NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
231 reportsClear category filter111,000 miles · May 9, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THIS WEEK MY SONS 2007 NISSAN XTERRA WOULD NOT START AND WE HAD IT TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP NEAR HIS COLLEGE IN SCRANTON PA. YESTERDAY WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEED TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF AROUND $5000! THIS IS SHOCKING BECAUSE MY SON INSISTS THAT HE NOTICED NOTHING AMISS WITH THE OPERATION OF…
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THIS WEEK MY SONS 2007 NISSAN XTERRA WOULD NOT START AND WE HAD IT TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP NEAR HIS COLLEGE IN SCRANTON PA. YESTERDAY WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEED TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF AROUND $5000! THIS IS SHOCKING BECAUSE MY SON INSISTS THAT HE NOTICED NOTHING AMISS WITH THE OPERATION OF HIS TRUCK UNTIL IT HE WAS UNABLE TO START IT. AFTER SPENDING 10 MINUTES ON THE INTERNET, I LEARNED ABOUT THE NISSAN TRANSMISSION CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. WE HAVE BEEN RELIGIOUS IN TERMS OF SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, AND OVERALL CARE OF THE VEHICLE. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE COOLING/TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS PLAGUING NISSAN TRUCKS. IN ADDITION, I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT TWO SEPARATE NISSAN DEALERSHIPS, ONE IN NEW YORK AND ANOTHER NOW IN PA. IT IS DISGRACEFUL THAT NEITHER NISSAN DEALERSHIP MENTIONED ANYTHING! THIS MORNING I CONTACTED NISSAN CORPORATE AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OVER 100,000, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR US. I DO NOT HAVE $5000 AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MY SONS NISSAN. AS OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED IN POSTINGS, THERE LIKELY MANY OTHERS WITH VEHICLES OVER THE 100,000 MARKER, NOW JUST EXPERIENCING THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THE DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING BY NISSAN. THERE SHOULD BE A SECOND CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST NISSAN!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587457
125,000 miles · May 7, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION JUST AFTER 100,000 MILES. SO WHY DIDN'T NISSAN TELL US THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587109
119,863 miles · Apr 29, 2014
EnginePower Train
FIRST NOTICED A STUTTERING WHEN DRIVING AND A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN MOVING THE SHIFTER FROM PARK TO REVERSE TO DRIVE IN FEBRUARY. ALSO EXPERIENCED NO HEAT AND OVER HEATING IN MARCH. UPON REPAIR OF THERMOSTAT, DRAINING THE RADIATOR SHOWED AN ACCUMULATION OF THICK GREY GUNK IN THE COOLANT. THERMOSTAT SEAL ITSELF WAS MELTED. HAD DE…
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FIRST NOTICED A STUTTERING WHEN DRIVING AND A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN MOVING THE SHIFTER FROM PARK TO REVERSE TO DRIVE IN FEBRUARY. ALSO EXPERIENCED NO HEAT AND OVER HEATING IN MARCH. UPON REPAIR OF THERMOSTAT, DRAINING THE RADIATOR SHOWED AN ACCUMULATION OF THICK GREY GUNK IN THE COOLANT. THERMOSTAT SEAL ITSELF WAS MELTED. HAD DEALER EVALUATE CLUNKING SOUND AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS INTERMIX (THE PROBLEM IDENTIFIED BY THE COOLANT) A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION COOLING COMPONENTS THAT ALLOWS THE COOLANT TO CONTAMINATE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. AS A RESULT OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT MILEAGE WAS OVER THE NISSAN WARRANTY LIMIT OF 100,000 EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM DID NOT MANIFEST UNTIL ALMOST 120,000 MILES. RECOMMENDED FIX WAS IN STAGES - 1) REPLACE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUSH $1200++ 2) IF PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVED, REPLACE TRANSMISSION $4000++ HAVE TALKED WITH NISSAN CORPORATE TO NO AVAIL. CASE # IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS
NHTSA ODI #10585504
110,000 miles · Apr 28, 2014
Power Train
THERE IS A KNOWN SERVICE PROBLEM AND BULLETIN ON DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES THAT CAUSE A CHAIN TO SKIP, BREAK LOSE , OR BREAK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A HIGH SPEED STALL. MY IS JUST GRINDING, WILL REPAIR, BUT NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WON'T PARTICIPATE IN A SOLUTION. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10585332
109,000 miles · Apr 22, 2014
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA WHICH STARTED TO "STUTTER" AND HESITATE WHEN PRESSING THE GAS. THE CAR ALMOST FELT LIKE IT WAS SHUTTING OFF WHILE ON I-4 HIGHWAY. THE SHUTS DOWN AND WONT START. I HAD THE CAR CHECKING AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN MY RADIATOR AND THAT THE FLUID HAD LEAKED OVER INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I HA…
