NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
268 reportsClear category filter154,346 miles · Sep 13, 2018
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING MY "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT APPEAR, TODAY I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC TO FIX IT. TO MAKE SHORT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT ($4,600.00 DLLS)BECAUSE THERE'S ANTIFREEZE IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. ONLINE I FOUND OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON TO 2006 XTERRAS, FUNNY THIN…
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WHILE DRIVING MY "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT APPEAR, TODAY I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC TO FIX IT. TO MAKE SHORT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT ($4,600.00 DLLS)BECAUSE THERE'S ANTIFREEZE IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. ONLINE I FOUND OUT THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON TO 2006 XTERRAS, FUNNY THING IS NISSAN KNOW ALL ABOUT IT, BUT SO FAR HASN'T CALL A RECALL TO FIX THEIR OWN MESS. ANOTHER THING, I'VE GOT SERVICED MY VEHICLE AT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP S AND NEVER EVER MAKE A SIMPLE COMMENT OR ADVISED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR TO ME ON MY PRIOR VISITS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THEY ARE RECKLESS FOR HOLDING CRITICAL INFO ABOUT PREVENTABLE ISSUES, SPECIALLY SINCE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW ON THEIR PART
NHTSA ODI #11129425
178,000 miles · Sep 4, 2018
EnginePower Train
VEHICLE RADIATOR RUSTED INTERNALLY, THEREFORE INTERMIX COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. AUTOMOBILE CONSTANTLY SERVICED AT NISSAN DEALERS, NO WARNING FROM NISSAN.
NHTSA ODI #11124369
77,000 miles · Aug 20, 2018
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE RADIATOR FRACTURED AND THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. THE CONTACT, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL COOLER WITHIN THE RADIATOR WAS FAULTY. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE RADIATOR FRACTURED AND THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. THE CONTACT, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL COOLER WITHIN THE RADIATOR WAS FAULTY. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000. *TT *JB
NHTSA ODI #11121077
165,000 miles · Aug 14, 2018
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM GOING INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM GOING INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11119882
183,000 miles · Jul 31, 2018
Power Train
THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN CALIFORNIA, I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SERVICED AT NISSAN DEALERS FROM CALIFORNIA TO CONNECTICUT, FROM UNIVERSAL CITY NISSAN IN LOS ANGELES TO BRUCE BENNETT IN WILTON, CT WITH STOPS IN BETWEEN. IN A NORMAL SERVICE CHECK, IT STATES ON ALL INVOICES THAT FLUIDS ARE CHECKED. TODAY SIR, I FOUND OUT THAT FLUIDS AR…
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THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED IN CALIFORNIA, I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SERVICED AT NISSAN DEALERS FROM CALIFORNIA TO CONNECTICUT, FROM UNIVERSAL CITY NISSAN IN LOS ANGELES TO BRUCE BENNETT IN WILTON, CT WITH STOPS IN BETWEEN. IN A NORMAL SERVICE CHECK, IT STATES ON ALL INVOICES THAT FLUIDS ARE CHECKED. TODAY SIR, I FOUND OUT THAT FLUIDS ARE NOT CHECKED AND DUE TO NISSAN'S NEGLIGENCE MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION ARE NOW MARRIED (INTERMIX) AND SINCE THAT MARRIAGE A NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION ARE BEING REQUIRED. IF YOU HAD PERFORMED THE PROPER FLUID CHECKS, THEN THE MARRIAGE COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED AND NO REPLACEMENT NECESSARY. I WANT COMPENSATION, I.E. RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION ON THIS 12 YEAR XTERRA.
