Is the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder a bad year?
328 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 155, 16× a quiet Pathfinder year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder were filed between 97k and 138k miles. You're at 113,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 Pathfinder owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 113,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 155 (47%) | 97k–138k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 79 (24%) | 96k–139k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 41 (13%) | 79k–145k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 21 (6%) | 55k–119k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 10 (3%) | 90k–135k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 81 (25%) | 66k–110k miles · mostly behind | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 113,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 328 complaints: 9 mention a crash · 4 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jan 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Recall investigation #DP12004 : transmission control module failed during motion, causing my Nissan pathfinder to stall and completely turn off in the middle of the road while driving in heavy traffic.
My 2008 Nissan pathfinder has a radiator that failed causing engine coolant to mix with the automatic transmission fluid thus causing a total failure of my transmission.
Car would not accelerate from a stop it was as if it was not shifting to first gear from a stop. Also while driving the car would begin to shudder violently and would not stop until the vehicle came to a complete stop.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 113,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder: 5
The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment. A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
The batteries contained in the affected GPS units can overheat. Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
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. If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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. This could cause the vehicle to run out of gas and stall in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 59
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
DTC P0456 caused by EVAP leak at vent control valve o-ring
Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies and replacement control valves…
When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues…
Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Transmission Failures
Neighbouring years
2007 Pathfinder: 561 complaints, consider selling · 2009 Pathfinder: 37 complaints, keep it.
Every Nissan Pathfinder year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Pathfinder years side by side
Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Altima · Nissan Armada · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Maxima · Nissan Murano · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note · Nissan Xterra. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder a bad year?
328 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 155, 16× a quiet Pathfinder year. At 113,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder were filed between 97k and 138k miles. You're at 113,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (155), engine (79), air bags (41), electrical system (21), speed control (10). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 97k–138k miles.
How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 23V-067), Equipment (NHTSA 10V-401), Suspension (NHTSA 10E019000), Fuel system (NHTSA 10V-075) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.