2008 Nissan Xterra Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 7%of 119 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2008 Nissan Xterra, 7% of the 119 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving through the intersection, my vehicle suddenly lost power causing me to get rear ended. Very minimal damage to my vehicle but my daughter was in the car with me. Upon further inspection at a shop it was concluded that the cause of the loss of power was due to a failure in the teams fluid cooler causing radiator fluid to enter the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10555827, filed 2013-12, 112,098 miles“Without warning the transmission failed and car was smoking (overheated) due to a radiator leak into the transmission. I was nearly killed on the james river bridge. I bought the car brand new and have kept the maintenance schedule.”
NHTSA complaint #10563940, filed 2014-02, 157,000 miles“I have an 08 Nissan Xterra the vdc/slip/engine/tire pressure/ and air bag lights are on. The engine seems to be stalling at take off. The fuel indicator is no longer working and had made attempts to get this fixed and the dealership said it wasn't on my vehicle. I don't think the Nissan dealership is handling their responsibility to fix these vehicle. There is so much going wrong with my vehicle for it to be three years old. The engine stalling seems to be at low speeds and is potentially the most dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10428166, filed 2011-10, 100,000 miles“The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle decelerated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the shoulder and had the vehicle towed to his home. In addition, the check engine and 4wd warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic came to the contact's home and diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new transmission and radiator. The contact installed the radiator. The transmission was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 133,316.”
NHTSA complaint #11231088, filed 2019-07, 133,316 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10672427, filed 2015-01, 95,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10208946Feb 22, 2022CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10208953Feb 7, 2022DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10177211Jun 29, 2020DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10153007Jan 29, 2019NISSAN; DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin does NOT apply to LEAF vehicles and Titan XD vehicles with V8 diesel engine. This bulletin has…
- 10192591Jun 24, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION After ECM reprogramming, the Calibration Verification Number (CVN) needs to be automatically calculated prior to State emissions testing (also known as…
- 10033691May 10, 2010Nissan: engine coolant temperature sensor circuit range/performance is stored in the ecm and there are no other vehicle drivability symptoms.
- 10033710Apr 20, 2010Nissan: blower motor does not work. The blower motor for heater and air conditioner does not operate. There are signs of water intrusion in the blower motor.
- 10025010Jun 12, 20082008 maxima, pathfinder, xterra, frontier - dtc p0443.
- 10020595Jan 24, 2008Dtc for variable valve timing control function. All 1996-2007 nissan vehicles with variable valve timing, with engines vq35; qr25; qg18; ga16; vq40; vk56; mr 18; and mr29. *kb…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 8 | 7% |
| 2007 | 75 | 13% |
| 2006 | 106 | 14% |
| 2005 | 167 | 20% |
| 2004 | 6 | 7% |
| 2003 | 7 | 10% |
| 2002 | 24 | 15% |
| 2001 | 11 | 7% |
| 2000 | 33 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2008 Nissan Xterra
47 complaintsAir bags
23 complaintsEngine
23 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Nissan Xterra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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