Transmission fluid cooler integrated in the radiator that allowed engine coolant to mix with and contaminate the automatic transmission fluid causing damage to the transmission. Radiator had to be replaced along with flushing out of the trans fluid at a service station costing a few thousand of dollars. Months later the check engine light went on and found out that the transmission is slipping caused by the fluid contamination.
2008 Nissan Frontier: check engine light
11 of the 136 complaints about the 2008 Nissan Frontier describe check engine light.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical mileage
- 86,525
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 9 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Check engine light by model year
What owners say
Seat belt light stays flashing, tire light stays flashing, service engine light stay on even after dealer reset.
Having the same issue that other frontiers were recalled for. Gas gauge is unreliable and the engine light stays on. Other frontiers manufactured just three months before ours are on recall but not ours. This is obviously a nissan issue as well documented on various boards and websites.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan frontier. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine and slip warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle on the first attempt. The contact stated that the failure occurred a total of three times. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
When the fuel tank is filled, the fuel gauge indicator will drop to the bottom (empty setting) and the check engine light will come on. After driving a short distance, the gauge will gradually move up. The process will repeat itself with the service engine light sometimes remaining on and other times it will turn off.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan frontier. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled with and all the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was able to restart minutes later. In addition, the service engine warning light and the flip error light illuminated continuously. The failure recurred six times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000. The VIN was not provided.
After the engine light went on on my frontier, I took it to the mechanic. Mechanic states that I have a faulty coolant. Its a known issue by nissan frontiers. Basicly the coolant will leak into my radiator which then will mess up the transmission. This will cost me about $4000.00.
My check engine light went on as I was driving home on a sunday afternoon. With in an hour, and almost arriving home... The vehicle began to slow down and could not accelerate past 25mph. I stopped at a traffic light and felt a very large bang under the truck. As I tried to accelerate from the light I could only get up to 25mph. Then the truck stalled completely, in the middle of a busy street. Luckily no one was close behind me and I had my hazard lights on, otherwise this would have been a sure crash. I took it to a mechanic who checked and informed me that my radiator was faulty and had contaminated and ruined my transmission. I paid $2900 to have it fixed. No help, or money back from nissan, not even an apology for their faulty parts.
Nissan acknowledged that the fuel gauge sending unit in model years 2004-08 was faulty, causing the unit to send faulty information on fuel levels and causing the check engine light to come on. They offered an extended warranty to repair the problem, but when I contacted them, they said my VIN# wasn't covered - even though it is the year model affected with the problem. No such restriction on VIN# s is presented on their websites. It is only after I tried to get the problem repaired that they denied covering it, even though it is a known defect. I appealed all the way to corporate and got nowhere. I believe they are simply trying to dodge paying for a repair that is their own manufacturing fault.
On the above date I first noticed that when the vehicle was idling the truck would not throw any heat. On april 26, 2014 the transmission would not shift out of overdrive. I shut the vehicle down, restarted and push the button to take out overdrive and vehicle was driven in fourth. On may 8, 2014 while driving the "check engine light" came on as well as the 4 wheel lo range light came on and I drove it 2 miles to my home, shut the engine down and it never restarted again.
Service engine light came on. Fuel sensor reported. 2008 nissan frontier.
Service bulletins that may apply
- MIL on with DTC P0448
- These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters
- MIL on with DTC P0448
- Nissan; DTC P0456 caused by evap leak at vent control valve o-ring
- OBD II evap
- Service information
- Nissan: engine coolant temperature sensor circuit range/performance is stored in the ECM and there are no...
- 2008 maxima, pathfinder, xterra, frontier - DTC P0443
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2008 Nissan Frontier check engine light
Is check engine light a common problem on the 2008 Nissan Frontier?
11 of 136 owner complaints about the 2008 Nissan Frontier (8%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2006.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Nissan Frontier?
There are 0 recalls and 9 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Nissan Frontier
Transmission failure 13Airbag light 10Fuel gauge 9Whining noise 6Slipping 5
VIN decoder
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