Owners have filed 174 complaints
about the 2008 Nissan Xterra with NHTSA between 2008 and 2025.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 15 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 31
Against the median year of the Nissan Xterra. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 65
12.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 37
21% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
117.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
63.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
95.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
117.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2214.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
2717.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
4126.6%
150,000+ miles
2717.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2008peak 11Aug 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2008 Nissan Xterra
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP12004Opened 11 Jun 2012Closed 22 Oct 2016POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Transmission Failures
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential...
Recalls on the 2008 Nissan Xterra
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
23V067000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
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.
Risk: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
10E019000
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.
Risk: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
10V075000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
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.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
08V690000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
Risk: 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.
08V045000
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
NISSAN IS RECALLING 5,523 MY 2008 TITAN, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.' THE TIRE PLACARD LISTS AN INCORRECT VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.
Risk: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES REQUIREMENTS FOR TIRE SELECTION TO PREVENT OVERLOADING.
07E105000
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
CERTAIN CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE ABS AND ESC CONTROL MODULES SOLD FOR INSTALLATION ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME OF THE HYDRAULIC VALVES IN THE ESC MODULE WERE BUILT WITH EXTRA CHECK BALLS.
Risk: THE EXTRA CHECK BALLS CAN RESTRICT THE FLOW OF BRAKE FLUID THROUGH THE VALVE AND CAUSE REDUCTION OF BRAKE FORCE.
07V528000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM/VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (ABS/VDC) ACTUATOR IS DESIGNED WITH ONE BALL IN THE VALVE SECTION. SOME ABS/VDC ACTUATORS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH MORE THAN ONE BALL IN THE VALVE.
Risk: IN ABS/VDC ACTUATORS WITH MORE THAN ONE BALL, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT FLUID FLOW COULD BE BLOCKED AND CAUSE A REDUCTION IN BRAKE FORCE IN ONE OR BOTH FRONT WHEELS OR AFFECT OPERATION OF THE ABS AND/OR VDC. THIS COULD RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS WITHOUT WARNING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202305310,846 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel airbag cover could detach and become a projectile when the airbag inflates in a crash. Note: This recall is for certain vehicles that had the steering wheel airbag replaced. Safety Risk: Projectiles in the occupant compartment could increase the risk of an injury. Corrective Actions: Nissan will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering wheel airbag cover.
Recall 202305217,214 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel airbag cover could detach and become a projectile when the airbag inflates in a crash. Safety Risk: Projectiles in the occupant compartment could increase the risk of an injury. Corrective Actions: Nissan will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering wheel airbag cover.
Recall 201030132 units in Canada
Accessories
On certain Garmin nüvi 750 GPS units purchased as a customer or dealer installed accessory at Nissan dealerships, the lithium-ion batteries may contain a defect that may cause them to overheat and cause a fire. Correction: Dealers will direct customers who have an affected unit to the Garmin Web site, which explains how to verify if their units are involved and includes procedures to follow for product exchange.
Recall 20100612,297 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the molded fuel tanks are slightly thinner than specification in the area under the fuel sender unit. This may allow the tank floor to deform causing the fuel sender float to interfere with other features inside the tank. This could cause the instrument panel fuel gauge to show a fuel level of approximately one quarter tank when the fuel tank is empty. An inaccurate fuel gauge can lead to engine stalling while driving, which may increase the risk of a crash causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Letters will be sent to owners in two stages. The first letter will advise owners of fuel gauge inaccuracy and recommend maintaining a fuel level above the one half position. The second letter will follow, requesting owners bring their vehicles to a dealer for replacement of the fuel sender unit.
Recall 200845427,695 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles operated in areas of heavy road salt usage, the front Crash Zone Sensor (CZS) may rust internally. This could result in the non-deployment of the driver and passenger front airbags during a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of personal injuries or death in certain crash conditions. Correction: Dealers will replace the Crash Zone Sensor.
Recall 200802560 units in Canada
Label
Certain vehicles fail to comply with CMVSS 110 - Tire Selection and Rims. The tire placard overstates the actual weight capacity. Loading a vehicle beyond it's capacity may result in poor vehicle handling characteristics, increasing the risk of a crash. Correction: Owners will be provided with updated labels and installation instructions.
