NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
412 reportsClear category filter100,000 miles · Mar 15, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 06/15/16*LJ THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ON MARCH 25, 2016. UPDATED 06/20/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10849782
87,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAIL DUE TO DEFECT IN TRANSMISSION COOLING TANK HOUSED INSIDE THE RADIATOR.
NHTSA ODI #10838208
108,000 miles · Jan 31, 2016
EnginePower Train
AFTER A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AT APPROX.. 108000 MILES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO REG. GARAGE AND SUBSEQUENTLY ANOTHER GARAGE WITH BETTER DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AS THE CODE WOULD NOT HOLD/REPLICATE EASILY. CODE WAS FOR ECM, WHICH WAS REPAIRED AT OWNERS COST (UNAWARE OF RECALL). THERE WAS MIX OF ANTIFREEZE/OIL DUE TO LE…
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AFTER A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AT APPROX.. 108000 MILES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO REG. GARAGE AND SUBSEQUENTLY ANOTHER GARAGE WITH BETTER DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AS THE CODE WOULD NOT HOLD/REPLICATE EASILY. CODE WAS FOR ECM, WHICH WAS REPAIRED AT OWNERS COST (UNAWARE OF RECALL). THERE WAS MIX OF ANTIFREEZE/OIL DUE TO LEAK IN RADIATOR. FLUSHED SYSTEM AND REPLACED RADIATOR AT OWNER'S COST. WITHIN WEEKS, VEHICLE WAS NOT ACCELERATING CORRECTLY AND CODE SHOWING EMISSIONS ISSUE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUE. LOOKING AT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR COSTS WHICH APPEAR TO SIMPLY BE A BAND-AID UNTIL THE ISSUE BEGINS AGAIN. STILL PAYING ON THE VEHICLE AND A NEW MOM OF TWINS. NOW STUCK WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE RIDDLED WITH REPAIR COSTS FOR AN ISSUE THAT NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF AND SHOULD HAVE FIXED. HOW FRUSTRATING THAT THIS ISSUE IS STILL IN LIMBO AFTER 2 YEARS, HOW THIS CANNOT BE SEEN AS A CONSTANTLY RECURRING PROBLEM WHICH IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF NISSAN IS BEYOND ME. THESE ISSUES OCCURRED WHILE IN MOTION ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND ON SIDE ROADS WITH HILLS.
NHTSA ODI #10823295
75,222 miles · Dec 29, 2015
Power Train
RADIATOR DEFECT CAUSING ATF FLUID TO CONTAMINATE THE TRANSMISSION, LEADING TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WITH EXTENSIVE REPAIRS, AND EXTREME ASSOCIATED COSTS. THIS COMMONLY KNOWN DEFECT CAUSES TRANSMISSION TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND NECESSITATES A FULL RECALL!
NHTSA ODI #10816836
135,000 miles · Dec 17, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AT 135,000. FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK.CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED, THEREFORE I AM UNAWARE OF ANY ADDITIONAL ISSUES, AND CANNOT PASS EMISSIONS IN ATLANTA, GA, THEREFORE I CANNOT RENEW MY TAG.
NHTSA ODI #10810892
140,000 miles · Dec 15, 2015
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
I PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA . THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION IS GONE DUE TO A FAULT IN THE MANUFACTURING. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION - BUT LUCKILY FOR ME I WAS NOT DRIVING OR ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO ASSIST ME IN REPAIRING TH…
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I PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA . THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION IS GONE DUE TO A FAULT IN THE MANUFACTURING. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION - BUT LUCKILY FOR ME I WAS NOT DRIVING OR ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO ASSIST ME IN REPAIRING THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED - THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL OR PROBLEM AT THE TIME THAT COULD BE FIXED BY NISSAN NOR DID I RECEIVE ANY CORRESPONDENCE FROM NISSAN THEMSELVES. NOW I AM STUCK WITH THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF $5000 FOR THE REPAIR. I DON'T THINK THIS IS FAIR - THE USED CAR DEALERS SHOULD BE MANDATED BY LAW TO FIX VEHICLES WITH RECALLS AND INFORM CAR BUYERS THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NISSAN ALSO SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10810419
115,756 miles · Dec 12, 2015
Power Train
CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AS A RESULT OF RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION ALLOWED BY A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR. HAD TO PAY $5,158 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER SEEMS TO TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DESIGN DEFECT WHEN FAILURE OCCURS OVER 100,000 MILES. THIS IS WRONG.
NHTSA ODI #10809812
115,712 miles · Nov 18, 2015
Power Train
ENGINE COOLANT INFILTRATING IN TO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSES BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR TO FAIL. ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE THESE ITEMS IS APPROXIMATELY $4500. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS AND CORRODES THE VALVES, GASKETS AND SEALS. IN MY CASE WILL DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE T…
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ENGINE COOLANT INFILTRATING IN TO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSES BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR TO FAIL. ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE THESE ITEMS IS APPROXIMATELY $4500. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS AND CORRODES THE VALVES, GASKETS AND SEALS. IN MY CASE WILL DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY FOR 2 HOURS WHILE A TOW TRUCK WAS ENROUTE.
NHTSA ODI #10794653
140,000 miles · Nov 2, 2015
EnginePower Train
RADIATOR HAS TRANSMISSION FLUID IN IT. TRANSMISSION HAS RADIATOR FLUID IN IT. WILL HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH. APP, $5000. VEHICLE SHIFTS HARD THEN STUTTERS, VIBRATION
NHTSA ODI #10787828
175,000 miles · Oct 28, 2015
Power Train
RADIATOR FLUIDS LEAKED INTO TRANMISSION CAUSING FAILURE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES AND NISSAN HAS NOT RECALLED THEM. THEY WERE IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2012.
NHTSA ODI #10786856
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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