NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
167 reportsClear category filter107,000 miles · Aug 7, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITATED AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITATED AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
NHTSA ODI #10534125
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHEN RADIATOR ACTED UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525403
106,705 miles · Jul 15, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAD MY OIL CHANGED AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE A LEAK AROUND MY OIL FILTER HOUSING. I ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE A YEAR, *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524832
84,000 miles · Jul 11, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524394
99,800 miles · Jul 8, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
CAR STARTED VIBRATING LIKE IT WAS GOING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP, LOSS OF POWER/RPMS, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND GOT WORSE. TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON SOME MAKES AND MODELS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 2005-2010 WITH DEFECTIVE RADIATORS THAT LEAK COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSI…
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CAR STARTED VIBRATING LIKE IT WAS GOING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP, LOSS OF POWER/RPMS, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND GOT WORSE. TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON SOME MAKES AND MODELS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 2005-2010 WITH DEFECTIVE RADIATORS THAT LEAK COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM HENCE DAMAGING IT. SINCE I WAS AT 100,000MILES I HAD A COPAY OF $3000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523799
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2013
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE EXPERIENCE WHAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF A NISSAN XTERRA HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR HAS ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND A DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. IN LESS THAN A WEEK S…
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I HAVE EXPERIENCE WHAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF A NISSAN XTERRA HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR HAS ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND A DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. IN LESS THAN A WEEK SINCE NOTICING LOSS OF POWER IN MY VEHICLE IT BECAME INOPERABLE. DUE TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF THESE INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE NISSAN XTERRA TRANSMISSION PARTS HAVE BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT THEY ONLY RECOURSE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM IS A COSTLY $6000 REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522155
126,000 miles · Jun 25, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
STARTED VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO HAVE NO POWER. CONTINUED AROUND THE BLOCK TO RETURN HOME AND REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SHIFTING GEARS. IT APPEARED TO BE STUCK IN 2ND GEAR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT UP OR DOWN. SHUT VEHICLE DOWN AND TRIED AGAIN BELIEVING THAT PERHAPS "SOMETHING WAS STUCK" WITH THE…
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STARTED VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO HAVE NO POWER. CONTINUED AROUND THE BLOCK TO RETURN HOME AND REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SHIFTING GEARS. IT APPEARED TO BE STUCK IN 2ND GEAR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT UP OR DOWN. SHUT VEHICLE DOWN AND TRIED AGAIN BELIEVING THAT PERHAPS "SOMETHING WAS STUCK" WITH THE SAME RESULTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS GLYCOL CONTAMINATION IN THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRING AN ENTIRE REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION. UPON RESEARCH OF THE INTERNET, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO NISSAN WITH THE 2005 XTERRAS AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES. WHILE IT IS ACCURATE THAT NISSAN DID OFFER TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR THE RADIATOR (THE KNOWN SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM) THEY DID SO WITHOUT EXPLAINING THE FULL EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM OR KNOWN POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC EVENTS IF THE RADIATOR LEAKED. THE RESULTING EVENTS OF A LEAKING RADIATOR IS A DAMAGED TRANSMISSION REQUIRING A FULL REBUILD DUE TO THE GLYCOL CONTAMINATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521606
114,500 miles · May 21, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I HAD AN ISSUE APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO REGARDING MY RADIATOR. THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS WERE MIXING DUE TO A DEFECTIVE (KNOWN) ISSUE. MY TRANSMISSION HAS NOW FAILED DUE TO A RUSTED VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION. IN FACT IT COMPLETELY FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING. AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GE…
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I HAD AN ISSUE APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO REGARDING MY RADIATOR. THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS WERE MIXING DUE TO A DEFECTIVE (KNOWN) ISSUE. MY TRANSMISSION HAS NOW FAILED DUE TO A RUSTED VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION. IN FACT IT COMPLETELY FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING. AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR, ANY GEAR. THESE ISSUES ARE OBVIOUSLY DIRECTLY LINKED BUT I AM NOW LEFT HOLDING THE BAG DUE TO THE FACT THAT NISSAN'S EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY COVERS ONLY VEHICLES WITH UP TO 100K MILES. I AM NOW NEARING 115K MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10512994
142,170 miles · May 18, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
NOTICED VIBRATION AND BUMPING WHILE CAR SHIFTED RANDOMLY. TRANSMISSION IS BASICALLY SHOT DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION COOLER AND MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION. RADIATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10512672
105,000 miles · May 7, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
CAR HESITATES GOING INTO GEAR, VERY ROUGH SHIFTING (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC). VERY DANGEROUS AT INTERSECTIONS AND ON HIGHWAY- CANNOT DRIVE IT. BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE. WHEN MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID HAS BEEN LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED ON THIS …
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CAR HESITATES GOING INTO GEAR, VERY ROUGH SHIFTING (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC). VERY DANGEROUS AT INTERSECTIONS AND ON HIGHWAY- CANNOT DRIVE IT. BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE. WHEN MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID HAS BEEN LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED ON THIS COMPLAINT, REIMBURSEMENT ONLY UP TO 100,000 MILES OR 10 YEARS, WHATEVER IS LESS, AND ONLY COSTS ABOVE 3000K COVERED! THIS IS AT LEAST A $5200K REPAIR JOB AND THAT MAY NOT EVENT REMEDY ALL COMPONENTS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. ADDITIONAL PROBLEM IS THAT MY MILEAGE WAS 5K OVER WHAT THE LAWSUIT ALLOWS. THERE WAS NO WAY TO KNOW WHEN THIS PROBLEM EVEN STARTED OCCURRING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510912
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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