NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
75 reportsClear category filter87,000 miles · Mar 10, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
AT VARYING SPEEDS ABOVE 45MPH THE VEHICLE WILL SHUDDER AS IF YOU WERE DRIVING ON A RUMBLE STRIP. THIS CAN BE STARTLING AS THERE IS NO INDICATION OF WHEN OR WHERE IT WILL OCCUR. WHEN THE RADIATOR FAILED OUR MECHANIC INFORMED US THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED BECAUSE OF DESIGN OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES, W…
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AT VARYING SPEEDS ABOVE 45MPH THE VEHICLE WILL SHUDDER AS IF YOU WERE DRIVING ON A RUMBLE STRIP. THIS CAN BE STARTLING AS THERE IS NO INDICATION OF WHEN OR WHERE IT WILL OCCUR. WHEN THE RADIATOR FAILED OUR MECHANIC INFORMED US THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED BECAUSE OF DESIGN OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES, WHICH ALLOWED COOLANT TO SEEP INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THUS DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10568213
83,000 miles · Feb 8, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
INTERNAL LEAKAGE OF ENGINE COOLANT IN TO TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563511
76,430 miles · Jan 28, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
"CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER SHOWS ERROR "FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH VOLTAGE." THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY, VERY COMMON PROBLEM. MECHANIC SAYS THIS WILL EVENTUALLY, IF LEFT UN-REPAIRED, DESTROY MY MAIN COMPUTER ON THE CAR. REPAIR ESTIMATE IS $700, WHICH INCLUDES A COMPLETE CHANGE-OUT OF THE FUEL PUMP AS…
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"CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER SHOWS ERROR "FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH VOLTAGE." THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY, VERY COMMON PROBLEM. MECHANIC SAYS THIS WILL EVENTUALLY, IF LEFT UN-REPAIRED, DESTROY MY MAIN COMPUTER ON THE CAR. REPAIR ESTIMATE IS $700, WHICH INCLUDES A COMPLETE CHANGE-OUT OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10561797
88,500 miles · Jan 20, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
OUR 2007 NISSAN XTERRA, PURCHASED BRAND NEW, BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. UPON CHECKING THE FLUIDS I NOTICED THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS DANGEROUSLY LOW. I WAS CERTAINLY PUZZLED WHERE THE FLUID HAD GONE BECAUSE THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY VISIBLE LEAKS OR ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY OTHER SYMPTOM TO DRAW MY ATTENTION. I BEGAN TO LOOK INTO THE SITUAT…
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OUR 2007 NISSAN XTERRA, PURCHASED BRAND NEW, BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. UPON CHECKING THE FLUIDS I NOTICED THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS DANGEROUSLY LOW. I WAS CERTAINLY PUZZLED WHERE THE FLUID HAD GONE BECAUSE THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY VISIBLE LEAKS OR ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY OTHER SYMPTOM TO DRAW MY ATTENTION. I BEGAN TO LOOK INTO THE SITUATION BECAUSE I WAS PUZZLED AND QUICKLY LEARNED OF THE MASSIVE NUMBER OF NISSAN OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. SADLY, I WAS NOW ONE OF THOSE VICTIMS. YES, THE COOLANT HAD CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID VIA THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION COOLER. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT I AM SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF BUT I WAS UNAWARE OF. I DO NOT RECALL ANY CONTACT NOTIFYING ME OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND THE POTENTIAL DAMAGE. I HAD NO REASON FOR WORRY BECAUSE MY VEHICLE HAD NOT GIVEN ME ANY TROUBLE SIGNS AND THE FLUIDS HAVE ALWAYS CHECKED NORMAL DURING NORMAL SERVICE CHECKS. LIKE MANY, I CANNOT AFFORD TO SHELL OUT THE DOLLARS THAT THIS NEGLIGENCE ON NISSAN CORPORATION BEHALF HAS CAUSED. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLEASE FORCE NISSAN CORPORATION TO ISSUE A RECALL REQUIRING THEM TO MAKE ALL THE APPROPRIATE REPAIRS FOR THESE DAMAGES. PLEASE, DO NOT PUT A CAP ON THE MILEAGE OR SET THE MILEAGE RELATIVELY HIGH IF YOU MUST. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 89,000 MILES AND ONLY GAVE SIGNS OF DAMAGE LESS THAN 500 MILES AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10560635
114,001 miles · Jan 9, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CAR WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED TO GO SLOW AND SPUTTER LIKE IT WAS IN THE WRONG GEAR. MY SON WAS DRIVING AND HE WAS HAVING TO CROSS OVER ON THE FREEWAY WHILE THE CAR WOULD NOT GO UP TO SPEED. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS! ALL THIS LIGHT PURPLE FLUID SPILLED OUT ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE, BY THE WHEEL IT WA…
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THE CAR WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED TO GO SLOW AND SPUTTER LIKE IT WAS IN THE WRONG GEAR. MY SON WAS DRIVING AND HE WAS HAVING TO CROSS OVER ON THE FREEWAY WHILE THE CAR WOULD NOT GO UP TO SPEED. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS! ALL THIS LIGHT PURPLE FLUID SPILLED OUT ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE, BY THE WHEEL IT WAS PURPLE AND CREAMY..... I HAD TO HAVE THE XTERRA TOWED. WE ARE STILL NOT SURE WHAT IS WRONG JUST THAT ALL THE COOLANT AND RADIATOR FLUID IS DRAINED AND IT IS MILKY LOOKING ON THE CAPS. OF BOTH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10559265
91,875 miles · Dec 26, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
SUDDEN LOUD NOISES/BANGING WHILE DRIVING. PULLED OVER, HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC. RADIATOR FOUND TO BE CRACKED. RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO AND CONTAMINATED TRANSMISSION CAUSING SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. LEARNED NISSAN WAS/IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NOT NOTIFIED ANYONE OF PREVENTATIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT FAILURE OF …
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SUDDEN LOUD NOISES/BANGING WHILE DRIVING. PULLED OVER, HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC. RADIATOR FOUND TO BE CRACKED. RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO AND CONTAMINATED TRANSMISSION CAUSING SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. LEARNED NISSAN WAS/IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NOT NOTIFIED ANYONE OF PREVENTATIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION. "EXTENDED WARRANTY" RESULTING FROM CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REQUIRES $3000 COPY FOR VEHICLES WITH 90,000-100,000 MILES. MY MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A JOKE BECAUSE RADIATORS NOT CRACKING UNTIL AT LEAST THIS TIME. NOW I HAVE TO PAY $3000 I DON'T HAVE TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WHICH I COULD HAVE SAVED HAD I BEEN NOTIFIED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. I WILL NOT EVER PURCHASE A NISSAN AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557319
120,000 miles · Dec 18, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND DISGUSTED WITH THE WAY NISSAN HAS HANDLED THIS PROBLEM. MY XTERRA 2007'S TRANSMISSION DID NOT GO BAD UNTIL IT REACHED OVER 120K MILES. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING CROSS COUNTRY WITH MY CHILDREN AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN SHE FELT THE GEARS SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING IN A MAJOR INTERSTATE. LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE …
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I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND DISGUSTED WITH THE WAY NISSAN HAS HANDLED THIS PROBLEM. MY XTERRA 2007'S TRANSMISSION DID NOT GO BAD UNTIL IT REACHED OVER 120K MILES. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING CROSS COUNTRY WITH MY CHILDREN AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN SHE FELT THE GEARS SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING IN A MAJOR INTERSTATE. LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SAFE. I FOUND OUT SHORTLY AFTER THIS ALMOST CATASTROPHIC EXPERIENCE THAT THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING NISSANS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I GUESS THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT ONLY COVERED VEHICLES UNDER 100K MILES. WHY IS NISSAN ONLY PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO VEHICLES UNDER 100K MILES IF THERE IS A THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT. THEY SHOULD COVER ANY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE MILEAGE IS. I TOOK MY XTERRA TO AAMCO BECAUSE THEY CHARGE BE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LESS OF WHAT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE CHARGED ME. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL NISSAN OWNER SINCE 2003 AND WILL NEVER BUY A VEHICLE FROM THEM AGAIN. IN FACT, I HAVE CONVINCED FRIENDS AND FAMILIES NOT TO BUY NISSAN VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THE POOR SERVICE THAT THEY HAVE PROVIDED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556563
99,000 miles · Nov 11, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR LEAK TO TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551810
137,541 miles · Sep 16, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN YOUR CURRENT INVESTIGATION OF THESE MODELS. AN ATF LINE EMBEDDED IN THE RADIATOR CRACKED, AND ATF FLUID WAS ALLOWED INTO THE COOLANT, AND COOLANT WAS FORCED INTO THE ATF. THE CARD STARTED SLIPPING IN GEAR, THEN IT STARTED SHUDDERING UNDER ACCELERATION, THEN IT STARTED REFUSING TO GO INT…
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I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN YOUR CURRENT INVESTIGATION OF THESE MODELS. AN ATF LINE EMBEDDED IN THE RADIATOR CRACKED, AND ATF FLUID WAS ALLOWED INTO THE COOLANT, AND COOLANT WAS FORCED INTO THE ATF. THE CARD STARTED SLIPPING IN GEAR, THEN IT STARTED SHUDDERING UNDER ACCELERATION, THEN IT STARTED REFUSING TO GO INTO GEAR. I GOT IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP, AND WHEN THEY OPENED IT UP, THE GUTS OF THE TRANSMISSION WERE RUSTED, AND THE CLUTCHES HAD DE-LAMINATED. THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS NEARLY PLUGGED UP WITH OILY TRANSMISSION RESIDUE. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT, AND THE RADIATOR AND ALL ASSOCIATED HOSES HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALL IN ALL, A $5500 FIX FOR A PROBLEM THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10543904
968,940 miles · Aug 28, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT SHIFTED INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE AT A RED LIGHT WITH NO PROMPTING. THE CAR THEN WAS IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF. THE CAR WOULD NOT START FOLLOWING IT BEING TURNED OFF. IT WAS THEN TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE …
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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT SHIFTED INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE AT A RED LIGHT WITH NO PROMPTING. THE CAR THEN WAS IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF. THE CAR WOULD NOT START FOLLOWING IT BEING TURNED OFF. IT WAS THEN TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COMPLETELY DISABLING THE CAR. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10537760
Official recalls
1Dec 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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