2008 Nissan PATHFINDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
328 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
106,534 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 277 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 154 of 328 complaints (47.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 169 | 51.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 24 | 7.3% |
| Braking behavior | 21 | 6.4% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 4.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 3.0% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 3.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 154 |
| Engine | 61 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 51 |
| Air Bags | 36 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 25 |
| Unknown Or Other | 22 |
| Electrical System | 19 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 18 |
Power Train: 154; Engine: 61; Fuel/Propulsion System: 51; Air Bags: 36; Fuel System, Gasoline: 25; Unknown Or Other: 22; Electrical System: 19; Engine And Engine Cooling: 18
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 30 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 60 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 127 |
| 150,000 and above | 35 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 30; 75,000 to 99,999: 60; 100,000 to 149,999: 127; 150,000 and above: 35
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (127). 51 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 26 |
| 2014 | 46 |
| 2015 | 50 |
| 2016 | 50 |
| 2017 | 36 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 3; 2010: 14; 2011: 7; 2012: 13; 2013: 26; 2014: 46; 2015: 50; 2016: 50; 2017: 36; 2018: 29; 2019: 23; 2020: 8; 2021: 7; 2022: 5; 2023: 6; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 169 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 24 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10349250 · 2010-08-13 (August 13, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACTED EXPERIENCED FAILURES WHILE HE SHIFTED GEARS THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, AND WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP IT THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY WHICH CAUSED HIM TO INCREASE THE BREAKING DISTANCE. HE THOUGHT IT WAS DRIVERS ERROR, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRONT SHOCKS; THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK REPORT 6887492; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE,…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349250 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10442600 · 2012-01-05 (January 5, 2012)
CRACKED RADIATOR ALLOWS FLUID TO LEAK INTO TRANSMISSION, CAUSING ERRATIC OPERATION, POTENTIAL SUDDEN FAILURE. TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 125,153 miles reported. Look up ODI 10442600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10323359 · 2010-04-01 (April 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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 38,258 miles reported. Look up ODI 10323359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10328463 · 2010-05-03 (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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 68,967 miles reported. Look up ODI 10328463 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10348636 · 2010-08-11 (August 11, 2010)
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. I HAVE STALLED IN TRAFFIC THREE TIMES . THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL CONTROL OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES AND CEASES TO MOVE SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MYSELF AND OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES. I HAVE RESEARCHES THIS COMMON PROBLEM WITH N…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10348636 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10491832 · 2013-01-08 (January 8, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS WERE MIXING AND AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10491832 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10359098 · 2010-10-04 (October 4, 2010)
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 PERFOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10359098 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10538071 · 2013-08-30 (August 30, 2013)
OUR NISSAN PROBLEMS STARTED YEARS AGO. IN 2010 I STARTED NOTICING NOISE AND SHUDDERING COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING MORE THAN IT NEEDED A FLUSH OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. SO I PAID THE $150, HAD IT DONE AND WENT ON MY WAY. IN 2011 IS STARTED DOING IT AGAIN, HAD IT CHECKED AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT I MUST HAVE BEEN HEARING THINGS. THEY TEST DROVE IT NUMEROUS TIMES AND 'NEVER HEARD ANYTHING'. EVENTUALLY THEY HAD A SPECIALIST COME AND LOOK AT MY CAR. HE DETERMINED THAT MY A/…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10538071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10319078 · 2010-03-11 (March 11, 2010)
DRIVER'S ELECTRIC SEAT ABRUPTLY ACTIVATES WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT AND SENDS DRIVER UNEXPECTEDLY INTO STEERING COLUMN WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. PROBLEM WAS ABATED BY DEALER REPLACING CONTROL PANEL BUT PROBLEM STILL REMAINS IN THE FORM OF SEAT BACK "CREEP" WHILE DRIVING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10319078 at NHTSA ↗