NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
80 reportsClear category filter80,800 miles · Apr 7, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
MY TRUCK JUST REACHED 80,800 MILES AND IT HAS LOST POWER. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND IT CAME BACK WITH THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION AND THE FUEL PUMP ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME I HAD NO WARRANTY ON ANY OF THESE PARTS AS OF 2010 AND THEY QUOTED ME ALMOST $7,000 TO REPLACE ALL. AFTER GOING HO…
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MY TRUCK JUST REACHED 80,800 MILES AND IT HAS LOST POWER. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND IT CAME BACK WITH THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION AND THE FUEL PUMP ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME I HAD NO WARRANTY ON ANY OF THESE PARTS AS OF 2010 AND THEY QUOTED ME ALMOST $7,000 TO REPLACE ALL. AFTER GOING HOME AND LOOKING UP TRANSMISSION SHOPS I FOUND HUNDREDS OF ARTICLES ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THOUSANDS OF NISSAN CARS. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE OF RECALL ON MY TRUCK. THEN I FIND THEY HAVE SNEAKILY EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY WITHOUT NOTIFYING US AND NOW MY TRUCK IS 12YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 80,800 MILES AND I NEED TO COME UP WITH $7,000 BECAUSE THEY FAILED TO NOTIFY THEIR CLIENTS ABOUT THEIR MISTAKES.
NHTSA ODI #11083756
118,159 miles · Feb 10, 2018
Engine
THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT CAME OFF 4/26/17, 12/7/17, AND 2/10/18 . WHEN IT WAS REINSTALLED ON 12/7/17 THE MECHANIC SAID THEY FOUND A REFERENCE THAT SAID NISSAN HAS NEW SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT KIT AVAILABLE AND IF CAME OFF AGAIN THEY RECOMMENDED I GET THE NEW KIT INSTALLED. ALL THREE TIMES THE BELT CAME OFF WHEN I STARTED THE ENG…
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THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT CAME OFF 4/26/17, 12/7/17, AND 2/10/18 . WHEN IT WAS REINSTALLED ON 12/7/17 THE MECHANIC SAID THEY FOUND A REFERENCE THAT SAID NISSAN HAS NEW SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT KIT AVAILABLE AND IF CAME OFF AGAIN THEY RECOMMENDED I GET THE NEW KIT INSTALLED. ALL THREE TIMES THE BELT CAME OFF WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE IN MY DRIVEWAY. SEVERAL TIMES IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS SLIPPING WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS AFTER STOPPING FOR A STOP SIGN PRIOR TO THE 3D TIME IT CAME OFF.AFTER STOPPING
NHTSA ODI #11072107
91,000 miles · Nov 7, 2017
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
AFTER 2 AND A HALF MONTHS OF FIGHTING WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, NISSAN HAS BASICALLY TOLD ME THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT ME OR THE OTHER PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE OR THEIR SAFETY. AS SAD AS IT SOUNDS ITS GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE THEY OPEN THEIR EYES.
NHTSA ODI #11044241
100,000 miles · Oct 25, 2017
EnginePower Train
THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CREATING A TOXIC FLUID THAT IRREVERSIBLY DAMAGED EVERYTHING AROUND IT. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN FIRST NOTICED. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AT MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO RE…
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THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CREATING A TOXIC FLUID THAT IRREVERSIBLY DAMAGED EVERYTHING AROUND IT. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN FIRST NOTICED. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AT MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SO FLUSHING IT WAS MY ONLY OPTION. IT LASTED FOR A FEW YEARS BUT NOW IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT HAS AFFECTED THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS.
NHTSA ODI #11039791
89,000 miles · May 13, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
TRUCK CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING NO MATTER WHAT SPEED YOUR AT. HAVE TO WAIT A FEW SECONDS TO GET IT TO START AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10985554
200,000 miles · May 2, 2017
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FRONT TO BACK AND THEN STALLED. THE ENGINE AND OTHER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO A PARKING LOT. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FRONT TO BACK AND THEN STALLED. THE ENGINE AND OTHER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO A PARKING LOT. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED THE NEXT DAY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED A WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR LIQUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE MECHANIC'S DIAGNOSIS AND REPLACED A FAULTY SENSOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AGAIN, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA ODI #10983129
72,000 miles · Feb 28, 2017
EnginePower Train
TRANSMISSION CROSS CONTAMINATION WITH COOLANT. 72,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING FULL SPEED, FORCING ME TO QUICKLY MOVE OVER 6 LANES WITH NO HIGH GEAR. NOW I HAVE A $4900 REPAIR BILL. I WAS IN THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP JUST 1 WEEK PRIOR FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED A…
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TRANSMISSION CROSS CONTAMINATION WITH COOLANT. 72,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING FULL SPEED, FORCING ME TO QUICKLY MOVE OVER 6 LANES WITH NO HIGH GEAR. NOW I HAVE A $4900 REPAIR BILL. I WAS IN THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP JUST 1 WEEK PRIOR FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT NISSAN SINCE IT WAS NEW. I WAS NEVER TOLD OF THE RECALL OR THAT I SHOULD BYPASS THE RADIATOR OR BEWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10957695
131,000 miles · Jan 6, 2017
Engine
TAKATA INFLATORS TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #10940246
115,000 miles · Oct 27, 2016
EnginePower Train
COMPLAINT RE: TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. IS LOCKED IN 3RD GEAR IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. OVERDRIVE GEAR WAS GONE DUE TO COOLANT MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. HAD REPLACED RADIATOR & FLUSHED TRANSMISSION 3 MONTHS AGO HOPING TO BUY ME SOME MORE MILES BEFORE HAVING TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. DIDN'T WORK. TO…
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COMPLAINT RE: TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. IS LOCKED IN 3RD GEAR IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. OVERDRIVE GEAR WAS GONE DUE TO COOLANT MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. HAD REPLACED RADIATOR & FLUSHED TRANSMISSION 3 MONTHS AGO HOPING TO BUY ME SOME MORE MILES BEFORE HAVING TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. DIDN'T WORK. TOLD BY NISSAN THAT I WAS SOL DUE TO OVER 100,000 MILES. *TR ## VIN PASSED ## NISSAN FRONTIER V6 4X4 2005 ##
NHTSA ODI #10919372
164,000 miles · Oct 13, 2016
Engine
VEHICLE ENGINE HAS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE AT A FULL STOP AND WHILE DRIVING. ONCE WHILE MAKING A TURN AND ONCE WHILE IN MOTION. MANY FRONTIER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME. TOOK IT TO ONE OF THE BEST AUTO TECHS IN FLORIDA. DIAGOSTIC SHOWED "NO CODES"
NHTSA ODI #10916006
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.
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.
Mar 30, 2006
ON CERTAIN KING CAB TRUCKS, IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT DEFORMATION OF THE VEHICLE'S BODY COULD CAUSE THE FUEL FILLER CAP TETHER TO BE STRETCHED TO THE POINT OF UNSCREWING THE FUEL FILLER CAP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN A FUEL SPILL WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL CAP TETHER PIN ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2006. 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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