NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
222 reportsClear category filter140,000 miles · Jun 12, 2015
EnginePower Train
A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A LOUD VIBRATING OR SHUDDERING SOUND AT SPEEDS AROUND 35-40 MPH. IT SEEMED TO HAPPEN AS I STOPPED ACCELERATING AS IF IT WERE TRYING TO UP-SHIFT FOR CRUISING. THE SOUND BEGAN TO GET LOUDER OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS BEFORE I COULD GET IT CHECKED OUT. IT NOW HAS A VERY DIFFICULT TIME SHIFTING…
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A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A LOUD VIBRATING OR SHUDDERING SOUND AT SPEEDS AROUND 35-40 MPH. IT SEEMED TO HAPPEN AS I STOPPED ACCELERATING AS IF IT WERE TRYING TO UP-SHIFT FOR CRUISING. THE SOUND BEGAN TO GET LOUDER OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS BEFORE I COULD GET IT CHECKED OUT. IT NOW HAS A VERY DIFFICULT TIME SHIFTING AT THOSE SPEEDS AND WHEN IT DOES SHIFT, IT'S HARD AND MAKES A LOUD KNOCK SOUND. IT THEN BEGAN TO RUN HOT ONE DAY SO AFTER IT COOLED I CHECK THE COOLANT LEVEL AND FOUND THAT IT HAD A LIGHT BROWN, MILKY LOOKING SUBSTANCE WHICH FELT OILY. I'VE RECENTLY DISCOVERED A LOT OF INFORMATION FROM PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM EXPLAINING THAT IT IS CAUSE BY THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING AND DAMAGING EACH COMPONENT.
NHTSA ODI #10725067
100,000 miles · Jun 10, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE SERVICED, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE SERVICED, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10724463
120,008 miles · Jun 5, 2015
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
I BOUGHT A USED 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB AT HYUNDAI OF ROSEVILLE, CA A YEAR AND HALF AGO ON JAN 2014 AND THEY NEVER DISCLOSE TO ME THAT THIS CAR WAS KNOWN FOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND EVENTUALLY DESTROYING IT. AFTER BUYING THIS, I ONLY DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 8,000 MILES AND THIS PROBLEM HITS ME JUNE 2015. I BOU…
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I BOUGHT A USED 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB AT HYUNDAI OF ROSEVILLE, CA A YEAR AND HALF AGO ON JAN 2014 AND THEY NEVER DISCLOSE TO ME THAT THIS CAR WAS KNOWN FOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND EVENTUALLY DESTROYING IT. AFTER BUYING THIS, I ONLY DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 8,000 MILES AND THIS PROBLEM HITS ME JUNE 2015. I BOUGHT IT FOR $12,500 AND STILL OWE $8,000. THE COSTS TO REPAIR THIS ACCORDING TO NISSAN WOULD COSTS ME $7,500. I BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR $1,200, BUT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BECAUSE THIS IS A "KNOWN PRE-EXISTING PROBLEM OR DEFECT BY THE MANUFACTURER." SO, THIS USED FRONTIER WOULD COSTS ME OVER $20,000 WHICH IS ABOUT WHAT THE NEW ONES ARE GOING FOR. THIS IS TERRIBLE AND I NEED SOME KIND OF JUSTICE. EITHER NISSAN, THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT THIS FROM AND OR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY NEED TO PAY FOR THIS. NISSAN SHOULD PAY BECAUSE THIS WAS A KNOWN MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM SHOULD ALSO PAY BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T DISCLOSE OF THIS KNOWN DEFECT. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY CALLED BUY DIRECT AUTO WARRANTY SHOULD HAD NOT OFFER ME A WARRANTY KNOWING THAT CAN'T PAY FOR THIS KIND OF REPAIR. THEY SHOULD EITHER PAY FOR THE REPAIR OR GIVE ME A FULL REFUND. I NEED JUSTICE!!!
