NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
412 reportsClear category filter103,000 miles · Mar 22, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN IN TENNESSEE ON A FAMILY VACATION, WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED BECAUSE THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. IN ORDER TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION I HAD TO DRIVE IN REVERSE TO A DRIVEWAY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A YOUNG CHILD AND MY FIANCE IN THE CAR. UPON FUR…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN IN TENNESSEE ON A FAMILY VACATION, WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED BECAUSE THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. IN ORDER TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION I HAD TO DRIVE IN REVERSE TO A DRIVEWAY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A YOUNG CHILD AND MY FIANCE IN THE CAR. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I REALIZED THAT NISSAN HAS OVER 500 COMPLAINT ON THE SAME ISSUE AND IT WAS NEVER RESOLVED. I PAID 4800 DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574120
131,000 miles · Mar 19, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK IN 3RD OR 4TH GEAR AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THEN IT WORKED FOR A FEW DAYS. AFTER THAT IT GOT STUCK IN 1ST AND WOULD NOT SHIFT. IT IS CURRENTLY STUCK IN 3RD OR 4TH AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS A RED BROWN FOAMY COLOR. IT IS GIVING A CODE OF P1754. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573324
125,000 miles · Mar 18, 2014
EnginePower Train
THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WITH THE RADIATOR IN WHICH IT CRACKS AND LEAKS FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH THEN DESTROYS THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN WE CALLED NISSAN TO ASK IF THEY WERE GOING TO STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT, THEY TOLD US THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR US. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573066
117,045 miles · Feb 20, 2014
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
MY 16 YEAR SON WAS DRIVING HOME AT 11:00 PM ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN, WITH NO WARNING, THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION POWER. HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AND GOT IT INTO 3RD GEAR. IT WOULD NOT WORK IN DRIVE. HE PROCEEDED VERY SLOWLY FOR A SHORT DISTANCE UNTIL HE WOULD LOSE ACCELERAT…
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MY 16 YEAR SON WAS DRIVING HOME AT 11:00 PM ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN, WITH NO WARNING, THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION POWER. HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AND GOT IT INTO 3RD GEAR. IT WOULD NOT WORK IN DRIVE. HE PROCEEDED VERY SLOWLY FOR A SHORT DISTANCE UNTIL HE WOULD LOSE ACCELERATION POWER. HE HAD TO CONTINUE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON THE HIGHWAY MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET IT HOME THAT EVENING. HE CONTINUED VERY SLOWLY WITH HIS FLASHING LIGHTS ON. IT SUBSEQUENTLY HAD TO BE TOWED. THANKFULLY, IT DID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR IS BLACK AND IT WAS VERY DARK. IT WOULD'VE BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE IMMEDIATELY BEHIND HIM TO REACT ON THE INTERSTATE. MY SON'S SAFETY WAS SEVERELY COMPROMISED. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE THE RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION PROBLEM NISSAN IS ALREADY BEING INVESTIGATED FOR (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER DP12004). IT REQUIRED A NEW RADIATOR, A NEW TRANSMISSION AND A NEW TRANSMISSION COMPUTER AS THIS WAS ALL RUINED WITH THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR. THE COST OF REPAIRS WAS $4632.97 INCLUDING THE TOW CHARGE. NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND EVEN SETTLED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS VERY ISSUE A FEW YEARS AGO. HAD THEY VOLUNTARILY RECALLED THE VEHICLE AND FIXED THE PROBLEM, MY SON WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PUT IN THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THE COSTS WOULD HAVE BEEN MINIMIZED. I DESIRE FOR NISSAN TO BE HELD LIABLE FOR THIS - YOU HAVE RECEIVED LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF THE VERY SAME COMPLAINT. PLEASE CONDUCT A RECALL ON THE XTERRA, PATHFINDERS AND FRONTIERS YOU KNOW ARE IMPACTED. WE WERE FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH; THE NEXT FAMILY MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565168
97,000 miles · Feb 19, 2014
EnginePower Train
I STARTED TO NOTICE A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THOUGHT IT MAY BE A ENGINE OIL ISSUE. I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG BECAUSE IT DID NOT FEEL RIGHT WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IT ON THE HIGHWAY. ATTAINING THE SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY WAS DIFFICULT AND SLOW. WHEN BRAKING IT WAS ALSO SLOWER TO REACT. I TOOK IT TOO NISSAN THI…
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I STARTED TO NOTICE A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THOUGHT IT MAY BE A ENGINE OIL ISSUE. I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG BECAUSE IT DID NOT FEEL RIGHT WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IT ON THE HIGHWAY. ATTAINING THE SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY WAS DIFFICULT AND SLOW. WHEN BRAKING IT WAS ALSO SLOWER TO REACT. I TOOK IT TOO NISSAN THINKING IT AN EASY FIXED, I PAID $700 DOLLARS TO FIX WHATEVER THEY COULD ANALYZE. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED, BUT NO. THEN I WAS HIT WITH A $3000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR, WHICH WAS KNOWN ABOUT BACK IN 2010. WHAT A RIP OFF NISSAN, YOU KNEW THERE WAS AN ISSUE AND YOU NEGLECT TO INFORM YOUR CUSTOMERS. I HOPE YOU GO BANKRUPT NOW! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565043
125,000 miles · Feb 19, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS BEFORE BECOMING INOPERATIVE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS BEFORE BECOMING INOPERATIVE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD TURNED INTO A DARK BROW, ALMOST BLACK COLOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #10564968
115,000 miles · Feb 9, 2014
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CROSS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT DUE TO FAULTY RADIATOR. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH NISSANS XTERRA AND PATHFINDERS. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. NISSAN SOLD PRODUCTS WITH POOR MANUFACTURING QUALITY THAT CAUSE THIS CATASTROPHIC MALFUNCTION.…
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CROSS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT DUE TO FAULTY RADIATOR. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH NISSANS XTERRA AND PATHFINDERS. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. NISSAN SOLD PRODUCTS WITH POOR MANUFACTURING QUALITY THAT CAUSE THIS CATASTROPHIC MALFUNCTION. CURRENT NISSAN OWNER ARE STUCK WITH A REPAIR BILL FOR 5 TO 6 THOUSAND DOLLARS OR WITH A TRUCK THAT THEY CAN'T DRIVE OF SELL BECAUSE NISSANS REFUSES TO TAKE CARE OF ITS CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563588
110,000 miles · Jan 29, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION DIED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO THE RADIATOR ISSUES OF THE XTERRAS FROM THE YEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10561950
126,000 miles · Jan 23, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE DRIVING AND IN FLOW OF TRAFFIC VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, BUT RPMS WOULD STILL INCREASE DUE TO FAULTY TRANSMISSION IN THE XTERRA. FAULTY TRANSMISSION LEADS TO MIXING OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING LOSS OF ACCELERATION. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10561269
119,337 miles · Jan 13, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ENGINE COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION IS REQUIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10559628
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
Oct 5, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NISSAN ACCESSORY TOW HITCH, INADEQUATE QUALITY OF SOME WELDED JOINTS IN THE HITCH ASSEMBLY MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE HITCH FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN BEING USED TO TOW.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRAILER SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TOW HITCHES. ON OCTOBER 17, 2005, OWNERS WERE SENT AN INTERIM LETTER ADVISING THEM NOT TO USE THE TOW HITCH UNTIL IT CAN BE REPAIRED. ANOTHER LETTER WAS SENT OUT ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005, NOTIFYING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR REPAIR. 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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