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ProblemsByVin File / 2008-NISSAN-PATHFINDER
2008 · Nissan

Nissan Pathfinder problems

1 safety recall. 328 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
133 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
engine
38 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
airbags
36 reports · avg $1,100
severe
fuel system
31 reports · avg $1,200
moderate
electrical
16 reports · avg $850
moderate
brakes
7 reports · avg $450
moderate
suspension
6 reports · avg $900
moderate
cruise control
4 reports · avg $600
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2008 Pathfinder · airbags
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON VEHICLE AND NISSAN SAYS NOT PART OF YEARS OF PATHFINDER RECALL ''. SAME ISSUE AS OTHER BUT A 2008 MODEL. NISSAN WANTS TO MUCH MONEY TO FIX A NISSAN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SAYS CONNECTOR. WILL NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT OR MAY DEPLOY ANY TIME?????? SAFETY…
12/30/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11164102.0
2008 Pathfinder · powertrain
TRANSMISSON INNER COOLER TANK IN RADIATOR LEAKS , GETTING WATER IN TRANSMISSON. RUINING TRANSMISSION /COMPUTER ETC. HAD TO BE REBUIT. NISSAN WANTED OVER $5,OOO. GOT IT REPAIRED AT OTHER SHOP OVER $3,000 WITH STILL HAVING TO GET IT PROGRAMMED AT NISSAN. POOR DESIGN AND FAULTY…
12/30/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11164108.0
2008 Pathfinder · powertrain
AT JUST OVER 100K MILES (101406) MY RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RUINED THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR AT ALL BECAUSE I AM 1406 OUT OF THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. SPEAKING WITH THE LOCAL DEALER THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE FROM…
12/28/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10816554.0
2008 Pathfinder · airbags Crash
TAKATA RECALL, I'VE BEEN TOLD SEVERAL TIMES THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I WAS RECENTLY IN ACCIDENT WITH MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE. I REAR ENDED AN SUV IN THE BROOKLYN BATTERY TUNNEL. MY SPEED WAS APPROX 15-25MPH. MY BUMPER COVER, GRILL, RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION…
12/27/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10816314.0

Estimate your repair exposure

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 10V075000 03/03/2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES

THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 328 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 133 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Nissan Pathfinder has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 328 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Nissan. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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