2008 Nissan Pathfinder Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)15435.6%
- Engine8419.4%
- Fuel system8118.8%
- Airbags419.5%
- Electrical214.9%
- Driver assistance143.2%
- Brakes92.1%
- Suspension71.6%
- Interior & seats40.9%
- Body & structure40.9%
- Visibility30.7%
- Steering30.7%
- Tires & wheels30.7%
- Exterior lighting20.5%
- Transmission10.2%
- Seat belts10.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
A coolant hose leaked in transmission and shorted tcm causing total transmission failure and totaling out vehicle
Crack in defective radiator allowed coolant to mix in with transmission fluid. Coolant caused transmission to fail while driving it. transmission changed gears on its own and would not shift properly and engine just shut down
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Bought vehicle I’m second owner it was sold as is from a dealership with airbag lights on after a certain amount miles check engine light came on said I had e -regular voltage to fuel injectors 1 gear started slipping then loss of power when accelerating next revolutionary trans-sensor went and now when I start the vehicle the A/T ECU Fuse keeps blowing out and the radiator coolant has transmission fluid mixing into it.
This is.my 2nd time replacing it the oil is mixing with the anti freeze because the radiator has a hole in it another recall problem for nissan
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
There was a recall concerning the fuel gauge not working correctly. The sensor in the tank needed replaced. Well my car had that recall fixed or so it says, but it is doing the same thing again. So are you gonna replace it again for no cost?
I BOUGHT THE NISSAN PATHFINDER BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT IN LATE 2007. IT ONLY HAS 45 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. I'VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE UNTIL NOW. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I THOUGHT SOMEONE WAS STEALING GAS OUT OF MY VEHICLE, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE IT'S KEPT BEHIND A LOCKED FENCE . SATURDAY JULY 13TH I HAD TO FILL UP BECAUSE OF A STORM. WHEN I GAS FINISHED FUELING IT SHOWED THAT I HAD AN EMPTY TANK. I KNEW THAT WAS WRONG SO I DECIDED TO GIVE NISSAN A CALL AT 1-800-647-7261. I SPOKE TO AN AGENT AND TOLD HIM MY PROBLEM, HE GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER AND TOLD ME TO CALL THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP CLOSEST TO ME . I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY SERVICES I HAD DONE TO MY VEHICLE. . I DON'T AGREE . THERE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AS MYSELF AND I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM . IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME , PLEASE FEEL FREE TO HELP. I'M ON A FIXED INCOME AND THIS WAS NOT ANY NEGLIGENCE ON MY PART. I HAVE A CASE NUMBER ALREADY ON FILE WITH NISSAN, BUT THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T WANT TO HONOR IT. [XXX]. HEL ME WIT THE NEXT STEP TO GET MY VEHICLE FIXED. THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder. 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 while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. 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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,610. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The passenger air bag warning light is flashing and the passenger air bag button that tells you that it is on and working when somebody gets in the car is off. Therefore the air bag will not deploy in a crash. The light just started flashing about 2 weeks ago approximately. There is also a recall on my vehicle for a component that could become a projectile in a crash if the air bag is deployed. This recall was made 02/09/23 and Nissan has no remedy for it. Therefore this problem is not repairable for almost 9 months. Then I have this new safety problem as well and I don't know why and I don't have the kind of money that would be charged to take it to the Nissan Dealership. I feel that this is one too many recalls on this vehicle there are 5 to be exact at this time. I want Nissan to replace my vehicle with something comparable and don't think that if the airbag is inoperable or that a component could kill somebody that this car should be driven on the roads. What are they going to do about this this is not a safety issue that should just be ignored. The car is paid for its still in very good condition but for me it is now unsafe to drive or to have a passenger in my vehicle. I want some remedy for this asap.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY ECM FUSE KEEPS BLOWING. NOW IT WANT START OR DO ANYTHING. I WAS SITTING STILL AT A PHARMACY WHEN I TRIED TO TAB TGE GAS AT THE DRIVE THROUGH TO PULL UP AT THE WINDOW WHEN I NOTICE MY TRUCK WOULDN'T GO THEN I CUT IT OFF AND TRY TO START IT BACK UP AND NOTICE IT WOULDN'T START SO THAN I CHANE MY ECM FUSE AMD NOTICE IT KEEP BLOWING
