NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
585 reportsClear category filter101,000 miles · Aug 13, 2013
Power Train
NISSAN HAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION ONLY UP TO 100,000 MILES. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT 98,000 BUT DID NOT KNOW ABOUT RECALL. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND SINCE IT IS OVER 100,000 THEY WILL NOT FIX THEIR MISTAKE ON ENGINEERING THIS VEHICLE. SO I NOW HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS SETTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WILL NOT RUN! THE TRANSMISSION …
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NISSAN HAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION ONLY UP TO 100,000 MILES. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT 98,000 BUT DID NOT KNOW ABOUT RECALL. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND SINCE IT IS OVER 100,000 THEY WILL NOT FIX THEIR MISTAKE ON ENGINEERING THIS VEHICLE. SO I NOW HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS SETTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WILL NOT RUN! THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY USELESS AND I DO NOT HAVE $6000 TO FIX IT!! I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE FAULTY VEHICLES NO MATTER WHAT MILEAGE CONSIDERING IT ONLY HAPPENS IN HIGHER MILEAGE. NISSAN HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT AND IT IS NOW MY RESPONSIBILITY TO DO SO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535071
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
102,000 miles · Aug 7, 2013
EnginePower Train
MY PATHFINDER LOCKED IN 4WD WHILE SWITCH WAS STILL IN 2WD AND WOULD NOT START BACK AFTER TOWING TO DEALERSHIP I FIND OUT IT IS THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BOTH WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT $4900.00. IF MY WIFE WOULD OF BEEN ON A ROAD WITH MORE TRAFFIC IT WOULD OF BEEN BAD FOR HER AND MY TWO YEAR OLD. WE HAVE ON…
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MY PATHFINDER LOCKED IN 4WD WHILE SWITCH WAS STILL IN 2WD AND WOULD NOT START BACK AFTER TOWING TO DEALERSHIP I FIND OUT IT IS THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BOTH WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT $4900.00. IF MY WIFE WOULD OF BEEN ON A ROAD WITH MORE TRAFFIC IT WOULD OF BEEN BAD FOR HER AND MY TWO YEAR OLD. WE HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR A YEAR AND NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS OUT OF IT AND OUR ALTIMA. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN NISSAN OWNERS BUT WILL NEVER BUY AGAIN THIS IS EVIDENTLY A REALLY COMMON PROBLEM AND NISSAN'S CUSTOMER APPRECIATION IS AWFUL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534089
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
137,000 miles · Aug 3, 2013
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAIL... NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALLS ABOUT IT... NOW I NOTICED WAS RECALL FOR MY TRANSMISSION AND NISSAN DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533449
101,500 miles · Jul 29, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
1ST - FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT INDICATE WHETHER TANK IS FULL AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. WILL COST $1,000 TO REPLACE, STILL HAVE NOT DONE. 2ND - WAS DRIVING MY 2005 PATHFINDER ON HIGHWAY, ALONE WITH MY 2.5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, RPMS SURGE, CAR WON'T…
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1ST - FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT INDICATE WHETHER TANK IS FULL AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. WILL COST $1,000 TO REPLACE, STILL HAVE NOT DONE. 2ND - WAS DRIVING MY 2005 PATHFINDER ON HIGHWAY, ALONE WITH MY 2.5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, RPMS SURGE, CAR WON'T ACCELERATE, FORCED TO PULL OVER IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE OK, TOWED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR $200. DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED. DO A GOOGLE SEARCH TO FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE ON THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AND REPAIRS TOTAL APPROXIMATELY $4,800. SINCE MY MILEAGE IS AT 101,500, 1,500 MILES OVER WARRANTY, NISSAN WILL OFFER NO COPAY. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? DOES SOMEBODY NEED TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED FOR THIS TO HAPPEN? SHAME ON NISSAN FOR PUTTING PEOPLE IN DANGER. HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED, NO ONE EVER INFORMED ME OF THIS PROBLEM SO I COULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10532432
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
115,000 miles · Jul 13, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
IT APPEARS THE RADIATOR FAILED LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I ASKED THE MECHANIC ABOUT IT HE SAID THAT NOW YOUR TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL SOON. I HAVE BEEN READING THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON AND HAS HAPPENED ALOT WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE TOTALLY NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524676
115,000 miles · Jul 10, 2013
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
WAS EXITING A SIDE STREET ONTO A HIGH TRAFFIC ROAD TURNING LEFT, CROSSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD THEN LOST ALL FORWARD ACCELERATION. LEAVING ME IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. A SEPARATE VEHICLE NEARLY IMPACTED THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR OF MY VEHICLE, SLIDING TO A STOP. UPON VEHICLE INSPECTION AT THE LOCAL DEALER, IT WA…
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WAS EXITING A SIDE STREET ONTO A HIGH TRAFFIC ROAD TURNING LEFT, CROSSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD THEN LOST ALL FORWARD ACCELERATION. LEAVING ME IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. A SEPARATE VEHICLE NEARLY IMPACTED THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR OF MY VEHICLE, SLIDING TO A STOP. UPON VEHICLE INSPECTION AT THE LOCAL DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THE RADIATOR THAT HOUSES A TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILED AND MIXED ANTI-FREEZE IN WITH THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DEGRADE QUICKLY, CAUSING A SPURT OF VEHICLE ACCELERATION DUE TO A LARGE TRANSMISSION SLIP. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH HAD THE OTHER VEHICLE MADE CONTACT WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524229
81,188 miles · Jul 7, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT FELT LIKE MY TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THE RADIATOR FAILED AND THE RADIATOR FLUID SEEPED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING EVERYTHING TO FAIL. 80, 000 MILES IS THE WARRANTY. I AM JUST OVER …
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WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT FELT LIKE MY TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THE RADIATOR FAILED AND THE RADIATOR FLUID SEEPED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING EVERYTHING TO FAIL. 80, 000 MILES IS THE WARRANTY. I AM JUST OVER THAT. THEY ARE OFFERING ME A $2500.00 CO PAY BUT I FEEL THEY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE RADIATOR TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523520
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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