NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
222 reportsClear category filter80,000 miles · Oct 1, 2015
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO SHIFT GEARS. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS PRESENT IN THE RADIATOR COOLANT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO SHIFT GEARS. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS PRESENT IN THE RADIATOR COOLANT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10779048
140,000 miles · Sep 30, 2015
Power Train
TRANSMISSION DAMAGE ATTRIBUTED TO CONTAMINATION BY ENGINE COOLANT. THE SOURCE OF THE CONTAMINATION IS A CRACKED ATF LINE THAT RUNS THROUGH AN ENGINE COOLANT CHAMBER IN THE RADIATOR.
NHTSA ODI #10778675
128,000 miles · Sep 17, 2015
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING, I NOTICE A "BUCKING" FROM THE TRANSMISSION FOLLOWING SHIFTS AND ONLY AT LOW RPM'S. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS CHECKED DURING AN OIL CHANGE IN JANUARY 2014, AND FLUID WAS ADDED (THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT FLUSHED.) THE "BUCKING" SEEMED TO SUBSIDE FOR A FEW DAYS,…
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FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING, I NOTICE A "BUCKING" FROM THE TRANSMISSION FOLLOWING SHIFTS AND ONLY AT LOW RPM'S. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS CHECKED DURING AN OIL CHANGE IN JANUARY 2014, AND FLUID WAS ADDED (THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT FLUSHED.) THE "BUCKING" SEEMED TO SUBSIDE FOR A FEW DAYS, HOWEVER WHAT I NEXT EXPERIENCED NEXT WAS FAR WORSE. ON THREE OR FOUR OCCASSIONS, THE TRUCK SUDDENLY ACTED AT THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED, AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. EACH OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON 4 LANE HIGHWAYS, AT HIGHWAY SPEED. AS I RECALL, ON AT LEAST ONE OF THESE OCCASSIONS TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT, AND I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT THE HIGHWAY. HOWEVER, ON THE OTHER OCCASSIONS, THE SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED AND ABILITY TO ACCELERATE VERY VERY NEARLY CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10764719
45,000 miles · Sep 17, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE NOT REVERSING WAS THE FIRST SIGN OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE. UPDATED 1/14/2016*JS *CN
NHTSA ODI #10764584
92,100 miles · Sep 4, 2015
Power Train
WHEN THE TRUCK TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO 5TH GEAR THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPCCURING AND GETTING WORSE. THE NISSIAN DEALER VERIFIED IT IS DUE TO CONTAMINATED TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO A LEAK IN THE COOLING RADIATOR.
NHTSA ODI #10761660
117,000 miles · Aug 6, 2015
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherInjury
I WAS REAR ENDED 04/20/2015 ,BACK INJURY, POLICE REPORT, OTHER DRIVER INSURANCE TAKING CARE OF BILLS, NO SETTLEMENT YET. IN JUNE, NOTICED TRANSMISSION SLIP & LEAK IN DRIVE WAY. IN REPAIR SHOP ON FRIDAY, 07/31/2015. THEY ADVISED ME RADIATOR CRACK AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO RADIATOR. $1,200.00 TO REPAIR ALL. THEY INSTRU…
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I WAS REAR ENDED 04/20/2015 ,BACK INJURY, POLICE REPORT, OTHER DRIVER INSURANCE TAKING CARE OF BILLS, NO SETTLEMENT YET. IN JUNE, NOTICED TRANSMISSION SLIP & LEAK IN DRIVE WAY. IN REPAIR SHOP ON FRIDAY, 07/31/2015. THEY ADVISED ME RADIATOR CRACK AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO RADIATOR. $1,200.00 TO REPAIR ALL. THEY INSTRUCTED TO DO SO.
