NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
231 reportsClear category filter113,000 miles · Mar 28, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUF…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT STATED THAT DUE TO THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. ..UPDATED 04/18/13 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10504872
105,000 miles · Mar 26, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ANTIFREEZE LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION FROM FAULTY RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504640
102,138 miles · Mar 26, 2013
Power Train
OIL COOLER TUBE BROKE CAUSING CONTAMINATION TO TRANSMISSION FLUID. RADIATOR HAD ALREADY BEEN CHANGED AT 80,000 MILES. CALLED NISSAN TO MAKE A CLAIM JUST AS SOON AS XTERRA STARTED TO SHIFT FUNNY. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES. I ASKED THEN IF THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, I WAS TOLD…
Read full complaint
OIL COOLER TUBE BROKE CAUSING CONTAMINATION TO TRANSMISSION FLUID. RADIATOR HAD ALREADY BEEN CHANGED AT 80,000 MILES. CALLED NISSAN TO MAKE A CLAIM JUST AS SOON AS XTERRA STARTED TO SHIFT FUNNY. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES. I ASKED THEN IF THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, I WAS TOLD YES. THEY ALSO TOLD ME I HAD NO RECOURSE SINCE I HAD 102138 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. THEN THE EXTENSION COMES FOR 100,000 MILES, AND NOW 2138 MILES OVER, NO COVERAGE. PLEASE, IF I CONDUCTED MY BUSINESS LIKE THIS I WOULD NOT HAVE ANY CUSTOMERS (OR IS THAT WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR). I WILL NEVER BUY A NISSAN VEHICLE AGAIN, AND I WILL LET EVERYONE I KNOW THAT NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THIS AND REFUSED TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504571
125,000 miles · Mar 26, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE ACCELERATING, MERGING ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY, AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER LUNGED FORWARD AND STARTED MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. I WAS NEARLY HIT FROM BEHIND BY A VEHICLE HAVING THE RIGHT-OF-WAY BEFORE I COULD GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AND WAS DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC AS HAVING…
Read full complaint
WHILE ACCELERATING, MERGING ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY, AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER LUNGED FORWARD AND STARTED MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. I WAS NEARLY HIT FROM BEHIND BY A VEHICLE HAVING THE RIGHT-OF-WAY BEFORE I COULD GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AND WAS DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC AS HAVING "CROSS CONTAMINATION OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ANTIFREEZE DUE TO TRANSMISSION INTERCOOLER FAILURE". THIS INCIDENT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO AND DISMISSED BY NISSAN AS NOT BEING A FREQUENT PROBLEM FOR THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504543
82,715 miles · Mar 20, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO DRAG, I THEN CALLED THE DEALER AND BROUGHT IT RIGHT IN AND FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS GOING TO COST 6,600 DOLLARS TO REPAIR. I COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS TOO MUCH MONEY. THE DEALER BROUGHT IT DOWN TO 2,500 DOLLARS TO FIX. THEN I FIND OUT IF I…
Read full complaint
DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO DRAG, I THEN CALLED THE DEALER AND BROUGHT IT RIGHT IN AND FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS GOING TO COST 6,600 DOLLARS TO REPAIR. I COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS TOO MUCH MONEY. THE DEALER BROUGHT IT DOWN TO 2,500 DOLLARS TO FIX. THEN I FIND OUT IF IT HAD HAPPENED BEFORE 80,000 MILES IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. THIS IS NOT RIGHT AS NISSAN KNEW THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES BECAUSE OF A POOR DESIGN ON THERE PART. AS A CONSUMER I FEEL I WAS TAKEN. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY OR A DESERTED ROAD. PLEASE HAVE NISSAN OWN UP TO THE PRODUCT THEY ARE SELLING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503854
92,161 miles · Mar 11, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A RUMBLE STRIP LIKE AFFECT APPARENTLY DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR HAVING A LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSING A TRANSMISSION TO BEGIN TO FAIL. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ON NISSANS PART I WAS FORCED TO PAY 3000 DOLLARS FOR A CO-PAY TO FIX THIS PROBL…
