NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
262 reportsClear category filter85,000 miles · Apr 9, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
DUE TO A DEFECT KNOWN BY NISSAN, THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECT AND DID NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. INSTEAD THEY ADDED AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" THAT MOST PEOPLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DUE TO YEARS/MILEAGE LIMITATIONS. I MADE IT INTO THE LAST…
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DUE TO A DEFECT KNOWN BY NISSAN, THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECT AND DID NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. INSTEAD THEY ADDED AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" THAT MOST PEOPLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DUE TO YEARS/MILEAGE LIMITATIONS. I MADE IT INTO THE LAST BRACKET, WHERE MY CO-PAY FOR THE REPAIR IS $3000 INSTEAD OF THE FULL $5800. THE DEALER DID NOT RESEARCH THE WARRANTY AND TRIED TO HAVE ME PAY FULL PRICE. I WILL NEVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN DUE TO THEIR DECISION NOT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A KNOWN DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10704631
130,000 miles · Apr 3, 2015
Power Train
RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM (CLASS ACTION AND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS) FOR NISSAN AND THEY REFUSE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE. BOUGHT USED FROM NISSAN DEALER AND ISSUE WAS NEVER MENTIONED EVEN THOUGHT THEY HAVE SERVICED SEVERAL CARS WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10703507
132,715 miles · Apr 1, 2015
EnginePower Train
VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO A HIGH GEAR. THIS AFTER HESITATION, STUTTERING, AND OTHER ISSUES. TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILURE RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND RADIATOR FAILURE. COMMON DEFECT. LOCAL NISSAN DEALERS AS WELL AS NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT UNWILLING TO FIX OR TO "GOOD WILL" A SOLUTION. 3700$ AT A LOCAL LICENS…
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VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO A HIGH GEAR. THIS AFTER HESITATION, STUTTERING, AND OTHER ISSUES. TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILURE RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND RADIATOR FAILURE. COMMON DEFECT. LOCAL NISSAN DEALERS AS WELL AS NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT UNWILLING TO FIX OR TO "GOOD WILL" A SOLUTION. 3700$ AT A LOCAL LICENSED GARAGE TO FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10703246
84,326 miles · Mar 24, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. AT ABOUT 84365 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING BADLY. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT MY TRANSMISSION COOLER HAD RUPTURED INSIDE THE RADIATOR AND COOLANT HAD GOTTEN INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. MY TRANSMISSION WAS BASICALLY DESTROYED AND IT COST OVER $5000.00 TO FIX IT. AFTER READING OTHER ARTICLES ABO…
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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. AT ABOUT 84365 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING BADLY. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT MY TRANSMISSION COOLER HAD RUPTURED INSIDE THE RADIATOR AND COOLANT HAD GOTTEN INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. MY TRANSMISSION WAS BASICALLY DESTROYED AND IT COST OVER $5000.00 TO FIX IT. AFTER READING OTHER ARTICLES ABOUT NISSAN OWNERS WITH SIMILAR EXPERIENCES, I THINK THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE FAILURES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10701512
93,000 miles · Mar 11, 2015
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, THE TORQUE CONVERTER, AND THE RADIA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, THE TORQUE CONVERTER, AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHANGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10693673
100,000 miles · Mar 10, 2015
Power Train
I ONLY HAD A YEAR SINCE I PURCHASED MY USED 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND MY TRANSMISSION FAILED, WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, ONE DAY I FELT THE GEARS WHERE GETTING A LITTLE STIFF EVERY TIME I SHIFTED AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW IM AT THE SHOP, AND IM BEING TOLD ITS GOING TO BE 4800.00 TO FIX MY TRANSMISSION, I…
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I ONLY HAD A YEAR SINCE I PURCHASED MY USED 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND MY TRANSMISSION FAILED, WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, ONE DAY I FELT THE GEARS WHERE GETTING A LITTLE STIFF EVERY TIME I SHIFTED AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW IM AT THE SHOP, AND IM BEING TOLD ITS GOING TO BE 4800.00 TO FIX MY TRANSMISSION, I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO, STILL HAVE A LOAN ON THIS VEHICLE AND HAD TO SCRAP UP MONEY TO BUY AN ADDITIONAL CAR BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX IT. THEN I FIND OUT THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM BY NISSAN AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP OUT THE CONSUMER AND THEIR LAME WARRANTY COVERS NOTHING BECAUSE MY CAR EXCEEDS THE 100K MILE WARRANTY... THIS BLOWS, NEVER BUYING NISSAN AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10693226
72,000 miles · Mar 5, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
VEHICLE MADE A NOISE WHAT SOUNDED LIKE DRIVING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP. IT THEN FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND I WAS FORCED INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SHOP AND WAS INFORMED OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND NOW ITS JUNK. IT WILL …
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VEHICLE MADE A NOISE WHAT SOUNDED LIKE DRIVING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP. IT THEN FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND I WAS FORCED INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SHOP AND WAS INFORMED OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND NOW ITS JUNK. IT WILL NOW COST ME $3400 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE ISN'T A RECALL OUT FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10692392
103,000 miles · Feb 27, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHUDDER AT SPEEDS 40-50 MPH A FEW WEEKS AGO, FEELS LIKE GOING OVER SHALLOW RUMBLE STRIPS. DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THE ISSUE IS COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID.THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE WITH ALL 2005 NISSAN FRONTIERS. MY TRUCK HAS 103,XXX MILES. OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY NOW. NEVER NEW OF…
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TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHUDDER AT SPEEDS 40-50 MPH A FEW WEEKS AGO, FEELS LIKE GOING OVER SHALLOW RUMBLE STRIPS. DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THE ISSUE IS COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID.THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE WITH ALL 2005 NISSAN FRONTIERS. MY TRUCK HAS 103,XXX MILES. OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY NOW. NEVER NEW OF THIS WARRANTY AND NOW I'M STUCK PAYING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET FOR NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10691161
155,000 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
DRIVING ALONG AT 65 MILES PER HOUR SEEMED LIKE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGINE REVVED UP. ROLLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. TRUCK WOULD NO LONGER MOVE. HAD TRUCK TOWED TO GARAGE WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD COOLANT IN IT AND HAD WIPED IT OUT. TO REPLACE TRANS AND RADIATOR WAS 5300 DOLLARS.
NHTSA ODI #10690765
113,500 miles · Feb 17, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHUDDER WHEN IN OVERDRIVE AND AT SPEEDS 40-50 MPH. SHUDDERING GRADUALLY GREW WORSE AND WORSE. OCCASIONAL CLANK SOUND WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD. DIAGNOSED AT DEALER AS RUPTURED HEAT EXCHANGER IN RADIATOR WHICH ALLOWED COOLANT TO ENTER AND CONTAMINATE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10683879
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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