NHTSA ODI #11114713
83,000 miles · Jun 12, 2018
Power Train
RADIATOR DESIGN FAILURE ALLOWED MIXING OF ANTIFREEZE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID. CAUSED FAILURE OF BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. NISSAN PREVIOUSLY OFFERED ASSISTANCE IN REPAIR BUT DISCONTINUED. WILL NOT REPAIR MY XTERRA AS IS NOW PAST EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT WELL UNDER TOTAL MILES. OVERHEATING IN TRAFFIC STOP LEAD TO…
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RADIATOR DESIGN FAILURE ALLOWED MIXING OF ANTIFREEZE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID. CAUSED FAILURE OF BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. NISSAN PREVIOUSLY OFFERED ASSISTANCE IN REPAIR BUT DISCONTINUED. WILL NOT REPAIR MY XTERRA AS IS NOW PAST EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT WELL UNDER TOTAL MILES. OVERHEATING IN TRAFFIC STOP LEAD TO FAILURE. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL 2005-2007 XTERRAS AND FRONTIERS WITH DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. NISSAN TOOK NO ACTION TO NOTIFY OWNERS THAT HAS NOT HAD REPAIR. NISSAN ONLY NOTIFIED OWNERS THAT HAD EXPERIENCED FAILURE AND OFFERED TO COMPENSATE COSTS. FAILURE WAS PREVENTABLE WITH A FAIRLY SIMPLE BY PASS OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLER OR A REPLACEMENT OF THE RADIATOR TO A REDESIGNED VERSION NISSAN ISSUED IN 2010. MANY OWNERS WERE HELPED BY NISSAN PREVIOUSLY BECAUSE OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. NOW, NISSAN IS NO LONGER ASSISTING OWNERS WITH THE FAILURE EVEN THOUGH IT IS STILL CAUSED BY THE DESIGN FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR AND NOT ANY ACTION BY THE OWNER. IF THE OWNER HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE HARDER AND ADDED MORE MILES FASTER AND EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE, NISSAN WOULD HAVE COMPENSATED THEM I. WHOLE OR IN PART. OWNERS WITH LOW MILEAGE AND OLDER VECHICLES THAT ARE NOW EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE OR WILL IN THE FUTURE ARE NOT BEING ASSISTED BY NISSAN. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE DONE A COMPLETE RECALL OF ALL VECHICLES WITH THE DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. OWNERS ARE NOW FORCED TO BEAR COSTS OF $7,000 IN REPAIRS. A TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF THE TRANSMISSION WERE TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. FORTUNATELY MY TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURRED SLOWLY AND THE RADIATOR FAILURE WAS CATASTROPHIC SO THE VECHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. NISSAN SHOULD BE MADE TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR PRIOR EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER ANY FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR CAUSING CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. FAILURE IS REFERRED TO AS STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE OF DEATH.
NHTSA ODI #11101423
1,860,000 miles · Jun 11, 2018
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
LEAKING COOLANT IS MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID THROUGH THE COOLER LINES TO CREATE A TOXIC HELL STEW THAT IRREVERSIBLY DAMAGES EVERYTHING AROUND IT.
NHTSA ODI #11101162
50 miles · Mar 25, 2018
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
TRANSMISSION DESTROY BY LEAKING RADIATOR ANTIFREEZE INTO TRANSMISSION ALSO CATALYTIC CONVERTERS CLOGGED, MY XTERRA ONLY HAS 70 K MILES ON IT, TO EARLY FOR ALL OF THIS PROBLEMS TO HAPPEN IT'S GOING TO COST ME A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX IT, PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA ODI #11081149
105,000 miles · Feb 24, 2018
Power Train
CAR WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS. IT STAID IN 1ST OR 2ND AND RPM WENT TO RED AS I PULLED AWAY FROM MY PARKING SPOT. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 105,000 MILES. COST OF REPAIRS: $4,000.00. AFTER RESEARCH ON LINE, FOUND OUT NISSAN NEVER RECALLED THE VEHICLE BUT OFFERED EXTENDED CO-PAYMENT WARRANTY UP TO 100,000 MILES TO AVOID FIXING PRO…
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CAR WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS. IT STAID IN 1ST OR 2ND AND RPM WENT TO RED AS I PULLED AWAY FROM MY PARKING SPOT. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 105,000 MILES. COST OF REPAIRS: $4,000.00. AFTER RESEARCH ON LINE, FOUND OUT NISSAN NEVER RECALLED THE VEHICLE BUT OFFERED EXTENDED CO-PAYMENT WARRANTY UP TO 100,000 MILES TO AVOID FIXING PROBLEM AS THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURS AT AROUND 100,000 MILES AND ABOVE. MINE WAS AT 105K. THESE CARS NEEDED TO BE RECALLED AND NOW I'M PAYING $4,000.00 TO FIX A KNOWN DEFECT THAT NISSAN GOT AWAY WITH NOT TAKING FULL RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #11074601
245,000 miles · Feb 9, 2018
Power Train
POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKING AND ALLOWING ANTIFREEZE COOLANT TO GET INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RUIN IT COSTINF A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR ON TOP OF THE REPAIR LABOR COSTS AND NISSAN OFFERING NO HELP AT ALL
NHTSA ODI #11071916
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.
Mar 3, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 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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