CarComplaints.com Notes: While the 2008 has fewer reports of coolant leaking into and killing the transmission than years past, the problem still exists. And for that reason alone, this SUV is not worth your time.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
111,600 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Nissan Xterra engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Nissan Xterra Owner Comments

problem #6

Feb 112014

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 157,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Without warning the transmission failed and car was smoking (overheated) due to a radiator leak into the transmission. I was nearly killed on the james river bridge. I bought the car brand new and have kept the maintenance schedule.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #5

Dec 092013

Xterra

  • 112,098 miles
While driving through the intersection, my vehicle suddenly lost power causing me to get rear ended. Very minimal damage to my vehicle but my daughter was in the car with me. Upon further inspection at a shop it was concluded that the cause of the loss of power was due to a failure in the teams fluid cooler causing radiator fluid to enter the transmission.

- Ewa Beach, HI, USA

problem #4

Apr 112013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
Smelling radiator fluid and now the transmission is not working correctly.

- Windsor, PA, USA

problem #3

Apr 242013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 108,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Nissan Xterra is a victim of the manufacturing defect where the coolant in the radiator mixes with the automatic transmission fluid, due to a leak in the transmission cooler, causing complete transmission failure. My transmission slips and driving is erratic, causing unsafe driving conditions. The repair is quoted at $6,000 dollars and is not considered a recall item. Nissan has extended coverage on vehicles up to 100,00 miles only, but this is starting to happen to newer vehicles over 100,00 miles. A radiator replacement would have prevented this problem. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed soon!

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #2

Feb 092011

Xterra

  • 96,500 miles
The cooling system is contaminated w/oily substance, transmission fluid. Trans. Is making loud noises, jumps out of gear @ hwy speeds, drive train making a 'rumbly' grinding sound, car dangerously pulls down very quickly to much lower speed when pressure released from accelerator.

- Stephens City, VA, USA

problem #1

Sep 012011

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
I have an 08 Nissan Xterra the vdc/slip/engine/tire pressure/ and air bag lights are on. The engine seems to be stalling at take off. The fuel indicator is no longer working and had made attempts to get this fixed and the dealership said it wasn't on my vehicle. I don't think the Nissan dealership is handling their responsibility to fix these vehicle. There is so much going wrong with my vehicle for it to be three years old. The engine stalling seems to be at low speeds and is potentially the most dangerous.

- Chatsworth, GA, USA

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