Recall 20073714 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the Anti-lock Brake System / Vehicle Dynamic Control (ABS/VDC) actuator was assembled with more than one ball bearing in the valve. This could cause fluid flow to be blocked, resulting in a reduction in brake force in one or both front wheels. This could increase the vehicle's stopping distance and cause a crash with injury or death. Correction: Dealers will replace the ABS/VDC actuator. Note: All vehicles were captured before retail sale.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 160,000 milesSmyrna, TNCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2008 Nissan XTerra. The contact's son was driving the vehicle at approximately 25 MPH when he hydroplaned on a wet road and crashed into a wall built along the side of the road. The contact stated that her son crashed into the wall head-on. The contact stated that the driver's side air bag had not deployed, and the passenger side air bag had. The contact's son had broken his left thumb and had an injury on his left leg below his knee that produced some nerve damage. The passenger had suffered four cracked ribs. Both driver and passenger were transported by ambulance to the emergency room. The police were on the scene and wrote a report. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact was informed by her insurance that the vehicle was a total loss. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11512889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lebanon, NHCrash1 injured
POWER TRAIN
driving and transfer case locked up sending me in to oncoming traffic and guardrail
NHTSA complaint #11494662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corning, OHCrash
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11426321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corning, OHCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11426321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesBaton Rouge, LAFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED ROYAL NISSAN AT (225) 924-0400 (LOCATED AT 9325 AIRLINE HWY, BATON ROUGE, LA 70815) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 34416631. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA complaint #11175076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesSebago, MEFire
POWER TRAIN
NOTICED SHUDDERING AT FIRST, THEN A STUMBLING UPON HITTING GAS 120000 MILES TOOK TRUCK IN AND HAD EXT. COOLER PUT ON, FLUSHED OUT TRANNY FLUID, NEW RADIATOR, NEW GASKETS AND FILTERS IN TRANNY $1,100.00 JOB. 1 MONTH LATER SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND TRUCK WOULDN'T START. TCM MODULE IN TRANNY STARTED BLOWING FUSE, TRUCK SMELLED LIKE IT WAS BURNING UP AND WOULDN'T ALLOW TRUCK TO START. 2,000.00 TO REPLACE MODULE AND SECONDARY BREACH. ITS NOT JUST IN RADIATOR, THERE IS ANOTHER BREACH PROBLEM THAT PUTS THE TRANSMISSION AND COOLANT TOGETHER. 2ND BREACH. SHOP WONT GUARANTEE 2000.00 JOB, NEW TRANSMISSION 5800.00. MY BEAUTIFUL TRUCK LEFT ON A FLATBED TO SALVAGE YARD. SINGLE MOM OF 4. THANKS NISSAN, YOU SUCK. ALSO ISSUES WITH AIRBAG COIL. 600.00 FOR THAT. NISSAN I LOVE MY XTERRA AND ITS SO SAD WE HAD TO PART WAYS TODAY, I WATCHED MY 18000.00 VEHICLE LEAVE WITH NO JUSTICE BUT TEARS AND HOPING THE ZERO DEGREE WEATHER BREAKS, WALKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL, ONE WITH DISABILITIES IS JUST ROTTEN. NISSAN GET A CONSCIENCE. BECAUSE MY XTERRA SAT ON A DEALERSHIPS USED LOT, NO ONE WAS NOTIFIED OF CLASS ACTION AND WARRANTY ISSUED. I GOT DOUBLED F**CKED.
