NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
32 reportsClear category filter116,000 miles · Aug 7, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN FACT IT INVOLVES MULTIPLE YEARS AND MODELS. THE RADIATOR CRACKS AND LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION RUINING BOTH. THEY ENTERED INTO A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BUT SET THE BAR SO HIGH THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MEET. THIS CAR TECHNICALLY HAS LOW MILEAGE FOR A 10 YEAR OLD VEHICLE YET MISSES THE TOP PARAME…
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NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN FACT IT INVOLVES MULTIPLE YEARS AND MODELS. THE RADIATOR CRACKS AND LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION RUINING BOTH. THEY ENTERED INTO A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BUT SET THE BAR SO HIGH THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MEET. THIS CAR TECHNICALLY HAS LOW MILEAGE FOR A 10 YEAR OLD VEHICLE YET MISSES THE TOP PARAMETER BY 16,000 MILES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE .
NHTSA ODI #10747008
69,000 miles · Jul 14, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WHEN FUEL GOES BELOW HALF TANK. THE FUEL GAUGE MAY NOT ALWAYS SHOW CORRECT READING, MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR CAR TO STOP IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, IN MIDDLE OF SNOW-STORM, OR OTHER DANGEROUS SITUATION, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN FUEL LEVEL IS BELOW HALF TANK AND RESETS ITSELF WHEN FUEL TANK IS FULL…
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SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WHEN FUEL GOES BELOW HALF TANK. THE FUEL GAUGE MAY NOT ALWAYS SHOW CORRECT READING, MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR CAR TO STOP IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, IN MIDDLE OF SNOW-STORM, OR OTHER DANGEROUS SITUATION, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN FUEL LEVEL IS BELOW HALF TANK AND RESETS ITSELF WHEN FUEL TANK IS FULL.
NHTSA ODI #10733815
84,765 miles · May 13, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
MY NISSAN HAS THE DEFECT THAT BROUGHT A LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN MOTOR FOR A FAILURE IN THE OIL COOLER THAT CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT/REPLACED BECAUSE COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION. I ENDED UP WITH A BILL FOR $3941.46, AND NOW, I CAN'T EVEN FILE A REIMBURSEMENT FORM OR GET A HOLD OF ANY…
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MY NISSAN HAS THE DEFECT THAT BROUGHT A LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN MOTOR FOR A FAILURE IN THE OIL COOLER THAT CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT/REPLACED BECAUSE COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION. I ENDED UP WITH A BILL FOR $3941.46, AND NOW, I CAN'T EVEN FILE A REIMBURSEMENT FORM OR GET A HOLD OF ANY ONE AT NISSAN TO HELP BECAUSE ALL 3 NUMBERS LISTED IN LETTERS AND PAPERWORK ARE NO LONGER IN SERVICE.
NHTSA ODI #10716200
110,000 miles · Mar 26, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE REGISTERS EMPTY TO ARBITRARILY AMOUNTS OF REMAINING FUEL REGARDLESS HOW MUCH FUEL IS ACTUALLY IN TANK. ONGOING PROBLEM TO DATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574962
95,000 miles · Apr 23, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
UPON EXITING A HIGHWAY, WHERE TRAFFIC WAS CONGESTED AND SLOW MOVING, MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA SUDDENLY REFUSED TO ACCELERATE. SUDDENLY, SMOKE APPEARED TO BE EMANATING FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY SUV. INITIALLY, IT APPEARED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. TWO PASSING FIREMAN ASSISTED ME AND DETERMINED THAT I HAD A TRANSMISSION …
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UPON EXITING A HIGHWAY, WHERE TRAFFIC WAS CONGESTED AND SLOW MOVING, MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA SUDDENLY REFUSED TO ACCELERATE. SUDDENLY, SMOKE APPEARED TO BE EMANATING FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY SUV. INITIALLY, IT APPEARED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. TWO PASSING FIREMAN ASSISTED ME AND DETERMINED THAT I HAD A TRANSMISSION ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE FLUID THAT WAS LEAKED ONTO THE STREET. SINCE THE XTERRA WAS NOT DRIVABLE, IT WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR CENTER. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTIONING RADIATOR. APPARENTLY, RADIATOR FLUID CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SEVERELY DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509230
105,975 miles · Apr 15, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE ISSUE P0463 FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IS ERRATIC, INACCURATE, OR INOPERATIVE. NISSAN REFUSED TO ACCEPT THIS RECALL. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER 10032627 SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 280480. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508275
55,455 miles · Apr 13, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
JUST FILL UP GAS AND FUEL GAUGE INDICATES ALMOST EMPTY. CANNOT TELL IF I STILL HAVE ENOUGH FUEL. DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I'M DRIVING AND SUDDENLY RUN OUT OF GAS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508132
132,000 miles · Mar 25, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
THE XTERRA FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS GONE BAD/MALFUNCTIONED. UPON FILLING UP VEHICLE THE GAS GAUGE CONTINUED TO SHOW XTERRA WAS EMPTY AND DIAGNOSTIC CODE P0463 WAS ABLE TO BE READ. I HAVE HEARD NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS ISSUE WITH XTERRAS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504348
81,300 miles · Mar 15, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
I NOTICED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COME ON 3/13/2013. TODAY, 3/15 I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT I GET MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE PRICE TO FIX IT. THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM A FEW TIMES NOW WITH OTHER XTERRA MODELS. I MENTIO…
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I NOTICED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COME ON 3/13/2013. TODAY, 3/15 I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT I GET MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE PRICE TO FIX IT. THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM A FEW TIMES NOW WITH OTHER XTERRA MODELS. I MENTIONED TO THEM THAT I CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR AT THIS TIME AND THEY SUGGESTED I KEEP IT FULL AND IT SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. I GOT HOME AND LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS THAT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND NOT ONLY WITH XTERRAS BUT WITH PATHFINDERS AND FRONTIERS AS WELL, AS THEY ARE ALL BASED ON THE SAME DRIVETRAIN. NISSAN IS NOT COVERING THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH ITS VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503153
74,000 miles · Feb 25, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
MY FUEL SENDING UNIT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AND I RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST CRASHED AND KILLED MYSELF. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS AND FIXED BY NISSAN BEFORE SOMETHING REALLY SERIOUS HAPPENS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10499896
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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