2008 Nissan Pathfinder Fuel System Problems

81 owners have reported fuel & propulsion system problems with the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder to NHTSA — 25% of all 328 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 90,000 miles. That ranks #4 of 29 Pathfinder model years for fuel system complaints (a typical year has 8). One related recall has been issued.

81complaints
90ktypical miles
1related recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries

Which parts fail

  • Storage › Auxillary tank
    6
  • Delivery › Fuel pump
    1

Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    11%
  • 25k–50k
    811%
  • 50k–75k
    1420%
  • 75k–100k
    2028%
  • 100k–150k
    2434%
  • 150k+
    46%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Nissan Pathfinder owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

There was a recall concerning the fuel gauge not working correctly. The sensor in the tank needed replaced. Well my car had that recall fixed or so it says, but it is doing the same thing again. So are you gonna replace it again for no cost?

Jan 2025

While driving Thursday, February 14th, 2019, my check engine light came on. I pulled over in a nearby parking lot as soon as I could. At this point, I noticed that my fuel gauge had dropped from 1/4 tank down to empty. I used an odb2 scanner to check my error codes, and found an error code p0463 (fuel tank level sensor - voltage high). I immediately proceeded to a gas station, refueled, and cleared the engine code to see if it would reappear. It has not since reappeared. After some research, I found that this is a known issue for 2008 Nissan pathfinders, and that there is a recall associated with the issue. The NHTSA campaign id is 10V075000. I called Nissan's public number and a local dealership owned service center. Neither found any active recalls regarding my vehicle, and neither knew what a NHTSA campaign id number was. I asked to speak to the manager of the service center. …

97,000 miles · Feb 2019

I bought the Nissan Pathfinder brand new off the lot in late 2007. It only has 45 thousand miles on it. I've never had any problems with this vehicle until now. About 2 weeks ago I thought someone was stealing gas out of my vehicle, but thought it was nearly impossible because it's kept behind a locked fence . Saturday July 13th I had to fill up because of a storm. When I gas finished fueling it showed that I had an empty tank. I knew that was wrong so I decided to give Nissan a call at [phone]. I spoke to an agent and told him my problem, he gave me a case number and told me to call the nearest Nissan dealership closest to me . I called the Nissan dealership's service department and they told me that I would have to pay for any services I had done to my vehicle. . I don't agree . …

45,000 miles · Jul 2019

While driving on the highway in the fast lane at 85 MPH the car lost power completely. Luckily there were no other cars in my vicinity. Coasted over 2 lanes to breakdown lane just barely over the line. Gas gage read 1/4 tank so figured I still had gas. Tried to restart several times but car acted like it was out of gas. Called aaa for a tow truck and asked to bring gas just in case. Car started right up after mechanic put gas in tank. Although this issue is a recall1 Nissan will not repair for free. Say my VIN is not included in the recall and it will cost me $450. Recall summary:Nissan is recalling certain model year 2006 and model year 2008 frontier, xterra and Pathfinder vehicles. …

97,000 miles · Sep 2015

Fuel system, gauge not functioning. The fuel gauge randomly shows empty when not empty or even full, then shows random readings that do not accurately show fuel level. Just 2 days ago I showed 3/8 tank. Went to store then showed 5/8 after starting vehicle. Trying to manually track milage so I do not run out of gas since gauge is not working. Nissan contacted twice about recall/campaign# 10V075000. Was told my VIN is not included. I have researched the complaints on this website and out of 184, 43 are confirmed this issue not included in recall, additional 11 same complaint but unable to tell if included in recall. If accurate fuel reading was concern enough for recall 10V075000, how do an additional 43-54 complaints not cause additional vehicles to be included. This is 25% of all safety complaints on this vehicle on this web page. …

66,000 miles · Feb 2016

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. In addition, the fuel gauge displayed an incorrect reading. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a fuel sensor float arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, a couple of months after the repairs while driving 60 MPH, the brake warning light illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed and an abnormal noise emitted from the brake pedal as it depressed all the way to the floor, but failed to function. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was an intermittent brake failure and that the delta stroke sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who confirmed the failure and replaced the delta stroke sensor. …

