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.
I stopped at a stop sign, when I accelerated it was like my vehicle was not getting any gas. I almost got hit due to the lack of power. I took my Xterra to the dealership where they informed me that my transmission fluid and coolant mixed due to a crack in the radiator. The radiator and transmission are ruined. I was advised that it will cost around $8000 to fix. At least I didn't have a wreck, although it was close.
About 3 weeks ago my transmission started to shift hard. Took it to the dealer and they said my radiator assembly has leak into the transmission and they knew about the problem but wont fix it under warranty because I was out of warranty. I got a letter from Nissan saying the same problem with the radiator assembly and show the dealer it as well and they still won't cover it for being out of warranty. So I asked them how much it would be to fix it and it would be $8000 to repair. The dealer suggested I call Nissan. So I call and tell them my problem with the radiator and tell said they wont cover it of being out of warranty. I asked Nissan what I'm supposed to do and they said that I'm out of luck. So I'm wondering why they didn't have a recall on a know problem with their vehicles.
I was traveling to work that morning. I live on top of a mountain so I was going down a mountain. I started to hear a grinding sound between 40-60 mph. Then the vehicle began to shake. When I would slow down it began to stop. I got to work and when the technician looked at vehicle he stated the coolant had mixed with transmission fluid. I am in the car business so I knew that this was major damage. I called a local Nissan dealer and to my surprise learned that this is a well know issue with this vehicle. I am very upset and this could have caused a major accident being on a mountain and having the transmission go out. I have taken very good care of this vehicle and am very displeased with the service. I wrote a complaint to Nissan North America and the only reply I received wa to tell me about an open recall on the vehicle. Well since the vehicle can't be driven I guess that recall will have to wait. I did replace the radiator and flushed the transmission several times in hopes that it would save the transmission but so sorry to say I still have the shutter and vibration at 40 -60 mph. The extended warranty that Nissan has come up with is a laugh! most complaint I have seen the consumer has problems well after 100000 miles and why should the consumer pay anything on a defected part that caused the damage. Shame on Nissan!
- Rising Fawn, GA, USA
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The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph the vehicle began to overheat. The contact shut off the vehicle but was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnosis where the contact was advised that coolant was leaking into the transmission. As a result, the transmission and coolant system would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 60,000.
Like hundreds of other Xterra owners, our radiator line leaked coolant into our transmission and it totally destroyed the transmission, as well as the electrical component. All told, $4,000 to repair (and that was with a hefty discount from aamco). It happened on at highway speeds, and we were lucky not to end up in a wreck. In the two days it took aamco to fix our car, we spoke with two other people who had the exact same thing happen to their Xterra's. I am amazed that this is such a common problem and has not been addressed in a more satisfactory manner by Nissan. I hope this investigation helps drive Nissan to do a recall on these parts before someone gets seriously hurt.
On Feb. 8th my wife and I were moving into a new place just miles away from our old home. When cruising in between 40-50 mph the vehicle was experiencing extreme vibration in the rear end of the vehicle. It was then that I assumed it might be a universal joint and/or the drive shaft. So when I had the money I brought the vehicle to aamco transmissions to have it checked out. I had to drop it off but later that afternoon the mechanic called me and told me it was the drive shaft and the frontal U-joint. He replaced the U-joint and re-balanced the drive shaft. I thought the problem was solved but just a few miles down the road I realized it hadn't. so I brought it back and they took a second look and told me it may be two things. Either the torque converter is bad or the coolant hose busted and the antifreeze was draining into the transmission which would cause the transmission to blow out. They then told me to fix the transmission would cost me around $6,000 which to me is worth more than the actual vehicle. When I got home I did a little research and found that sure enough the antifreeze was leaking into the transmission. The antifreeze looks like a green apple milkshake if you can imagine. I don't know what to do because I know that there are no recalls for this issue nor warranty coverage. Hundreds of people have complained about this exact issue. I'm at a loss, and now there's absolutely nothing I can do with my only transportation.
I was driving about 45mph when my vehicle jerked and briefly lost propulsion. This has happened approximately six times on different occasions and at different speeds. I feared that it would happen while pulling out in traffic. About two months after the first incident my mechanic has diagnosed that the transmission has failed, which is related to this phenomenon.