BOUGHT THE TRUCK USED AT 123,000 WAS RUNNING GREAT TILL 6 MONTHS LATER AT 138860 MILES ALL OF A SUDDEN TRUCK DID NOT WANT TO START. NO CRANK NOTHING. HAD BEEN SERVICED ONE MONTH BEFORE AND COME TO FIND OUT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. BAD RADIATOR BY NISSAN AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED/REBUILT
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIRBAG LIGHT HAD COME ON INDICATING AN ISSUE, BUT ALSO LIGHT AND CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL ARE FAILING. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS FAILURE. ABS BRAKES ACTIVATE RANDOMLY WITHOUT WARNING PREVENTING AND CAUSING THE INABILITY TO STOP. ABS CAN NOT BE STOPPED UNLESS I STOP AND TURN OFF MY VEHICLE AND START AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS. CANT STOP WHEN I NEED TO. DURING CITY DRIVING ON A DRY SURFACE AND APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT MY BRAKES FAILED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE ABS ACTIVATING AND MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. RANDOM AND WITHOUT WARNING. FRONT DIFFERENTIAL CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND DIDN'T PROVIDE ANY WARNINGS, PINION SEAL LEAK APPEARED LESS THAN TWO YEARS. IN ADDITION VEHICLE WAS IN SERVICE FOR EVAP SYSTEM 11 TIMES IN THE FIRST YEAR WITHOUT RESOLVE. GAD CONSUMPTIONS WAS HORRIBLE AND BELOW ANY SUGGESTED MPG. TIRE SENSORS HAVE NEVER WORKED AND FAILED TO ALERT LOW PRESSURE IN TIRES. TIRE PRESSURE HAS BEEN UNSTABLE NO MATER WHAT TIRES ARE INSTALLED OR HOW MANY SENSORS ARE PUT ON. STABILITY IN STEERING IS SLOPPY WHEN GOING OVER ANY KIND OF BUMP IN THE ROAD. UNSTABLE WHEN DRIVING. SPEED CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WHEN DRIVING CURVES. ROLLOVERS ARE DEFINITELY POSSIBLE WITHOUT MUCH SPEED WHEN ON RAMPS AND CURVES. USE EXTREME CAUTION.
IVE BEEN HAVING UPTEEN AMOUNT OF ISSSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR BACK IN 2015. WITH TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR PROBLEMS. THOSE ARE FIXED. IT ALSO HAS A FUEL PUMP ISSUE WHICH THERE IS A RECALL FOR!! MY CAR READA EMPTY AT A QUARTER OF A TANK. ALSO MY DRIVE TRAIN. WHEEL HUBS ETC. IVE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH THOSE. MY SWAY BAR AND TIRE RODS MY FRONT SUSPENSION SOUNDS LIKE AND FEELS LIKE ITS FALLING APART. MY CAR DONT ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD, WHEN IM BRAKING GOING DOWN HILL THE RPMS GO UP TO 3 OR 4 RPMS AS IM BRAKING. NOW I HAVE MY 3 YR OLD TWIN BOYS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND ALL I WANT IS A SAFE VEHICLE FOR MY KIDS AND MYSELF. NOW THE ISSUES IVE BEEN HAVING, THERE ARE RECALLS FOR BUT NOT FOR MY VEHICLE 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER!
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Vehicle suddenly started having problems while driving. Loud whining noise and shaking and scrubbing sound while driving. Was driving fine before sudden issues. Quotes by three different mechanics stated possible issues that incuded wheel bearing, ball joints, water pump, fan clutch, and brakes. Was told that all parts under vehicle were loose and close to becoming unraveled.
FOR SEVERAL YEARS, RANDOMLY WHEN I WOULD FIRST START MY CAR AND DRIVE THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD BE ON AND WHEN I HIT THE BREAKS A GRINDING NOISE COULD BE HEARD. SINCE IT WAS SO RANDOM I OFTEN THOUGHT I HIT THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN I WAS PREVIOUSLY GETTING OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE - IF I PUSHED THE PARKING BRAKE DOWN AND RESTARTED MY CAR THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF AND ALL WOULD BE WELL. WITHIN THE LAST TWO WEEKS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY REOCCURRING.THIS PAST WEEKEND, RESTARTING MY CAR WOULDN'T CORRECT THE ISSUE AND WAS INOPERABLE FOR SEVERAL HOURS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I AM AWARE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON OTHER NISSAN MODELS (ARMADA, FRONTIER, QX 56, TITAN). HERE IS A LINK TO THE VIDEO OF MY CAR HTTPS://DRIVE.GOOGLE.COM/OPEN?ID=1BVK0LYX_-BS270QVM1ZZHBEX1WLV4DDD
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
The rear suspension subframe is completely corroded and causes vehicle suspension parts to break off unannounced and causes vehicle to swerve severely and most likely is going to cause and accident or death, Nissan has been informed of this issue and refuses to address a proper repair
Vehicle suddenly started having problems while driving. Loud whining noise and shaking and scrubbing sound while driving. Was driving fine before sudden issues. Quotes by three different mechanics stated possible issues that incuded wheel bearing, ball joints, water pump, fan clutch, and brakes. Was told that all parts under vehicle were loose and close to becoming unraveled.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH CONTINUES TO FLASH AND THE CAR HORN DOESN'T ALWAYS BLOW>
