NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
585 reportsClear category filter103,000 miles · Jun 11, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN THE VEHICLE THE NIGHT BEFORE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NISSAN SERVICE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY-JUNE 5, 2013-FOR A DIAGNOSIS. WAS TOLD THE COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RUINED IT. BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT NISSAN …
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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN THE VEHICLE THE NIGHT BEFORE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NISSAN SERVICE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY-JUNE 5, 2013-FOR A DIAGNOSIS. WAS TOLD THE COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RUINED IT. BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT NISSAN WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY PART OF THE REPAIRS DUE TO BEING OVER 100,000 MILES. THE ODOMETER HAS 103,000 MILES, ONLY 3,000 MILES OVER THE LIMIT. THIS IS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY NISSAN, FREE OF CHARGE. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, DISCOVERED THAT THOUSANDS OF OWNERS 2005-2010 PATHFINDERS, X-TERRAS, FRONTIERS AND ARMADAS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. THE COST FOR MY REPAIR IS $6300! NISSAN NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND THE TOTAL REPAIR COSTS REFUNDED TO THE OWNERS! THIS IS AN ENORMOUS HARDSHIP FOR THIS FAMILY AND ALL WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FIASCO! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10519322
88,000 miles · Jun 11, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER'S TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND ENGINE SPEED WOULD DIP AND VEHICLE WOULD FEEL AS THOUGH IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO A NON EXISTENT GEAR AT SPEED. SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN A NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED IN THE MAIL PERTAINING TO THE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION OIL. AFTE…
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THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER'S TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND ENGINE SPEED WOULD DIP AND VEHICLE WOULD FEEL AS THOUGH IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO A NON EXISTENT GEAR AT SPEED. SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN A NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED IN THE MAIL PERTAINING TO THE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION OIL. AFTER HAVING REPLACING THE RADIATOR AND FLUSHING THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACING TRANSMISSION OIL, THE TRANSMISSION IS CONTINUING TO SLIP. AWAITING WORD FROM NISSAN NORTH AMERICA TO REPLACE OR FIX THIS KNOWN ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10516206
119,072 miles · Jun 7, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A COMBINATION OF BOTH THE TRANSMISSION F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A COMBINATION OF BOTH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT LEAKING TOGETHER, WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ASSOCIATED WITH A MANUFACTURER'S VOLUNTARY RECALL RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE MILEAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,072. ...UPDATED 07-10-13 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10515659
124,900 miles · Jun 6, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AND VEHICLE STARTED SLIPPING WOULDN'T TAKE GEAR HAD TO COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED INTO STATION SERVICEMAN SAID THAT RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO HAVE BOTH TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED THE MAN AT THE STATION SAID THAT WAS THE S…
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DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AND VEHICLE STARTED SLIPPING WOULDN'T TAKE GEAR HAD TO COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED INTO STATION SERVICEMAN SAID THAT RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO HAVE BOTH TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED THE MAN AT THE STATION SAID THAT WAS THE SIXTH VEHICLE THAT HE HAD TO DO THE SAME REPAIRS TOO SAME MAKE AND MODEL SAID THAT NISSAN HAD A RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL FOR A DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515552
111,000 miles · Jun 6, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I FELT A GRINDING NOSE WHILE SHIFTED AND I STOP AND TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER NISSAN AND THE FIND OUT A PROBLEM FROM TRANSMISSION/ RADIATOR. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A FAULTY RADIATOR WHO LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSE THE PROBLEM AND I SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR ON MY OWN. I FIND OUT THAT NISSAN KNOWS THAT PROBLEM…
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I FELT A GRINDING NOSE WHILE SHIFTED AND I STOP AND TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER NISSAN AND THE FIND OUT A PROBLEM FROM TRANSMISSION/ RADIATOR. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A FAULTY RADIATOR WHO LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSE THE PROBLEM AND I SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR ON MY OWN. I FIND OUT THAT NISSAN KNOWS THAT PROBLEM NEVER SENT ME A RECALL FOR THAT AND I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW I SERVICED IT AND ALL THE MAINTENANCE AT A DEALERSHIP NO WORD I SHOULD CHANGE THE RADIATOR . THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO ME WITH MY 2002 ALTIMA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515414
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2013
Power Train
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $4,000
NHTSA ODI #10515239
104,000 miles · Jun 4, 2013
Power Train
I STARTED OFF AT AN INTERSECTION IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHERE I LIVE IN ATLANTA, GA. MY TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE REVVED WHEN GIVEN GAS BUT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. I WAS IN PANIC MODE BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC AND I HAD MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. I WAS TOLD BY A NISSAN REP THAT RADIATOR FLUID IS LEAKING INTO MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAU…
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I STARTED OFF AT AN INTERSECTION IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHERE I LIVE IN ATLANTA, GA. MY TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE REVVED WHEN GIVEN GAS BUT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. I WAS IN PANIC MODE BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC AND I HAD MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. I WAS TOLD BY A NISSAN REP THAT RADIATOR FLUID IS LEAKING INTO MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSING IT TO FAIL. HE SAID EVENTUALLY IT WILL FAIL FOR GOOD. THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED BY NISSAN!!!!!!! THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS!! THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES A LIFE AT THE HANDS OF A FAULTY TRANSMISSION!. ALSO THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR ME. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515027
116,948 miles · May 30, 2013
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
FROM STOP TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE. CHECKED FLUID FOUND WATER IN TRANSMISSION FROM FAILED COOLING LINE THRU RADIATOR/ TRANS COOLING LINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514396
105,000 miles · May 30, 2013
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 105,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514283
84,000 miles · May 30, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE GEARS MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE GEARS MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10514272
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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