NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
585 reportsClear category filter135,000 miles · Mar 15, 2014
EnginePower Train
MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION OIL AND A MONTH LATER IS STILL DOING THE SAME. TAKE IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE TRANSMISSION OIL WAS BLACK AND SMELLED OLD. THE DEALERSHIP ASK WHEN DID I LAST CHANGE THE OIL AND I HAD FORGOT THE I HAD THE QUICK LUBE PLACE FLUSH THE…
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MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION OIL AND A MONTH LATER IS STILL DOING THE SAME. TAKE IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE TRANSMISSION OIL WAS BLACK AND SMELLED OLD. THE DEALERSHIP ASK WHEN DID I LAST CHANGE THE OIL AND I HAD FORGOT THE I HAD THE QUICK LUBE PLACE FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. CALL THEM BACK AND TOLD THEM WHAT THE OTHER MECHANIC SAID AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID THAT NOT TO BAD WE CAN ONLY GET SO MUCH OUT. THE OTHER MECHANIC FLESH IT AND CHANGE THE OIL. I'M STILL HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY TRANSMISSION IT GOES REAL SLOW WHEN BACKING UP. I HAVE KEEP MY CAR UP REAL GOOD BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP BUYING A NEW CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10572588
96,123 miles · Mar 10, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM CARMAX IN 2012 W/ 76K MILES ON IT. NO WARNING ABOUT POSSIBLE RADIATOR ISSUE. IN MAY OF 2013, RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RESULTED IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 96K MILES.(THANKFULLY, I WAS NOT MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY). PAID $3K CO-PAY TO HAVE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED. F…
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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM CARMAX IN 2012 W/ 76K MILES ON IT. NO WARNING ABOUT POSSIBLE RADIATOR ISSUE. IN MAY OF 2013, RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RESULTED IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 96K MILES.(THANKFULLY, I WAS NOT MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY). PAID $3K CO-PAY TO HAVE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED. FEBRUARY 4, 2014, TRANSMISSION HOSE BLEW WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WAS ASSURED THAT IT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE PREVIOUS REPAIRS. PAID $262 TO HAVE IT FIXED. MARCH 9, 2014, WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, RPMS SPIKED, ACCELERATION WAS SLUGGISH, MADE IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP - TRANSMISSION FAILURE (LESS THAN 1 YEAR LATER) - 105K MILES. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THESE TRANSMISSION FAILURES DID NOT OCCUR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10568293
121,819 miles · Mar 6, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
SUDDENLY THE CAR NO LONGER ACCELERATED. NOTHING WAS COMING OR SHOWING ME THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND ON AGAIN THEN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT NOTHING, EVERYTHING WAS RUNNING SMOOTHLY BUT THE CAR WAS JUST NOT ACCELERATING. SUDDENLY IT START…
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SUDDENLY THE CAR NO LONGER ACCELERATED. NOTHING WAS COMING OR SHOWING ME THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND ON AGAIN THEN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT NOTHING, EVERYTHING WAS RUNNING SMOOTHLY BUT THE CAR WAS JUST NOT ACCELERATING. SUDDENLY IT STARTED GOING REALLY SLOW BUT 500 FEET ON THE ROAD I HAD TO PULL OVER SINCE THE SPEED WENT NO MORE THAN 20MPH ON A 40MPH ROAD. I TRIED PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL TO THE LIMIT BUT NOTHING. THE DAY BEFORE I WENT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTICS WHICH I WAS CHARGED $105 FOR. THEY TRIED TO GET ME TO TRADE IN MY CAR FOR A NEW ONE. THEY RECOMMENDED I GET THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH REPAIR AS WELL AS SOMETHING WITH THE COOLANT FLUSH AND TRANSMISSION FLUSH. I WAS GOING GO TAKE IT TOMORROW BUT THIS HAPPENED I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE REASON I TOOK IT TO NISSAN IN THE FIRST PLACE WAS BECAUSE I WAS TOLD MY MODEL AND YEAR WERE FOUND TO BE ERRONEOUS WITH TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567735
115,000 miles · Mar 4, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED INTERNA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #10567033
90,400 miles · Mar 3, 2014
Power Train
VEHICLE HESITATION/SHAKING AT 40-45 MILES PER HOUR. TRANSMISSION JERKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566851
155,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
IN SHORT THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS AND HAS FAILED. I WAS IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HYWAY AND JEOPARDIZED MY FAMILY'S AND MY LIFE. THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR BREAKDOWN IS A SERIOUS SITUATION AND A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. MY RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND FAILED.…
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IN SHORT THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS AND HAS FAILED. I WAS IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HYWAY AND JEOPARDIZED MY FAMILY'S AND MY LIFE. THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR BREAKDOWN IS A SERIOUS SITUATION AND A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. MY RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND FAILED. THE AMOUNT TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE AND MAKE THIS A SAFE VEHICLE IS MORE THAN WE CAN AFFORD. I FEEL THIS FAULTY PRODUCT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND NECESSARY REPAIRS MADE OR A REIMBURSEMENT MADE ON BEHALF OF NISSAN.