Told the timing chain tensioner plastic part failed; only indication is a whine sound from the engine. Nissan issued a tsb to their dealers about this issue, but nothing to the consumer. If the timing chain fails it will cause a catastrophic failure of the engine and a possible crash. An unknowing consumer has no idea about what this sound means (just sounds like a noisy engine) and might have little warning prior to a timing chain failure. This is a common issue on the type of engine in the Xterra, it affects other model also, and at a very low mileage 50-60K mi. Consumers need to be notified of this defect and to listen for the noise. Not everyone takes their vehicle to the dealer. Most mechanics know that timing chains are supposed to last well over 100,000 - 200,000 miles and would never suspect the defect. A safety recall or at least a notification to consumers would be advisable.
Due to a cracked radiator, coolant leaked into the transmission system causing the transmission to fail. Luckily, was able to take vehicle out of service before more damage could occur, as a result the firth gear was deemed inoperative. The cracked radiator was replaced, and a new transmission will have to be installed. The vehicle is drivable, but gas mileage has significantly been reduced because of the loss of the fifth gear. I talked to numerous repair and transmission specialist, and this is a very common problem. Researching on the NHTSA website a active investigation was found under NHTSA action number # DP12004.
Due to a crack in the internal radiator, my transmission failed. I was almost side swiped pulling out of a parking lot because my Xterra wouldn't go into 1st gear. The crack in the coolant cord is a manufacturing defect, but Nissan refuses to pay for the cost of this product defect and correlating damages.
Transmission fluid leaked into the cooling system requiring the complete replacement of both major components. Total cost of the work was over $5000 after checking with numerous repair facilities. Apparently this is a known issue as every repair shop I talked to said this is an extremely common problem and that every customer has complained about Nissan's response.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while traveling 65 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated as the vehicle gradually lost power. The contact was able to merge to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to be restarted and was driven to the dealer where it was confirmed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue. The failure mileage was 54,000 and the current mileage was 82,000.
Transmission failure. The transmission radiator failed causing coolant to leak into the transmission which destroyed the transmission. I spoke to the Nissan dealership and they acknowledged that this has been an issue with the Xterras. Nissan does have a program to rebate some of the repair ($4,500 dollars). This program has a cutoff at 100K miles. My vehicle has 119K miles. Nissan will not do anything to help with the cost of repair although they have acknowledged that is a problem. Nissan does not have to worry about having me as a customer in the future!
I was driving 35 mph on a busy street when my vehicle would not accelerate. I towed my car to Nissan dealer and was told my trans was no good and it would cost 6,000 to 10,000 to fix. I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs and they said I did not qualify for any warranties. Nissan told me there was no radiator fluid in my transmission which seems to be a common complaint. I towed my car for a second opinion and was told my trans does have radiator fluid in it and it also flooded my computer in the trans. Why did Nissan lie to me" I found that Nissan did extend the warranty on the radiators and that an E-mail did go out to Nissan owners stating they would also cover the trans if caused by radiator leakage to 80,000 miles but Nissan told me I don't qualify because I am a second owner" still waiting on a response from Nissan. This has caused a great hardship on me.
I was driving my 2006 Xterra on the highway when there was a clunk and it started shaking violently. Drove car to Nissan dealership for diagnosis. Dealership determined that it is a common problem - the radiator failed, leaking coolant into the transmission. Both radiator and transmission were destroyed. Nissan decided to not provide any assistance. Unable to afford repair, so had to sell the vehicle as junk at a loss.
Was driving my vehicle on the freeway and all of a sudden the vehicle began to lose speed. Pulled off the freeway and the car would just roll. Upon acceralting the vehicle the engine would just rev. Took car to transmission shop and the mechanic advised me that the entire transmission was ruined due to radiator coolant being leaked into the transmission. Prior to this I had the radiator inspected on several occasions in the last couple of years since the extended warranty had been placed on the vehicle and I had already surpassed the mileage of the warranty. The radiator showed no signs of wear and tear.
Break in transmission cooling coil inside radiator caused coolant to flow into automatic transmission. Transmission slippage at highway speeds caused vehicle to slow. Loss of coolant in radiator caused engine overheating. Result: Vehicle undrivable at highway speeds, no acceleration due to slippage, costly replacement of radiator and transmission.
The vehicle has a whining noise. When taken to the dealership, it was diagnosed as a worn down tensioner for the timing chain. If neglected it could cause engine damage and malfunction. The dealer claims the repair includes removing the tensioner and replacing with an upgraded part as they know the original part is faulty. Nissan is aware of the issue and issued a service bulletin in 2009 ntb07-042A, but refuses to fix this part in their vehicles. This should be recalled!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Leander, TX, USA