Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 Nissan Frontier problems
Owners filed 136 complaints about the 2008 Nissan Frontier with NHTSA between Feb 2008 and Oct 2024. The most-cited component is power train (54).
Complaints
136
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train54
- Engine26
- Air bags21
- Fuel/propulsion system13
- Electrical system13
- Service brakes, hydraulic10
- Engine and engine cooling9
- Steering4
- Suspension4
- Seat belts4
- Electronic stability control (esc)3
- Fuel system, gasoline3
- Structure3
- Seats2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
5
4
8
5
8
8
19
16
14
11
10
9
5
1
4
6
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 19 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
54 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at speeds over 40 MPH, the vehicle would shake and vibrate. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the radiator fluid had leaked into the transmission causing severe damage to the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 86,000.”
Engine
26 reports1 fire
“Transmission fluid cooler integrated in the radiator that allowed engine coolant to mix with and contaminate the automatic transmission fluid causing damage to the transmission. Radiator had to be replaced along with flushing out of the trans fluid at a service station costing a few thousand of dollars. Months later the check engine light went on and found out that the transmission is slipping caused by the fluid contamination.”
Air bags
21 reports2 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“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.”
Fuel/propulsion system
13 reports
“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 symptoms as the fuel gauge shows 1/4 tank but really there is no gas. Other than this the fuel gauge works, when filled with gas it shows full on the gauge, but upon reaching the 1/4 tank level the gauge stops moving and does not indicate low fuel leaving me to believe there is gas when in fact there is not.”
Electrical system
13 reports1 fire
“I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE BUT IT SEEM LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING POWER. I SHUT IT OFF AND THEN IT WOULD NOT START. ADD THE STARTER REPLACED STILL AND START THE ATE UP FUSE WAS BLOWN.TICKET TO ELECTRICAL SHOP THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS THE BRAIN ECU AND THEN THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE BRAIN AND THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS NO GOOD COST $5500 TO FIX”
Service brakes, hydraulic
10 reports
“the calipers in this kit have seized and been replaced (fronts 7/22,rears3/23) the front calipers have seized again 8/23. there is something wrong with these calipers and a potential for crash/injury situation, as a break components this reliability is unacceptable and potential dangerous. I feel this should be investigated before someone dies due to this/these products.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.