DecodedCars2008 Nissan Frontier
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Body styles
- Crew Cab 4x2 Se, Crew Cab 4X4 Le/Nismo, King Cab 4X4 Se/Le/Nismo, King Cab S/Box 4x2 Se/Le
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 19 city / 23 hwy
- Length
- 205.5–205.9 in
- Curb weight
- 3,695–4,438 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 9 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Nissan Frontier is a small pickup truck offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 4.0L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 206 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 126-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,244 lb (Crew Cab 4x2 Se).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 23 highway), 11% better than the 2008 small pickup truck average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2008
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Frontier — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Frontier →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Cab 4x2 Se | 205.9 in | 72.8 in | 70.1 in | 125.6 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,244 lb | 57/43 |
| Crew Cab 4X4 Le/Nismo | 205.9 in | 72.8 in | 70.1 in | 125.6 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,438 lb | 57/43 |
| King Cab 4X4 Se/Le/Nismo | 205.5 in | 72.8 in | 69.7 in | 126 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,326 lb | 57/43 |
| King Cab S/Box 4x2 Se/Le | 205.5 in | 72.8 in | 69.7 in | 126 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,158 lb | 57/43 |
| King Cab S/Box 4x2 Xe | 205.5 in | 62.2 in | 68.5 in | 126 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,695 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 23 / 21 | +11% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Frontier 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | +1% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Frontier 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | -10% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Frontier 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 17 | -10% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Frontier 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | 0% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Frontier 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -6% | $4,200 | 555 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Nissan Frontier under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 small pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Nissan Frontier (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Ford F-150 | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Toyota Tacoma | 22 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2008 Chevrolet Colorado | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 GMC Canyon | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Honda Ridgeline | 17 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2008 Mazda B Pickup | 23 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (3)
Air Bags › Frontal · Feb 10, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V067000 · 404,690 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the driverÂs 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.
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) · Sep 10, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V401000 · 7,948 vehicles
- Problem
- NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
- Risk
- OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Fix
- NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank · Mar 3, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V075000 · 80,689 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.
- Risk
- THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Not every 2008 Nissan Frontier is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Nissan Frontier buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 36 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine — 18 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 15 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 98,800 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Frontier. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Frontier years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Frontier | 21 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 1 | 11 |
| 2025 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 3 | 9 |
| 2024 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 3 | 22 |
| 2023 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 1 | 66 |
| 2022 Frontier | 20 | 224 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 112 |
| 2021 Frontier | 20 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 20 |
| 2020 Frontier | 20 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 23 |
| 2019 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 28 |
| 2018 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 25 |
| 2017 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 38 |
| 2016 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 44 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →