2008 Nissan Xterra engine problems
29 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2008 Nissan Xterra, which is 17% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 29 17% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 100,000 miles 27 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When engine problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 4 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 6 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 27 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 100,000 miles, and 11% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire.
What owners wrote
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 vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired.
Was driving xterra 4x4 on the street when all of a sudden the vehicle shut itself off. Was able to luckily turn the vehicle back on but when we arrived home the vehicle would no longer start. Had it towed to nissan who discovered the car has a defective ECM unit. This could have been very very dangerous and I believe many other nissan xterra/frontiers/pathfinders have been affected as evident by searching google regarding this issue.
Other problems reported for the 2008 Nissan Xterra
- Drivetrain & axles 43 complaints
- Air bags 23 complaints
- Fuel system 19 complaints