NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
222 reportsClear category filter125,000 miles · Mar 5, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
NO POWER TO WHEELS...TRANSMISSION COOLANT AND ENGINE COOLANT MIX TOGETHER DUE TO MALFUNCTION IN RADIATOR CAUSING CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. COST TO REPLACE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION IS $5200...RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER INDICATES THAT NISSAN CORP. KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT COVING THIS DEFECT HAS B…
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NO POWER TO WHEELS...TRANSMISSION COOLANT AND ENGINE COOLANT MIX TOGETHER DUE TO MALFUNCTION IN RADIATOR CAUSING CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. COST TO REPLACE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION IS $5200...RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER INDICATES THAT NISSAN CORP. KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT COVING THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN APPROVED, BUT, THE DEADLINE TO APPLY HAS PASSED...MY TRUCK JUST BROKE AND IT IS NOW TOO LATE TO REGISTER FOR THE APPROVED CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. HOW CAN I GET REIMBURSED LIKE SO MANY OTHERS HAVE??? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567469
93,000 miles · Mar 4, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRUCK BEGIN SHUTTERING AND SHIFTING HARD. TOOK IT TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID THE COOLANT HAD MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND I WILL NEED NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. COST ABOUT 5500.00. NISSAN SERVICE TOLD ME THE FIRST TIME EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. ONLY AFTER I TOOK IT IN THE SECOND TIME AFTER I HAD 100,000 MILES THEN THEY …
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TRUCK BEGIN SHUTTERING AND SHIFTING HARD. TOOK IT TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID THE COOLANT HAD MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND I WILL NEED NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. COST ABOUT 5500.00. NISSAN SERVICE TOLD ME THE FIRST TIME EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. ONLY AFTER I TOOK IT IN THE SECOND TIME AFTER I HAD 100,000 MILES THEN THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THE LEAK. NISSAN REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY OF THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567013
132,500 miles · Mar 2, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK FROM A USED CAR AUTO DEALER WITH 137,477 MILES ON IT. THEIR WARRANTY WAS UP BEFORE I WAS AWARE I HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. WHILE DRIVING LOCALLY AND ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 AND 65 MPH THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE INTERMITTENTLY WHICH CAUSED AN ERRATIC CONTROL…
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I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK FROM A USED CAR AUTO DEALER WITH 137,477 MILES ON IT. THEIR WARRANTY WAS UP BEFORE I WAS AWARE I HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. WHILE DRIVING LOCALLY AND ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 AND 65 MPH THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE INTERMITTENTLY WHICH CAUSED AN ERRATIC CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. AFTER APPROACHING SEVERAL AUTO REPAIR SHOPS ABOUT THE ISSUE NO ONE SEAMED TO HAVE A SOLUTION EXCEPT ONE. THEY TOLD ME THAT A CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS ISSUED AGAINST NISSAN ABOUT A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR COMBINATION COOLER CROSS CONTAMINATE PROBLEM THAT DESTROYS THE TRANSMISSION LUBRICATE AND ELECTRICAL SHIFTING FUNCTIONS OF THE TRANSMISSION. IT COST ME $3,728.95 TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET MY MONEY BACK FROM NISSAN IF POSSIBLE. ALL POST ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION SUIT PUTS ME OUTSIDE ON THE INITIAL SETTLEMENT. THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566726
93,000 miles · Feb 14, 2014
Power Train
NISSAN FRONTIER 2007 - TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING FUNNY MAKING A RUMBLING SOUND. TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. YES, COMMON PROBLEM IT WOULD SEEM. BIT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT TO GET IT BACK ON THE ROAD SAFELY IS GOING TO COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS! AND NISSAN KNEW, HA…
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NISSAN FRONTIER 2007 - TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING FUNNY MAKING A RUMBLING SOUND. TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. YES, COMMON PROBLEM IT WOULD SEEM. BIT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT TO GET IT BACK ON THE ROAD SAFELY IS GOING TO COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS! AND NISSAN KNEW, HAS KNOWN AND KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX IT!!! THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR A PROBLEM THAT IS SO WIDE SPREAD! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564364
86,000 miles · Feb 12, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
AN INTERNAL CRACK ON THE OIL COOLER TUBE CAUSED INTERNAL LEAKAGE OF ENGINE COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563958
105,000 miles · Feb 11, 2014
Power Train
I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM TOWNSHEND, A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES THROUGH THE BACK ROADS OF VERMONT. THESE ROADS ARE VERY RURAL OVER DIRT ROADS COVERED IN ICE AND LIGHT SNOW. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO BUCK AND THE WHEELS STARTED TO 'CHATTER.' MY WIFE HAD BORROWED THE TRUCK TO MAKE A RUN TO THE DUMP EARLIER IN THE WE…
