Power Train. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports3 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine complaints

23 reports

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164,000 miles · Jan 25, 2018

EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

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I'M HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DUE TO THE KNOWN DESIGN FLAW IN THE 2008 XTERRA RADIATORS THAT CAUSES COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. NISSAN ADMITTED THE FLAW AND YET THE NHTSA, WHO IS SUPPOSED TO HELP PROTECT US, HAS CONCLUDED THAT NISSAN ISN'T LIABLE FOR THESE PROBLEMS. WHAT PROTECTION DOES A CONSUMER HAVE BESIDES TRYING TO TAKE A MULTI-NATIONAL COMPANY TO COURT IF THE GOVERNMENT BODY WHO LOOKS INTO THIS WON'T ACT? PLEASE REVISIT THIS "RADIATOR INTERMIX" PROBLEM!

NHTSA ODI #11064781

1 miles · Oct 12, 2017

EnginePower Train

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PURCHASED A 2008 NISSAN XTERRA X VIN [XXX] MILEAGE 77107 ON JUNE 6, 2015. AFTER OWNING THIS VEHICLE FOR JUST OVER 2 YEARS WE HAD VERY BAD EXPERIENCE MY WIFE WAS DOING HER DAILY ERRANDS AS SHE WAS RETURNING HOME WITH OUR CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT HERE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND LOOSE ACCELERATION POTENTIALLY CAUSING HER TO BE ACCIDENT. WHEN SHE RETURNED HOME THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T EVEN TURN OVER I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THIS HAS A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR COOLER TANK THAT RUPTURES AND FORCES COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE COOLER LINES AND SUBSEQUENTLY I WAS LOOKING AT OVER $3500 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. FOR A KNOW PROBLEM REPORTED NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF. ITS VERY DISHEARTENING $3500 IN REPAIRS FOR A KNOW PROBLEM IT HURTS IN FACT ITS AFFECTED EVEN MY SURROUNDING FAMILY MEMBERS, MY MOTHER IS OR WAS PROUD OWNER OF NISSAN ALTIMA 2015. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND I DON'T HAVE PROBLEM MAINTAINING A VEHICLE OR SPENDING MONEY FOR REPAIRS THAT ARE STANDARD THAT COMES WITH OWNING ANY VEHICLE BUT THIS IS JUST OUTRAGEOUS. HOW DOES START UP FAMILY...1ST FAMILY CAR END UP IN THIS POSITION. IS THERE ANYTHING NISSAN CAN DO TO HELP ME AND MY FAMILY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11033160

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2017

EngineUnknown Or Other

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I PURCHASED MY 2008 NISSAN XTERRA ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND DID NOT KNOW ABOUT ALL THE DEFECTS THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR HAD. I AM HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS NISSAN. IT LEFT ME STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD JUST SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING. WORST PART WAS THAT IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH A PARTY OF 5. THE CONDITIONS WERE UNSAFE AND HAD TO WAIT FOR DAYLIGHT TO BE ABLE TO BE TOWED. ITS IS VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT I CAN NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS BAD VEHICLE AND IT WILL COST ME CLOSE TO 4K TO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. AT THIS POINT IM JUST STILL IN DEBT SINCE I HAVE NOT FINISHED PAYING THIS OFF AND CAR LESS. ITS VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT NISSAN WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HORRIBLE AND UNSTABLE VEHICLE THEY CREATED.

NHTSA ODI #10959797

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2016

Engine

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS IN THE ENGINE OF THIS CAR BEGAN MAKING A LOUD WHINING SOUND, WHICH IS A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES. NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THESE FAULTY TENSIONERS BACK IN 2004, WHEN THEY ISSUES A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. HTTP://WWW.NISSANPROBLEMS.COM/TRENDS/TIMING-CHAIN/

NHTSA ODI #10924363

60,000 miles · Jul 6, 2016

Engine

I WAS TOLD THE TIMING BELT TENSIONERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT ONLY HAS 60,800 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER QUOTED ME 1400.00. THERE IS A HIGH PITCHED WHINE FROM THE ENGINE, MOST NOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE RUNS OK BUT I'M AFRAID IF THE TENSIONERS FAIL, SO WILL THE TIMING BELT AND SO WILL THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #10883008

