2008 Nissan Frontier Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Nissan Frontier ranks 6th worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 75 and an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 136 complaints and 5 recalls, led by transmission and powertrain issues (40% of complaints, median failure mileage 95,500).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 Frontier years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 136
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15.5 city / 20 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2008 Nissan Frontier problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain54 (40%)
- Engine37 (27%)
- Airbags21 (15%)
- Brakes16 (12%)
- Fuel System16 (12%)
- Electrical System15 (11%)
- Other6 (4%)
- Structure & Body6 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (4%)
- Seat Belts4 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags have deployed without any crash occurring, sometimes while driving at highway speeds.
- Airbags have also failed to fully deploy during actual crashes, contributing to injuries.
- The engine has stalled or lost power at low speed while emitting smoke, in one case followed by a fire.
- Parked vehicles have caught fire under the hood, with owners pointing to a short circuit in the battery.
- Owners describe the vehicle being pushed around by crosswinds, making it hard to keep in its lane.
- Brakes have felt soft and required excessive pedal travel, and in one case brake fluid was lost after a loose caliper nut.
2008 Nissan Frontier recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V067000Feb 10, 2023Airbags404,690 vehicles
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.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 10V401000Sep 10, 2010Other7,948 vehicles
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.
Risk: Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 10V075000Mar 3, 2010Fuel System80,689 vehicles
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 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.
Remedy: 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.
2008 Nissan Frontier fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15.5 MPG
- Highway
- 20 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Frontier years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Nissan Frontier reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Frontier ranks 6th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 75 and an Avoid verdict.
- What are the main problems with the 2008 Nissan Frontier?
- Transmission and powertrain issues make up 40% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 27% and airbag issues at 15%, per NHTSA data.
- Does the 2008 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2008 Frontier, covering airbags, a fuel tank sender issue, a GPS battery, and a tire placard error, none marked do-not-drive.
- What mileage do 2008 Frontier problems typically show up at?
- The median mileage at failure across complaints is 85,000, with transmission issues reported around a median of 95,500 miles.
- Which Nissan Frontier years are better than 2008?
- Years like 2015, 2018, and 2021 earn Best verdicts with complaint indexes of 20, 0, and 10, far lower than the 2008 model's 75.