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2008 Nissan Xterra Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
119
Latest Aug 11, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
12

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Nissan Xterra, 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

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.

43
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

driving and transfer case locked up sending me in to oncoming traffic and guardrail

NHTSA ID 11494662 · filed Nov 23, 2022

A leak developed in the radiator that allowed engine coolant into the automatic transmission and visa versa. Engine coolant in the automatic transmission can cause sudden failure of the transmission which could cause an accident. This is a known design flaw of Nissan transmissions. Nissan has refused to issue a recall and class actions have been successful, but are not extensive enough to cover all Nissan buyers. I have filed a complaint with Nissan and they offered zero help in covering repairs. They just say that it is out of warranty. I had my Xterra worked on at the dealer 18 months ago and they could have recommended a new part be installed to keep the transmission failure from occuring, but said nothing. The result is that now I have to replace the transmission and radiator at a $9,000.00 price tag out of my pocket because they refused to recall the parts (<$1000.00) involved and will not give owners any warning or guidance on how to prevent this totally preventable catastrophic transmission failure. Nissan Case # 46218952.

NHTSA ID 11461885 · filed Apr 23, 2022
All 43 reports naming powertrain (other)

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

31
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE RADIATOR HAS TAKEN IN FLUIDS FROM THE TRANSMISSION OR? THE RADIATOR FLUID APPEARS MILKY AND LOTION LIKE CONSISTENCY FROM THE RADIATOR AND OVERFLOW TANK IT HAS BEEN SHIFTING VERY LOUD AND HARD..

NHTSA ID 11362093 · filed Sep 30, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED FALSE READINGS. THE GAUGE SHOWED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD LESS FUEL THAN WHAT WAS ACTUALLY PRESENT. ALSO, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. LATER, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA ID 11243511 · filed Aug 13, 2019
All 31 reports naming engine

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

23
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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 11550755 · filed Oct 19, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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 11549653 · filed Oct 12, 2023
All 23 reports naming airbags

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

18
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED FALSE READINGS. THE GAUGE SHOWED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD LESS FUEL THAN WHAT WAS ACTUALLY PRESENT. ALSO, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. LATER, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA ID 11243511 · filed Aug 13, 2019

THE VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING AND RUNNING ROUGH WHILE DRIVING AFTER NUMEROUS REPAIRS AND SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIPS THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO PERSISTENT. THE MECHANICS SEEM NOT TO UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THE ISSUE ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED

NHTSA ID 11203214 · filed Apr 23, 2019
All 18 reports naming fuel system

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and making a right turn, she heard an abnormal sound while depressing on the brake pedal. The contact stated that the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) & the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 07E105000 (Service Brakes, Air) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID 11444535 · filed Dec 21, 2021

The brake master cylinder failed multiple times, leaving the system in bypass mode. The resulting delay in braking led to potential collision on multiple occasions.

NHTSA ID 11436359 · filed Oct 12, 2021
All 13 reports naming brakes

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Total transmission and radiator failure. a dealership "fixed" the coolant contamination problem when nissan offered the warrantied coverage for what's known as SMOD. all the dealership did was flush the transmission and radiator. they did not repair or replace any components even after being berated by my husband to do so and to do it under the covered warranty.($5k for tranny replacement that we couldn't afford) they claimed the flush had fixed the xterra. less than 3,000 miles later I was driving on the highway with my 2 children in the car and the vehicle just shut off. no warning lights or behaviors just shut off at 70+mph on the highway. while sitting broke down [pulled off highway edge as far as I could after vehicle died and before it coasted to a complete stop] we were then rear-ended and my 2 kids spent 2 days being monitored in a children's hospital. 1 of which had a concussion. although the xterra only needed a new rear hatch and bumper and etc insurance didn't consider it totalled so it was cosmetically repaired. after reaching out to nissan about the incident they refused to even offer us any sort of discounted repair costs on tranny replacement[car was still under extended coverage warranty] nor would they offer any kind of anything regarding a discount on a replacement vehicle. so here we were still paying on a car loan for a car that was still under warranty, but could not be drove. or even starred for that matter. it ended up wrecking us financially. the car never showed any signs of any mechanical problems prior to dealer flushing trans. the car didn't show any signs of anything afterwards until that day on the highway. the problem ended up being metal pieces from coolant contamination shorted out something in transmission and I guess shorted so strong that it blew the trans fuse and blew fuse links on positive terminal which caused car to just shut off. nissan needs to take responsibility for their bullcrap.

NHTSA ID 11426321 · filed Jul 25, 2021

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SURGES AND SPUTTERS AND RPMS SKYROCKET AND THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND SHUTS DOWN. THIS HAPPENS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, TOWN STREETS AND COUNTY ROADS. THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO LOSE POWER AND SHUT DOWN WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. THERE IS NO WAY TO STEER OR RESTART WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND I HAVE DEPENDED ON HAZARD FLASHERS TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS OF DISABLED VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN GET ASSISTANCE TO GET VEHICLE OFF OF HIGHWAY. AFTER 20 MINUTES OF BEING DEAD, VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES RESTART AND GO A FEW MORE MILES BEFORE SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN. AFTER 3 WEEKS AT A DEALERSHIP AND A COST SO FAR OF $3,000, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN PINPOINTED AND FIXED. DEALERSHIP HAS CONTACTED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO HAS TWO OPEN CASES OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS IN ONLINE FORUMS OF THE SAME ISSUE SAME MODEL AND STILL NO FIX FOUND FOR THE ISSUE. I HAVE NOW OPENED MY OWN CASE WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER CARE AND AM AWAITING FURTHER INVESTIGATION FROM THEM. MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ID 11206257 · filed May 8, 2019
All 11 reports naming electrical

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TURNS OFF. BLINKS. DOESN'T TURN ON UNLESS CAR IS RESTARTED.

