2008 Nissan Xterra recalls and problems

The 2008 Nissan Xterra has 6 safety recalls and 119 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

119

Crashes / fires

9 / 3

Injuries / deaths

6 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2008 Nissan Xterra vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2008 Nissan Xterra recalls

Recall 23V-067: Air Bags

Reported Feb 10, 2023 · 404,690 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driverÂs airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

Recall 10V-401: Equipment

Reported Sep 10, 2010 · 7,948 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by garmin technicians by replacing the battery and inserting a spacer on top of the battery free of charge. The safety recall began on september 16, 2010. Owners may contact garmin directly at 1-866-957-1981 or nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Recall 10V-075: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Mar 3, 2010 · 80,689 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 08V-690: Air Bags

Reported Dec 29, 2008 · 242,720 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Fix: Dealers will replace the front czs with a redesigned sensor. The recall began on january 26, 2009. Owners in the other states will receive extended warranty coverage for the sensor to 10 years. These owners will be notified of the warranty extension by mail and will receive a sticker to place in their warranty booklet explaining the extended warranty coverage. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Recall 08V-045: Equipment

Reported Jan 25, 2008 · 5,523 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Fix: Nissan will mail a correct tire placard and installation instructions to owners of the affected vehicles. The recall began on february 25, 2008. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Recall 07V-528: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Nov 16, 2007 · 1,115 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Fix: Dealers will replace the ABS/vdc actuator with a new one. The recall began on december 31, 2007. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

2008 Nissan Xterra problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Power Train	47
Air Bags	23
Engine	23
Electrical System	11
Fuel System, Gasoline	9
Fuel/Propulsion System	9
Engine and Engine Cooling	8
Unknown or Other	8
Service Brakes	7
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	4
Structure	3

Most reported parts

Power Train › Manual Transmission — 3
Air Bags › Frontal — 2
Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems — 2
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly — 2
Electrical System › Software — 1
Air Bags › Side/Window — 1
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank — 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 95,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2008 Nissan Xterra complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · at 225,000 miles · reported Aug 11, 2025

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…

Air Bags · reported Oct 19, 2023

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.

Air Bags · reported Oct 12, 2023

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.

Air Bags · reported Aug 22, 2023

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

Air Bags · at 160,000 miles · reported Mar 20, 2023

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…

Other Nissan Xterra years

2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 200920082007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Compare all Nissan Xterra years · All Nissan models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2008 Nissan Xterra: 23V-067 (air bags), 10V-401 (equipment), 10V-075 (fuel system, gasoline), 08V-690 (air bags), 08V-045 (equipment) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Nissan Xterra?

Owners report power train problems most often (47 reports), followed by air bags (23). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 95,000 miles.

Are Nissan recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Nissan dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.