CarComplaints.com Notes: While the 2008 has fewer reports of coolant leaking into and killing the transmission than years past, the problem still exists. And for that reason alone, this SUV is not worth your time.
2008 Nissan Xterra Offroad under 45,000 miles, bought new, garage kept, serviced according to service manual recommendations, no check engine lights ever, never wrecked, always kept clean.
While driving on the interstate car suddenly slowed down and check engine light came on. Car was towed to our home due to financial issues. Vehicle was towed to dealer and paid to have it diagnosed. Service tech stated an aftermarket mass airflow sensor caused catalytic convertor failure. Dealer wanted another $3,500 to replace exhaust manifolds, front and rear catalytic convertors before continuing diagnosis.
Issue number one, the mass airflow sensor was never replaced as the vehicle only had less than 45,000 miles on it. Issue number two, the check engine light was never on and there was no warning that anything was wrong until the incident happened. Issue three, found that Nissan knew of an issue with catalytic convertor failures causing engine damage. Had vehicle towed to an SAE certified mechanic to investigate more and found that the catalytic converter failure had in fact caused engine damage. Found out that Federal law makes vehicle manufacturers to warranty catalytic convertors for 8 years or 80,000 miles. Unfortunately the vehicle was 8 years and a month old at the time of the failure diagnosis.
Vehicle now parked and searching for a used engine and hoping it doesn't have the same issue as I can't afford to replace engine, catalytic convertors, and pay for labor to do the work. Nissan has had a lot of issues with these engines, catalytic convertors, and other engines destroyed by the catalytic convertor failures and have not had any recalls to prevent these costly and dangerous failures, and I for one wouldn't buy or recommend a Nissan to anyone!!!!!!
Update from Mar 27, 2018: I have been researching this further and perhaps a timing chain issue caused the timing to be off and caused the catalytic failure which caused the engine damage to my vehicle. A mechanic friend of mine suggested this theory to me and it sounds like it could be a possibility.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008 Nissan Xterra Offroad under 45,000 miles, bought new, garage kept, serviced according to service manual recommendations, no check engine lights ever, never wrecked, always kept clean.
While driving on the interstate car suddenly slowed down and check engine light came on. Car was towed to our home due to financial issues. Vehicle was towed to dealer and paid to have it diagnosed. Service tech stated an aftermarket mass airflow sensor caused catalytic convertor failure. Dealer wanted another $3,500 to replace exhaust manifolds, front and rear catalytic convertors before continuing diagnosis.
Issue number one, the mass airflow sensor was never replaced as the vehicle only had less than 45,000 miles on it. Issue number two, the check engine light was never on and there was no warning that anything was wrong until the incident happened. Issue three, found that Nissan knew of an issue with catalytic convertor failures causing engine damage. Had vehicle towed to an SAE certified mechanic to investigate more and found that the catalytic converter failure had in fact caused engine damage. Found out that Federal law makes vehicle manufacturers to warranty catalytic convertors for 8 years or 80,000 miles. Unfortunately the vehicle was 8 years and a month old at the time of the failure diagnosis.
Vehicle now parked and searching for a used engine and hoping it doesn't have the same issue as I can't afford to replace engine, catalytic convertors, and pay for labor to do the work. Nissan has had a lot of issues with these engines, catalytic convertors, and other engines destroyed by the catalytic convertor failures and have not had any recalls to prevent these costly and dangerous failures, and I for one wouldn't buy or recommend a Nissan to anyone!!!!!!
Update from Mar 27, 2018: I have been researching this further and perhaps a timing chain issue caused the timing to be off and caused the catalytic failure which caused the engine damage to my vehicle. A mechanic friend of mine suggested this theory to me and it sounds like it could be a possibility.
- Tony H., Burlington, KY, US