While driving the vehicle and the fuel gauge reading 1/4 tank, without any prior notification such as a "low fuel" light thw car shut off on the highway, the vehicle ran out of gas. This has happened 3 times. Upon researching there is a known recall for this vehicle that exhibits these exact symptoms as the fuel gauge shows 1/4 tank but really there is no gas. Other than this the fuel gauge works, when filled with gas it shows full on the gauge, but upon reaching the 1/4 tank level the gauge stops moving and does not indicate low fuel leaving me to believe there is gas when in fact there is not.
The worst 2008 Nissan Frontier problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission54
- Engine35
- Airbags21
- Fuel system16
- Electrical13
- Brakes12
- Driver assistance4
- Seat belts4
- Steering4
- Suspension4
- Body3
- Acceleration2
- Lights2
- Seats2
- Locks1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Nissan Frontier
Transmission failure 13Check engine light 11Airbag light 10Fuel gauge 9Whining noise 6Slipping 5
Recalls 5
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- 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 drivers 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 number 23V067000 · Recall details
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 10V401000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 10V075000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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 number 08V690000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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 number 08V045000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 2008 Nissan Frontier
Defect investigations
Transmission Failures
On February 29, 2012 the federal safety agency received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.the federal safety agency conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
DP12004
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Nissan Frontier 107
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Wiring harness repair information
- Certification label and VIN plate replacement service information
- VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2005-2013 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA; DRIVER AIR BAG COVER CAMPAIGN...
- CAN communication codes – diagnostic tips and guidelines
- CAN communication – network diagnostic flow chart
- Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
- Windshield cracking
- Removing foreign material from the window glass
- Window glass warranty information
- Diagnosis of vehicle pull (DRIFT) and/or steering wheel off-center
2008 Nissan Frontier fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | RWD | 17-19 | 22-23 | 19-21 |
| 4.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15-16 | 20 | 17 |
| 4.0L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14-15 | 19 | 16-17 |
What 2008 Nissan Frontier owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Saw that there was an airbag item recall (the federal safety agency I.D.: 08V69000) for my vehicle. Airbag warning light is on. However, dealer says, "No open campaigns" and vehicle is out of the warranty period.
The contact owned a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the driver's side air bag suddenly deployed without an impact. As a result, the contact swerved into a drainage ditch, and the vehicle flipped completely over on its top. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported by airlift to an area hospital and treated for several injuries, including a broken clavicle, a dislocated shoulder, three broken ribs, a fractured T10, and a shattered hip. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by insurance. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number:Â 23E012000 (Air Bags), and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated, and the horn was inoperable. The dealer was not made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 166,667. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
the calipers in this kit have seized and been replaced (fronts 7/22,rears3/23) the front calipers have seized again 8/23. there is something wrong with these calipers and a potential for crash/injury situation, as a break components this reliability is unacceptable and potential dangerous. I feel this should be investigated before someone dies due to this/these products.
My airbag dash light indicator is flashing and will not turn off.
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,481. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 bag icon started to flash , I took it to the dealer but they said theres no recalls , air bag sign keeps on flashing
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at speeds over 40 MPH, the vehicle would shake and vibrate. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the radiator fluid had leaked into the transmission causing severe damage to the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 86,000.
Compare the 2008 Nissan Frontier
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2008 Nissan Frontier
Is the 2008 Nissan Frontier reliable?
Owners have filed 136 complaints about the 2008 Nissan Frontier, 2.1 times a typical Frontier model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2008 Nissan Frontier year score?
The 2008 Nissan Frontier scores 45 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Frontier: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Nissan Frontier?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 54 complaints, typically around 96,000 miles. Next is engine (35).
How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Frontier have?
5 recalls, covering air bags, equipment and fuel system, gasoline.
What year does the Nissan Frontier have bad transmission?
The Nissan Frontier model years with the most transmission complaints are 2005 (262 complaints), 2007 (222 complaints) and 2006 (220 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Nissan Frontier get?
Official estimates for the 2008 Nissan Frontier range from 16 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 17-19 city and 22-23 highway.
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