2008 Nissan Xterra Reliability
The 2008 Nissan Xterra has 119 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and air bags. Compared with nearby Xterra model years (2006–2010), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Xterra's typical year, while the 2009 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
119
NHTSA owner complaints
8
Recall campaigns
9
Complaints citing a crash
3
Complaints citing a fire
2008 Nissan Xterra complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 model year, filed between 2008 and 2025. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 47 | 39% |
| Air bags | 23 | 19% |
| Engine | 23 | 19% |
| Service brakes | 13 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 9% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 9 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 9 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 7% |
2008 Nissan Xterra recalls
8 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2008 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07V528000 | Nov 16, 2007 | Service brakes — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip / control unit/module | On certain sport utility vehicles, the antilock brake system/vehicle dynamic control (abs/vdc) actuator is designed with one ball in the valve section. Some abs/vdc actuators were manufactured with more than one ball in the valve. |
| 07E105000 | Dec 13, 2007 | Service brakes — antilock / control unit/module | Certain continental automotive abs and esc control modules sold for installation on the vehicles listed above. Some of the hydraulic valves in the esc module were built with extra check balls. |
| 08V045000 | Jan 25, 2008 | Equipment — other / labels | 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… |
| 08V690000 | Dec 29, 2008 | Air bags — frontal | 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… |
| 10V075000 | Mar 3, 2010 | Fuel system — storage / auxillary tank | 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… |
| 10E019000 | May 20, 2010 | Suspension — front / control arm / lower arm | 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… |
| 10V401000 | Sep 10, 2010 | Equipment — electrical / navigational system(global positioning system) | 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. |
| 23V067000 | Feb 10, 2023 | Air bags — frontal | 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. |
How the 2008 compares with nearby Xterra years
Verdicts compare these Xterra model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 780 | 5 | Fuel system | Avoid |
| 2007 | 557 | 2 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2008 (this page) | 119 | 8 | Powertrain / transmission | Caution |
| 2009 | 19 | 5 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2010 | 38 | 6 | Air bags | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2008 Nissan Xterra
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 8 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2008 Nissan Xterra can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2008 Nissan Xterra reliability FAQ
Is the 2008 Nissan Xterra reliable?
The 2008 Nissan Xterra has 119 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and air bags. Compared with nearby Xterra model years (2006–2010), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Xterra's typical year, while the 2009 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2008 Nissan Xterra problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Xterra are powertrain / transmission (47), air bags (23), engine (23), service brakes (13). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2008 Nissan Xterra have recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2008 Nissan Xterra, including 07V528000 (service brakes — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip / control unit/module) and 07E105000 (service brakes — antilock / control unit/module). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2008 Nissan Xterra compare with the 2007 and 2009 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2007 has 557 complaints and 2 recalls (avoid); the 2009 has 19 complaints and 5 recalls (solid). The 2008 has 119 complaints and 8 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2008 Nissan Xterra?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Nissan Xterra research
Other Nissan Xterra model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2008 Xterra, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.