NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
412 reportsClear category filter114,500 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
123,500 miles · May 10, 2013
Power Train
WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME AND I CAME TO A FULL STOP MY XTERRA WASN'T ACCELERATING. I CALLED A MECHANIC AND EXPLAIN HIM WHAT WAS WRONG AND HE TOLD ME MY TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND THAT I NEED IT TO REPLACE IT ALSO THE RADIATOR. THE PRICE FOR THE TRANSMISSION WAS $3800. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511398
122,000 miles · May 10, 2013
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45MPH I NOTICED A RUMBLING NOISE THAT RESEMBLED THE SOUND WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER THE SPEED STIPS ON THE HIGHWAY. I THOUGHT IT WAS A CHANGE IN PAVEMENT. I STARTED NOTICING THE NOISE MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY AND DECIDED TO SEE WHAT THE INTERNET HAD TO SAY. WOW!!! WAS I SURPRISED WHEN I SAW 500+ COMPLAINTS ON THE SA…
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WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45MPH I NOTICED A RUMBLING NOISE THAT RESEMBLED THE SOUND WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER THE SPEED STIPS ON THE HIGHWAY. I THOUGHT IT WAS A CHANGE IN PAVEMENT. I STARTED NOTICING THE NOISE MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY AND DECIDED TO SEE WHAT THE INTERNET HAD TO SAY. WOW!!! WAS I SURPRISED WHEN I SAW 500+ COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME MATTER. APPARENTLY THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE IS CRACKED AND RUNS IN TO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE DECIDED TO FLUSH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WHILE REPLACING THE COOLER. WE WILL SEE IF THIS FIXES THE PROBLEM BUT BY READING EVERYONE ELSE'S RESPONSES IT LOOKS LIKE I NEED TO BRACE MYSELF FOR THE DEEP ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BUY A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE IS 8 YEARS OLD BUT AT 120K MILES. LET'S HOPE THIS LAWSUIT FORCES THEM TO PUT OUT A RECALL. WE ALL KNOW WHY THEY ARE NOT PUTTING OUT A RECALL...IT IS BECAUSE IT IS AN EXPENSIVE ONE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511375
94,200 miles · May 7, 2013
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER, RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER, RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,200. UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ UPDATED 06/21/2013 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10511016
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
85,000 miles · May 2, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS AGO MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT TO NISSAN AND IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THAT WAS $700, THEN 2 WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON WE TOOK IT TO NISSAN AND IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THAT WAS $1800. HERE WE ARE 4 MONTHS LATER ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON WE TAKE IT TO NISSAN AND NOW I'M TOLD…
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APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS AGO MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT TO NISSAN AND IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THAT WAS $700, THEN 2 WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON WE TOOK IT TO NISSAN AND IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THAT WAS $1800. HERE WE ARE 4 MONTHS LATER ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON WE TAKE IT TO NISSAN AND NOW I'M TOLD IT IS THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THIS IS GOING TO COST $2500.00! I COME TO FIND OUT THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION AND NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS SINCE 2007. MY COMPLAINT IS IF NISSAN KNEW ABOUT A DEFECT, AND IN MY OPINION A SAFETY HAZARD, THEN WHY DIDN'T THEY RECALL THE DEFECTED PARTS? WHY IS THE CONSUMER BEING PENALIZED FOR A DEFECT? NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THESE KNOWN DEFECTIVE PARTS AND FIX THEM! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510449
98,188 miles · May 2, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VERY BADLY APX 40 MPH. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AND FOUND OUT THAT THE RADIATOR HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND ALLOWED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DAMAGE WAS NON REPAIRABLE. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW WAITING TO HAVE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510340
115,000 miles · May 1, 2013
EnginePower Train
RADIATOR LEAKED ONTO TRANSMISSION. LEARNED ABOUT THEIR FAULTY RADIATORS JUST TODAY. NOW I'M IN A $6200 BIND TO GET A NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY XTERRA AND I AM SO APPALLED WITH NISSAN I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF. A $600 FIX TURNED INTO A $6200 FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510332
102,000 miles · May 1, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE DRIVING ACROSS COUNTRY FROM CALIFORNIA TO VIRGINIA NOTICED THE XTERRA BEGIN TO SHAKE WHEN SWITCHING TO OVERDRIVE. A SERVICE SHOP IN VIRGINIA DETERMINED THAT COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. NOTIFIED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM. THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THE RADIATOR …
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WHILE DRIVING ACROSS COUNTRY FROM CALIFORNIA TO VIRGINIA NOTICED THE XTERRA BEGIN TO SHAKE WHEN SWITCHING TO OVERDRIVE. A SERVICE SHOP IN VIRGINIA DETERMINED THAT COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. NOTIFIED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM. THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $6500-$7000. WHEN ASKED IF FLUSHING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HELP, THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE TRIED THAT ON OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT TRANSMISSION FAILURE ULTIMATELY OCCURRED. CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT ODOMETER READS 102K MILES WHICH DISQUALIFIES FOR THE 9YR/100K WARRANTY EXTENSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510234
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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