NHTSA ODI #10723649
140,000 miles · May 19, 2015
EnginePower Train
2007 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH 140,000 MILES STARTED VIBRATING AND SEEMED SLUGGISH WHEN ACCELERATING. I TOOK TO FIRESTONE THINKING MAYBE IT NEEDED TUNE UP. COME TO FIND OUT TRANSMISSION IS THE ISSUE. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY HAD TO REPLACE FUEL SENSOR WHEN NISSAN REFUSED TO PAY. I WAS OVER THE MILEAGE BY 2000 MILES FOR RECALL. NOW I HAVE RE…
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2007 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH 140,000 MILES STARTED VIBRATING AND SEEMED SLUGGISH WHEN ACCELERATING. I TOOK TO FIRESTONE THINKING MAYBE IT NEEDED TUNE UP. COME TO FIND OUT TRANSMISSION IS THE ISSUE. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY HAD TO REPLACE FUEL SENSOR WHEN NISSAN REFUSED TO PAY. I WAS OVER THE MILEAGE BY 2000 MILES FOR RECALL. NOW I HAVE READ ABOUT ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION AND ONCE AGAIN NISSAN REFUSING TO FIX PROBLEMS. NISSAN SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF THESE ISSUES. I WILL NOT OWN ANOTHER NISSAN!!! MY BROTHER ALSO HAD A 2009 FRONTIER WITH THE FUEL SENSOR ISSUE AND NISSAN WOULD NOT PAY TO FIX. NISSAN KNOWS THIS ISSUES IS OCCURRING OVER THE 100,000 MILES AND KNOW THEY HAVE DEFECTIVE PARTS ON VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI #10717267
105,000 miles · May 17, 2015
Power Train
RADIATOR LEAKS INTO TRANSMISSION AND RUINS BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION
NHTSA ODI #10716953
90,217 miles · May 7, 2015
EnginePower Train
TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BAD, AND THE COOLANT WAS LOOKING BROWNISH RED. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS IN THE RADIATOR AND THROUGH OUT BOTH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET CHECK-OUT THEY SAID MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THAT THIS WOULDN'T BE COVERED. WOULD NEED TO REPLACE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION.…
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TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BAD, AND THE COOLANT WAS LOOKING BROWNISH RED. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS IN THE RADIATOR AND THROUGH OUT BOTH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET CHECK-OUT THEY SAID MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THAT THIS WOULDN'T BE COVERED. WOULD NEED TO REPLACE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION.... COSTING ME $ 2,731.25. ALTHOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN FACT THAT NISSAN IS HAVING A GOOD AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS WITH VARIOUS NISSAN MODEL INCLUDING MY NISSAN FRONTIER. VERY UNHAPPY NISSAN CUSTOMER OF MANY YEARS..... NOW I'M STARTING TO HAVE TIMING BELT ISSUES WHICH FALLS UNDER ANOTHER NISSAN FRONTIER PROBLEM. WILL HAVE TO GET FIXED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. MY DEALERSHIP KNOW THESE THINGS BUT ARE NOT OPEN ABOUT THESE FACT. I TAKE MY FRONTIER IN FOR MAINTENANCE NOTHING EVER SAID AND NEVER SEEM TO GET RECALL NOTICES EITHER.... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10715235
138,000 miles · May 7, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
LIKE SO MANY OTHER NISSAN FRONTIER OWNERS, THE RADIATOR COOLANT GOT MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS IS FACTORY DEFECT KNOWN BY NISSAN. HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION SINCE THE CAR WAS NOT RESPONDING WELL AND WAS NOT ABLE TO RUN PROPERLY. CALLED NISSAN THREE TIMES TO ASK FOR SOME FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND THEY DENIE…
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LIKE SO MANY OTHER NISSAN FRONTIER OWNERS, THE RADIATOR COOLANT GOT MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS IS FACTORY DEFECT KNOWN BY NISSAN. HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION SINCE THE CAR WAS NOT RESPONDING WELL AND WAS NOT ABLE TO RUN PROPERLY. CALLED NISSAN THREE TIMES TO ASK FOR SOME FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND THEY DENIED IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10715066
111,000 miles · May 6, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WAS DRIVING 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER WHEN 4WD LIGHT CAME ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SLOWED DOWN AND CAME TO A STOP. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. APPARENTLY, TRANSMISSION IS RUINED DUE TO A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE RADIATOR WHERE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN NEVER ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE RADI…
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WAS DRIVING 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER WHEN 4WD LIGHT CAME ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SLOWED DOWN AND CAME TO A STOP. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. APPARENTLY, TRANSMISSION IS RUINED DUE TO A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE RADIATOR WHERE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN NEVER ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY, JUST EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES, LEAVING THE CONSUMER RESPONSIBLE TO FIXED CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. COST $6500. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10714934
76,000 miles · Apr 8, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MAKING A NOISE WHEN TRAVELING AT 35-40 MPH ACCELERATING. NISSAN DEALERSHIP STATES IT IS THE RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. WARRANTY EXPIRED ON 12/2014. NISSAN DEALERSHIP STATES A CO-PAY OF $2500.00 IS WHAT WILL BE CHARGED TO FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10704570
79,000 miles · Mar 20, 2015
EnginePower Train
2012 CLASS ACTION SUIT EXTENDS WARRANTY FOR LEAKAGE OF ANTIFREEZE INTO TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSES ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING PROPERLY AND BREAK DOWN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON FEATURE ON NISSAN VEHICLES. THIS TRUCK WAS DRIVEN TO FLORIDA BY A COLLEGE STUDENT ON SPRING BREAK. AT 79,000 MARK TROUBLE STARTED. HE DROVE IT HOME TO VI…
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2012 CLASS ACTION SUIT EXTENDS WARRANTY FOR LEAKAGE OF ANTIFREEZE INTO TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSES ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING PROPERLY AND BREAK DOWN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON FEATURE ON NISSAN VEHICLES. THIS TRUCK WAS DRIVEN TO FLORIDA BY A COLLEGE STUDENT ON SPRING BREAK. AT 79,000 MARK TROUBLE STARTED. HE DROVE IT HOME TO VIRGINIA AND BINGO THE ODOMETER WENT OVER 80,000 MILES. AT 80,300 MILES HE TAKES IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND BECAUSE ODOMETER IS OVER 80,000 MILES THE MANUFACTURER REQUIRES $2500 OWNER CO-PAY TO REPAIR WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A PREVENTABLE REPAIR BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION TANKED. HAD HE TAKEN IT TO A DEALER IN FLORIDA AT 79,000 THE WHOLE THING WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. THEY REQUIRE WRITTEN PROOF OF MECHANICAL FAILURE. THESE VEHICLES NEED TO COME WITH A WARNING LABEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10700744
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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