2008 Nissan Frontier problems
Owners have filed 187 complaints about the 2008 Nissan Frontier with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 28.9% of them — the clear leader, ahead of engine at 13.9%.
Complaints187
Crashes2
Fires4
Injuries5
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 28.9% · 54
Engine 13.9% · 26
Air bags 11.2% · 21
Fuel/propulsion system 7.0% · 13
Electrical system 7.0% · 13
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.9% · 11
Engine and engine cooling 4.8% · 9
Unknown or other 2.7% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 2 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire and 5 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the Nissan Frontier in this data, 2008 sits 6th by complaint volume. 2006 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 17 in the last three years against 24 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 87,174 miles.
In owners' own words
Starting having problems with transmission it started popping as I would back up , so I thought it was the drive shaft. I took it to a garage and they found that the radiator cooling system had let go letting the cooling and transmission mix. I don't understand why there wasn't a recall on this if Nissan new about it. It started to slip a couple of times as I went to pull out and that's when I took it to garage. Power train · reported at 81,000 miles
I have the well documented problem with the radiator coolant entering and damaging the transmission. I am having it repaired a Nissan dealership. I will have to pay over 3200.00!. There was a settlement agreement that is ridiculous!. The problem does not even occur until over 80000 miles when Nissan will not cover anything. There are hundreds if not thousands of complaints. Power train · reported at 92,000 miles
Noticed shaking in passenger side front tire. Took to transmission shop after doing thousands of dollars of worked to the front end. To find out that the radiator and transmission were mixing fluid. Shop told me transmission it is done and must be rebuilt and radiator must be rebuilt. Been told this is a common problem with the Frontier. Power train · reported at 135,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…