NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
231 reportsClear category filter98,000 miles · Mar 19, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA STARTED HAVING BOTH TRANSMISSION AND COOLING SYSTEM ISSUES BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2014. AFTER A FEW TRIPS TO OUR MECHANIC IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED RADIATOR AND WAS ALLOWING BOTH COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE COOLING THE SYSTEM. APPARENTLY THIS IS A WELL KNO…
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MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA STARTED HAVING BOTH TRANSMISSION AND COOLING SYSTEM ISSUES BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2014. AFTER A FEW TRIPS TO OUR MECHANIC IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED RADIATOR AND WAS ALLOWING BOTH COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE COOLING THE SYSTEM. APPARENTLY THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE AND THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN, HOWEVER THE TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT ONLY COVER VEHICLES UNDER 100K MILES. BY THE TIME WE FOUND OUT THE VEHICLE HAD JUST PASSED 100K (106K) AND NOW NISSAN REFUSED TO COVER IT! I'M NOW LOOKING AT A $5K - $6K REPAIR BILL AND NISSAN REFUSED TO BUDGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10695411
114,300 miles · Mar 12, 2015
Power Train
VEHICLE VIBRATES AT 40 MPH- MAKING IT UNSAFE - TURNS OUT IT'S TRANSMISSION ISSUE.. WAS INFORMED THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE AFTER READING ONLINE ..... NISSAN HAS NEVER RECALLED THESE VEHICLES AND INSTEAD WAS SUED DUE TO THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE MANY OTHER NISSANS HAVE HAD...I WAS NEVER INFORMED REGARDING SUCH AN ISSUE. THIS IS UNSAF…
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VEHICLE VIBRATES AT 40 MPH- MAKING IT UNSAFE - TURNS OUT IT'S TRANSMISSION ISSUE.. WAS INFORMED THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE AFTER READING ONLINE ..... NISSAN HAS NEVER RECALLED THESE VEHICLES AND INSTEAD WAS SUED DUE TO THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE MANY OTHER NISSANS HAVE HAD...I WAS NEVER INFORMED REGARDING SUCH AN ISSUE. THIS IS UNSAFE DUE TO THE SHAKING SHUDDER THIS PROBLEM CAUSES ESPECIALLY IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA AND IT ISN'T FSIR THAT THE CUSTOMER STAYS STUCK WITH A FAULTY VEHICLE ... THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE FIXED AT ANY MILEAGE SINCE IT IS NISSANS FAULTY DESIGN AT FAULT! SHAME ON YOU NISSAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10693861
131,000 miles · Mar 10, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION WITH ANTI FREEZE DUE TO LEAK IN COOLING SYSTEM, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10693189
109,000 miles · Mar 5, 2015
EnginePower Train
TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR DEFECT-INTERNAL LEAKAGE BETWEEN THE 2 ENGINE PARTS -NISSAN DID NOT NOTIFY ME, THE ORIGINAL OWNER, OF THE DEFECT OR OF THE SUCCESSFUL LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10692388
134,000 miles · Feb 23, 2015
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BUT THE SPECIFICS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP12004 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BUT THE SPECIFICS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP12004 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
NHTSA ODI #10690047
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2007 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO PAY A $2500 COPAY BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE WAS OVER 80,000 MILES. CONSUMER DOESN'T COMPLY BECAUSE HE INQUIRED ABOUT VEHICLE PROBLEMS BEFORE THE 80,000 MILE MARK. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE HIS WAS DRIVING, SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE V…
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2007 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO PAY A $2500 COPAY BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE WAS OVER 80,000 MILES. CONSUMER DOESN'T COMPLY BECAUSE HE INQUIRED ABOUT VEHICLE PROBLEMS BEFORE THE 80,000 MILE MARK. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE HIS WAS DRIVING, SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALER THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO COOLANT AND OIL MIXING. *JP
NHTSA ODI #10659538
85,123 miles · Feb 2, 2015
Power Train
MY TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING, I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AN WAS TOLD MY ATF LINE THAT RUNS THROUGH AN ENGINE COOLANT CHAMBER IN THE RADIATOR FAILED AND GET RADIATOR FLUID IN MY TRANSMISSION AND THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED/REBUILT. NOW I AM STRANDED WITH OUT A VEHICLE WHEN MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 85000 MILES …
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MY TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING, I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AN WAS TOLD MY ATF LINE THAT RUNS THROUGH AN ENGINE COOLANT CHAMBER IN THE RADIATOR FAILED AND GET RADIATOR FLUID IN MY TRANSMISSION AND THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED/REBUILT. NOW I AM STRANDED WITH OUT A VEHICLE WHEN MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 85000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE WORK ON IT. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE NISSAN STEP UP AND BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS ACCRUING BECAUSE OF FAULTY FACTORY PARTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10680607
95,000 miles · Jan 28, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I TOOK MY NISSAN XTERRA 2007 INTO BOULDER NISSAN IN OCTOBER 2013. AT THE TIME, IT HAD UNDER 100,000 MILES. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE CAR FOR LACK OF HEAT, THEY SAID THEY FLUSHED IT AND EVENTUALLY I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. THEY DID NOT TELL ME THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS LE…
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I TOOK MY NISSAN XTERRA 2007 INTO BOULDER NISSAN IN OCTOBER 2013. AT THE TIME, IT HAD UNDER 100,000 MILES. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE CAR FOR LACK OF HEAT, THEY SAID THEY FLUSHED IT AND EVENTUALLY I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. THEY DID NOT TELL ME THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I RETURNED TO NISSAN IN JAN. 2015 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS HIT WITH A BILL FOR $5,200 TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, TIMING CHAIN AND THERMOSTAT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10679423
118,543 miles · Dec 13, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I BOUGHT MY 07 XTERRA 6 MONTHS AGO FROM TRANSITOWNE AMHERST AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. NOW 6 MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE TERMINAL DUE TO THE KNOWN PROBLEM WHERE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSES IT TO FAIL. I BELIEVE ANY DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE CHECKED TO MAKE SU…
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I BOUGHT MY 07 XTERRA 6 MONTHS AGO FROM TRANSITOWNE AMHERST AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. NOW 6 MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE TERMINAL DUE TO THE KNOWN PROBLEM WHERE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSES IT TO FAIL. I BELIEVE ANY DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THAT A VEHICLE THEY WERE SELLING WOULD NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE BEFORE THEY SELL IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10664061
110,000 miles · Dec 10, 2014
Power Train
MY XTERRA WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FROM STOP TO START, THEN ONE LATE EVENING IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHORTING OUT THE FUSE TO START THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION, HE STATED THE SAME AND …
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MY XTERRA WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FROM STOP TO START, THEN ONE LATE EVENING IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHORTING OUT THE FUSE TO START THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION, HE STATED THE SAME AND THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN XTERRA, HE ALSO SAID THAT IT WILL COST THOUSAND OF DOLLARS TO FIX AND EVEN WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION IT WILL LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE THE ELECTRICITY WILL BURN OUT BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT. I CALLED NISSAN DEALERSHIP, WHO STATED THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT WAS GOING TO HELP FIX IT OR REIMBURSE ME ANYTHING. I WAS STRANDED WITH A SMALL TODDLER AT 10PM IN THE RAIN AND NO MEANS OF GETTING HOME THANKS TO NISSAN'S KNOWN DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10663470
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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