NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
780 reports128,000 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHEN MY XTERRA WAS IDLING IN PARK OR AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. ALSO WHILE ACCELERATING, THE CAR WAS SHUDDERING WHEN CHANGING GEARS. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR GARAGE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL NISSAN IS NOTORIOUS FOR FAULTY RADIATORS BEING INSTALLED WHICH CAUSED COOLANT FLUID TO LEAK / …
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WHEN MY XTERRA WAS IDLING IN PARK OR AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. ALSO WHILE ACCELERATING, THE CAR WAS SHUDDERING WHEN CHANGING GEARS. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR GARAGE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL NISSAN IS NOTORIOUS FOR FAULTY RADIATORS BEING INSTALLED WHICH CAUSED COOLANT FLUID TO LEAK / MIX IN WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID, THUS DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION, POSSIBLY TO THE POINT OF HAVING TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE RADIATOR. MY CAR IS SITTING AT A GARAGE NOW WAITING FOR THE RADIATOR TO BE REPLACED AND TRY TO RUN THE VEHICLE TO SEE HOW BAD THE DAMAGE NOW IS TO THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604586
159,000 miles · Jun 13, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
MY VEHICLE STALLED ON ME WHILE SHOWING A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS WHEN IN FACT IT WAS EMPTY. WE HAD TO HAVE THE GAS PUMP SENDING UNIT CHANGED OUT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. A PART THAT WAS RECALLED BACK IN 2014 AND REPLACED UNDER THE CAMPAIGN# 647389. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM A TRADE IN AT A CAR DEALERSHIP AND THI…
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MY VEHICLE STALLED ON ME WHILE SHOWING A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS WHEN IN FACT IT WAS EMPTY. WE HAD TO HAVE THE GAS PUMP SENDING UNIT CHANGED OUT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. A PART THAT WAS RECALLED BACK IN 2014 AND REPLACED UNDER THE CAMPAIGN# 647389. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM A TRADE IN AT A CAR DEALERSHIP AND THIS WAS THE FIRST WEEK WE DROVE IT, SO I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART JUST WENT OUT. SO THE RECALL REPLACEMENT PART WAS NOT ANY BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL PART SEEING IT DIDN'T LAST EVEN FOUR YEARS. I AM JUST GLAD I WAS ON A COUNTRY ROAD AND NOT THE INTERSTATE AT THE TIME. WE CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THE SITUATION AND THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE BILL TO FIX IT. THEY SAID THEY DID THE RECALL WORK. WHAT GOOD IS A RECALL IF THE REPLACEMENT PART IS NO BETTER? THANK YOU. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10598126
86,431 miles · Jun 10, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
YESTERDAY MILE FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED AFTER WORK AND FILLED UP THE GAS TANK. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR, THE FUEL GAUGE WAS STILL SHOWING EMPTY AND THE FUEL LIGHT WAS ON. THIS MORNING, I GOT IN MY CAR TO HEAD TO WORK AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED. WHEN RESEARCHING ON INTERNET, I SAW THAT THIS WAS A GROSS…
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YESTERDAY MILE FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED AFTER WORK AND FILLED UP THE GAS TANK. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR, THE FUEL GAUGE WAS STILL SHOWING EMPTY AND THE FUEL LIGHT WAS ON. THIS MORNING, I GOT IN MY CAR TO HEAD TO WORK AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED. WHEN RESEARCHING ON INTERNET, I SAW THAT THIS WAS A GROSSLY COMMON PROBLEM. I ALSO SAW THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN PLACE ON A COUPLE OF NISSANS FROM 2006-2008 FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. WHEN CALLING MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP THEY INFORM ME THAT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOUR GAS GAUGE IS IMPROPERLY FUNCTIONING, AND YOUR CAR IS THE SAME YEAR AND STYLE, ALL THE VEHICLES SHOULD BE FIXED. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!! THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE FIXED. ANY CAR THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM, NO MATTER WHAT THE VIN, HAS RECEIVED THE SAME FAULTY PIECES! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10597392
