2008 Nissan Frontier Owner Complaints

While driving the vehicle and the fuel gauge reading 1/4 tank, without any prior notification such as a "low fuel" light thw car shut off on the highway, the vehicle ran out of gas. This has happened 3 times. Upon researching there is a known recall for this vehicle that exhibits these exact symptoms as the fuel gauge shows 1/4 tank but really there is no gas. Other than this the fuel gauge works, when filled with gas it shows full on the gauge, but upon reaching the 1/4 tank level the gauge stops moving and does not indicate low fuel leaving me to believe there is gas when in fact there is not.

NHTSA ID

11622555

Incident

Jul 1, 2024

Saw that there was an airbag item recall (NHTSA I.D.: 08V69000) for my vehicle. Airbag warning light is on. However, dealer says, "No open campaigns" and vehicle is out of the warranty period.

NHTSA ID

11581535

Incident

Apr 6, 2024

The contact owned a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the driver's side air bag suddenly deployed without an impact. As a result, the contact swerved into a drainage ditch, and the vehicle flipped completely over on its top. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported by airlift to an area hospital and treated for several injuries, including a broken clavicle, a dislocated shoulder, three broken ribs, a fractured T10, and a shattered hip. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by insurance. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags), and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.

NHTSA ID

11568461

Incident

Jan 27, 2014

Mileage

20,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated, and the horn was inoperable. The dealer was not made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 166,667. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11553024

Incident

Oct 30, 2023

Mileage

166,667 mi

the calipers in this kit have seized and been replaced (fronts 7/22,rears3/23) the front calipers have seized again 8/23. there is something wrong with these calipers and a potential for crash/injury situation, as a break components this reliability is unacceptable and potential dangerous. I feel this should be investigated before someone dies due to this/these products.

NHTSA ID

11542021

Incident

Aug 31, 2023

My airbag dash light indicator is flashing and will not turn off.

NHTSA ID

11538126

Incident

Apr 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,481. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11521155

Incident

May 9, 2023

Mileage

36,481 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11519753

Incident

Apr 21, 2023

AIR BAG ICON STARTED TO FLASH , I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BUT THEY SAID THERES NO RECALLS , AIR BAG SIGN KEEPS ON FLASHING

NHTSA ID

11507690

Incident

Jan 2, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at speeds over 40 MPH, the vehicle would shake and vibrate. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the radiator fluid had leaked into the transmission causing severe damage to the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 86,000.

NHTSA ID

11486366

Incident

Sep 1, 2022

Mileage

86,000 mi

The transmission cooler integrated into the radiator failed damaging the transmission by cross contamination of fluids. Loss of power on a narrow country mountain road was not safe. I learned that this problem is very common. I feel that Nissan should have replaced the radiator before thousands in transmission damage occurred.

NHTSA ID

11475452

Incident

Jul 21, 2022

Transmission fluid cooler integrated in the radiator that allowed engine coolant to mix with and contaminate the automatic transmission fluid causing damage to the transmission. Radiator had to be replaced along with flushing out of the trans fluid at a service station costing a few thousand of dollars. Months later the check engine light went on and found out that the transmission is slipping caused by the fluid contamination.

NHTSA ID

11474744

Incident

Jul 19, 2022

I was driving my vehicle and I ran out of gas. The gas gauge maintained a quarter of a tank and the gas light never came on. I check for recalls and it turns out this is a known recall for this vehicle, but it says 0 recalls. But the problem still persists, therefore the vehicle is still suffering from this problem. After filling the gas after the car ran out. I tested this theory 2 more times to confirm that indeed the vehicle was suffering from this recall, in which i run out of gas without knowing. Secondly, the links associated with the other recall, have also failed/failing as the vehicle is becoming unstable while driving at times and a mechanic has already determined the links to be the cause, yet when I check my VIN number, it says 0 recalls. Yet my vehicle clearly suffers from this. Can my vehicle please be added to the list, as this is very scary as the first time I ran out of gas I was on the expressway, and the vehicle sways yet it is not listed and needs to be for safety reasons and concerns. Thank you for your time, effort, and consideration regarding this, I await your timely response.

