2008 Nissan Frontier Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Frontier. Part of Generation 2 (D40) — 2005–2021.

20072009
Complaints
187
per 10K Sold
41.6
US Sales
44,997
Crashes
2
Fires
4
Injuries
5
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2008 Nissan Frontier Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#151 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:105,487 mi
Fires:1
#226 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:89,159 mi
Fires:1
#321 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:83,091 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Nissan Frontier.

Transmission / Drivetrain
51
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
105,487
Engine Problems
26
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
89,159
Airbags
21
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
83,091
Fuel System
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
75,914
Electrical Faults
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
96,535
Hydraulic Brakes
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
22,452
Engine & Cooling
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
101,436
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Nissan Frontier. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2008 Nissan Frontier

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~493,327 vehicles.

23V067000Air Bags:frontal
~404,690 affected

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.

10V401000Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)
~7,948 affected

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.

10V075000Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank
~80,689 affected

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.

Other Nissan Frontier Years

2008 Nissan Frontier — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2008 Nissan Frontier reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2008 Nissan Frontier has 187 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 51 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2008 Nissan Frontier?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (51 complaints, avg 105,487 mi); Engine Problems (26 complaints, avg 89,159 mi); Airbags (21 complaints, avg 83,091 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Nissan Frontier?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 89,448 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2008 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA complaints for the 2008 Nissan Frontier include 2 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2008 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 493,327 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2008 Nissan Frontier?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Frontier reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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