NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
557 reports120,000 miles · Sep 9, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
LEFT MY HOUSE GARAGE AND SUDDENLY I NOTICES THAT THE CAR WAS LOOSING THE POWER, SO I WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE AFTER FEW MILES DRIVING. AND NEXT MORNING, I WAS GOING TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC, THE ENGINE DIDN'T START. SO I CALLED TO TOW MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, CAR WOULDN'T BE FUNCTION DUE TO THE …
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LEFT MY HOUSE GARAGE AND SUDDENLY I NOTICES THAT THE CAR WAS LOOSING THE POWER, SO I WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE AFTER FEW MILES DRIVING. AND NEXT MORNING, I WAS GOING TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC, THE ENGINE DIDN'T START. SO I CALLED TO TOW MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, CAR WOULDN'T BE FUNCTION DUE TO THE TRANSMISSMISSION AND COMPUTER FAILURE. MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP, SO I DONT KNOW THE EXACT ODOMETER.
NHTSA ODI #10762743
144,000 miles · Aug 27, 2015
EngineUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND FRIED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM IN NISSANS. WHEN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC HE SAID IT WOULD COST $5000 PLUS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10759716
127,000 miles · Aug 14, 2015
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND COULDN'T ACCELERATE, MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, ABOUT RAN OVER BY TRAILER. RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT NISSAN ISN'T TAKING CARE OF.
NHTSA ODI #10748711
75,000 miles · Aug 6, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE IS GIVING AN ERRONEOUS READING. PROBLEM STARTED AT AROUND JULY 2014 WITH MILEAGE AT AROUND 75,000 BUT CORRECTED ITSELF THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN FEW MONTHS AFTER WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND HAS BEEN ON SINCE. EMPTY LIGHT IS ON EVEN THOUGH THERE'S GAS IN TANK OR IT WILL READ FULL EVEN THOUGH THERE'S LESS THAN FUL…
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FUEL GAUGE IS GIVING AN ERRONEOUS READING. PROBLEM STARTED AT AROUND JULY 2014 WITH MILEAGE AT AROUND 75,000 BUT CORRECTED ITSELF THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN FEW MONTHS AFTER WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND HAS BEEN ON SINCE. EMPTY LIGHT IS ON EVEN THOUGH THERE'S GAS IN TANK OR IT WILL READ FULL EVEN THOUGH THERE'S LESS THAN FULL IN TANK. EITHER WAY IT IS ERRATIC & NOT GIVING YOU THE CORRECT READING. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN AND A RECALL IN A FORM OF A WARRANTY EXTENSION SPECIFIC TO THAT PART AND PROBLEM HAS BEEN SENT OUT AND OF COURSE IT HAPPENS TO MY CAR AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. IT'S AUG 2015 AND MILEAGE IS NOW AT 82,650 AND WAY PAST THE WARRANTY EVEN WITH THE EXTENDED ONE THAT THEY HAD PUT OUT. CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUME AFFAIRS BUT WAS JUST TOLD THEY COULDN'T HELP AND TO FILE COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA AND/OR BBB WHICH I AM DOING AND HOPING THIS WOULD BE ATTENDED TO AS REPAIRS ARE TOO COSTLY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THESE VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI #10746861
98,500 miles · Aug 6, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
MY COOLANT SYSTEM HAS LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION SYSTEM CAUSING MALFUNCTION OF BOTH. THIS CAUSES MY CAR TO HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING AND WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO GIVE OUT COMPLETELY WHILE IN MOTION.THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF AND HAS NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED.