72,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION COOLER ,LOCATED IN RADIATOR, CRACKED AND ALLOWED MIXTURE OF COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAD POWER LOSS DURING A MERGE ONTO A STATE HIGHWAY, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND POTENTIAL HARM TO MY WIFE AND 4 YEAR OLD SON. NISSAN SETTLED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WHI…
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TRANSMISSION COOLER ,LOCATED IN RADIATOR, CRACKED AND ALLOWED MIXTURE OF COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAD POWER LOSS DURING A MERGE ONTO A STATE HIGHWAY, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND POTENTIAL HARM TO MY WIFE AND 4 YEAR OLD SON. NISSAN SETTLED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WHICH CLEARLY ACKNOWLEDGES THERE IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT WITH THE RADIATOR. NO SAFETY RECALL WAS MADE WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO INJURY OTHERS WHO EXPERIENCE THIS FAILURE. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS IS A LARGE SCALE ISSUE AND SETTLEMENT IS UNACCEPTABLE, NISSAN HAS A RESPONSIBILITY WHERE MANUFACTURER DEFECTS CAN CAUSE HARM TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10597198
105,000 miles · Jun 8, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ANTIFREEZE IN TRANSMISSION CAUSING SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596937
148,000 miles · Jun 5, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ENGINE COOLANT STARTED MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO BROKEN LINE FROM TRANSMISSION TO RADIATOR. NOW MY CAR SHUTTERS WHEN YOUR PUSH THE ACCELERATOR AND IS HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING GEARS. JERKS AT TIMES WHEN IT GETS HOTTER. COMPANY IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT HAS OVER 100K MILES EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW OF THE DEFECT…
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ENGINE COOLANT STARTED MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO BROKEN LINE FROM TRANSMISSION TO RADIATOR. NOW MY CAR SHUTTERS WHEN YOUR PUSH THE ACCELERATOR AND IS HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING GEARS. JERKS AT TIMES WHEN IT GETS HOTTER. COMPANY IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT HAS OVER 100K MILES EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW OF THE DEFECT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL DEFINITELY!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596503
94,000 miles · May 29, 2014
Power Train
TRANSMISSION JERKS AND SHUDDERS AT SPEEDS AROUND 40-60 MPH WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO OVERDRIVE. THIS OCCURS UNDER LIGHT ENGINE LOADING AND WHILE TRAVELING UP HILL. ALSO, HAVE NOTICED IT AT LOWER SPEEDS LATELY. DURING THE WINTER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO HEAT PROPERLY; ADDING MORE COOLANT ALLEVIATED THIS PROBLEM, BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT PER…
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TRANSMISSION JERKS AND SHUDDERS AT SPEEDS AROUND 40-60 MPH WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO OVERDRIVE. THIS OCCURS UNDER LIGHT ENGINE LOADING AND WHILE TRAVELING UP HILL. ALSO, HAVE NOTICED IT AT LOWER SPEEDS LATELY. DURING THE WINTER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO HEAT PROPERLY; ADDING MORE COOLANT ALLEVIATED THIS PROBLEM, BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. AFTER INSPECTION, IT IS FOUND THAT ENGINE COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION COOLER AND TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING BOTH THE ENGINE TO RUN LOW ON COOLANT (AND CAUSE A NO-HEAT SITUATION) AND IS MOST LIKELY CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10594949
31,000 miles · May 23, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
I WAS DRIVING AND THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS LEFT, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND STOPPED. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM, SO I HAVE TO KEEP THE FUEL TANK SEMI FULL AT ALL TIMES. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND THE RESPONSE I GET IS THERE ARE NO CURRENT RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593564
102,820 miles · May 21, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY AND WAS OVERHEATING. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT WERE INTERMIXED DUE TO A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION LINE IN THE RADIATOR. BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED DUE TO THE FLUID MIXING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10592964
95,000 miles · May 19, 2014
Power Train
RADIATOR IS LEAKING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10592480
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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