NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
845 reports79,000 miles · Apr 1, 2016
Power Train
SUDDEY I FOUND MY HEAT NOT WORKING. STRANGE, I WAS LOW ON COOLANT AND NO VISIBLE LEAKS. WHILE RESEARCHING THIS I CAME ACROSS ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE WELDS ON THE ATF COOLER WITHIN THE RADIATOR. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO DEALER AND HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT AND PRESSURE TESTED FOR LEAKS. T…
Read full complaint
SUDDEY I FOUND MY HEAT NOT WORKING. STRANGE, I WAS LOW ON COOLANT AND NO VISIBLE LEAKS. WHILE RESEARCHING THIS I CAME ACROSS ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE WELDS ON THE ATF COOLER WITHIN THE RADIATOR. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO DEALER AND HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT AND PRESSURE TESTED FOR LEAKS. THEY SAID ALL IS FINE AND TESTED OK, WE HAVE NO IDEA WHY YOU WOULD BE LOW ON COOLANT. MIND YOU, AT THIS POINT THERE IS 79K ON THE ODOMETER AND WE ALL KNOW NISSANS LAME WARRANTY EXTENSION IS USELESS DUE TO THE CONVENIENT MILEAGE CAP COMPLETELY AND OBVIOUSLY IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST. APPALLING AND 100% A SAFETY ISSUE AND COMPLETE NEGLIGENCE. IN AN EFFORT TO BE PRO ACTIVE I ORDERED AN AFTERMARKET RADIATOR AND INSTALLED IT MYSELF. I ALSO FLUSHED AND REFILLED TRANNY FLUID. I AM NOW ABOUT TO BREAK 100K. I'M NOW WORRIED ABOUT THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE NISSAN ALSO DOESN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH. ANYONE READING THIS SHOULD BE PRO ACTIVE AND CHANGE OUT YOUR RADIATOR AND FLUSH YOUR TRANSMISSION IMMEDIATELY, IT'S ALL YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW TO PREVENT A BIGGER ISSUE. IT ALSO COST ME $400 TO DO MYSELF. THE QUOTE FROM THE DEALER WAS $1500. GOOD LUCK TO ALL, I ARGUED AND CALLED AND CALLED AND NISSAN COULD CARE LESS AND WOULDN'T EVEN CONSIDER ANY HELP WHATSOEVER . THIS WAS MY WIFE AND I'S 5TH NISSAN. NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!
NHTSA ODI #10852884
140,000 miles · Mar 23, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL OR EMPTY. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10851215
100,000 miles · Mar 15, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 06/15/16*LJ THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ON MARCH 25, 2016. UPDATED 06/20/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10849782
87,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAIL DUE TO DEFECT IN TRANSMISSION COOLING TANK HOUSED INSIDE THE RADIATOR.
NHTSA ODI #10838208
158,000 miles · Feb 22, 2016
Engine
THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES ARE FAULTY AND AT THIS TIME I AM HEARING THE WHINING NOISE THAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED FROM SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS. IT IS KNOWN THAT THIS CAN COMPLETELY DESTROY THE ENGINE AND FAIL AT ANY GIVEN TIME, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THIS ISSUE
NHTSA ODI #10837612
152,000 miles · Feb 4, 2016
Engine
TAKATA RECALL. - XTERRA HAS HAD RADIATOR REPLACED, TRANSMISSION FIXED TWICE DUE TO BAD VALVE BODY. NOW IT IS SHUDDERING AGAIN AT 40MPH DOWN THE ROAD. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. TRANSMISSION FAILED GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING IT TO GO INTO FAILURE MODE. I LOST ALL POWER BY THE TIME I COULD GET PULLED OVER AND STOPPED.