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I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM TOWNSHEND, A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES THROUGH THE BACK ROADS OF VERMONT. THESE ROADS ARE VERY RURAL OVER DIRT ROADS COVERED IN ICE AND LIGHT SNOW. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO BUCK AND THE WHEELS STARTED TO 'CHATTER.' MY WIFE HAD BORROWED THE TRUCK TO MAKE A RUN TO THE DUMP EARLIER IN THE WEEK AND MENTIONED THE CHATTER IN THE WHEELS AND THAT THE TRUCK SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE GARAGE. HOWEVER, I WAS UNABLE TO GET A REPEAT OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL FRIDAY. THE CHATTERING MADE THE TRUCK SLIP ON THE ROAD AND VEER CLOSE THE DROP OFF ABOVE THE CREEK ALONG AUGUR HOLE ROAD. I PULLED OVER TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE ROAD AWAY FROM THE DROP OFF UNTIL THE ENGINE COOLED DOWN. IT WAS 7 DEGREES OUT AT THE TIME!! THE NEAREST HELP WOULD BE A COUPLE OF HOUSES A MILE OR SO AWAY! THERE WAS NO WARNINGS FROM ANY OF THE SYSTEMS! NOT EVEN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT! IT TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF TO COOL DOWN AND I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE CAR HOME. I INTEND TO NOTIFY OUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMAN OF THE ISSUE AT PLAY HERE IN VERMONT. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY A SIMPLE RECALL!!! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? HOW MANY CARS AND TRUCKS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS DESIGN/ENGINEERING FLAW IN THESE SYSTEMS?? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563898
106,000 miles · Feb 3, 2014
EnginePower Train
MY 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER DEVELOPED SHUDDERING IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT HAS RECEIVED ALL REGULAR SERVICE AT 3,000 MILE INTERVALS. TODAY I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS CONTAMINATED WITH RADIATOR COOLANT DUE TO FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR AND WILL COST $6200.00 I NOTE INNUMERABLE EXAMPLES OF RADIATOR FAILURES WITH CATASTROPHIC TRANS…
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MY 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER DEVELOPED SHUDDERING IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT HAS RECEIVED ALL REGULAR SERVICE AT 3,000 MILE INTERVALS. TODAY I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS CONTAMINATED WITH RADIATOR COOLANT DUE TO FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR AND WILL COST $6200.00 I NOTE INNUMERABLE EXAMPLES OF RADIATOR FAILURES WITH CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE PUBLIC FORUMS AND NISSAN AGREED TO A CLASS-ACTION SETTLEMENT UP TO 100,000 MILES WITH A $2500 DEDUCTIBLE. MOST VEHICLES ARE OVER 100,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A VEHICLE RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10562733
110,785 miles · Jan 26, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I HAD BEEN NOTICING MY AUTOMATIC TRUCK SHUTTER BEFORE THUMPING INTO GEAR MONTHS BEFORE I ACTUALLY TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE NISSAN DEALERS SHOP FOR ANALYSIS. WHEN THEY INSPECTED, I WAS TOLD MY TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN DAMAGE DUE TO CONTAMINATION BY ENGINE COOLANT AND I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE SOURCE OF THE CONTAMINATION IS…
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I HAD BEEN NOTICING MY AUTOMATIC TRUCK SHUTTER BEFORE THUMPING INTO GEAR MONTHS BEFORE I ACTUALLY TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE NISSAN DEALERS SHOP FOR ANALYSIS. WHEN THEY INSPECTED, I WAS TOLD MY TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN DAMAGE DUE TO CONTAMINATION BY ENGINE COOLANT AND I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE SOURCE OF THE CONTAMINATION IS A CRACKED ATF LINE THAT RUNS THROUGH AN ENGINE COOLANT CHAMBER IN THE RADIATOR. THIS DEFECTIVE PART AND DESIGN CAME DIRECTLY FROM THE NISSAN FACTORY. NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECT AND FAILED TO NOTIFY THE CONSUMER OR REPLACE THE FAILED TRANSMISSIONS @ NO COST. PLEASE ADVISE OF ANY RECALLS AND RESULTS FROM THE INVESTIGATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10561552
105,000 miles · Dec 30, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK WHEN IT BEGAN TO SLIP AT ROUND 45 MPH. THE SHIFTING THEN BECAME VERY HARD. I LOOKED ON-LINE AND SAW WEBSITES DISCUSSING TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR PROBLEMS. I OPENED MY RADIATOR AND SAW IT WAS VERY MILKY IN COLOR. TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF A …
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I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK WHEN IT BEGAN TO SLIP AT ROUND 45 MPH. THE SHIFTING THEN BECAME VERY HARD. I LOOKED ON-LINE AND SAW WEBSITES DISCUSSING TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR PROBLEMS. I OPENED MY RADIATOR AND SAW IT WAS VERY MILKY IN COLOR. TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF A KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557710
120,000 miles · Nov 13, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION ERRONEOUSLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION ERRONEOUSLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURE REGARDING THE RADIATOR LEAK AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 01/09/14*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10552096
Official recalls
1Dec 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.
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
1DP12004 · 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)
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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
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.
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.
Power Train
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.
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