CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005-2007 Xterra appears to have a widespread defect where coolant leaks into the transmission, causing transmission failure around 90,000 miles. Repair costs are typically upwards of $3,500.

The same defect exists in the Pathfinder & Frontier as well. And according to the New York Times & a class action lawsuit, the defect actually extends through 2010 model year. More info here.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
159,184 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Nissan Xterra drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2006 Nissan Xterra Owner Comments (Page 10 of 12)

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problem #58

Jun 052013

Xterra

  • 112,712 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vibration from transmission.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #57

Jun 262013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 91,736 miles
My vehicle at time of purchase had 91,736 miles. As I was driving it home it would not allow me to accelerate after 60mph and the rpms reach over 4500. I was in the last lane when traffic started to clear. I could not accelerate and go at the speed of traffic. I had to put my emergency lights on and get over to the last lane. This is a recurring problem when I drive the vehicle. At times when I try to accelerate the vehicle reaches high rpms and it lunges forward until it settles in. I took it to two different mechanics and they both told me it was the transmission slipping and the radiator leaked water and that is what made the transmission start slipping. I don"?T want to drive the vehicle with my children because I was scared that I will be driving 65mph and one of a sudden loss of speed and be in an accident because I can?"T accelerate. The mechanics gave me a quote F $2400 for a used transmission and $3900 to rebuild the transmission and an additional $250-300 to replace the radiator. I am a single parent with two children and I cannot afford to repair the vehicle. I am not driving the vehicle in fear that I might damage it more. I should not have to repair it at my cost, this is a manufacturer defect. I am asking for there to be an investigation and a recall due to all the similar complaints. I should not have denied the right to drive my vehicle and use another vehicle because there has not been any recalls to fix the situation. The vehicle transmission and radiator should be fixed by Nissan at their expense.

- Bloomington, CA, USA

problem #56

Jul 012013

Xterra

  • miles
2006 Nissan Xterra. Consumer writes in regards to transmission problems. The consumer stated radiator coolant contaminated the transmission fluid, and now the transmission needs to be replaced.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #55

Jun 232013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 119,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2006 Nissan Xterra w/ 119,000 miles experienced transmission failure caused by a failure of the radiator. I understand this is an ongoing investigation and would like to have notice of where the investigation stands at this time. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Centerville, OH, USA

problem #54

Feb 172012

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 61,000 miles
About 61K miles the transmission felt like it was dragging while I was traveling at highway speed. When I got home I took it to the shop. The local shop dropped the pan and said the fluid was ok. The dragging didn't come back after a fluid change. However, later on, at highway I occasionally felt a vibration that stopped when I took my foot off the gas. I later got notice of an extended radiator warranty to 80K miles, but it didn't say anything about a transmission problem. The antifreeze never looked low when I checked the radiator, there was nothing in the driveway, so I put the sticker from the mail from Nissan on the manual and put it back in the glove compartment. On Saturday 6/8/2013 service engine light came on. At that time the car seemed to "drag". it seemed to need to rev at higher RPM than usual to get going. At one point in stop and go traffic it wouldn't move forward for a minute, and I hit almost 4000 RPM before it moved forward, very sluggishly. I took it to the shop the next day, they told me to see a transmission shop, since a code "1754" came up, indicating a defective control unit within the transmission. The transmission shop told me I needed a radiator, control unit, since the defective radiator had contaminated the transmission with antifreeze.

- Fanwood, NJ, USA

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problem #53

Jun 032013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
Vehicle shudder like rolling over rumble strip. Problem is related to manufacture defect with radiator.

- Suisun City, CA, USA

problem #52

Mar 262013

Xterra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In December 2012 the coolant in my radiator bagan leaknig into my transmission, which I had fixed in April 2013. Now in June 2013 all the coolant and transmission frluid has leaked out and leaving me with no car.

- Summerfield, NC, USA

problem #51

Jun 112013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
We have recently began to notice the heat - this past winter did not want to blow warm/hot air unless we were stopped in trying to diagnose the problem, we found red/foaming transmission fluid in our radiator-what a surprise after draining and flushing the radiator system and the fact we did not need the heater any further thought we maybe just had a fluke thing happen. Now in driving our Xterra it has all of a sudden developed a transmission problem that endangers anyone who drives it. It starts our running smooth and then out of no where has no movement and then in an instant will lunge. We have been on the interstate and had this scenario happen in traffic - talk about scary when another vehicle all of sudden is in your back window and now on your bumper..it has caused us to be fearful we were going to be the cause of a major accident more than once. We have a 6 year old that is with us all the time and I can tell you that we are afraid to put him in this vehicle and go anywhere. We are a two income family living from paycheck to paycheck and do not know where or how we are going to get the money for repairs. Nissan denies there is a problem but rest assured, if we are in a wreck because of this issue there will be a lawsuit.