THE REAR DOOR/HATCH UNLATCHES WHILE DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH PEOPLE IN THE 3RD ROW AND WITH PACKAGES SPILLING OUT ONTO ROADS. THE CAR IS BEING BROUGHT TO NISSAN TODAY TO GET DIAGNOSED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SUNROOF ON MY VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE ROOF WAS CLOSED AND AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I HEARD THE EXPLOSION. THE SOUND WAS DEFINING AND SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB OR GUN HAD DISCHARGED. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO LOOK THE GLASS WAS POINTING UPWARD LIKE A LARGE FORCE HAD BLOWN IT OUT. IF THE SHADE HAD NOT BEEN CLOSED I WOULD HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO MY HEAD AND FACE. *TR
TAKATA RECALL, I'VE BEEN TOLD SEVERAL TIMES THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I WAS RECENTLY IN ACCIDENT WITH MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE. I REAR ENDED AN SUV IN THE BROOKLYN BATTERY TUNNEL. MY SPEED WAS APPROX 15-25MPH. MY BUMPER COVER, GRILL, RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION COOLER, FAN, FAN SHROUD, HEADLIGHT,S HOOD, ETC HAVE TO BE REPLACED, I'VE ATTACHED A PICTURE. IT SHOULD BE PRETTY CLEAR THAT THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SUNROOF ON MY VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE ROOF WAS CLOSED AND AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I HEARD THE EXPLOSION. THE SOUND WAS DEFINING AND SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB OR GUN HAD DISCHARGED. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO LOOK THE GLASS WAS POINTING UPWARD LIKE A LARGE FORCE HAD BLOWN IT OUT. IF THE SHADE HAD NOT BEEN CLOSED I WOULD HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO MY HEAD AND FACE. *TR
DRIVING IN HWY RAINY DAY, WIPER STOPPED THAN MOVED. I HAVE TO PULL ASIDE THAN IT WORKED FOR A WHILE THAN WOULD NOT STOP TILL ENGINE IS OFF. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHENEVER I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 65 MPH AND HIT A BUMP MY TRUCK WILL ROCK VIOLENTLY BACK AND FORTH. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. ALSO, THE BACK END OF TRUCK IS VERY WOBBLY IF I DRIVE OVER A HUMP. I'M AFRAID THAT THE TRUCK IS GOING TO ROLLOVER.
A) THE SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON FOR THE EVAP SYSTEM. TOOK TO NISSAN AND THEY INITIALLY SAID IT WASN'T ANYTHING THEN IT TURNED INTO A CPU BEING BAD (AFTER 3 TRIPS) NOW THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN AND IT'S AN EVAP CODE AGAIN FOR THE CHARCOAL VENT SYSTEM. I'VE LOOKED IT UP AND THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND WAS EVEN RECALLED ON THE XTERRA. THE ISSUE BEING THE LOCATION OF THE CHARCOAL FILTER. B) THE STEERING BOX VIBRATES OR CAUSES A SEVERE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE LOCATED ON THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RETAINING CLIP WAS FRACTURED ON THE TIRE CARRIER DUE TO A SMALL CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RETAINING CLIP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT OBTAINED THE RETAINING CLIP AND REPLACED THE PART HIMSELF. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
COOPER TIRE - DISCOVER CTS - MANUFACTURED 4209 - AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, HEARD A LOUD SOUND LIKE A SHOTGUN - AND TIRE LOST AIR. SIDEWALL OF TIRE APPEARS AS THOUGH IT WAS SLICED WITH A KNIFE. THERE WAS NO POTHOLE IN THE ROAD OR OTHER VISIBLE DEFECT THAT WOULD CAUSE THE TIRE TO RIP. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY BRAKES LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. I HAVE REPLACED ALL THE BULBS AND THEY ARE STILL IS NOT WORKING. THERE IS A FORUM ON THE WEB REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED FAILURE WITH THE AIR BAG REMAINING OFF, THE HEADLIGHT BULB CONSTANTLY FAILED, THE WINDOWS WOULD OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WHERE THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD LIGHT BULB AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR BAG, WINDOWS AND BRAKES WERE OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURES PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURES AT THE WINDOW ELECTRICAL WIRING AND THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER SIDE "AIRBAG CHECK" AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT IS ON ON MY VEHICLE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. THEY ARE ON WHENEVER THE ENGINE IS ON, WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER ON THAT SEAT OR NOT. MY CAR FAILED TO PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT. I NOTICED FROM THE NHTAS WEBSITE THAT CERTAIN NISSAN PATHFINDER SOLD IN MASSACHUSETTS IN 2008 ARE INCLUDED IN THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. HOWEVER, MY CAR IS NOT YET INCLUDED IN THE RECALLING LIST. BY THE WAY, THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY COLLISION OR OTHER ACCIDENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .