Power Train. Review the 262 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports8 fire reports9 injury reports

Power Train complaints

262 reports

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87,501 miles · Jun 24, 2014

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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I FOUND OUT A FAULTY ENGINEERED CONTROL VALVE ASSEMBLY CAUSED RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN MY VEHICLE. IT HAPPENED LESS THEN A MONTH OUTSIDE & 7000 MI OVER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. EXTENSION FOR THE WARRANTY TO 80,000 WAS PUT IN PLACE FOR A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FOR THIS ITEM BACK IN 2010. IN 2010 MY VEHICLE DID NOT EVEN HAVE 50,000 SO NONE OF THIS APPLIED TO ME! NOR DID NISSAN DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL MY TRUCK PRIOR KNOWING THIS PART FAILS AFTER 80000! ALL THE PEOPLE THIS HAPPENS TO AFTER THIS LAW SUIT WENT DOWN ARE OUT OF LUCK BECAUSE TOO MUCH TIME HAS PASSED. SO, I AS A CONSUMER WHO TAKES CARE OF THEIR VEHICLE AND KEEPS LOW MILES, HAS TO PAY BIG MONEY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM! I CALLED NISSAN HEADQUARTERS TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THEY SAID BECAUSE OF THE JUDGMENT OF THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT, THEY CAN NOT HONOR MY REQUEST TO DO THE RIGHT THING. I HAVE TO PAY $2500 TO FIX MY TRUCK! I ASKED IF I HAD TO SUE INDEPENDENTLY AND TAKE TO TWITTER TO HELP MY CAUSE? THE GAL ON THE OTHER END OF THE PHONE (HIGHEST PERSON UP THE CHAIN I COULD REACH) SAID; "YES MAM, I'M SORRY MAM, BUT I GUESS THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO. MY HANDS ARE TIED BY THIS JUDGMENT I CAN DO NOTHING FOR YOU"! I FEEL COMPLETELY RIPPED OFF AND DECEIVED BY NISSAN!!! IS THERE A POSSIBILITY YOU CAN COME TO MY AID AND DIRECT ME HOW I MAY GET THIS COVERED? THIS HAS BECOME A MAJOR HARDSHIP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605629

112,000 miles · Jun 16, 2014

Power Train

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WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH IN 6 LANES OF TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR THE TRUCK LOST POWER AND ROLLED TO A STOP. I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE LANE WITH CARS FLYING BY ME. I AM VERY LUCKY I 2 AS NOT HIT BY TRAFFIC. HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP $4700 LATER WAS TOLD IT WAS RADIATOR FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS I LATER RESEARCHED AND IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES. NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE AND DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT. IT'S DISGRACEFUL TO THE NAME NISSAN NOT TO STAND BEHIND TOUR PRODUCT. I HAVE OWN 5 NISSAN ' S AND 3 OF THEM FRONTIERS. THESE TRUCKS HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE REPUTATION TO RUN MANY MANY MILES WITHOUT ISSUES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN BRAND VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THEIR CARELESS ATTITUDE TOWARDS THIS PROBLEM SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED AT SOME POINT. THEN WILL IT MAKE SENSE TO RECALL IT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10598681

124,950 miles · Jun 10, 2014

EnginePower Train

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I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN IT TURNED GREEN MY TRUCK FELT LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL AND WOULDN'T GET INTO GEAR. WITH HESITATION, IT FINALLY JUMPED INTO GEAR BUT WAS VERY SLUGGISH WITH HARDLY ANY POWER. IT WAS QUITE DANGEROUS WITH A LINE OF VEHICLES BEHIND ME I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET REAR-ENDED. THANKFULLY I WAS ONLY 2 MINUTES FROM MY OFFICE WHERE I WAS ABLE TO PULL IN THE PARKING LOT AND UNLOAD MY TWO CHILDREN AND CALL MY WIFE TO PICK US UP. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR SIT THERE OVER THE WEEKEND BECAUSE I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY I HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A CRACKED RADIATOR HEAD WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THIS FAILURE. I THEN HAD IT TOWED AGAIN TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED IT AND CONFIRMED THE FIRST DIAGNOSIS. THEY SAID UNFORTUNATELY I WAS OVER THE MILEAGE AND TO CALL THE NATIONAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND PETITION FOR ASSISTANCE. AFTER LOOKING UP ALL THE INFORMATION I FIND IT DISCERNING THAT NISSAN HASN'T DONE THE RIGHT THING AND RECALLED THIS TO MAKE IT RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597372

84,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014

EnginePower Train

A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR HAS CAUSED COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS HAS RESULTED IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND COMPLETE RADIATOR REPLACEMENT. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED A TOTAL COST OF CLOSE TO $5000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595536

110,000 miles · May 19, 2014

Power Train

TRANSMISSION CONTAMINATION WITH COOLANT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592487

129,000 miles · Apr 10, 2014

Power Train

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AT THE APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 5 TO 8 MPH, AND ACCELERATING, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" SIGNAL LIGHT UP. IMMEDIATELY I HAD TO TURN 5000 RPMS TO REACH A SPEED OF 20 MPH. I DROVE THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES TO HOME AND PARKED IT THEIR. CONTACTED MY MECHANIC AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS GARAGE THE NEXT MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF 8 MILES IN ADDITION TO THE 5 FOR A TOTAL OF 13 MILES DRIVEN WHILE IN WARNING. UPON COMPLETION OF A DIAGNOSTICS CHECK, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A TRANSMISSION RADIATOR VALVE FAILURE. THIS VALVE FAILS TO OPERATE, AND DOES NOT ALLOW COOLANT AND LUBRICATION OF THE TRANSMISSION TO CONTINUE. THE VALVE IS CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION RADIATOR, LOCATED WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE COOLING RADIATOR. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED, AND UPON TEST DRIVE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFICIENT OR HAD BURNED UP 3RD AND 4TH GEARS. THE TOTALITY OF THE REPAIRS TO INCLUDE REPLACEMENT OF A TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, FLUIDS AND LABOR WAS IN EXCESS OF $4,000.00. A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 130,000 MILES OF HIGHWAY USE, WITH ALL MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AS PRESCRIBED WITHIN THE OWNERS MANUAL, SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. A SINGLE VALVE IS/ WAS THE RESPONSIBLE CULPRIT. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY OWNED A FORD RANGER, TOOK CARE OF IT AS I HAVE THE FRONTIER, AND HAD IN EXCESS OF 200,000 MILES ON THE RANGER UPON TRADING IT IN. I NEVER REPLACED A TRANSMISSION IN MY LIFE ON ANY VEHICLE. NISSAN NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE AT HAND AND TAKE THE APPROPRIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION, RESPECT THE CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE RESPECTED YOU OVER THE YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10579033

91,551 miles · Apr 9, 2014

Power Train

IMPROPER SHIFTING, SOMETIMES MAJOR VIBRATIONS, OR KICKS OUT HARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578615

73,850 miles · Apr 1, 2014

Power Train

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I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT , WAITING FOR LIGHT TO CHANGE. AS LIGHT CHANGED APPLIED PRESSURE TO GAS PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE THE ENGINE WOULD JUST REV UP, FINALLY MOVED SLOWLY. I DROVE IT LIKE THAT FOR COUPLE BLOCKS THEN I PARKED FOR AN HOUR OR SO, AFTER THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME WITHOUT A PROBLEM. I RESERCHED ONLINE ABOUT IT AND FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A COMMON AND KNOWN ISSUE OF COOLAND MIXING WITH TRANSMISION FLUID THAT RUINS THE TRANSMISION DUE TO A DEFECT ON THE RADIATOR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISION NEED IT TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE RADIATOR WHICH IT WOULD COST OVER $8,000. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY (8YEARS/80,000MILES) WAS ALREADY EXPIRED FOR 8 MONTHS WITH ONLY 73,800 MILES ON THE TRUCK, SO I HAD TO PAY $2,500 COPAY WHICH I FOUND IT OUTRAGEOUS FOR A KNOWN FACTORY DEFECT. AT LEAST THEY SHOULD LET OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES KNOWN THAT THIS COULD HAPPEND TO THEIR CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576376

154,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TRANSMISSION COOLIN IN THE RADIATOR RUPTURED CAUSING COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576064

119,000 miles · Mar 24, 2014

EnginePower Train

VIBRATION IN MOTOR LIKE DRIVING OVER GROOVED PAVEMENT - ON AND OFF AGAIN FOR MONTHS BEFORE REALIZING IT WAS THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT OCCURS IN THESE TRUCKS AND SUV'S. I DON'T WANT TO PAY $6,000 TO FIX A DEFECT. THEY SHOULD PAY NO MATTER WHEN IT HAPPENS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574619

Official recalls

10V517000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Oct 28, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal

Dec 29, 2008

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, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

06V092000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Mar 30, 2006

ON CERTAIN KING CAB TRUCKS, IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT DEFORMATION OF THE VEHICLE'S BODY COULD CAUSE THE FUEL FILLER CAP TETHER TO BE STRETCHED TO THE POINT OF UNSCREWING THE FUEL FILLER CAP.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN A FUEL SPILL WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL CAP TETHER PIN ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

DP12004 · Transmission Failures

Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

Power Train:automatic Transmission

Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

Power Train