- Old Hickory, TN, USA

problem #50

May 292013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 9,000,000 miles
My transmission was leaking into the radiator. I need a new transmission and radiator, over $4000.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #49

May 222013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 124,234 miles
Transmission failed due to well known issue with 2005-2010 Nissan SUV/truck transmissions. Coolant leaked into transmission fluid through coolant line causing catastrophic failure. Dealer quoted $7000 to replace transmission.

- Nescopeck, PA, USA

problem #48

May 012013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Like countless other owners of Nissan Xterras, my radiator cracked and leaked into my transmission destroying it. My 2006 Xterra is just outside of the extended warranty. Nissan is not willing to offer any assistance other than an apology. Luckily when mine failed I was not on the interstate.

- Avondale Estates, GA, USA

problem #47

Apr 152013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that the vehicle jolted intermittently. The vehicle was taken to dealer for diagnostic testing, who stated that there was contamination in the transmission and radiator. The transmission and radiator would both need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no further assistance. The approximate failure and current mileage was 89,000....updated 07-10-13 updated 07/11/2013

- Rio Linda, CA, USA

problem #46

Apr 052013

Xterra

  • miles
Cpsc: I1340159A. Nissan Xterra. Consumer stated the problem with this vehicle, is radiator fluid leaking into the transmission.

- Andover, MN, USA

problem #45

Apr 182013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 99,000 miles
Xterra began to feel sluggish and would not change gears appropriately (it is an automatic), after driving a couple of miles. Returned home to check fluids and found that the transmission fluid did not look 'right'. car was towed to a local Nissan dealer/service department and was told that there was cross contamination of radiator fluid with automatic transmission fluid and the cause was that the radiator had failed. Correction required is that the radiator and automatic transmission assembly has to be replaced at a total cost of $8438.43. I was told that Nissan would cover 70% of the cost of the repair, however required that I pay $3000 dollars up front before they would even order the parts. Once I gave them the $3000 by credit card because a check was accepted, I was told it will take three weeks for the parts to arrive and then another two days for the installation. In addition, my extended warranty will not cover the repairs because the radiator is not a covered part according to the warranty. The fine print states that if a non-covered part causes a covered part to be damaged then they do not cover the covered part.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #44

Apr 152013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 82,000 miles
This 2006 Nissan Xterra problem has caused problems with stability of the vehicle, lurches in acceleration, near-stalls, and uncertainty about reliability of vehicle in taking trips. The problems continues to get worse and we have determined that it is caused by engine coolant leaking into the transmission and vice versa. There is very visible evidence of the coolant being in the transmission and transmission fluid in the radiator. I have checked both of these and there is no mistaking it. This problem has caused me to not be able to take two trips because of being afraid of the transmission completely failing and leaving me and my family stranded in a remote area during the trip, not to mention my everyday driving that is required.

- Bentonville, AR, USA

problem #43

Apr 012013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 107,000 miles
Transmission is failing because of defect in radiator that allows coolant in to the transmission.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #42

Dec 022002

Xterra

  • 98,000 miles
In Dec 2012 I had to take my 2006 Nissan Xterra to the garage, there I was told that my radiator had cracked in 3 places and that I had coolant in my transmission. I had to replace the radiator and have the transmission flushed several time. Then on April 10 I was driving home. While getting on the interstate my check engine light came on and my vehicle did not want to go (like it wasn't getting any gas). Took the Xterra back to the garage and was told that I needed to rebuild or replace my transmission. I feel that so many people have had problems with this that Nissan needs to do recalls and reimburse everyone that has already had this problem. If they were any kind of "good" company that is exactly what they would do! very disappointed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Atkins, VA, USA

problem #41

Aug 102012

Xterra

  • 130,000 miles
Radiator fluid leaked into my transmission. This caused an entire shutdown of my transmission. I was told by Nissan that it would take up to $5,000 to repair. The radiator fluid leaked due to a defect that Nissan could have easily recalled and avoided. I have conducted research and found that thousands of other Nissan owners have experienced the same problem and Nissan is not willing to do anything about it. I was told that I would be responsible for the cost even though this could have been easily avoided by Nissan manufacturers.

- Loxley, AL, USA

problem #40

Mar 122013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the vehicle jerked as the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle would fail to shift. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis where the contact was advised that coolant was leaking into the transmission. As a result, the transmission and the radiator would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 94,000.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #39

Apr 102013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 107,663 miles
Know radiator leak into transmission. Nissan refuses to pay on extended warranty to repair. My out of pocket expense is $7,300.

- Crown Point, IN, USA

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