Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Nissan Xterra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2008 Nissan XTerra. The contact's son was driving the vehicle at approximately 25 MPH when he hydroplaned on a wet road and crashed into a wall built along the side of the road. The contact stated that her son crashed into the wall head-on. The contact stated that the driver's side air bag had not deployed, and the passenger side air bag had. The contact's son had broken his left thumb and had an injury on his left leg below his knee that produced some nerve damage. The passenger had suffered four cracked ribs. Both driver and passenger were transported by ambulance to the emergency room. The police were on the scene and wrote a report. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact was informed by her insurance that the vehicle was a total loss. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available
Noticed shuddering at first, then a stumbling upon hitting gas 120000 miles took truck in and had ext. Cooler put on, flushed out tranny fluid, new radiator, new gaskets and filters in tranny $1,100.00 job. 1 month later service engine soon light came on and truck wouldn't start. TCM module in tranny started blowing fuse, truck smelled like it was burning up and wouldn't allow truck to start. 2,000.00 to replace module and secondary breach. Its not just in radiator, there is another breach problem that puts the transmission and coolant together. 2nd breach. Shop wont guarantee 2000.00 job, new transmission 5800.00. My beautiful truck left on a flatbed to salvage yard. Single mom of 4. Thanks Nissan, you suck. Also issues with airbag coil. 600.00 for that. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. While driving 20 MPH, the contact encountered black ice road conditions. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and attempted to regain control; however, the vehicle left the roadway, crashed into a ditch, and overturned. The contact stated that the vehicle landed on the driver's side. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained minor injuries and bruises to the hands; however, medical attention was not required. The vehicle was towed to an independent facility. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that a vehicle failed to yield at the red light and proceeded to crash into the contacts drivers door. The driver frontal air bag failed to deployed; however, the drivers frontal air bag light indicated that the air bag deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the left should, elbow, back and hip. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that the air bag warning light flashed and remained illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was to be inspected and diagnosed. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08V690000 (air bags). The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 163,000. Updated 05/24/16
Airbag light constantly blinking after turn on the vehicle and does not go off. Not sure if airbags installed are from Takata. At least, I review if there is any recall based on VIN # and there is no apparently recall in this unit. Very concerned due to the fact last years a main cable that connect the horn and other related components was installed.
Airbag light constantly blinking after turn on the vehicle and does not go off. Not sure if airbags installed are from Takata. At least, I review if there is any recall based on VIN # and there is no apparently recall in this unit. Very concerned due to the fact last years a main cable that connect the horn and other components was installed.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
Air bags › Frontal
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, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island,…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front czs with a redesigned sensor. The recall began on January 26, 2009. Owners in the other states will receive extended warranty coverage for the sensor to 10 years.
Airbag complaints in other Xterra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Nissan Xterra?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Nissan Xterra, 19% of the model year's 119 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Nissan Xterra airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-067 (frontal, Feb 10, 2023); NHTSA recall 08V-690 (frontal, Dec 29, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Xterra airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.