2008 Nissan Frontier Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 54about this part
- Share
- 40%of 136 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Nissan Frontier, 40% of the 136 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving on street truck began to shake and vibrate I loss power and car couldn't shift into gear it seemed I pulled over and stopped and shut off. Car I started it began to drive and it wudnt go over 30mph I stopped and noticed leaking under the truck towards the engine and when I pressed on gas it wouldn't go still so I stopped and got towed”
NHTSA complaint #11348447, filed 2020-08, 180,000 miles“I was driving my vehicle but it seem like it wasn't getting power. I shut it off and then it would not start. Add the starter replaced still and start the ate up fuse was blown.ticket to electrical shop they could not find anything wrong with it. Took it to the dealer they said it was the brain ecu and then they said that it was the brain and the transmission and the transmission was no good cost $5500 to fix”
NHTSA complaint #11268165, filed 2019-10, 136,911 miles“Starting having problems with transmission it started popping as I would back up , so I thought it was the drive shaft. I took it to a garage and they found that the radiator cooling system had let go letting the cooling and transmission mix. I don't understand why there wasn't a recall on this if Nissan new about it. It started to slip a couple of times as I went to pull out and that's when I took it to garage.”
NHTSA complaint #11075406, filed 2018-02, 81,000 miles“Purchased this vehicle in jan of 2017 as a used truck. Had less than 2 mos. The transmission has failed. As we took it to our mechanic for repair, we discovered Nissan has had this issue on several of their models. The radiator fluid had leaked into the transmission and ruined the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10959928, filed 2017-03, 87,263 miles“I have the well documented problem with the radiator coolant entering and damaging the transmission. I am having it repaired a Nissan dealership. I will have to pay over 3200.00!. There was a settlement agreement that is ridiculous!. The problem does not even occur until over 80000 miles when Nissan will not cover anything. There are hundreds if not thousands of complaints.”
NHTSA complaint #10584460, filed 2014-04, 92,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10192821May 10, 2016SERVICE INFORMATION Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies and replacement control valves (valve bodies) now come with blank Transmission…
- 10192691Nov 30, 2015IF YOU CONFIRM: A remanufactured automatic transmission supplied by ATC Drivetrain is installed in an APPLIED VEHICLE AND CONSULT-III plus (C-III plus) is not able to communicate…
- 10192524Feb 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when…
- 10192474Nov 20, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the…
- 10192051Oct 12, 2012Nissan has decided in the interest of customer satisfaction, to further extend the warranty for the Radiator Assembly on all 2005-10 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra vehicles…
- 10043950Apr 10, 2012Nissan: ecm replacement procedures with consult iii plus. Applies to all 2004 and later (does not apply to leaf/ev) vehicles.
- 10024689Apr 28, 2008Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement. 2004 to current nissan vehicles.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 27% |
| 2025 | 2 | 20% |
| 2024 | 6 | 27% |
| 2023 | 13 | 20% |
| 2022 | 24 | 21% |
| 2021 | 5 | 25% |
| 2020 | 12 | 52% |
| 2019 | 7 | 25% |
| 2018 | 2 | 8% |
| 2017 | 6 | 16% |
| 2016 | 3 | 7% |
| 2015 | 5 | 15% |
| 2014 | 6 | 14% |
| 2013 | 6 | 13% |
| 2012 | 20 | 25% |
| 2011 | 9 | 14% |
| 2010 | 15 | 25% |
| 2009 | 8 | 22% |
| 2008 | 54 | 40% |
| 2007 | 222 | 43% |
| 2006 | 220 | 36% |
| 2005 | 262 | 49% |
| 2004 | 13 | 20% |
| 2003 | 7 | 9% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2001 | 8 | 6% |
| 2000 | 26 | 14% |
| 1999 | 12 | 15% |
| 1998 | 9 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2008 Nissan Frontier
26 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Nissan Frontier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology