Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2008 Nissan TitanRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 133 owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Titan. Most complaints involve power train (29) and engine (18). The EPA rates it 14 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Feb 2023
Owner complaints
133
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$4,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 10, 2023NHTSA 23V067000

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

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 FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. 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.

SuspensionReported May 20, 2010NHTSA 10E019000

Fuel system

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56 VEHICLES. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE MAY INACCURATELY DISPLAY THAT THE VEHICLE STILL HAS SOME FUEL, TYPICALLY ABOUT ONE QUARTER TANK, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.

Fuel system, otherReported Mar 3, 2010NHTSA 10V074000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

133 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2008 – May 2026
  1. Power train29
  2. Engine18
  3. Air bags14
  4. Suspension13
  5. Engine and engine cooling12
  6. Electrical system12
  7. Structure10
  8. Fuel/propulsion system8
  9. Service brakes7

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 Titan model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20041,046
2005891
2006430
2007139
2008133
200947
201046
201126
201222
201311
201410
201510
2017172
201890
201949
202023
202158
202214
202319
202415
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

29 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN TITAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT SIMILAR VEHICLES WERE SUBJECTED TO A RECALL HOWEVER, THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. PALMETTO57 NISSAN LOCATED AT 16725 NW 57TH AVE, MIAMI GARDENS, FL 33055, (305) 521-8297, WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2020Power train, EngineODI 11319336

Engine

18 reports1 crash
“The exhaust manifolds on the driver and passenger side are cracked. Ticking sounds are made while car is cold and goes away after they have heated up enough, typically after 5 minutes. This results in letting in exhaust fumes inside the cabin, regardless of the air conditioner/heater is on, which leads to being lightheaded and nearly passing out and crashing. The fumes are stronger when stationary but happens no matter what, even after the ticking is gone and driving down the highway.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2025EngineODI 11660503

Air bags

14 reports6 crashes
“In a low speed wreck (15mph or less) the air bag deployed sending the metal clip, holding the plastic Nissan emblem at the center of the steering wheel, flying. Hitting me right next to my eye at a very high rate of speed. Causing trauma to my eye and surrounding tissue. Missing my eye by less than an inch. If I would have been looking straight ahead instead of slightly to the right where the collision was, I would have lost my eye. How did this manufacturer allowed a piece of metal be installed in front of the air bag is mind boggling. Air bags deploy at speeds of 200mph, launching anything in front of them at that speed. I was very lucky, I hope this agency can warn everyone who owns a Nissan vehicle with this design of a metal clip holding the emblem at the center of the steering wheel. I have photos of the emblem, clip, steering wheel, air bag, and my injury showing exactly how/where the clip hit me by the cuts it left on my face in the shape of the clip. I tried to upload photos but received an error from the website. If you could contact me I would like to send you the photos. They prove without a doubt the facts started above. [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 9, 2022Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11446772
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
5.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Titan 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121714$4,450635
Titan 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L, RNG390/520 · Rear-Wheel Drive
121714$4,450635
Titan 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$4,450635
Titan 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L, RNG390/520 · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$4,450635
  • Titan 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Titan 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L, RNG390/520
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Titan 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Titan 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.6 L, RNG390/520
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Nissan Titan as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 2672Vehicle 2671
07 —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.
09 —FAQ

2008 Titan questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Titan have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 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 Titan problems?

Owners filed 133 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (29), engine (18), air bags (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Nissan Titan get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Nissan Titan at 14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026