NHTSA complaint #11061051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 225,000 milesRamona, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 complaint #11679906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aberdeen, MD
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #11550755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Rosa, CA
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #11549653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, NJ
AIR BAGS
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 contacted. 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 complaint #11540103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesSmyrna, TNCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2008 Nissan XTerra. The contact's son was driving the vehicle at approximately 25 MPH when he hydroplaned on a wet road and crashed into a wall built along the side of the road. The contact stated that her son crashed into the wall head-on. The contact stated that the driver's side air bag had not deployed, and the passenger side air bag had. The contact's son had broken his left thumb and had an injury on his left leg below his knee that produced some nerve damage. The passenger had suffered four cracked ribs. Both driver and passenger were transported by ambulance to the emergency room. The police were on the scene and wrote a report. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact was informed by her insurance that the vehicle was a total loss. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11512889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lebanon, NHCrash1 injured
POWER TRAIN
driving and transfer case locked up sending me in to oncoming traffic and guardrail
NHTSA complaint #11494662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Folsom, CA
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11461885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Folsom, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 complaint #11461885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesNew Orleans, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
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 complaint #11444535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springville, UT
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #11436359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corning, OHCrash
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11426321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corning, OHCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11426321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,043 milesNampa, ID
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11362093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,043 milesNampa, ID
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 complaint #11362093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,043 milesNampa, ID
ENGINE
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 complaint #11362093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesPuyallup, WA
POWER TRAIN
I HAVE AN 08 XTERRA AND WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT ONE DAY IT FELT LIKE IT WAS HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING UP HILLS AND ALMOST FELT LIKE IT WOULDNT DOWNSHIFT. THEN FINALLY WHEN AT A LIGHT HAD TO REALLY GAS IT TO GET THE CAR GOING. LIMPED THE CAR TO A FAMILY MEMBERS HOUSE TO LET IT SIT UNTIL I FIGURED OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. AFTER RESEARCH FIGURED THE CAR PUT ITSELF INTO LIMP MODE SO I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO DO A FULL RESET ON THE COMPUTER. WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME 25 MILES AFTER RESET. WE HAVE A SPARE/COMMUTER CAR SO I WAS ABLE TO LET IT SIT IN MY GARAGE FOR A FEW MONTHS WHILE I TRIED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT WHEN I HAD TIME. FINALLY AFTER NARROWING IT DOWN TO THINGS THAT I HAD NEVER DONE BEFORE, I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO NISSAN. THEY TOLD ME THE NEXT DAY THAT IT WAS THE RADIATOR FAILURE AND PROCEEDED TO QUOTE ME $7000 FOR THE REPAIRS........OUCH ON A CAR THAT WAS NOW 11 YEARS OLD WHICH I HAD PURCHASED FROM THAT DEALERSHIP BRAND NEW. I DECIDED TO TAKE IT HOME BECAUSE IT WAS A BIG DECISION TO MAKE RIGHT AWAY. SO HERE I AM WITH A CAR THAT MISSED THE LAWSUIT AS I HAVE AN XTERRA THAT IS 11 YEARS OLD [!@#$%] NEAR 200000 MILES. I DID MY OWN MAINTENANCE, WHEN REPLACING MY HEAD GASKET I NOTICED I HAD THE NO CARBON BUILD UP ON THE HEAD, BASICALLY LOOKED LIKE A CAR THAT HAD 20000 MILES ON IT. SHAME ON NISSAN FOR NOT DOING A RECALL OR NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THIS ISSUE. I LOVE MY XTERRA BUT I'M SURE THE COST OF THE FIX IS ROUGHLY WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11267822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesSeagoville, TX
ENGINE
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 complaint #11243511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesSeagoville, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #11243511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesSeagoville, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 complaint #11243511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesAshburn, VA
ENGINE
COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL
NHTSA complaint #11233020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,316 milesWest Mifflin, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS HOME. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND 4WD WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THE CONTACT INSTALLED THE RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,316.
NHTSA complaint #11231088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,316 milesWest Mifflin, PA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS HOME. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE AND 4WD WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THE CONTACT INSTALLED THE RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,316.
NHTSA complaint #11231088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 milesPennsburg, PA
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT IS BLINKING. I'VE RESET THE ALERT AND THEN AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES, IT RETURNED. DEALERSHIP WAS UNSURE IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR IF NISSAN WOULD REPLACE THE AIRBAGS. I FOUND THIS SITE AS I WAS LOOKING FOR INFORMATION. THE AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK OR IS RUNNING.
NHTSA complaint #11229702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,009 milesVisalia, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TURNS OFF. BLINKS. DOESN'T TURN ON UNLESS CAR IS RESTARTED.
NHTSA complaint #11208462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,000 milesCoeburn, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 complaint #11206257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.