NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
780 reports57,000 miles · Jul 30, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System
GAS GAUGE IS BEHAVING ERRATICALLY. IT WILL SHOW FULL AFTER FILLING UP, THEN DROP AS EXPECTED FROM DRIVING. WHEN THE GAUGE REACHES APPROX. THE HALF TANK STICKMARK, IT WILL FREEZE THERE FOR SEVERAL MILES, THEN DROP TO E AND THE EMPTY WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THOUGH I WOULD ESTIMATE THE TANK TO BE ABOUT HALF FULL. I STOP TO FILL UP …
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GAS GAUGE IS BEHAVING ERRATICALLY. IT WILL SHOW FULL AFTER FILLING UP, THEN DROP AS EXPECTED FROM DRIVING. WHEN THE GAUGE REACHES APPROX. THE HALF TANK STICKMARK, IT WILL FREEZE THERE FOR SEVERAL MILES, THEN DROP TO E AND THE EMPTY WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THOUGH I WOULD ESTIMATE THE TANK TO BE ABOUT HALF FULL. I STOP TO FILL UP AGAIN BUT CAN ONLY GET 7 OR SO GALLONS IN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10468238
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion System
-FUEL SYSTEM HAS A PROBLEM REGISTERING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK, THE PROBLEM IS ASSOCIATED WITH A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT THAT NISSAN REFUSES TO RECALL. -WHINING NOISE COMING FROM INSIDE THE ENGINE, NOISE COMES FROM A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER GUIDE THAT NISSAN REFUSES TO RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467888
111,850 miles · Jul 26, 2012
EnginePower Train
BREAK IN TRANSMISSION COOLING COIL INSIDE RADIATOR CAUSED COOLANT TO FLOW INTO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSED VEHICLE TO SLOW. LOSS OF COOLANT IN RADIATOR CAUSED ENGINE OVERHEATING. RESULT: VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, NO ACCELERATION DUE TO SLIPPAGE, COSTLY REPLACEMENT OF RADI…
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BREAK IN TRANSMISSION COOLING COIL INSIDE RADIATOR CAUSED COOLANT TO FLOW INTO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSED VEHICLE TO SLOW. LOSS OF COOLANT IN RADIATOR CAUSED ENGINE OVERHEATING. RESULT: VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, NO ACCELERATION DUE TO SLIPPAGE, COSTLY REPLACEMENT OF RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467856
90,000 miles · Jul 20, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE READS UNTIL 3/4 TANK FUEL THEN DROPS TO "O" I HAVE TO ESTIMATE THE MILEAGE FOR FUEL PRESENTLY I GET 378 FOR A FULL TANK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466737
75,678 miles · Jul 11, 2012
EnginePower Train
THE VEHICLE HAS A WHINING NOISE. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A WORN DOWN TENSIONER FOR THE TIMING CHAIN. IF NEGLECTED IT COULD CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE AND MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER CLAIMS THE REPAIR INCLUDES REMOVING THE TENSIONER AND REPLACING WITH AN UPGRADED PART AS THEY KNOW THE ORIGINAL PART IS FAULTY. …
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THE VEHICLE HAS A WHINING NOISE. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A WORN DOWN TENSIONER FOR THE TIMING CHAIN. IF NEGLECTED IT COULD CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE AND MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER CLAIMS THE REPAIR INCLUDES REMOVING THE TENSIONER AND REPLACING WITH AN UPGRADED PART AS THEY KNOW THE ORIGINAL PART IS FAULTY. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN IN 2009 NTB07-042A, BUT REFUSES TO FIX THIS PART IN THEIR VEHICLES. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465254
154,000 miles · Jul 9, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
PURPLISH FLUID IN RADIATOR, TOOK TO DEALER, TRANSMISSION LINE INSIDE RADIATOR HAD BROKEN AND COOLANT HAD MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLIUD. PAID $1300.00 TO GET NEW RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH, RADIATOR FLUSH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464667
79,000 miles · Jul 3, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V517000 (ENGIN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V517000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL AND A FEW DAYS LATER, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CAUSE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ECM RELAY FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY OFFERED TO PAY A PERCENTAGE OF THE COSTS FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
NHTSA ODI #10464081
105,803 miles · Jun 28, 2012
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO ISSUE WITH RADIATOR DEFECT. RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION EVENTUALLY CAUSED CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION PARTS. POWER TRAIN FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY ALMOST 30 MILES FROM HOME. MY PERSONAL SAFETY WAS DEFINITELY IN PERIL AND ONLY DUE TO SKILL AND LUCK WAS AN ACCIDENT AVE…
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TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO ISSUE WITH RADIATOR DEFECT. RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION EVENTUALLY CAUSED CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION PARTS. POWER TRAIN FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY ALMOST 30 MILES FROM HOME. MY PERSONAL SAFETY WAS DEFINITELY IN PERIL AND ONLY DUE TO SKILL AND LUCK WAS AN ACCIDENT AVERTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463445
85,279 miles · Jun 19, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ON JUNE 7, 2012, NISSAN TOLD ME THAT MY RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING MY TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AGES 7 WEEKS TO 5 YRS AND COUNT MY SELF LUCKY THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED BEFORE A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON BUSY LOS ANGELES COUNTY STREETS OR FREEWAYS. I WAS LATER APPALLED TO FIND OUT THAT …
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ON JUNE 7, 2012, NISSAN TOLD ME THAT MY RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING MY TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AGES 7 WEEKS TO 5 YRS AND COUNT MY SELF LUCKY THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED BEFORE A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON BUSY LOS ANGELES COUNTY STREETS OR FREEWAYS. I WAS LATER APPALLED TO FIND OUT THAT NISSAN KNEW OF THE ISSUE, BUT COVERED IT UP AS EVIDENCED IN A NY TIMES ARTICLE DATED 8/24/2011. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR SITUATION WAS AN ISSUE THAT HE HAD SEEN BEFORE. I AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT IT WILL COST ME $4000 FOR MY CAR TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO A KNOWN DEFECTIVE RADIATOR THAT WOULD HAVE COST A FRACTION OF THAT TO REPLACE. I AM STILL WITHOUT A CAR AFTER 11 DAYS. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10462197
85,000 miles · Jun 15, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT PROVIDING THE CORRECT FUEL READING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FUEL SENSOR SENDING UNIT W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT PROVIDING THE CORRECT FUEL READING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FUEL SENSOR SENDING UNIT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10461874
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.
Mar 3, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 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.
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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