The Lemon Index
200720092nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: fuel system, gasoline
Better years to buy
25 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Jeep Wrangler 6842008 Toyota 4Runner 612008 Toyota FJ Cruiser 179
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2008 Nissan Xterra
- Transmission failure11 complaintsmostly at 98,000–135,000 miles (158,000–217,000 km)
- Engine stalling10 complaintsmostly at 58,000–100,000 miles (94,000–161,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 119 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Nissan Xterra (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 12,000 and 45,000 miles (19,000–72,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 25 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 23V067000 (airbags), 10V401000 (equipment) and 10E019000 (suspension) done? It has 8 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Nissan sent dealers 93 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Nissan's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 25 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 11K to 45K miles (19K to 72K km) on the car (25 of all 25 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Both side curtain airbags deployed and driver and front passenger seatbelts locked up. Vehicle was traveling over a gravel road. It was loaded up but not heavily weighted. Speed was about 5mph.
2008 Nissan Xterra owner · NHTSA complaint 10267918
More owner reports
I believe that my airbag deployed on it's own for no apparent reason resulting in knocking me unconscious thereby causing an accident.
NHTSA complaint 10280920
Fuel sending unit failure high level sensor high current.
NHTSA complaint 10355921
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 93 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay
- SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)…
- SERVICE INFORMATION DTC B2190 (NATS ANTENNA AMP) can be stored for the following reasons: 1
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 8
- Airbags · recall issued 2023
The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM.
- Suspension · recall issued 2010
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 A…
Show all 8 recalls
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES.
- Airbags · recall issued 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS…
- Equipment · recall issued 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 5,523 MY 2008 TITAN, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.' THE TIRE PLA…
- Service brakes, air · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE ABS AND ESC CONTROL MODULES SOLD FOR INSTALLATION ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Brakes · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM/VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (ABS/VDC) ACTUATOR IS DESIGNED WITH ONE BALL IN THE VALVE SECTION.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedTransmission failures2012–2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl.
Every Nissan Xterra year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-xterra/?y=2008" title="Nissan Xterra reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/nissan-xterra/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Nissan Xterra reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Nissan Xterra reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 75; 100 is average, lower is better). The Nissan Xterra year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2008 Nissan Xterra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (28%), airbags (28%) and electrical (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Xterra have?
8 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Nissan Xterra get?
16 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Xterra problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 12,000 and 45,000 miles (19,000–72,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 25 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Nissan Xterra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Nissan Xterra cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Nissan Xterra have?
4.0L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Xterra year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works