2008 Nissan Xterra: common problems and reliability

The 2008 Nissan Xterra has 119 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and air bags. Owners most often flag "strawberry milkshake of death" (smod) radiator failure (2005-2010 automatics) — radiator internal failure mixes coolant and transmission fluid, leading to automatic transmission destruction. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2008 model year

119
Owner complaints
8
Recalls
9
Crash reports
3
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2008 Nissan Xterra vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

power train
47
air bags
23
engine
23
service brakes
13
electrical system
11

Recalls affecting the 2008 Xterra

suspension:front:control arm:lower arm

Campaign 10E019000

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 A…

fuel system, gasoline:storage:auxillary tank

Campaign 10V075000

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…

equipment:other:labels

Campaign 08V045000

NISSAN IS RECALLING 5,523 MY 2008 TITAN, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.' THE TIRE PLA…

air bags:frontal

Campaign 08V690000

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…

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is strongly bifurcated by generation and specific model years. The first-generation (2000-2004) and second-generation (2005-2015) Xterra are widely regarded as rugged, durable, and capable body-on-frame SUVs, often described as "tanks" and "well-buil

  • "Strawberry Milkshake of Death" (SMOD) Radiator Failure (2005-2010 Automatics) — Radiator internal failure mixes coolant and transmission fluid, leading to automatic transmission destruction. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Timing Chain Guide/Tensioner Failure (2005-2010) — Plastic guides wear out, causing chain slack, potential timing jump, and catastrophic engine interference failure. Typically occurs around 60k-80k miles (97k-129k km). Frequency: recurrent.
  • Automatic Transmission Issues (First & Second Gen) — Rough shifts between 1st and 2nd gear, transmission failure, and general reliability concerns. Often linked to SMOD or age. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Rust on Body "Dog Legs" and Frame — Specifically noted on older models from northern climates, where road grime accumulates. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Starter Motor Failures — Repeated starter replacements reported across multiple model years (2000, 2004, 2015), suggesting a common point of failure. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Xterra.

Typical used price

Used Xterra listings typically run $8,718–$14,780 across 2000 to 2015 model years.

Other Xterra model years

2005 Xterra2002 Xterra2000 Xterra

Compare the Xterra against its rivals

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