CarBrief

NHTSA has 133 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Nissan Titan, and the biggest groups are power train and engine[1][2][3]. EPA rates it at 14 combined MPG[4].

133owner complaints[1]
5recalls[5]
14MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 133 owner complaints for the 2008 Titan[1]. Seven mention a crash, one a fire and eight an injury. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Power train[2] 29 63,297
Engine[3] 28 83,000
Air bags[6] 14 96,000
Suspension[7] 13 36,000
Electrical system[8] 12 75,000
Brakes[9] 12 56,000
Structure[10] 10 42,500
Fuel/propulsion system[11] 8 95,000

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for the four largest groups. It is too small to say how common anything is, but it shows what owners describe.

The other groups have 12 or fewer complaints each[8][9][10][11], so we do not call them common problems.

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for the 2008 Titan[5]. For each one, dealers replace the part or Nissan mails one. Three of them say the repair is free of charge[12][13][14]. Newest first:

Owners may contact Nissan about these recalls[15].

Fuel economy

EPA lists the same rating for every 2008 Titan configuration in our data. That covers 2WD and 4WD, and regular gasoline or gasoline and E85[4][17][18][19]. All have a 5.6L 8-cylinder engine and an Automatic 5-spd[4][17][18][19].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2008 Titan 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 21.2%[20]. That is the same for the 4 door and the 2 door versions[20][21].

Engine and size

The EPA entries list a 5.6L 8-cylinder engine[4]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada via NHTSA, converted to inches and pounds.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Crew Cab S/Box 4x4 LE[22] 222 in 79 in 77 in 141 in 5,135 lb
Crew Cab S/Box 4x4 SE[23] 222 in 79 in 77 in 141 in 5,201 lb
Crew Cab S/Box 4x4 XE[24] 222 in 79 in 77 in 141 in 5,324 lb
King Cab S/Box 2WD XE/SE[25] 222 in 79 in 75 in 140 in 4,786 lb
King Cab S/Box 4x4 LE[26] 222 in 79 in 77 in 141 in 5,262 lb

How 2008 compares with other Titan years

2004: 1,046 complaints, 5 recalls20042005: 891 complaints, 4 recalls2006: 430 complaints, 5 recalls20062007: 139 complaints, 1 recalls2008: 133 complaints, 5 recalls13320082009: 47 complaints, 3 recalls2010: 46 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 26 complaints, 1 recalls2012: 22 complaints, 2 recalls20122013: 11 complaints, 3 recalls2014: 10 complaints, 2 recalls20142015: 12 complaints, 1 recalls2017: 187 complaints, 3 recalls20172018: 90 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 49 complaints, 4 recalls20192020: 23 complaints, 5 recalls2021: 58 complaints, 5 recalls20212022: 13 complaints, 4 recalls2023: 18 complaints, 2 recalls20232024: 15 complaints, 2 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Titan model year. The 2008 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20041,0465
20058914
20064305
20071391
20081335
2009473
2010463
2011261
2012222
2013113
2014102
2015121
20171873
2018904
2019494
2020235
2021585
2022134
2023182
2024152

NHTSA's counts for each Titan model year[5]:

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold, so treat the comparison as rough.

Should you buy a used 2008 Titan?

The complaint count is lower than for the 2004 to 2006 years, but it is not the lowest in the Titan lineup[5]. The largest groups are power train and engine, and owners in our sample describe rear axle trouble and cracked exhaust manifolds[2][3]. Air bag complaints are fewer but carry the injuries[6]. Before you buy, ask the seller whether the five recall repairs were done and have a mechanic look at the rear axle and exhaust manifolds. At 14 combined MPG and $4,800 a year in estimated fuel cost, plan for fuel to be a large cost[4].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Nissan Titan?
Power train (29 complaints) and engine (28) are the largest NHTSA groups[2][3]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe rear axle trouble and cracked exhaust manifolds[2][3].
Has the 2008 Nissan Titan been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists five recalls, including an air bag cover emblem (23V067) and a brake pedal pivot pin (10V072)[15][13][5].
What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Nissan Titan?
EPA rates it at 12 city, 17 highway and 14 combined MPG[4].
How many complaints does the 2008 Titan have compared with other years?
It has 133 complaints[1]. Five listed years have more, including 2004 with 1,046[5].
What is the rollover rating of the 2008 Nissan Titan?
NHTSA gives it 3 stars, with a rollover risk of 21.2%[20][21].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 133 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Nissan Titan (7 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 29 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,297). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 28 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. EPA rating for Titan 2WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Titan model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. 14 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 13 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 12 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 12 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 10 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 8 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 10V074, filed March 3, 2010: Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 10V072, filed March 2, 2010: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 08V187, filed April 24, 2008: Seats. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 23V067, filed February 10, 2023: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 08V045, filed January 25, 2008: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for Titan 4WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Titan 2WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Titan 4WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/4WD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR RWD/4WD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TITAN CREW CAB S/BOX 4X4 LE: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 141 in, curb weight 5,135 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TITAN CREW CAB S/BOX 4X4 SE: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 141 in, curb weight 5,201 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TITAN CREW CAB S/BOX 4X4 XE: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 141 in, curb weight 5,324 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TITAN KING CAB S/BOX 2WD XE/SE: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 75 in, wheelbase 140 in, curb weight 4,786 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TITAN KING CAB S/BOX 4X4 LE: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 141 in, curb weight 5,262 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.