NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Nissan Frontier Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2008 Nissan Frontier has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 136 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Nissan dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Nissan Frontier, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2008 Nissan Frontier owner complaints

Owners have filed 136 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Nissan Frontier, describing incidents dated February 1, 2008 to July 1, 2024.

Most-cited components

  • Power Train 54 complaints
  • Engine 35 complaints
  • Air Bags 21 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 16 complaints
  • Electrical System 13 complaints
  • Service Brakes 12 complaints

Of the 136 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 136 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11622555 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11581535 · Filed

    Saw that there was an airbag item recall (NHTSA 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.

  • ODI #11568461 · Filed

    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…

Read all 136 complaints

Owner-reported

2008 Nissan Frontier mileage at failure

108 of the 136 complaints on file for the 2008 Nissan Frontier give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Power TrainMedian 95,000 milesMiddle half 80,000–135,000 milesBased on 45 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Nissan Frontier in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Driver's Side Air Bag Cover Emblem May Detach

NHTSA #23V067000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported February 10, 2023 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 404,690 vehicles

Repair completion: 16.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Nissan campaign PC944, PC945, PC946 · Owners notified December 8, 2023

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the driver’s 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

PORTABLE AUTOMOTIVE GPS PRODUCTS/OVERHEATS

NHTSA #10V401000 · Equipment — Electrical — Navigational System(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) · NHTSA notice

Reported September 10, 2010 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 7,948 vehicles

Owners notified September 16, 2010

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

LOWER LINK REPLACEMENT PARTS

NHTSA #10E019000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Arm · NHTSA notice

Reported May 20, 2010 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 1,873 vehicles

Owners notified July 12, 2010

Defect description

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

Safety consequence

IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FUEL TANK SHELLS

NHTSA #10V075000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Auxillary Tank · NHTSA notice

Reported March 3, 2010 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 80,689 vehicles

Owners notified March 22, 2010 · Vehicles built October 24, 2007 – January 28, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR HOUSING/ROAD SALT

NHTSA #08V690000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported December 29, 2008 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 242,720 vehicles

Owners notified January 26, 2009 · Vehicles built June 1, 2004 – November 19, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 110/INCORRECT TIRE PLACARD

NHTSA #08V045000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported January 25, 2008 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 5,523 vehicles

Nissan campaign R0802 · Owners notified February 25, 2008 · Vehicles built August 20, 2007 – November 29, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES REQUIREMENTS FOR TIRE SELECTION TO PREVENT OVERLOADING.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

NISSAN REALL NO. R0802.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Other Nissan Frontier model years

Check your 2008 Nissan Frontier VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Nissan Frontier at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Nissan VIN