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2008 Nissan 3 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 24 owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan 3 Series. Most complaints involve power train (21) and air bags (3).

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Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Oct 2008
Owner complaints
24
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).

Air bagsReported Oct 7, 2008NHTSA 08V521000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

24 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2008 – May 2019
  1. Power train21
  2. Air bags3
  3. Engine1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 3 Series model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19962
2003275
2004144
200583
200653
200773
200824
2009153
2010110
201140
201216
201317
201410
20153
20163
20175
20182
20191
20201
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

21 reports
“I WAS DRIVING MY 08 350Z (CURRENTLY HAS 70K MILES) ON THE HIGHWAY APPROX 60 MPH WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO DOWNSHIFT FOR MY EXIT. THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT DOWN AND STUCK WHEN I SHIFTED OUT OF 6TH AND THE CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO ANY GEAR. I MISSED THE EXIT AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED. TURNS OUT THE SLAVE CYLINDER THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED 20K MILES AGO UNDER RECALL HAD GONE BAD AGAIN! EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE IS THAT IN 68K MILES, I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE SLAVE REPLACED 2X, CLUTCH REPLACED 3X, FLYWHEEL RESURFACED 2X, FLYWHEEL REPLACED 1X, CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED 1X, MULTIPLE TRANS SERVICES, MULTIPLE TIMES BLEEDING THE CLUTCH. ALL WORK DONE AT DEALER USING OEM PARTS. THIS IS A KNOWN 350Z DEFECT AND NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPLACING THE CLUTCH SYSTEM W/ AN IMPROVED DESIGN BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 18, 2018Power trainODI 11096703

Air bags

3 reports
“SENSOR ON DASHBOARD LITE WON'T GO OUT, SHOWING AIRBAG DISABLED DUE CHILD IN SEAT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2019Air bagsODI 11206318

Engine

1 report
“CLUTCH STUCK TO FLOOR FROM SLAVE CYLINDER GOING OUT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 19, 2013Power train, EngineODI 10508810
All 2008 3 Series problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Nissan 3 Series as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 2680
05 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
07 —FAQ

2008 3 Series questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan 3 Series have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Nissan 3 Series problems?

Owners filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (21), air bags (3), engine (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026