2008 Nissan Frontier problems
The 2008 Nissan Frontier has 187 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (28%) concerns drivetrain & axles. After that come engine (18%) and air bags (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 187 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Drivetrain & axles 28% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 4
- Injuries and deaths
- 5 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 87,000 miles 150 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 15 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 8 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 19 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 17 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 39 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 14 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 20 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 4 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 9 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 5 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 150 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 87,000 miles. For drivetrain & axles specifically, the median reported mileage is about 96,000 miles (46 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a crash; 4 complaints mention a fire; 5 injuries reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 81% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2008 ranks 12th most-complained-about out of 27 model years of the Nissan Frontier with enough data (58 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan frontier. The contact was driving 68 MPH and attempting to avoid a crash when she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a barrier, and two additional vehicles. The contact mentioned that the air bags failed to fully deploy. A police report was filed of the incident and the contact sustained a fractured nose and a deep laceration to the head. The drivers of the two additional vehicles involved in the crash were also injured. The vehicle was destroyed.
The contact owned a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the driver's side air bag suddenly deployed without an impact. As a result, the contact swerved into a drainage ditch, and the vehicle flipped completely over on its top. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported by airlift to an area hospital and treated for several injuries, including a broken clavicle, a dislocated shoulder, three broken ribs, a fractured T10, and a shattered hip.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 nissan frontier. While driving 50 MPH, the air bags deployed without a crash. The air bag indicator illuminated immediately after all the air bags (front, rear, and the ones near the sunroof) deployed. The manufacturer stated that an air bag technician would call him. The contact feels that the dealer was giving him the run around. The vehicle never lost power when the failure occurred and the vehicle was still at his residence.
Known defect by nissan. Radiator fluid leaks into transmission causing complete failure of transmission. They have extended warranty for new transmission but comes with a $2500 deductible. Why should I have to pay anything when they know they made a defective product.
I have the well documented problem with the radiator coolant entering and damaging the transmission. I am having it repaired a nissan dealership. I will have to pay over 3200.00!. There was a settlement agreement that is ridiculous!. The problem does not even occur until over 80000 miles when nissan will not cover anything. There are hundreds if not thousands of complaints.