95,000 miles · Feb 2016

My 2008 Pathfinder's check engine light came on while my fuel gauge is showing empty when I would fill up constantly, the mileage on the vehicle was approx. 105,000. I was informed that it was my fuel level sensor that needed replaced, Nissan north America informs me my VIN isn't covered in the NHTSA reference #10V075000 recall of the fuel level sensor that began March 2010, I purchased my vehicle used after the recall was initiated. Due to the fuel level sensor needing replaced ($600), I was not able to pass my emissions test in co ($25), and am not able to register my vehicle ($200). So if I have to pay for my own repairs I will have to replace a part that Nissan is aware has an issue, get a second emissions test and pay any late fees on top of my annual registration fee. …

105,000 miles · Mar 2014

After filling up the tank and getting back on the highway, I noticed my gas gauge was reading I had 1/4 tank and my tachometer was flashing dashes all the way across. I pulled off the highway and checked to see if my gas cap was on and it was. The vehicle was running fine so I continued on my way. Eventually, the gas gauge moved to the full position and my tachometer began to keep the miles to empty, but not accurately. Once I got home, I researched online and found a recall for my vehicle. Campaign id 10V075000. I've contacted Nissan 4 different times and no one is willing to help me with this matter. My vehicle's gas gauge will not go below 1/4 tank. I've already run out of gas twice because I forgot to keep track. Running out of gas on us hwy 275 south in rush hour traffic is not fun. I was lucky that I didn't cause an accident. What do I need to do to have my vehicle fixed?

107,000 miles · Jan 2015

The fuel level sensor is failing, causing erratic or inaccurate fuel gauge readings. The check engine light also illuminates. Nissan has recalled 2006 - 2008 vehicles for this fuel gauge issue. Recall announced: March 03 2010 NHTSA reference: #10V075000 number affected: 80,689 summary: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2006 and model year 2008 frontier, xterra and Pathfinder vehicles. The molded fuel tank shells can deform, causing the fuel sender float arm to contact an embossment molded into the tank shell causing the instrument panel fuel gauge to show that the vehicle has approximately one quarter tank when the fuel tank is empty. Consequence: this could cause the vehicle to run out of gas and stall in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash. This is a known defect to both Nissan and the NHTSA...and it should be repaired before there is a fatality in my family

108,000 miles · Oct 2015

Ive been having upteen amount of isssues with this car since I bought it. I bought the car back in 2015. With transmission and radiator problems. Those are fixed. It also has a fuel pump issue which there is a recall for!! My car reada empty at a quarter of a tank. Also my drive train. Wheel hubs etc. Ive replaced several times and still having issues with those. My sway bar and tire rods my front suspension sounds like and feels like its falling apart. My car dont accelerate like it should, when im braking going down hill the rpms go up to 3 or 4 rpms as im braking. Now I have my 3 yr old twin boys in the car with me and all I want is a safe vehicle for my kids and myself. Now the issues ive been having, there are recalls for but not for my vehicle 2008 Nissan Pathfinder!

135,000 miles · Jun 2018

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank

NHTSA recall 10V-075 · Mar 3, 2010 · 80,689 vehicles

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2006 and model year 2008 frontier, xterra and pathfinder vehicles. The molded fuel tank shells can deform, causing the fuel sender float arm to contact an embossment molded into the tank shell causing the instrument panel fuel gauge to show that the vehicle has approximately one quarter…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel level sending unit inside the fuel tank with a new one that has a modified float arm. This service will be performed free of charge.

Fuel System complaints in other Pathfinder years

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’24’25’261221012510288196276231119812312615111824452343
Fuel System complaints per model year, Nissan Pathfinder.

Frequently asked questions

How common are fuel system problems on the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder?

NHTSA has 81 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder, 25% of the model year's 328 complaints. The component named most often is storage › auxillary tank (6 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2008 Nissan Pathfinder fuel system problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-075 (auxillary tank, Mar 3, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Pathfinder fuel system problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.