NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
185 reportsClear category filter11,100 miles · Apr 21, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
CAR STARTED RUMBLING VERY ERRATICALLY AT HIGH SPEED. HAD I NOT HAD GOOD GRIP ON WHEEL IT WOULD OF BEEN BAD FOR MY FAMILY OR OTHERS. GLAD IT DIDN'T FAIL COMPLETELY LEAVING ME POWERLESS ON HIGHWAY. I BELIEVE THIS WILL RESULT IN DEATHS OR SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. NOT TO MENTION THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS. HAD RADIATOR REPLACED LAST YEAR DU…
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CAR STARTED RUMBLING VERY ERRATICALLY AT HIGH SPEED. HAD I NOT HAD GOOD GRIP ON WHEEL IT WOULD OF BEEN BAD FOR MY FAMILY OR OTHERS. GLAD IT DIDN'T FAIL COMPLETELY LEAVING ME POWERLESS ON HIGHWAY. I BELIEVE THIS WILL RESULT IN DEATHS OR SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. NOT TO MENTION THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS. HAD RADIATOR REPLACED LAST YEAR DUE TILL SAME PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS RIGHT OUTSIDE IF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10584089
100,102 miles · Apr 19, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY NIGHT WHEN MY CAR STARTED JERKING AND STOPPED SUDDENLY ON THE HIGHWAY, THANKFULLY THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO STOP AVOIDING A CRASH BECAUSE THERE WAS LOTS OF TRAFFIC, BUT OTHERWISE, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL CRASH. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, PEOPLE HAD TO HELP PUSH IT OFF THE HIGHW…
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I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY NIGHT WHEN MY CAR STARTED JERKING AND STOPPED SUDDENLY ON THE HIGHWAY, THANKFULLY THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO STOP AVOIDING A CRASH BECAUSE THERE WAS LOTS OF TRAFFIC, BUT OTHERWISE, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL CRASH. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, PEOPLE HAD TO HELP PUSH IT OFF THE HIGHWAY. THEN AFTER A WHILE IT STARTED MOVING AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR, JERKING ALL THE WAY BACK TO MY HOUSE. I HAD PREVIOUSLY NOTICED A JERKING WHENEVER I AM ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF PATHFINDERS OWING TO A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE THAT CAUSES RADIATOR FLUID TO MIX WITH COOLANT AFFECTING THE TRANSMISSION. THEY FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE JERKING CONTINUED. I WAS SEARCHING THE INTERNET ON THIS AND SAW MANY COMPLAINT ON THIS. THIS ISSUE NEED TO BE RESOLVED. I AM GLAD I WAS SPARED BUT LIFE'S ARE BEING PUT IN DANGER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10583620
126,000 miles · Apr 11, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TOOK MY CAR IN FOR BRAND NEW TIRES..MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR, BUT FAILED. HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED 24 HOURS LATER AFTER RECEIVING MY CAR I WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR ALTHOUGH MY CAR WAS MAINTAINED AND ALWAYS SERVICED. THEY STATED I WILL NEED TO PAY $6,000 FOR REPAI…
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TOOK MY CAR IN FOR BRAND NEW TIRES..MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR, BUT FAILED. HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED 24 HOURS LATER AFTER RECEIVING MY CAR I WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR ALTHOUGH MY CAR WAS MAINTAINED AND ALWAYS SERVICED. THEY STATED I WILL NEED TO PAY $6,000 FOR REPAIRS TO DRIVE MY CAR. RIGHT NOW I AM PAYING A CAR NOTE AND CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10579278
92,000 miles · Apr 7, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY RADIATOR FAILED AND POSSIBLY LEAKED RADIATOR FLUID INTO MY TRANSMISSION, VIA AN INTERNAL RADIATOR COOLER. THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR. INVOLVING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. MY MECHANIC CAUGHT THIS PROBLEM EARLY ENOUGH THAT MY TRANSMISSION WASN'T COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE RESULTING REPAIR WAS $900 PLUS …
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MY RADIATOR FAILED AND POSSIBLY LEAKED RADIATOR FLUID INTO MY TRANSMISSION, VIA AN INTERNAL RADIATOR COOLER. THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR. INVOLVING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. MY MECHANIC CAUGHT THIS PROBLEM EARLY ENOUGH THAT MY TRANSMISSION WASN'T COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE RESULTING REPAIR WAS $900 PLUS $200 FOR A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AS A SAFEGUARD TO POSSIBLE RADIATOR FLUID THAT MAY HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS OUTSIDE OF THE MILEAGE EXTENSION FOR WARRANTY AND SINCE MY TRANSMISSION WASN'T DESTROYED I DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR ANY HELP FROM THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THE REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE STAGGERING I CURRENTLY HAVE A FUEL SENDING UNIT ISSUE THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL BUT MY VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION. THIS IS A POORLY MADE VEHICLE THAT HAS COST ME THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS. NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. NISSAN WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND KEEPS TELLING ME TO GO TO A DEALER TO GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. SO FRUSTRATING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577855
76,535 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
FLUID FROM RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION WHICH DESTROYED BOTH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10572896
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
AUTO TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR.
NHTSA ODI #10567329
175,000 miles · Mar 3, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
SUDDEN JERKING IN VEHICLE WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH ALLOWS COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE COMPONENTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566824
150,000 miles · Jan 23, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING ERRATICALLY. AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 20 MPH. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. INSPECTION VERIFIED TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10561212
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION: HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION - IT WILL NOT GO ON REVERSE. RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE RADIATOR WOULD CRACK CAUSING THE COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10558438
128,033 miles · Dec 29, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
AS MY WIFE AND I WITH OUR 5 CHILDREN WERE ON OUR WAY TO CHURCH, DRIVING AT 45MPH THE CAR STARTED JERKING DROPPING AT 20MPH WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND US ON A TWO WAY HIGHWAY WE HAD TO PULL OVER ON A DIRT EMBANKMENT. WE TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE REP ESTIMATED THE COST OF $9,000. PROBLEM IN RADIATOR CRACK LINE INS…
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AS MY WIFE AND I WITH OUR 5 CHILDREN WERE ON OUR WAY TO CHURCH, DRIVING AT 45MPH THE CAR STARTED JERKING DROPPING AT 20MPH WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND US ON A TWO WAY HIGHWAY WE HAD TO PULL OVER ON A DIRT EMBANKMENT. WE TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE REP ESTIMATED THE COST OF $9,000. PROBLEM IN RADIATOR CRACK LINE INSIDE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER. ANTIFREEZE LEAK INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING DAMAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557606
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.
Mar 3, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 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.
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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