NHTSA ID

11447236

Incident

Nov 4, 2021

TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT IN TRANS OIL CONTAMINATING TRANS COMPONENTS. TOTAL TRANS REBUILD/REPLACE RADIATOR AND TRANS COOLER. 130K MILES ON VEHICLE - LOW MILES FOR A 2008 FRONTIER. THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED, HESITATED, WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED AS IT SHOULD, WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY SHIFTING THRU GEARS AS IT TRANSITIONED FROM STOP TO MOVING, TYPICALLY AROUND 30-40 MPH UNDER LOAD (ACCELERATING). WE HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. EXPENSIVE REPAIR!

NHTSA ID

11387773

Incident

Dec 22, 2020

Mileage

130,138 mi

DRIVING ON STREET TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE I LOSS POWER AND CAR COULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR IT SEEMED I PULLED OVER AND STOPPED AND SHUT OFF. CAR I STARTED IT BEGAN TO DRIVE AND IT WUDNT GO OVER 30MPH I STOPPED AND NOTICED LEAKING UNDER THE TRUCK TOWARDS THE ENGINE AND WHEN I PRESSED ON GAS IT WOULDN'T GO STILL SO I STOPPED AND GOT TOWED

NHTSA ID

11348447

Incident

Aug 10, 2020

Mileage

180,000 mi

FIRST LONG TRIP SINCE I BOUGHT THE USED TRUCK, A TRIP TO OAKRIDGE, 90 MILE ROUND TRIP FROM HOME. THE TRUCK MADE IT BACK TO OUR DRIVEWAY, THEN WHEN I PUT ON THE BREAK FOR MY HUSBAND TO GET OUT, IT WOULD NOT MOVE AND ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. I COULDN'T BUDGE THE TRUCK. IT WAS LOCKED UP. COULDN'T MOVE THE STICK. THE ENGINE QUIT. FORCED IT INTO PARK AND TRIED TO RESTART, BUT NOT A SOUND. THE NEIGHBOR CAME OVER WITH HIS CODE READER. IT SAID P1000. BATTERY CHECKED GOOD, GOT A NEW ONE ANYWAY BECAUSE ITS AGE. GROUNDS WERE GOOD, BUT CLEANED ANYWAY. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. THEY PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN.

NHTSA ID

11344042

Incident

Jul 23, 2020

Mileage

98,800 mi

THE ANTIFREEZE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID GOT MIXED TOGETHER IN MY TRUCK AND I AM NOW TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER KNEW THAT THE TRUCK WOULD AT LEAST GIVE ME 100,000 MILES BEFORE THAT WOULD ACTUALLY HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

11325611

Incident

May 8, 2020

Mileage

160,000 mi

AROUND MARCH 23, 2020 I NOTICED MY DRIVERS SEAT MOVING WHEN I ACCELERATE OR SLOW DOWN. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS LOOSE HARDWARE SO I WAS GOING TO TIGHTEN THE MOUNTING BOLTS OVER THE WEEKEND. WHEN I STARTED TO TIGHTEN THE HARDWARE I FOUND IT WAS ALL TIGHT. BUT THE SEAT CONTINUED TO MOVE ABOUT. THAT WEEKEND I REMOVED THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND FOUND THE FRONT RIGHT MOUNTING POINT TORN OUT OF THE SHEET METAL. THE THREADED RE-ENFORCEMENT TAB HAD TORN THROUGH THE SHEET METAL USED AT THE SEAT MOUNTING POINT. I REMOVED THE TAB FROM THE SEAT AND NOTICED THAT THE SPOT WELDS HAD NOT FAILED IT WAS THE SHEET METAL BRACE BRACKET, IT WAS ATTACHED TO, THAT HAD FAILED. I FIRST NOTICED THE MOVEMENT WHILE HEADING HOME FROM WORK AND ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A 2 LANE SIDE ROAD TO A 6 LANE DIVIDED CITY ROAD. IN THE TIME THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE IT HAS NEVER BEEN WREAKED, AND TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE GOTTEN SEVERAL REPAIR ESTIMATES FROM COLLISION SHOPS. UNIVERSALLY ALL OF THE SHOPS CLAIMED TO HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS KIND OF DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11324066

