YearToAvoid

2008 Nissan Xterra Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 47 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2008 Nissan Xterra, 39% of all 119 complaints for this model year. That is #4 highest transmission complaint count among 11 Xterra model years. These complaints report 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure: 106,500 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
47
39% of 119 complaints
All complaints this year
119
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
106,500 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2008 Nissan Xterra transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 18, 2009, latest Aug 11, 2025.

2008 Nissan Xterra transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month5Oct 2009Nov 2012Mar 2015Apr 2016Apr 2017Jan 2018Jul 2019Nov 2022
47 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2009 to Aug 2025; peak May 2013 (5).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2008 Nissan Xterra

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Xterra model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2005412 (49%)
  2. 2006268 (34%)
  3. 2007231 (41%)
  4. 200847 (39%)
  5. 20096 (32%)
  6. 201011 (29%)
  7. 20111 (4%)
  8. 20126 (38%)
  9. 20131 (25%)
  10. 20141 (10%)
  11. 20156 (60%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Nissan Xterra have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 47 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2008 Nissan Xterra, 39% of all complaints for this model year, including 3 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 106,500 miles.
Which Nissan Xterra year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2005 Nissan Xterra has the most transmission complaints (412), compared with 47 for the 2008.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2008 Nissan Xterra?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Nissan Xterra is classified under transmission & powertrain. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.