NHTSA ODI #10746755
60,000 miles · Jul 23, 2015
Power Train
MY 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER HEATER WOULD NOT WARM UP WHEN IDLING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN DECEMBER 2014 AND THEY FLUSHED THE LINES. SIX MONTHS LATER THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ENGINE COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYED…
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MY 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER HEATER WOULD NOT WARM UP WHEN IDLING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN DECEMBER 2014 AND THEY FLUSHED THE LINES. SIX MONTHS LATER THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT ENGINE COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYED IT! I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOW 8 YEARS OLD, THE WARRANTY WILL ONLY COVER PART OF THE COST AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR $2,500. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT ONE OF THE WARNING SIGNS WAS A HEATER THAT WOULD NOT WARM UP WHILE IDLING. THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED IN DECEMBER OF 2014 AND COVERED FULLY BY WARRANTY, HOWEVER, THE DEALER DID NOT WARN ME! NOW, NISSAN SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO! I'M FRUSTRATED TO SAY THE LEAST AND HAVE PURCHASED MY LAST NISSAN!
NHTSA ODI #10735953
91,172 miles · Jun 30, 2015
Power Train
TRUCK STARTED TO VIBRATE LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON A RUMPLE STRIP AROUND 40 MPH. IT SEEMED LIKE THE OVERDRIVE WAS STRUGGLING TO ENGAGE OR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COULDN'T FIND THE RIGHT GEAR. I CHECKED THE ATF AND IT WAS A RED STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE CONSISTENCY THAT IS OFTEN DESCRIBED WHEN THERE IS WATER CONTAMINATION. THIS IS A …
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TRUCK STARTED TO VIBRATE LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON A RUMPLE STRIP AROUND 40 MPH. IT SEEMED LIKE THE OVERDRIVE WAS STRUGGLING TO ENGAGE OR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COULDN'T FIND THE RIGHT GEAR. I CHECKED THE ATF AND IT WAS A RED STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE CONSISTENCY THAT IS OFTEN DESCRIBED WHEN THERE IS WATER CONTAMINATION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN REFUSES TO RECALL. IT HAS JUST OVER 90K.
NHTSA ODI #10731391
1,270,000 miles · Jun 20, 2015
Power Train
DRIVING WHEN CAR STOPPED MOVING AND STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. HAD TO PUT CAR IN REVERSE. INTERMITTENTLY GOT IT IN DRIVE. CAR WAS MAKING A HUMMING NOISE.
NHTSA ODI #10726318
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2015
Power Train
I PURCHASED A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER IN 2013, AND JUST PRIOR TO REACHING 109,178 MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING BADLY SO I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED THAT MY "SEALED" TRANSMISSION WAS MISSING TWO QUARTS OF OIL AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF LEAKING ON THE EXTERNAL PORTION OF THE TRANSMISSION. HE REPLACED THE MISS…
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I PURCHASED A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER IN 2013, AND JUST PRIOR TO REACHING 109,178 MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING BADLY SO I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED THAT MY "SEALED" TRANSMISSION WAS MISSING TWO QUARTS OF OIL AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF LEAKING ON THE EXTERNAL PORTION OF THE TRANSMISSION. HE REPLACED THE MISSING OIL AND AFTER A WEEK OF DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AGAIN. HE CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND AGAIN IT WAS QUART LOW AND SLIPPING BADLY. IT WAS THEN I STARTED RESEARCHING NISSAN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND DISCOVERED THAT WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING WAS A WELL KNOWN (BY NISSAN) PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. NOW AT 109,275 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY FAILED AND IT ALL COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD NISSAN FIXED THE WELL KNOWN PROBLEM BEFORE THEY SOLD THE VEHICLE TO ME. FUNNY THE SALESMAN THAT SOLD THE TRUCK TO ME SUGGESTED THAT I PURCHASE A "POWER-TRAIN" WARRANTY "JUST IN CASE" BECAUSE IT WAS 4WD, I FIND THAT VERY IRONIC. I PURCHASED THE WARRANTY AND NOW I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE REPAIR COST FOR THE BLOWN TRANSMISSION MAY NOT BE COVERED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION COOLING RADIATOR IS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. I FEEL THAT NISSAN IS FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR WHATEVER THE COST IS TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF THEIR NEGLIGENCE IN FAILING TO FIX THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE TRUCK BEING RESOLD.
NHTSA ODI #10725639
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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