NHTSA ODI #10567249
119,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Power Train
TRUCK STARTED HAVING A HARD TIME CHANGING THROUGH GEARS, HOWEVER WHEN TRYING TO GO TO 60MPH TRUCK WILL NOT CHANGE AND THE RPM JUST CLAIM. HAPPY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE INTERSTATE OR WHEN CHANGING LANES. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE COOLANT SEAL IN THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER THE…
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TRUCK STARTED HAVING A HARD TIME CHANGING THROUGH GEARS, HOWEVER WHEN TRYING TO GO TO 60MPH TRUCK WILL NOT CHANGE AND THE RPM JUST CLAIM. HAPPY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE INTERSTATE OR WHEN CHANGING LANES. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE COOLANT SEAL IN THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. REPAIRING THE THIS COULD COST UPWARDS OF $2500. NISSAN OFFERING NO HELP ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA ODI #10567245
117,304 miles · Feb 25, 2014
Power Train
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN MY VEHICLE. HAS BEEN SHAKING AND HAVING TROUBLE FOR A WHILE, BUT FINALLY "DIED" ON DECEMBER 20TH. IT IS FROM THE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION (SOMETHING NISSAN IS AWARE OF, BUT MAKES NO AMENDS TO FIX). THIS IS A COSTLY FIX AND NOT ONE I CAN PAY ANYTIME SOON. IF I AM UNABLE TO GET TO WORK THEN I …
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TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN MY VEHICLE. HAS BEEN SHAKING AND HAVING TROUBLE FOR A WHILE, BUT FINALLY "DIED" ON DECEMBER 20TH. IT IS FROM THE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION (SOMETHING NISSAN IS AWARE OF, BUT MAKES NO AMENDS TO FIX). THIS IS A COSTLY FIX AND NOT ONE I CAN PAY ANYTIME SOON. IF I AM UNABLE TO GET TO WORK THEN I CAN'T BUY PARTS AND LABOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565786
155,000 miles · Feb 17, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. I LOST ALL BUT 1ST GEAR WITH NO WARNING. I HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHOM STATED THAT THERE WAS COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE COOLER IN THE RADIATOR HAD BROKEN AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I HAVE NOT GOT A BILL YET BUT IT…
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I HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. I LOST ALL BUT 1ST GEAR WITH NO WARNING. I HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHOM STATED THAT THERE WAS COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE COOLER IN THE RADIATOR HAD BROKEN AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I HAVE NOT GOT A BILL YET BUT IT WILL BE UPWARDS OF $3500. I HAD GOTTEN TWO LETTERS FROM NISSAN THAT EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BUT BOTH TIMES I WAS TO HIGH OF A MILEAGE. SEEMS THAT IF THEY EXTEND A WARRANTY FOR A PROBLEM TWICE THAN THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND SHOULD DO A COMPLETE RECALL. I ALSO HAD THE FUEL SENDING UNIT GO OUT AND I REPAIRED THAT DUE TO NISSAN WANTING A HIGH DOLLAR AMOUNT TO FIX IT. I HAVE HAD IT WITH NISSAN AND THEM NOT DOING ANYTHING TO HELP THE CUSTOMERS WHEN THEY KNOW THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564685
156,843 miles · Feb 12, 2014
EnginePower Train
TRANSMISSION IS IN SAFE MODE DUE TO RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564058
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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