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.
2008 Nissan Frontier transmission problems
54 complaints (40% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 96,000.
- owner complaints
- 54
- of this car's complaints
- 40%
- typical mileage
- 96,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Axle assembly: axle shaft: seal2
- Automatic transmission1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Nissan Frontier transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Nissan Frontier transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related 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
What 2008 Nissan Frontier owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The transmission cooler integrated into the radiator failed damaging the transmission by cross contamination of fluids. Loss of power on a narrow country mountain road was not safe. I learned that this problem is very common. I feel that Nissan should have replaced the radiator before thousands in transmission damage occurred.
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.
Transmission failure due to coolant in trans oil contaminating trans components. Total trans rebuild/replace radiator and trans cooler. 130k miles on vehicle - low miles for a 2008 frontier. The vehicle shuddered, hesitated, would not pick up speed as it should, was having difficulty shifting thru gears as it transitioned from stop to moving, typically around 30-40 MPH under load (accelerating). We have since found out this is a known problem. Expensive repair!
Driving on street truck began to shake and vibrate I loss power and car couldn't shift into gear it seemed I pulled over and stopped and shut off. Car I started it began to drive and it wudnt go over 30mph I stopped and noticed leaking under the truck towards the engine and when I pressed on gas it wouldn't go still so I stopped and got towed
First long trip since I bought the used truck, a trip to oakridge, 90 mile round trip from home. The truck made it back to our driveway, then when I put on the break for my husband to get out, it would not move and all the dash lights came on. I couldn't budge the truck. It was locked up. Couldn't move the stick. The engine quit. Forced it into park and tried to restart, but not a sound. The neighbor came over with his code reader. It said p1000. Battery checked good, got a new one anyway because its age. Grounds were good, but cleaned anyway. Had it towed to dealer. They put a new transmission in.
The antifreeze and transmission fluid got mixed together in my truck and I am now told that the manufacturer knew that the truck would at least give me 100,000 miles before that would actually happen.
Radiator that controls the transmission coolant let go causing the transmission coolant to mix with the engine coolant. I had the transmission repaired at new river nissan back in 2018. Before I had nissan repair it I had taken it to a transmission shop where it was flushed out and a small radiator added to the truck because of the radiator going bad . The truck had less than 80,000 miles on it and less than a 9 years. As the recall was added to that after all the problems from the radiator. I fill like I should be reimbursed for everything that I paid out which was about 3500.00 total. But now it's still mixing coolant after being serviced by a nissan dealer.
I was driving my vehicle in a parking lot, but it seemed like it wasn't getting power. So, I shut it off and when I tried starting it again the fans and lights came on but nothing else. I took it to firestone and they said it was the starter. They replaced the starter and that didn't fix the problem. They changed the atecu fuse. It started and ran for three minutes and then died again. Then I took it to an electrical shop. They couldn't find anything wrong. Then I took it to the nissan dealer and they said it was the brain ECM. They fixed that and it still wouldn't start the car. Then they said it was the ecu and transmission. They said the transmission was no good due to cross contamination (radiator fluid into the transmission). This is a nissan defective radiator and they charged $5500 for a mistake that wasn't my fault.
I was driving my vehicle but it seem like it wasn't getting power. I shut it off and then it would not start. Add the starter replaced still and start the ate up fuse was blown.ticket to electrical shop they could not find anything wrong with it. Took it to the dealer they said it was the brain ecu and then they said that it was the brain and the transmission and the transmission was no good cost $5500 to fix
Questions about the 2008 Nissan Frontier transmission
Does the 2008 Nissan Frontier have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 54 complaints about the transmission of the 2008 Nissan Frontier, 40% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Frontier transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 96,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Nissan Frontier transmission?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
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).
Other 2008 Nissan Frontier problems
Engine 35Airbags 21Fuel system 16Electrical 13Brakes 12Driver assistance 4Seat belts 4Steering 4Suspension 4Body 3Acceleration 2Lights 2Seats 2Locks 1Tires 1Wheels 1
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