2008 Nissan Xterra 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 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
- Powertrain (other)4326.2%
- Engine3118.9%
- Airbags2314.0%
- Fuel system1811.0%
- Brakes137.9%
- Electrical116.7%
- Driver assistance63.7%
- Other / unspecified53.0%
- Transmission42.4%
- Body & structure31.8%
- Tires & wheels31.8%
- Exterior lighting21.2%
- Suspension21.2%
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
driving and transfer case locked up sending me in to oncoming traffic and guardrail
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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
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..
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.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
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.
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.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
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.
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
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.
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
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.
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TURNS OFF. BLINKS. DOESN'T TURN ON UNLESS CAR IS RESTARTED.
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
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.
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.
AIRBAG BLINKING, NISSAN DEALER CHECK BUT BLINKING CAME BACK. TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ON EVEN AFTER TIRE PRESSURE IS CHECK AND CORRECTED.
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 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.
2008 NISSAN XTERRA WITH 8,000 MILES. CLUTCH BURNED OUT WHILE DRIVING. CLUTCH REPLACED. NISSAN CLAIMS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *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
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.
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
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
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LEAKS AND DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. *TR
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 .