NHTSA ODI #10824165
108,000 miles · Feb 4, 2016
Engine
THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT LEADING UP TO THE MECHANIC FINDING THE LEAK. THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. THE TRANSMISSION STILL SEEMS TO IMPROPERLY SHIFT, AND A STRONG, RICH, OIL SMELL IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NOW. I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR …
Read full complaint
THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT LEADING UP TO THE MECHANIC FINDING THE LEAK. THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. THE TRANSMISSION STILL SEEMS TO IMPROPERLY SHIFT, AND A STRONG, RICH, OIL SMELL IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NOW. I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY REIMBURSMENT BECAUSE OF A PREVIOUS SETTLEMENT WHICH I, LIKE MANY OTHERS, WERE NOT INVOLVED IN, AND WHICH DID NOT COVER AND PROBLEMS OVER 100,000 MILES. I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECT IN THEIR CAR AND CHOSE NOT TO FIX THE PROBLEM IN A PART WHICH SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED, AND SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL. IF WE HAD NOT CAUGHT THE DAMAGE IN TIME, THE ENGINE COULD HAVE FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING, AND AND ACCIDENT MIGHT HAVE BEEN UNAVOIDABLE. I ALSO BELIEVE THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE CAR WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE SETTLEMENT AND INTENTIONALLY CHOSE NOT TO TELL ME ABOUT IT, EVEN WHEN I ASKED SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE PROBLEM DURING NEGOTIATIONS.
NHTSA ODI #10824140
108,000 miles · Jan 31, 2016
EnginePower Train
AFTER A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AT APPROX.. 108000 MILES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO REG. GARAGE AND SUBSEQUENTLY ANOTHER GARAGE WITH BETTER DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AS THE CODE WOULD NOT HOLD/REPLICATE EASILY. CODE WAS FOR ECM, WHICH WAS REPAIRED AT OWNERS COST (UNAWARE OF RECALL). THERE WAS MIX OF ANTIFREEZE/OIL DUE TO LE…
Read full complaint
AFTER A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AT APPROX.. 108000 MILES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO REG. GARAGE AND SUBSEQUENTLY ANOTHER GARAGE WITH BETTER DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AS THE CODE WOULD NOT HOLD/REPLICATE EASILY. CODE WAS FOR ECM, WHICH WAS REPAIRED AT OWNERS COST (UNAWARE OF RECALL). THERE WAS MIX OF ANTIFREEZE/OIL DUE TO LEAK IN RADIATOR. FLUSHED SYSTEM AND REPLACED RADIATOR AT OWNER'S COST. WITHIN WEEKS, VEHICLE WAS NOT ACCELERATING CORRECTLY AND CODE SHOWING EMISSIONS ISSUE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUE. LOOKING AT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR COSTS WHICH APPEAR TO SIMPLY BE A BAND-AID UNTIL THE ISSUE BEGINS AGAIN. STILL PAYING ON THE VEHICLE AND A NEW MOM OF TWINS. NOW STUCK WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE RIDDLED WITH REPAIR COSTS FOR AN ISSUE THAT NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF AND SHOULD HAVE FIXED. HOW FRUSTRATING THAT THIS ISSUE IS STILL IN LIMBO AFTER 2 YEARS, HOW THIS CANNOT BE SEEN AS A CONSTANTLY RECURRING PROBLEM WHICH IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF NISSAN IS BEYOND ME. THESE ISSUES OCCURRED WHILE IN MOTION ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND ON SIDE ROADS WITH HILLS.
NHTSA ODI #10823295
125 miles · Jan 22, 2016
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING . I HEARD OF A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND I CALLED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD I MISSED EXTENDED WARRANTY BUY 8 DAYS ,THEY ADMITTED THAT THEY DID HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLES TRANSMISSION.BUT REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, ALSO VERY HARD TO PUT GAS IN,
NHTSA ODI #10821605
75,222 miles · Dec 29, 2015
Power Train
RADIATOR DEFECT CAUSING ATF FLUID TO CONTAMINATE THE TRANSMISSION, LEADING TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WITH EXTENSIVE REPAIRS, AND EXTREME ASSOCIATED COSTS. THIS COMMONLY KNOWN DEFECT CAUSES TRANSMISSION TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND NECESSITATES A FULL RECALL!
NHTSA ODI #10816836
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.
Illustration