Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the contact shifted the vehicle into drive, and the vehicle unexpectedly went into reverse with no warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the instrument panel displayed that the gear shifter was in reverse while shifted into drive. The instrument panel also displayed that the gear shifter was in neutral while shifted into reverse. The contact stated that to prevent the vehicle from rolling away, the wheels were chocked, and parking brake was engaged. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.
Total transmission and radiator failure. a dealership "fixed" the coolant contamination problem when nissan offered the warrantied coverage for what's known as SMOD. all the dealership did was flush the transmission and radiator. they did not repair or replace any components even after being berated by my husband to do so and to do it under the covered warranty.($5k for tranny replacement that we couldn't afford) they claimed the flush had fixed the xterra. less than 3,000 miles later I was driving on the highway with my 2 children in the car and the vehicle just shut off. no warning lights or behaviors just shut off at 70+mph on the highway. while sitting broke down [pulled off highway edge as far as I could after vehicle died and before it coasted to a complete stop] we were then rear-ended and my 2 kids spent 2 days being monitored in a children's hospital. …
A leak developed in the radiator that allowed engine coolant into the automatic transmission and visa versa. Engine coolant in the automatic transmission can cause sudden failure of the transmission which could cause an accident. This is a known design flaw of Nissan transmissions. Nissan has refused to issue a recall and class actions have been successful, but are not extensive enough to cover all Nissan buyers. I have filed a complaint with Nissan and they offered zero help in covering repairs. They just say that it is out of warranty. I had my Xterra worked on at the dealer 18 months ago and they could have recommended a new part be installed to keep the transmission failure from occuring, but said nothing. …
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. …
driving and transfer case locked up sending me in to oncoming traffic and guardrail
Purchased a 2008 Nissan Xterra x VIN [redacted] mileage 77107 on June 6, 2015. After owning this vehicle for just over 2 years we had very bad experience my wife was doing her daily errands as she was returning home with our child in the back seat here vehicle began to accelerate and loose acceleration potentially causing her to be accident. When she returned home the vehicle wouldn't even turn over I had it towed to my mechanic and he informed me that this has a defective radiator cooler tank that ruptures and forces coolant into the transmission through the cooler lines and subsequently I was looking at over $3500 dollars in repairs. For a know problem reported Nissan has been aware of. Its very disheartening $3500 in repairs for a know problem it hurts in fact its affected even my surrounding family members, my mother is or was proud owner of Nissan altima 2015. …
I have an 08 Xterra and when I was driving it one day it felt like it was having a hard time getting up hills and almost felt like it wouldnt downshift. Then finally when at a light had to really gas it to get the car going. Limped the car to a family members house to let it sit until I figured out what was wrong with it. After research figured the car put itself into limp mode so I disconnected the battery to do a full reset on the computer. Was able to get it home 25 miles after reset. We have a spare/commuter car so I was able to let it sit in my garage for a few months while I tried to figure out what was wrong with it when I had time. Finally after narrowing it down to things that I had never done before, I decided to take it to Nissan. …
During a routine oil change at fort lauderdale Nissan I was told the radiator somehow cracked was leaking around the vehicle, but no more info was covered or discussed. As it was already in the shop who was to argue this, as I was told I wouldn't be able to drive the vehicle. I had driven the vehicle many mile since my prior service and not once had this vehicle overheated. A month later when I was getting tires I received an inspection at a different shop and their claim was my transmission fluid was very dirty and frothy and it needed changing, so I did this. Now, in 2017 after a few odd transmission issues that went unexplainable besides regular service, at 135,000 I have transmission failure and have learned why: due to faulty radiator leakage at one point. I wasn't informed of anything of this nature now I am paying for it. The total failure happened while driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. The contact received an unknown manufacturer recall notification. The vehicle was taken to bill robertson Nissan (928 n 28th ave, pasco, wa 99301, [phone]) where the contact was provided a rental. The contact then received a call from the dealer stating that the parts were not available for the recall repair and he needed to return the rental. Two weeks later, while driving, the transmission failed and the radiator overheated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle had to be repaired at a Nissan dealer rather than an independent mechanic. The contact was provided case number: 29163686. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed, the transmission hesitated to shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was transmission fluid in the radiator, and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure recurred and the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was unavailable.
NHTSA investigations
Transmission Failures
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject.
Transmission complaints in other Xterra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Nissan Xterra?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Nissan Xterra, 39% of the model year's 119 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Nissan Xterra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2008 Nissan Xterra, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Xterra transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.