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I HAVE A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA WHICH STARTED TO "STUTTER" AND HESITATE WHEN PRESSING THE GAS. THE CAR ALMOST FELT LIKE IT WAS SHUTTING OFF WHILE ON I-4 HIGHWAY. THE SHUTS DOWN AND WONT START. I HAD THE CAR CHECKING AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN MY RADIATOR AND THAT THE FLUID HAD LEAKED OVER INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED, A FEW MONTHS LATER, TRANSMISSION IS STILL NOT WORKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN, THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION WHICH WOULD RUN ABOUT $5200. I CALLED THE NISSAN HEADQUARTERS AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE MY TRUCK WAS AT 109,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10584158
129,000 miles · Apr 22, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE RADIATOR LEAKED AND THE COOLANT WENT INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND NOW HAS TOTALLY SCREWED UP THE TRANSMISSION TO THE POINT OF HAVING TO REPLACE IT AND THE RADIATOR. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT MAKE A RECALL ON EITHER PARTS WHICH IS COMPLETELY WRONG. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10584151
96,000 miles · Apr 20, 2014
EnginePower Train
FAILED TRANSMISSION COOLER-ENGINE JERKS AT SPEEDS 40 MPH AND HIGHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10583822
128,000 miles · Apr 7, 2014
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING, IT WOULD FEEL/SOUND LIKE I RAN OVER THE SPEED BUMPS ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED JERKING INTO GEAR. WE IMMEDIATELY STARTED LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOR POSSIBLE PROBLEMS, THE ONLY ONE THAT WE CAME UP WITH WAS THE TRANSMISSION/COOLANT ISSUE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN AND WAS TOLD TH…
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WHILE DRIVING, IT WOULD FEEL/SOUND LIKE I RAN OVER THE SPEED BUMPS ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED JERKING INTO GEAR. WE IMMEDIATELY STARTED LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOR POSSIBLE PROBLEMS, THE ONLY ONE THAT WE CAME UP WITH WAS THE TRANSMISSION/COOLANT ISSUE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST $6,000 TO FIX. SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL WE WOULD BE BUYING ANOTHER FAULTY TRANSMISSION/COOLANT AND COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR PROBLEM FROM WHAT WE HAVE BEEN READING, BUT A FAULTY DESIGN. WE CALLED NISSAN AND MADE A COMPLAINT WITH THEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. MY VEHICLE STARTED OVERHEATING TODAY 4/7/14 AND WHEN WE CHECKED THE COOLANT, IT IS THE CONSISTENCY OF A MILKSHAKE. IF NISSAN STOOD BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT THEY WOULD DO A RECALL AND GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO GET A LOAN TO GET THIS FIXED SINCE WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SAVE THE MONEY UP AND THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. IT'S JUST A SHAME THAT WHEN WE DO GET THIS FIXED WE ARE BUYING ANOTHER FAULTY TRANSMISSION. IT'S A LOSE/LOSE SITUATION. WE THOUGHT ABOUT TRADING IN AND GETTING A NEWER VEHICLE BUT WOULD BE UPSIDE DOWN ON OUR PURCHASE. VERY DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10578103
99,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, PART WAS SETTLED IN CLASS ACTION SUITE AND OWNER WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF DEFECT AND OR HOW IT CAN BE FIXED UNTIL FAILURE ON HIGHWAY WITH FAMILY OF FOUR IN IT ON 3/28/2014, THE OWNER IS THE SOLE OWNER OF VEHICLE SINCE 2007, OWNER NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION AT ALL FRO…
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RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, PART WAS SETTLED IN CLASS ACTION SUITE AND OWNER WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF DEFECT AND OR HOW IT CAN BE FIXED UNTIL FAILURE ON HIGHWAY WITH FAMILY OF FOUR IN IT ON 3/28/2014, THE OWNER IS THE SOLE OWNER OF VEHICLE SINCE 2007, OWNER NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION AT ALL FROM NISSAN REGARDING THIS MANUFACTURER ISSUE UNTIL SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT NISSAN INFORMED OWNER OF ISSUE AND ALSO INFORMED OWNER OF $3,000.00 REPAIR CHARGE FOR THE FAULTY PARTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575853
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR CRACKED CAUSING COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575262
Official recalls
1Dec 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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