NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
290 reportsClear category filter136,000 miles · Sep 30, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
SUDDEN JERKING IN THE VEHICLE WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH ALLOWS COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE COMPONENTS. NOTHING HAPPENED BEFORE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING 5TH GEAR AND NO GOING INTO IT, NOW 4 AND…
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SUDDEN JERKING IN THE VEHICLE WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH ALLOWS COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE COMPONENTS. NOTHING HAPPENED BEFORE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING 5TH GEAR AND NO GOING INTO IT, NOW 4 AND THIRD FINALLY JUST STOPPED MOVING... REPAIR COST IS GOING TO BE 6500$ AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY WILL NOT ADMIT A KNOWN ISSUE.... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546248
109,000 miles · Sep 10, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
MY CAR WOULD NOT START ONE MORNING SO I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC, HE CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT THE RADIATOR WAS ALLOWING MOISTURE OR WATER TO GO INTO THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY FRIED. I GOT A QUOTE OF $4000 TO $6000 TO FIX OR REBUILD IT. HE THEN TOLD ME TH…
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MY CAR WOULD NOT START ONE MORNING SO I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC, HE CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT THE RADIATOR WAS ALLOWING MOISTURE OR WATER TO GO INTO THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY FRIED. I GOT A QUOTE OF $4000 TO $6000 TO FIX OR REBUILD IT. HE THEN TOLD ME THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF ARTICLES ONLINE ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THAT SINCE MY CAR WAS AT 109,000 MILES THERE WAS NOTHING NISSAN WOULD DO ABOUT FIXING IT EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NOTHING I DID TO CAUSE THE PROBLEM!!! I STILL OWE $8500, AS I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS, AND I SURE CAN'T GO BUY ANOTHER CAR. I HAVE 3 SMALL CHILDREN SO NOW I HAVE NO CAR, CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER AND NISSAN WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10542936
137,000 miles · Sep 10, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I WAS DRIVING .IT DID A CLICK SOUND WHEN CHANGING SHIFTS FROM 1 TO SECOND. I TOOK THE MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAD LEAK SOME FLUID DAMAGE BECAUSE THE RADIATOR HAD A LEAKAGE. I CHANGED THE RADIATOR AND HEATER ASSEMBLY HOSE THAT IT WAS DAMAGE, TOO. TO REPLACE A RE-BUILD TRANS. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED 5K THAT I DON'T…
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I WAS DRIVING .IT DID A CLICK SOUND WHEN CHANGING SHIFTS FROM 1 TO SECOND. I TOOK THE MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAD LEAK SOME FLUID DAMAGE BECAUSE THE RADIATOR HAD A LEAKAGE. I CHANGED THE RADIATOR AND HEATER ASSEMBLY HOSE THAT IT WAS DAMAGE, TOO. TO REPLACE A RE-BUILD TRANS. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED 5K THAT I DON'T HAVE IT RIGHT NOW. BUT, SOONER OF LATER I HAVE TO REPLACE IT. I CALLED MY DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT I'M IN MY OWN.BECAUSE MY CAR HAS 137K MILES. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN A FEW OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10542928
93,224 miles · Sep 3, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
I WAS DRIVING TOWARDS RENO, NV AND EVERY TIME THERE IS AN UPHILL ROADWAY THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO ANOTHER GEAR,I WOULD FEEL A THUMPING SOUND AND ON EVERY 3 TO 6 MILES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD FEEL LIKE IT IS RUNNING ON AN UNPAVED ROAD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THAT IS WHEN THEY …
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I WAS DRIVING TOWARDS RENO, NV AND EVERY TIME THERE IS AN UPHILL ROADWAY THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO ANOTHER GEAR,I WOULD FEEL A THUMPING SOUND AND ON EVERY 3 TO 6 MILES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD FEEL LIKE IT IS RUNNING ON AN UNPAVED ROAD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THAT IS WHEN THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT ARE MIXING. NOT TO MENTION THAT MY FSR IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE FSR (FUEL SENSOR RELAY) IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST UNLESS IT IS A 2006 AND UP. I DON'T MIND THE FSR, BECAUSE I CAN WORK ON THIS BUT THE COOLANT AND TRANNY FLUID MIXTURE SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10541721
101,563 miles · Sep 2, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION OIL IN RADIATOR, CAUSE CAR TO OVER HEAT. MOST LIKELY NEED NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. JUST OVER NISSAN 100,000 MILE WARRANTY AND THEY WON'T COVER THE REPLACEMENT. AND IF THE WOULD WANT ME TO PAY 3,000 OUT OF MY POCKET FOR A KNOW DEFECTIVE PART. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALL AND NISSAN EXPENSE AND FIX MY CAR. *…
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TRANSMISSION OIL IN RADIATOR, CAUSE CAR TO OVER HEAT. MOST LIKELY NEED NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. JUST OVER NISSAN 100,000 MILE WARRANTY AND THEY WON'T COVER THE REPLACEMENT. AND IF THE WOULD WANT ME TO PAY 3,000 OUT OF MY POCKET FOR A KNOW DEFECTIVE PART. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALL AND NISSAN EXPENSE AND FIX MY CAR. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10538383
65,000 miles · Aug 31, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY PROBLEM STARTED WITH MY 2005 PATHFINDER OVER A YEAR AGO,I WENT TO THE NISSAN DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO DROP OFF MY VEHICLE FOR THEM TO FIX IT I ASKED IF NISSAN COVERING IT THEY SAID NO I HAVE TO PAY $2,500. THIS IS NOT MY FAULT IT'S THEIR PROBLEM. WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM TO CORRECT THEIR PROBLEM WITH A RADIATO…
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MY PROBLEM STARTED WITH MY 2005 PATHFINDER OVER A YEAR AGO,I WENT TO THE NISSAN DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO DROP OFF MY VEHICLE FOR THEM TO FIX IT I ASKED IF NISSAN COVERING IT THEY SAID NO I HAVE TO PAY $2,500. THIS IS NOT MY FAULT IT'S THEIR PROBLEM. WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM TO CORRECT THEIR PROBLEM WITH A RADIATOR LEAKING AND MESSING UP THE TRANSMISSION? *JS
NHTSA ODI #10538222
109,000 miles · Aug 25, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. NISSAN DEALER SHOP RECOMMENDS TO REPLACED TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10537153
105,000 miles · Aug 12, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
DRIVING IN TOWN ROUGHLY 25 MILES, THE TRUCK SLOWED DOWN, YOU HIT THE GAS TO EXCEL AND IT STOPS EVENTUALLY. THE MECHANIC SAYS THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LEAKED, MIXED AND NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND TRAINED AND LEANED THE RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535022
99,000 miles · Aug 5, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AND DIFFICULTY PICKING UP SPEED TO MERGE INTO 65MPH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THESE NISSAN PATHFINDERS ARE KNOWN FOR HAVING BAD RADIATORS CAUSING WATER TO ENTE…
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TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AND DIFFICULTY PICKING UP SPEED TO MERGE INTO 65MPH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THESE NISSAN PATHFINDERS ARE KNOWN FOR HAVING BAD RADIATORS CAUSING WATER TO ENTER TRANSMISSIONS MAKING THE TRANSMISSION TO SUDDENLY GO OUT. ..I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO A SECOND SHOP AND THEY CONFIRMED RADIATOR WENT BAD. RADIATOR WAS REPLACED BUT TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY OUT DUE TO THE RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533742
102,500 miles · Jul 29, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN HESITANT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN HESITANT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 102,500.
NHTSA ODI #10532394
Official recalls
2Oct 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.
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.
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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