NHTSA ID 11208462 · filed May 18, 2019

THE VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING AND RUNNING ROUGH WHILE DRIVING AFTER NUMEROUS REPAIRS AND SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIPS THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO PERSISTENT. THE MECHANICS SEEM NOT TO UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THE ISSUE ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED

NHTSA ID 11203214 · filed Apr 23, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DIFFERENTIAL BROKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AWAY FROM MY HOUSE BUT FIRST IN WEIGHT WITH THE LIGHT OF THE TIRES I WENT TO CHECK IT AND NOTHING AFTER THE MUFFLER TILL THE LAST ONE BROKE THE DIFFERENTIAL AND NOW I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ID 11054036 · filed Dec 11, 2017

AIRBAG BLINKING, NISSAN DEALER CHECK BUT BLINKING CAME BACK. TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ON EVEN AFTER TIRE PRESSURE IS CHECK AND CORRECTED.

NHTSA ID 10823315 · filed Jan 31, 2016

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the contact shifted the vehicle into drive, and the vehicle unexpectedly went into reverse with no warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the instrument panel displayed that the gear shifter was in reverse while shifted into drive. The instrument panel also displayed that the gear shifter was in neutral while shifted into reverse. The contact stated that to prevent the vehicle from rolling away, the wheels were chocked, and parking brake was engaged. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.

NHTSA ID 11679906 · filed Aug 11, 2025

2008 NISSAN XTERRA WITH 8,000 MILES. CLUTCH BURNED OUT WHILE DRIVING. CLUTCH REPLACED. NISSAN CLAIMS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID 10308567 · filed Feb 10, 2010

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR LEFT DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF THE CAR WAS TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND AN OCCUPANT NEEDED TO GET OUT VERY QUICKLY.

NHTSA ID 10824141 · filed Feb 4, 2016

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. I SAW WHAT I THOUGHT WAS "STEAM" COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I POPPED TO HOOD FROM INSIDE AND SAW FLAMES. I GOT OUT AND TRIED TO OPEN THE HOOD, WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT SINCE THE LATCH IS SMALL AND BLACK. I GOT MY GRANDKIDS OUT OF THE CAR AND TRIED ONCE MORE TO OPEN THE HOOD. I FINALLY GOT IT OPENED AND REALIZED THE BATTERY WAS ON FIRE. I POURED THE ONLY LIQUID I HAD ON IT, "A&W CREAM SODA" AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. IT TOTALLY MELTED PART OF THE BATTERY AND THE BATTERY CONNECTOR. AMAZING ENOUGH THE VEHICLE STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BURNT TO THE GROUND ALL BECAUSE OF THE CHEAP PLASTIC BATTERY HOLDER BROKE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10297108 · filed Dec 28, 2009

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LEAKS AND DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ID 10509285 · filed Apr 23, 2013

TODAY, WITH JUST OVER 19,000 MILES ON MY 2008 XTERRA , I HAD TO REPLACE MY FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. BOTH ROTORS WERE BADLY GROOVED ESPECIALLY ON THE INSIDE SURFACE AND THE INSIDE PADS WERE NEARLY COMPLETELY WORN. I HAD JUST HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED 2 MONTHS AGO AT MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPORTED NO PROBLEMS. IT MAKES ME WONDER HOW MY INSPECTION WAS REALLY DONE AND ALSO THE QUALITY OF THE PARTS THAT NISSAN IS USING IN IT CARS, AS I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BREAK PADS MUCH LESS ROTORS UNDER 20,000 MILES. I ALSO EXPERIENCED THE DIFFICULTIES WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS. TWO OF THEM HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING AIR. I ALSO HAD READINGS OF LOW PRESSURE WHEN THE TIRES HAD JUST BEEN INFLATED TO THE PROPER SETTING AND THE LIGHT REFUSED TO TURN OFF. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID MY TIRES WERE JUST UNDER INFLATED. I DID NOT BELIEVE THEIR EXPLANATION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10389666 · filed Mar 9, 2011

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DIFFERENTIAL BROKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AWAY FROM MY HOUSE BUT FIRST IN WEIGHT WITH THE LIGHT OF THE TIRES I WENT TO CHECK IT AND NOTHING AFTER THE MUFFLER TILL THE LAST ONE BROKE THE DIFFERENTIAL AND NOW I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ID 11054036 · filed Dec 11, 2017

I HAVE AN 08 NISSAN XTERRA THE VDC/SLIP/ENGINE/TIRE PRESSURE/ AND AIR BAG LIGHTS ARE ON. THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE STALLING AT TAKE OFF. THE FUEL INDICATOR IS NO LONGER WORKING AND HAD MADE ATTEMPTS TO GET THIS FIXED AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WASN'T ON MY VEHICLE. I DON'T THINK THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IS HANDLING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THESE VEHICLE. THERE IS SO MUCH GOING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE FOR IT TO BE THREE YEARS OLD. THE ENGINE STALLING SEEMS TO BE AT LOW SPEEDS AND IS POTENTIALLY THE MOST DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10428166 · filed Oct 1, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE DEALER HAVING A TIRE ROTATION PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AXLE BEARING SHAFT AND SEAL WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA ID 10746793 · filed Aug 6, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A FILM OF OIL ON THE REAR BRAKE SHIELDS. LATER WHILE UTILIZING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO LOCK THE BRAKES BY DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 10 MPH AND PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, THEN PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED TWO SEPARATE DEALERS AND NEITHER OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY WAS LEAKING GEAR OIL FROM THE RIGHT AND LEFT HAND AXLE SEALS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,600.

NHTSA ID 10466002 · filed Jul 17, 2012

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

Data on this page last refreshed .