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: fuel system
31 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 30, 2010
2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER, FUEL SENDING UNIT IS DEFECTIVE, ERRATIC. MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT IT THEY HAVE BUNCH OF COMPLAINED REGARDING THIS PART AND THERE'S A RECALL WITH THIS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 13, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000 FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE. INCIDENT OUTLINE: I WAS DRIVING ON THE 2 LANE PORTION OF THE TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY #1 WEST OF CHILLIWACK AND HAD FUELED UP ABOUT TWO HOURS EARLIER. I WATCHED THE FUEL GAUGE, MPG AND DTE READINGS TO ROUGHLY ESTIMATE THE AMOUNT OF FUEL REMAINING AND THE RANGE TO BE EXPECTED FROM THE REMAINING FUEL, WHEN THE GAUGES WERE ACTUALLY WORKING FOR A BRIEF TIME. THE FUEL GAUGE HAD SEEMINGLY PROPERLY SHOWN THE DTE AND FUEL LEVEL BUT AT +/- 5/8 OF A TANK IT DROPPED TO ZERO AND THE DTE READINGS WENT FLAT LINE. THIS HAS BECOME A USUAL SITUATION WITH THE FUEL GAUGE ISSUE AND MY ESTIMATES WERE THAT I HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL TO REACH THE NEXT GAS STATION PULLOUT FROM THE FREEWAY BUT I WAS TERRIBLY WRONG. I WAS PULLING A TRAILER AND HAD MY WIFE, SON AND HIS FRIEND WITH ME RETURNING FROM A WEEKEND AT OUR CABIN. WE WERE TRAVELING @ +/- 60 MPH IN THE FAST LANE AS THERE WAS SLOWER TRAFFIC IN THE CURB LANE WHEN THE TRUCK?S ENGINE STOPPED, I WAS OUT OF FUEL! I QUICKLY ASSESSED THE OPTIONS, PUT MY RIGHT HAND TURN SIGNAL ON AND STARTING EASING INTO THE CURB LANE DISPLACING THE VEHICLE BESIDE ME. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE TRUCK INTO THE CURB LANE UNDER THE MOMENTUM IT HAD WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT NOT WITHOUT TREMENDOUS STRESS AND 2 NEAR MISSES WITH OTHER VEHICLES. EVENTUALLY I COASTED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND CAME TO A STOP SAFELY WITHOUT POWER. IT WAS EXTREMELY CLOSE AND A SCENARIO I DO NOT WANT TO SEE PLAYED OUT AGAIN. NISSAN HAS DECLINED THIS REQUEST AND SHOWN MORAL CONTEMPT FOR A PROBLEM THAT I HAVE DEMONSTRATED THROUGH , TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS, IMAGES AND TEXT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Equipment, May 3, 2010
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN FOR MY 2008 PATHFINDER DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. ON SATURDAY 5/1/2010, I PRESENTED THE VEHICLE TO MAROONE NISSAN IN KENDALL FOR REPAIRS. AFTER 2 HOURS, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH A RECEIPT INDICATING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. THERE WAS A STRONG GAS ODOR WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. I ASSUMED THAT THIS WAS PROBABLY NATURAL SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. HOWEVER, LATER THAT DAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME THAT THIS LIGHT CAME ON SINCE I ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE IN APRIL 2008. I DECIDED THAT ON MONDAY MORNING I WILL RETURN THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN. HOWEVER, ON SUNDAY AROUND MIDDAY, MY SON TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE STATION TO PURCHASE GAS. THE NEXT EVENT THAT HAPPENED WAS ALARMING. ALL THE GAS THAT MY SON ADDED TO THE VEHICLE LEAKED OUT ON THE GROUND. APPARENTLY, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SOMEHOW MANAGED TO CREATE A HOLE SOMEWHERE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM/GAS TANK. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO NISSAN FOR REPAIRS AND THE REPAIRS ARE EXPECTED TO OCCUR ON MONDAY 5/3/2010. THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR EVEN DEATH TO MY SON. I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER THE INDIVIDUAL WHO PERFORMED THE REPAIRS WAS A NISSAN TRAINED AND CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN OR NOT. HOWEVER, IT IS WORTHY OF NOTE THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFICIENCY IN EXISTENCE AT THE NISSAN LOCATION. IT IS MY HOPE AND EXPECTATION THAT AN INVESTIGATION BE MADE INTO THE TYPE AND QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND THEIR BUSINESS PRACTICES AT THIS LOCATION. I AM CONVINCED THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE FULLY AWARE THAT THEY WERE RETURNING TO ME A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE THAT COULD HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. I SHOULD ALSO NOTE THAT I HAVE BEEN VERY DISSATISFIED WITH PREVIOUS SERVICE JOBS AT THIS LOCATION, AND HAVE ALWAYS ELECTED TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 30MILES TO THE PEMBROKE LOCATION ALTHOUGH THE KENDALL BRANCH IN ONLY ABOUT 6 MILES FROM HOME. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 28, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL; A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE FUEL GAUGE NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT RECALL 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILIARY) DID NOT APPLY TO HER VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 39,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE. THE CONTACT SAFELY DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. ALTHOUGH THE GAS GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL, IT WAS ACTUALLY EMPTY. WHEN HE ADDED FUEL TO THE VEHICLE, THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED SINCE IT CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILIARY); THEREFORE, HE WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,258. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,314.
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 12, 2009
I OWN A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 68,000 MILES. MY FUEL GAUGE SENSOR NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. *TR