Read full complaint
MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A RUMBLE STRIP LIKE AFFECT APPARENTLY DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR HAVING A LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSING A TRANSMISSION TO BEGIN TO FAIL. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ON NISSANS PART I WAS FORCED TO PAY 3000 DOLLARS FOR A CO-PAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10502415
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2013
Power Train
I DO NOT HAVE AN INCIDENT TO REPORT-BUT FEEL SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO KNOW THE POTENTIAL FOR ONE. I JUST READ THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT AGAINST NISSAN AND THE OUTCOME. I AM APPALLED THAT NISSAN DOES NOT THINK THAT THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOW FIND OUT MY NISSAN IS ONE OF THOSE VEHICLES THAT HAS COOLAN…
Read full complaint
I DO NOT HAVE AN INCIDENT TO REPORT-BUT FEEL SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO KNOW THE POTENTIAL FOR ONE. I JUST READ THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT AGAINST NISSAN AND THE OUTCOME. I AM APPALLED THAT NISSAN DOES NOT THINK THAT THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOW FIND OUT MY NISSAN IS ONE OF THOSE VEHICLES THAT HAS COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS GOING TO COST 2500.00 AS THE MILEAGE IS OVER 80000 NOW. AND THIS IS THE CAR I ENTRUSTED MY 17 YEAR OLD TO DRIVE. I WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT OFF THE ROAD AND DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO FIX IT AND TRADE OR TAKE A HUGE LOSS AND TRADE IT AT THE DEALER BUT DON'T WANT ANOTHER NISSAN. SHOULDN'T SOMETHING BE DONE TO PROTECT US FROM THIS? I CAN ONLY HOPE BY WRITING THAT THIS WILL HELP ME AND OTHERS IN SOME WAY TO FORCE NISSAN TO SAY THEY USED A FAULTY RADIATOR THAT LEAKED AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND IN TURN AN ACCIDENT. I WILL BE USING ALL TOOLS AVAILABLE TO GET THIS RESOLVED-I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT MY FAMILY AND I ARE BEING CHEATED AND IT LOOKS ALL LEGAL ACCORDING TO WHAT I READ. NOT SURE HOW THAT HAPPENED...THE CONSUMER DID NOT WIN ANYTHING BUT A LARGE BILL THAT MOST MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD. THANK-YOU FOR TAKING AN INTEREST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10502164
123,000 miles · Mar 4, 2013
Power Train
VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHUDDERING AT AROUND 50MPH. APPROX 2 WEEKS AGO, IT WOULDN'T SHIFT, SO I COULDN'T DRIVE FASTER THAN 25-30 MPH. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND TRANSMISSION FLUSHED, AND IT SEEMED OK, ALTHOUGH IT WAS STILL DOING THE SHUDDERING. YESTERDAY I NOTICED A STRANGE PUDDLE ON THE GARAGE FLOOR, SO I CHECKED IT OUT. THERE IS A…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHUDDERING AT AROUND 50MPH. APPROX 2 WEEKS AGO, IT WOULDN'T SHIFT, SO I COULDN'T DRIVE FASTER THAN 25-30 MPH. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND TRANSMISSION FLUSHED, AND IT SEEMED OK, ALTHOUGH IT WAS STILL DOING THE SHUDDERING. YESTERDAY I NOTICED A STRANGE PUDDLE ON THE GARAGE FLOOR, SO I CHECKED IT OUT. THERE IS A LEAK THAT IS CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I BEGAN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM IN 2005-2010 NISSANS. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION. WHEN I CALLED THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER, THE SERVICE GUY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT WHEN I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM, AND ESTIMATED THAT TO REPAIR WOULD BE $4000-5000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501214
87,700 miles · Mar 4, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY TRANSMISSION STARTING SLIPPING. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND ALLOWED ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. OUR WINTERS ARE VERY SNOWY,ICY AND COLD LEAVING ME WITHOUT HEAT AND IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WINTRY CONDITIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501154
61,000 miles · Feb 13, 2013
Power Train
AT A STOP SIGN STARTED TO DRIVE THEN STOPPED THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND STARTED TO VIBRATE MORE THAN NORMAL. I CALLED NISSAN ABOUT THE BAD RADIATOR THAT WRECKS THE TRANSMISSION. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN TO BE CHECKED OVER. WHY DON'T THEY RECALL THE RADIATOR AND NOT PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK FOR A BAD KNOW PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10498036
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.
Illustration