109,000 miles · Jun 6, 2016

EnginePower Train

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CRACKED RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION COOLER DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION COOLER, AND RADIATOR AT ABOUT 109,000 MILES IN TRAFFIC. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE WITH 2005-2010 NISSAN XTERRAS, FRONTIERS, AND PATHFINDERS. AS PART OF A SETTLEMENT TO A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT, NISSAN OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 10 YEARS / 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST (ALTHOUGH AN INTERNET SEARCH SAYS THE AVERAGE MILEAGE AT WHICH THIS PROBLEM OCCURS IS 95,000 MILES). NISSAN NOR ITS DEALERSHIP NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THE DEFECT OR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SO NOW I'M TRYING TO DECIDE IF I FORK OUT $6100 FOR THE REPAIRS OR TRADE-IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10872825

159,000 miles · May 25, 2016

Engine

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CRACKED RADIATOR LEAKING FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION. I WAS DRIVING WHEN I FELT A SLIP I PARKED THE CAR AND WITH IN MINUTES A CREME COLORED FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME IT WAS A GOOD THING I TOOK IT THEN BECAUSE IF IT WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO LEAK IT WOULD HAVE DAMAGED MY TRANSMISSION. I NOW HAVE TO HAVE NEW RADIATOR PUT IN THERMOSTAT PUT IN AND ENGINE FLUSHED THIS DOES NOT GUARANTEE I WILL NOT HAVE ANY MORE PROBLEMS. VOICING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE AND DEALER SHIPS AND MANUFACTURERS DO NOT DO MUCH ABOUT IT. THEY TAKE OUR MONEY BUT DON'T CARE WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE FACT. I LOVE THIS VEHICLE BUT WILL NEVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN VERY SAD.

NHTSA ODI #10870846

90,000 miles · Apr 6, 2015

Electrical SystemEngine

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WAS DRIVING XTERRA 4X4 ON THE STREET WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE SHUT ITSELF OFF. WAS ABLE TO LUCKILY TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON BUT WHEN WE ARRIVED HOME THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER START. HAD IT TOWED TO NISSAN WHO DISCOVERED THE CAR HAS A DEFECTIVE ECM UNIT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY VERY DANGEROUS AND I BELIEVE MANY OTHER NISSAN XTERRA/FRONTIERS/PATHFINDERS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED AS EVIDENT BY SEARCHING GOOGLE REGARDING THIS ISSUE. NISSAN WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE AND WANTED 1400 DOLLARS TO REPLACE ECM. THIS DAY AND AGE AN ECM SHOULD LAST MUCH MUCH LONGER AND SHOULD NOT SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE NOR, IMPAIR ITS ABILITY TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704095

102,975 miles · Jan 31, 2014

Engine

CAR'S HEATER BLOWS COLD AIR WHEN CAR IS IDLING. NISSAN SERVICE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED "BY AN AIR POCKET" FORMING IN THE COOLING SYSTEM? THE AIR POCKET HAS TO BE REMOVED - WHICH OF COURSE COSTS MONEY. WE OWN TWO 2008 XTERRAS. THIS ALSO HAPPENED WITH OUR OTHER 2008 XTERRA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562314

77,000 miles · Dec 12, 2013

EnginePower Train

TIMING CHAIN.I WOULD LIKE TO SEND OUT A LETTER OF COMPLAINT ON MY 2008 XTERRA. I'M ONE OF THE HUNDREDS WITH THE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE TIMING CHAIN SHOE AND TENSIONERS MENTIONED IN YOUR 2009 SERVICE BULLETIN EM09-007; NTB09-128; NOV. 16, 2009. SUBSTANDARD PARTS. YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NO CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555786

Official recalls

23V067000 · Air Bags:frontal

Feb 10, 2023

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

10V401000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

Sep 10, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

10V075000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank

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.

08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal

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.

08V045000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jan 25, 2008

NISSAN IS RECALLING 5,523 MY 2008 TITAN, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.' THE TIRE PLACARD LISTS AN INCORRECT VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES REQUIREMENTS FOR TIRE SELECTION TO PREVENT OVERLOADING.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL MAIL A CORRECT TIRE PLACARD AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

07V528000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Nov 16, 2007

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM/VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (ABS/VDC) ACTUATOR IS DESIGNED WITH ONE BALL IN THE VALVE SECTION. SOME ABS/VDC ACTUATORS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH MORE THAN ONE BALL IN THE VALVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN ABS/VDC ACTUATORS WITH MORE THAN ONE BALL, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT FLUID FLOW COULD BE BLOCKED AND CAUSE A REDUCTION IN BRAKE FORCE IN ONE OR BOTH FRONT WHEELS OR AFFECT OPERATION OF THE ABS AND/OR VDC. THIS COULD RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS WITHOUT WARNING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS/VDC ACTUATOR WITH A NEW ONE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. 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

DP12004 · 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)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

Power Train:automatic Transmission

Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

Power Train