NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
167 reportsClear category filter100,000 miles · Jul 6, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR FAILURE CAUSES TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX CAUSING CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS DECIDED TO TURN THEIR BACKS ON THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND HOPE FENDING OFF CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS WILL BE LESS EXPENSIVE THAN FIXING THE ISSUES THEY HAVE CAUSED. THIS IS IGNORANT AND …
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RADIATOR FAILURE CAUSES TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX CAUSING CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS DECIDED TO TURN THEIR BACKS ON THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND HOPE FENDING OFF CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS WILL BE LESS EXPENSIVE THAN FIXING THE ISSUES THEY HAVE CAUSED. THIS IS IGNORANT AND ARROGANT ON THEIR PART. NOT ONLY WILL THIS HURT THOSE OF US WHO ARE SCRAPING BY, BUT IT WILL HURT NISSAN IN THE LONG RUN, AS NOBODY WHO IS EXPERIENCING WHAT I AND MANY OTHERS ARE GOING THROUGH CURRENTLY THROUGH WILL EVER, EVER BUT THEIR PRODUCTS AGAIN. I SUBMIT THAT THE PRESIDENT OF NISSAN USA BE FORCED TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE MY XTERRA TO AND FROM WORK OR SCHOOL WITH HIS FAMILY . WHEN HE ABOUT CAUSES A WRECK OR ENDANGERS HIS FAMILY, MAYBE HE WILL SEE THEN THE FATAL ERRORS OF HIS FAULTY MONEY HUNGRY CALCULATIONS. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT OUR GREAT COUNTRY HASN'T FORCED THESE PEOPLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING, SINCE THEY OBVIOUSLY CANNOT DO IT ON THEIR OWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464511
97,000 miles · Jun 18, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR FAILED LEAKING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION. RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT AN OUT OF POCKET COST OF $3,800. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462143
97,000 miles · May 29, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP ON HIGHWAY. EVIDENTLY ENGINE COOLANT HAD GOTTEN INTO THE TRANSMISSION BY WAY OF FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR. COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10459973
82,000 miles · May 9, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE. IN ADDITION, THE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED. THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC BUT THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE. IN ADDITION, THE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED. THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC BUT THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
NHTSA ODI #10457869
94,000 miles · Apr 27, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
RADIATOR FAILED ALLOWING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10456732
129,637 miles · Apr 24, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
NISSAN'S 2005 XTERRA HAS A MAJOR FLAW IN ITS COOLING SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION. APPARENTLY THE COOLANT IN THE RADIATOR LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE AS THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION HAVE TO BE REPLACED. FLUSHING THE SYSTEM IS NOT ENOUGH. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED …
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NISSAN'S 2005 XTERRA HAS A MAJOR FLAW IN ITS COOLING SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION. APPARENTLY THE COOLANT IN THE RADIATOR LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE AS THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION HAVE TO BE REPLACED. FLUSHING THE SYSTEM IS NOT ENOUGH. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY NISSAN BEFORE THE PROBLEM BECAME COSTLY. APPARENTLY NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR SOME TIME. THIS IS DISGRACEFUL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10456393
87,575 miles · Apr 16, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE NISSAN COOLING SYSTEM FOR 2005 XTERRA'S - THIS DEFECT ALLOWS ANTI FREEZE TO LEAK INTO TRANSMISSION AND CAUSE FAILURE. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10455339
104,000 miles · Apr 10, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I'VE NOTICED RECENTLY THAT MY XTERRA STARTED SHUDDERING WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND HAS BEEN SHAKING WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A SPECIFIC OCCASION WHERE MY VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR TO FIX A SEPARATE RECALL…
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I'VE NOTICED RECENTLY THAT MY XTERRA STARTED SHUDDERING WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND HAS BEEN SHAKING WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A SPECIFIC OCCASION WHERE MY VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR TO FIX A SEPARATE RECALL NOTICE, I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD MIXED WITH MY COOLANT, WHICH MEANT THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE BOTH MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454772
104,000 miles · Mar 16, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE BROKEN RADIATOR WELDING CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION FORCING THE GEAR TO IMPROPERLY ENGAGE. THE MANUFACTUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE BROKEN RADIATOR WELDING CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION FORCING THE GEAR TO IMPROPERLY ENGAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
NHTSA ODI #10451967
122,784 miles · Feb 29, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10449659
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.
Oct 5, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NISSAN ACCESSORY TOW HITCH, INADEQUATE QUALITY OF SOME WELDED JOINTS IN THE HITCH ASSEMBLY MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE HITCH FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN BEING USED TO TOW.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRAILER SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TOW HITCHES. ON OCTOBER 17, 2005, OWNERS WERE SENT AN INTERIM LETTER ADVISING THEM NOT TO USE THE TOW HITCH UNTIL IT CAN BE REPAIRED. ANOTHER LETTER WAS SENT OUT ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005, NOTIFYING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR REPAIR. 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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