST WANT NISSAN TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT PROPERLY AND REPLACE THE ITEMS REQUIRED AT NO CHARGE TO ME. BOTH OF THE ISSUES COULD LEAD TO A FAILURE AND CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jan 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS WERE MIXING AND AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Dec 19, 2012
RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, BOTH WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED $4500-4800 FIX. *TR
Power train, Engine, Aug 1, 2012
THOUGHT I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION. TOOK IT TO GET CHECKED. MY RADIATOR LEAKED CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK INTO MY TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT HAVE TO GET MY TRANSMISSION & RADIATOR REPLACED. COME TO FIND OUT FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. THEY WERE SEEING ALOT OF NISSAN TRUCKS WITH THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN FRO THIS ISSUE. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL & REIMBURSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Apr 27, 2012
MY 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND FLUID GOT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE NO SIGNS THAT JY CAR WAS HAVING ANY PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS. BECAUSE MY CAR IS 1000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY THEY REFUSE TO WARRANTY IT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS Q KNOWN PROBLEM. MY CAR IS LEASED AND I CAN NOT TURN IT IN UNTIL I HAVE IT IN WORKING CONDITION. IN ORDER TO FIX IT THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $9,000. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Vehicle speed control, Jun 22, 2008
THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER MALFUNCTIONS AND ALL GAUGES, SPEEDOMETER, AND WARNING SYSTEMS STOP WORKING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING. THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL CAUSE THE CARS TO ACCELERATE. *TR