Model year
2008 Nissan Xterra
NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 119 complaints for the 2008 Nissan Xterra (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (43), ENGINE (23), AIR BAGS (20). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 16–17 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,950–$4,200, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 214 complaints
- 2001 150 complaints
- 2002 157 complaints
- 2003 72 complaints
- 2004 84 complaints
- 2005 845 complaints
- 2006 780 complaints
- 2007 557 complaints
- 2008 119 complaints
- 2009 19 complaints
- 2010 38 complaints
- 2011 24 complaints
- 2012 16 complaints
- 2013 4 complaints
- 2014 10 complaints
- 2015 10 complaints
Recalls
23V067000 · Feb 10, 2023
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.
10V401000 · Sep 10, 2010
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
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.
10V075000 · Mar 3, 2010
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…
08V690000 · Dec 29, 2008
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…
08V045000 · Jan 25, 2008
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.
07V528000 · Nov 16, 2007
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.
Complaints
119 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 9, fire flag on 3, injury field 6, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP12004 | Transmission Failures · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND… | Jun 11, 2012 | Oct 22, 2016 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xterra 2WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Xterra 2WD · 4L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Xterra 4WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 20 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Xterra 4WD · 4L · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2008 Nissan Xterra at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.