NHTSA ODI #10746856
69,700 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Engine
STOPPED AT NISSAN DEALER TO TRADE 2007 XTERRA. DEALER TOLD ME MY TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2,000 TO $3,000. NISSAN ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NTB09-128. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TOLD ME IF CHAIN FAILS VALVE TRAIN AND ENGINE WILL BE RUINED AND COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT IF FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #10744558
160,000 miles · Jul 22, 2015
Unknown Or Other
NOTICED A STRAWBERRY COLORED FLUID COMING FROM THE RADIATOR OVERFLOW RESERVOIR. CHECKED THE RADIATOR AND FOUND THAT THE WHOLE COOLING SYSTEM HAD THE SAME COLOR OF FLUID. I TOOK MY XTERRA TO A RADIATOR SHOP AND HAD THE COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHED AND ANTIFREEZE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER H…
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NOTICED A STRAWBERRY COLORED FLUID COMING FROM THE RADIATOR OVERFLOW RESERVOIR. CHECKED THE RADIATOR AND FOUND THAT THE WHOLE COOLING SYSTEM HAD THE SAME COLOR OF FLUID. I TOOK MY XTERRA TO A RADIATOR SHOP AND HAD THE COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHED AND ANTIFREEZE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HAD FAILED AND THAT ANTIFREEZE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED TOGETHER AND WENT THROUGH THE COOLING SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION. I FIRST GOT THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHED AGAIN. I HAD BEEN HEARING A SUSPICIOUS NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS STARTING TO SLIP. ALL THIS IN WILLISTON, ND WHICH WAS 620 MILES FROM MY HOME. I HAD TO TAKE THE TRAIN HOME. WE HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR MY WIFE TO USE SO I COULD USE HER NISSAN ARMADA TO GO BACK TO WILLISTON AND TOW IT BACK HOME. I ALSO HAD TO RENT AN AUTO TRANSPORT TRAILER. MY CAR IS NOW IN THE SHOP GETTING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MY MECHANIC AND READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR THE TRANSMISSION IS TO GET IT REBUILT OR REPLACED, WHICH CAN TAKE UP TO $6000, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU GO. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. FROM WHAT I CAN SEE ONLINE THERE HAS BEEN AT LEAST 300 COMPLAINTS FILED, AND I AM SURE THERE HAS BEEN OTHER ISSUES THAT HAVEN'T BEEN REPORTED. I ALSO HAVE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AND THERE WAS WARRANTY EXTENSION GRANTED UP TO 100,00 MILES. I AM SURE THAT THE NHTSA IS ALSO AWARE THAT 90% OF THE COMPLAINTS ARE FROM CAR OWNERS THAT HAVE OVER 100,000 MILES ON THERE ODOMETER. I AM ALSO SURE THAT NISSAN IS ALSO AWARE OF THIS AND KNOW THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND ARE DOING WHAT EVER IS POSSIBLE TO AVOID FIXING AND REPLACING 100'S OF TRANSMISSIONS. I AM HOPING THAT THIS MATTER CAN BE DEALT WITH SWIFTLY AND ONCE AND FOR ALL.
NHTSA ODI #10735854
85,500 miles · Jul 20, 2015
Unknown Or Other
SATURDAY MORNING, APRIL 18, WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT IN MY WIFES 2007 XTERRA, THE VEHICLE INEXPLICABLY ACCELERATED IN DRAMATIC FASHION MOMENTARILY OUT OF CONTROL. I RODE THE BRAKES, AS THE CAR CONTINUED FORWARD SOME 50 60 FT IN A RAPID BUCKING MOTION UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE ENGIN…
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SATURDAY MORNING, APRIL 18, WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT IN MY WIFES 2007 XTERRA, THE VEHICLE INEXPLICABLY ACCELERATED IN DRAMATIC FASHION MOMENTARILY OUT OF CONTROL. I RODE THE BRAKES, AS THE CAR CONTINUED FORWARD SOME 50 60 FT IN A RAPID BUCKING MOTION UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. I WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES, RESTARTED, AND THE ENGINE RESUMED ITS INTENSE RPM. AGAIN I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WAITED PERHAPS 10 MINUTES, AND RESTARTED WITH NORMAL PERFORMANCE. IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH THERE IS A RESULTANT BRAKE SQUEAL, THAT WASNT PRIOR APPARENT, AND DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE BRAKING ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIOLENT ACCELERATION ACTION. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI #10735282
113,000 miles · Jul 14, 2015
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INNERLOOP OF THE BELTWAY 495 FROM FALLS CHURCH VA, TO CHEVY CHASE MD AFTER WORK AROUND 330PM. I WAS ON THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCK LOST POWER AND I HAD NO CONTROL OR WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE RPM'S WERE MOVING BUT THE TRUCK BARELY MOVED. I PUT MY HAZARDS O…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE INNERLOOP OF THE BELTWAY 495 FROM FALLS CHURCH VA, TO CHEVY CHASE MD AFTER WORK AROUND 330PM. I WAS ON THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCK LOST POWER AND I HAD NO CONTROL OR WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE RPM'S WERE MOVING BUT THE TRUCK BARELY MOVED. I PUT MY HAZARDS ON AND SLOWLY MOVED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER WHERE OTHER CARS COULD HAVE HIT ME. NISSAN'S FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS FAULTY RADIATOR THAT HAS AFFECTED THE TRANSMISSIONS OF BOTH THE XTERRA'S, PATHFINDERS, AND FRONTIERS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE I AM OVER 100,000 AND THAT I AM NOT COVERED UNDER THIS WARRANTY FOR NISSAN'S ISSUE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE THAT THIS COULD POSSIBLE LEAD TO A MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH THESE TRANSMISSION ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #10733903
105,000 miles · Jun 24, 2015
Power Train
THE ENGINE COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR ARE RUINED. I AM A SINGLE MOM RAISING 2 KIDS TRYING TO SAVE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS EXACT PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10730239
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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