2008 Nissan PATHFINDER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10208919 · 2007-11-14 (November 14, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FIFTY PERCENT OF THE TIME WHEN SHE OCCUPIES THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT, THE AIR BAG SENSOR CONTROL MODULE INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. SHE WEIGHS 120 LBS AND IS APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET TALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE AND ADVISED HER TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. WHEN SHE RESETS THE TRIP ODOMETER ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, IT DOES NOT MATCH THE ODOMETER LOCATED ON THE NAVIGATION COMPUTER. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE D…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208919 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10231974 · 2008-06-22 (June 22, 2008)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231974 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10236850 · 2008-08-04 (August 4, 2008)
PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD KEPT GETTING WET. AFTER THE 4TH SERVICE I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A BULLETIN OUT ON THE A/C EVAPORATOR COIL AND THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER. THEY WILL CALL AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ME WHEN THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 21,142 miles reported. Look up ODI 10236850 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10255910 · 2009-01-21 (January 21, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 99 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. FOUR OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V690000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). SHE FEELS THAT HER VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE AND WANTS TO KNOW WHY A RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED. THE MILEAGES AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10255910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10260679 · 2009-03-04 (March 4, 2009)
I PURCHASED MY 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN EARLY JANUARY 2009. EARLY FEBRUARY 2009 MY FRIEND SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING THAT IT WAS NOT ON. SHE IS AT LEAST 5 FEET 8 INCHES AND 135 POUNDS. I AM ALSO THE SAME HEIGHT AND WEIGHT AND IT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME WHEN I SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AS WELL. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME SOMEONE LIGHTER THAN 160LBS SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND IF THE PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WASN'T SI…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10260679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10268566 · 2009-05-12 (May 12, 2009)
I OWN A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 68,000 MILES. MY FUEL GAUGE SENSOR NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10268566 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10302202 · 2010-01-25 (January 25, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY LEVEL OF IMPACT. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR IN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE PART. THERE WERE CONCERNS OF THE SAF…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10302202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10303550 · 2010-02-01 (February 1, 2010)
MY NISSAN PATHFINDER IS A 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS 23,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS NOW FEB. 1, 2010, AND THERE IS VERY LITTLE TREAD LEFT. I HAVE VERY YOUNG CHILDREN AND I AM CONCERNED THAT THE TIRES WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF TREAD OR FEAR OF A BLOWOUT. THE TIRES ARE BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONG TRAIL T/A P265/65R17. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10303550 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
08V690000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2008-12-29 (December 29, 2008)
NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.
Consequence: THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V075000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank
Reported: 2010-03-03 (March 3, 2010)
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND 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.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V401000 · Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)
Reported: 2010-09-10 (September 10, 2010)
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V067000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2023-02-10 (February 10, 2023)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
NHTSA campaign record ↗