Incident

Mar 23, 2020

Mileage

192,000 mi

RADIATOR THAT CONTROLS THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LET GO CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AT NEW RIVER NISSAN BACK IN 2018. BEFORE I HAD NISSAN REPAIR IT I HAD TAKEN IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE IT WAS FLUSHED OUT AND A SMALL RADIATOR ADDED TO THE TRUCK BECAUSE OF THE RADIATOR GOING BAD . THE TRUCK HAD LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON IT AND LESS THAN A 9 YEARS. AS THE RECALL WAS ADDED TO THAT AFTER ALL THE PROBLEMS FROM THE RADIATOR. I FILL LIKE I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR EVERYTHING THAT I PAID OUT WHICH WAS ABOUT 3500.00 TOTAL. BUT NOW IT'S STILL MIXING COOLANT AFTER BEING SERVICED BY A NISSAN DEALER.

NHTSA ID

11319973

Incident

Jun 27, 2018

Mileage

80,969 mi

FUEL VENT TUBE IS SO BLOCKED WHEN OPENING GAS CAP VAPORS BLOW OUT WITH MUCH PRESSURE AND CAN NOT PUMP GAS INTO TRUCK AS IT SPREADS OUT OVER THE TRUCK AND ALL OVER THE PLACE!! I JUST BOUGHT THIS TRUCK AND I AM SURE IT IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN ,COULD TURN DEADLY ..

NHTSA ID

11277734

Incident

Nov 2, 2019

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT, BUT IT SEEMED LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING POWER. SO, I SHUT IT OFF AND WHEN I TRIED STARTING IT AGAIN THE FANS AND LIGHTS CAME ON BUT NOTHING ELSE. I TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE STARTER. THEY REPLACED THE STARTER AND THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY CHANGED THE ATECU FUSE. IT STARTED AND RAN FOR THREE MINUTES AND THEN DIED AGAIN. THEN I TOOK IT TO AN ELECTRICAL SHOP. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEN I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE BRAIN ECM. THEY FIXED THAT AND IT STILL WOULDN'T START THE CAR. THEN THEY SAID IT WAS THE ECU AND TRANSMISSION. THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS NO GOOD DUE TO CROSS CONTAMINATION (RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION). THIS IS A NISSAN DEFECTIVE RADIATOR AND THEY CHARGED $5500 FOR A MISTAKE THAT WASN'T MY FAULT.

NHTSA ID

11268170

Incident

Sep 13, 2019

Mileage

136,911 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE BUT IT SEEM LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING POWER. I SHUT IT OFF AND THEN IT WOULD NOT START. ADD THE STARTER REPLACED STILL AND START THE ATE UP FUSE WAS BLOWN.TICKET TO ELECTRICAL SHOP THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS THE BRAIN ECU AND THEN THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE BRAIN AND THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS NO GOOD COST $5500 TO FIX

NHTSA ID

11268165

Incident

Sep 13, 2019

Mileage

136,911 mi

SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS FLASHING, TIRE LIGHT STAYS FLASHING, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON EVEN AFTER DEALER RESET.

NHTSA ID

11257924

Incident

Sep 17, 2019

TL- CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER NISSMO DRIVER FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG AND REAR SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT, WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. NO INJURIES OCCURRED AT TIME. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED BEFORE DEPLOYMENT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHUCK COLVIN FORD NISSAN 1925 OR-99W MCMINNVILLE,OR (503) 472-6124. VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED THEY PROVIDED CASE 35786777 THEY OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE REPAIRS. FAILURE MILEAGE 13300. EP

NHTSA ID

11231078

Incident

May 18, 2019

Mileage

133,000 mi

MY COOLANT MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. CAUSING IT NOT TO ACCELERATE. NISSAN MECHANIC SAYS IT'LL COST 6000 DOLLARS TO COMPLETELY FIX. ABSURD!!!!!! 120,000 MILE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11229789

Incident

Oct 1, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi