NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
557 reports145,000 miles · Apr 12, 2016
Power Train
NISSAN TRANSMISSION FLUID/RADIATOR COOLANT LEAK ISSUE: ROUGH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEHAVIOR NOTICED DURING STOP AND GO CITY DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE AS TRANSMISSION TORQUE ISSUE, POINTING TO TRANSMISSION FLUID. REPAIR SHOP FOUND LEAK IN COOLANT RADIATOR SERVICING THE …
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NISSAN TRANSMISSION FLUID/RADIATOR COOLANT LEAK ISSUE: ROUGH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEHAVIOR NOTICED DURING STOP AND GO CITY DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE AS TRANSMISSION TORQUE ISSUE, POINTING TO TRANSMISSION FLUID. REPAIR SHOP FOUND LEAK IN COOLANT RADIATOR SERVICING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN WATER/GLYCOL INTRUSION INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. RADIATOR, AND COOLANT FLUID REPLACED, AS WELL AS TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHED/REPLACED. A FEW DAYS LATER, TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE WAS FELT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AGAIN. EXPECTING TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN COMPROMISED DUE TO PRIOR, DEFECTIVE RADIATOR.
NHTSA ODI #10855033
140,000 miles · Apr 8, 2016
Engine
THE RADIATOR STARTED LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. CAR WOULD START SHAKING WHILE DRIVING. NOW I NEED AN ENTIRE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. IF THIS WAS KNOWN TO NISSAN, THEY SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #10854459
123,000 miles · Apr 8, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE RADIATOR AND RUINED THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
NHTSA ODI #10854360
158,000 miles · Apr 7, 2016
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
MY FAMILY AND I WAS GOING DOWN A BIG HILL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT TO THE LOWEST GEAR ON ITS OWN ALMOST STOPPING US DEAD IN ITS TRACKS 20 MPH AND WE WAS ON THE INTERSTATE MAKING BIG SEMI TRUCKS LOCKING BRAKES AND ALMOST HITTING US RUNNING 70 PLUS MPH. MY DAUGHTER IN THE BACK,SO WE MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SHUT IT OFF AN…
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MY FAMILY AND I WAS GOING DOWN A BIG HILL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT TO THE LOWEST GEAR ON ITS OWN ALMOST STOPPING US DEAD IN ITS TRACKS 20 MPH AND WE WAS ON THE INTERSTATE MAKING BIG SEMI TRUCKS LOCKING BRAKES AND ALMOST HITTING US RUNNING 70 PLUS MPH. MY DAUGHTER IN THE BACK,SO WE MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SHUT IT OFF AND WE WAS FINE AGIN.I TOOK IT HOME AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS IN THE RADIATOR , THEN LOOKING ON THE INTERNET THOUSANDS OF NISSANS ARE HAV ING THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT YET NO RECALLS!!! IT ALMOST COST OUR LIVES FOR A COMPANY TO SORRY TO FIX THEIR PRODUCT! SO WHAT DO I DO IM SCARED TO DRIVE IT HELP ASAP
NHTSA ODI #10854217
148,000 miles · Apr 5, 2016
Power Train
EIGHT HOURS FROM HOME, THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED. INITIAL LOCAL GARAGE COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. CHRIS MYERS NISSAN IN DAPHNE, AL, WAS THE CLOSEST DEALER. THEY WERE CALLED AND DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM OVER THE PHONE. IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THESE VEHICLES THAT ALLOWS THE RADIATOR TO FAIL AND LEAK RADIA…
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EIGHT HOURS FROM HOME, THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED. INITIAL LOCAL GARAGE COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. CHRIS MYERS NISSAN IN DAPHNE, AL, WAS THE CLOSEST DEALER. THEY WERE CALLED AND DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM OVER THE PHONE. IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THESE VEHICLES THAT ALLOWS THE RADIATOR TO FAIL AND LEAK RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION, DESTROYING IT AND THE MODULE. THIS COST $5,225 TO REPAIR IN ADDITION TO THE TOW AND DRIVING BACK ANOTHER 8 HOURS TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE. NISSAN NA WAS COMPLETELY UNHELPFUL. DESPITE THIS KNOWN DEFECT, THEY REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH ANY COST. THEY PREVIOUSLY AGREED TO A COURT ORDER TO REPAIR THESE ISSUES BUT ONLY UNDER 80,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES THAT IS CERTAIN TO OCCUR IN ALL OF THEM. THIS DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A RECALL AND THEY ARE SHIRKING THEIR DUTY WITH THIS DEFECTIVE SYSTEM. THEIR SHOULD BE NO MILEAGE LIMIT AS THEY KNOW THIS WILL EVENTUALLY OCCUR WITH THESE VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI #10853619
169,000 miles · Mar 30, 2016
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING AND THE RPM EXCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR SHUTTERED, I HAD NO POWER. PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING ON MARCH 26, 2016, WE DID NOT HAVE ANY WARNING OF A PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT WHICH TIME I HAD ALREADY PULLED OVER. I HAD THE SUV TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP ADVISED ME THAT THE INTERN…
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I WAS DRIVING AND THE RPM EXCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR SHUTTERED, I HAD NO POWER. PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING ON MARCH 26, 2016, WE DID NOT HAVE ANY WARNING OF A PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT WHICH TIME I HAD ALREADY PULLED OVER. I HAD THE SUV TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP ADVISED ME THAT THE INTERNAL RADIATOR DUMPED WATER INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO BURN UP. IT IS NOT REPAIRABLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, WE FOUND THAT THERE IS A PENDING CASE REGARDING THIS DEFECT (DP12004) ON MOST NISSANS AFFECTING MODELS MADE IN 2004-2012. THIS STATES THAT THE INVESTIGATION IS PENDING AND A RECALLL HAS BEEN REQUESTED BUT NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED ONE AS YET. THANK GOODNESS I WAS NOT TRYING TO PASS OR TURN AT THE TIME IT OCCURRED. I WAS DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER. THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL. NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT IS A DEFECT IN THEIR VEHICLES. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND WILL TRY TO WORK WITH THE FINANCE COMPANY ON WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #10852431
190,000 miles · Mar 29, 2016
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE: WHILE DRIVING CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER LIKE ENGINE OR DRIVE SHAFT WAS STUCK, SPEED AND POWER DECREASED RAPIDLY IN TRAFFIC NEARLY CAUSING ME TO CRASH VEHICLE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GET OUT OF DRIVING LANE. I PULLED IN A PARKING LOT TURNED VEHICLE OFF, TO INSPECT TIRES, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. CHECKING FLUI…
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TRANSMISSION FAILURE: WHILE DRIVING CAR BEGAN TO SPUTTER LIKE ENGINE OR DRIVE SHAFT WAS STUCK, SPEED AND POWER DECREASED RAPIDLY IN TRAFFIC NEARLY CAUSING ME TO CRASH VEHICLE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GET OUT OF DRIVING LANE. I PULLED IN A PARKING LOT TURNED VEHICLE OFF, TO INSPECT TIRES, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. CHECKING FLUIDS NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID THICK LIKE A MILK SHAKE, CHECKED COOLANT, IT TOO WAS THE SAME. ALL THIS OUT OF NO WHERE. I GOOGLED PROBLEM AND FOUND MANY WITH SAME ISSUE AND THAT CAR WOULDNT START ALSO DUE TO WET ELECTRICAL PARTS IN TRANSMISSION THAT POPS A BREAKER NOT ALLOWING RESTART. I CHECK 10 AMP FUSE, IT WAS BROKEN. GOT CAR TOWED TO NEAR FAMILY HOME, BEGAN RESEARCHING AND FIND OUT THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF TRANS COOLER PROBLEM THAT WILL CAUSE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ALSO, THAT THIS ISSUE MOST LIKELY HAPPENS AFTER 100,000 MILES, WHICH I ALSO FOUND OUT NISSAN ONLY COVERED THIS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH CO-PAY TO THAT AMOUNT, WHICH I NEVER WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS ISSUE. MY CAR WAS FINANCED WITH A MAJOR US BANK, SAME EMAILS SINCE PURCHASE. I WENT TO DEALER, CALLED NISSN NORTH AMERICA AND WAS QUICKLY DIMISSED WITH MY VEHICLE HAS TO MANY MILES AND CAMPAIGN IS OVER AND WONT SPEAK FUTHER DUE TO SOME LAWSUIT. REALLY?? I LIVE IN ILLINOIS WHERE ITS COLD, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BREAK DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE? THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A CAR LIKE THIS, ME BEING THE ONLY OWNER AND JUST HAD NISSAN INSPECT MY VEHICLE DUE TO ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON PREVIOUSLY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS THING. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE BEEN AFFECTED. DEALER QUOTED ME $4900 FOR REPAIRS AND STATED THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE. THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND PAY FOR TOTAL REPAIRS REGARDLESS OF MILES. WHAT HAPPENS WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THEBTRANSMISSION STOPS? I'M A COMMERCIAL DRIVER, SEEN MANY ACCUDENTS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. RECALL THIS PLEASE, THEIR LIABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10852157
81,000 miles · Mar 21, 2016
EnginePower Train
TRANSMISSION BEGAN FAILING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SLOW SUDDENLY AND BEGIN SHAKING AS IF RIDING ON A VERY ROUGH ROAD. NISSAN DEALER INFORMED US THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT WHEREIN THE RADIATOR FLUID AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAME CROSS CONTAMINATED, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ALTHOUGH NISS…
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TRANSMISSION BEGAN FAILING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SLOW SUDDENLY AND BEGIN SHAKING AS IF RIDING ON A VERY ROUGH ROAD. NISSAN DEALER INFORMED US THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT WHEREIN THE RADIATOR FLUID AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAME CROSS CONTAMINATED, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ALTHOUGH NISSAN KNEW OF THIS ISSUE, THEY DID NOT INFORM US TO HAVE OUR CAR INSPECTED FOR THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN CURRENTLY COVERS THIS PROBLEM UP TO 8 YEARS AND 80,000 MILES, BUT WE ARE JUST OUTSIDE THIS LIMIT.
NHTSA ODI #10850812
110,000 miles · Mar 18, 2016
Power Train
MY TRANSMISSION IS NOW USELESS BECAUSE THERE WAS A RADIATOR LEAK? THIS ISN'T VERY SAFE AS IT COULD HAVE MESSED UP MY DRIVING!!!!
NHTSA ODI #10850438
111,000 miles · Mar 14, 2016
EngineUnknown Or Other
OUR 2007 NISSAN XTERRA HAD A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR, THAT COST $500 TO FIX, BUT IT LEAKED RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS GOING TO COST $3,500 TO $5,000 TO FIX.
NHTSA ODI #10849646
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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