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.
Engine coolant started mixing with transmission fluid due to broken line from transmission to radiator. Now my car shutters when your push the accelerator and is having problems shifting gears. Jerks at times when it gets hotter. Company is doing nothing about it because it has over 100K miles even though they knew of the defect. This should be a recall definitely!!!!
Transmission jerks and shudders at speeds around 40-60 mph when it shifts into overdrive. This occurs under light engine loading and while traveling up hill. Also, have noticed it at lower speeds lately. During the winter, the vehicle failed to heat properly; adding more coolant alleviated this problem, but only for a short period of time. After inspection, it is found that engine coolant is leaking into the transmission cooler and transmission fluid, causing both the engine to run low on coolant (and cause a no-heat situation) and is most likely causing the transmission to fail.
Vehicle did not shift smoothly and was overheating. Mechanic determined that the transmission fluid and engine coolant were intermixed due to a leak in the transmission line in the radiator. Both radiator and transmission must be replaced due to the fluid mixing.
When the vehicle is traveling 45-50 mph, there is an occasional and sometimes violent shake in the drivetrain...like driving over rumble bars. Also some loss of power while accelerating and hard shifting. This is from transmission failure due to cross contamination between the radiator and the transmission.
- Waverly, NE, USA
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Radiator fluid leaked into the transmission. The only fix is to replace both the radiator and the transmission at a cost of approximately $7,000. This is a known issue with several Nissan models, years 2005-2010 and class action has been taken. The settlement provided no help to someone in my situation with over 100,000 miles on the vehicle and provided very limited financial reimbursement for those who qualified. This is a known, catastrophic issue and recalls or reimbursements were the proper, safe, ethical solution. This was not done, and now I am stuck with a fix that will cost 90% of what the car is worth. There was no solution given that could have prevented it, so I really had no option here but to wait for the failure and get stuck with the $7000 bill. Fortunately, I did not experience any known safety hazards with this failure, but a failed radiator and transmission could potentially be dangerous.
July 2006 I purchased a new Nissan Xterra. October 2008 at approx. 58,000 miles the transmission failed. The transmission "slipped" as I made a left turn. The vehicle momentarily stopped in front of on coming traffic. Traffic stopped for me. At that time the vehicle moved forward. I initially thought that this was an isolated incident but over the next few days the problem worsened. On October 30th I took the vehicle to ricart Nissan. An initial check showed a foreign substance in the transmission fluid, the service person accused me of putting oil in the transmission and stated that Nissan would send the fluid to a laboratory for testing. Approx 6 days later I received a call from the dealership stating Nissan would replace the transmission free of charge. At 60,000 miles or a month or so later my vehicle warranty expired. The vehicle never really ran correctly after that; heavy shifting, vehicle would not warm up when stationary. I made several follow up calls to the dealership but each time I was advised that vehicle was out of warranty, or over 60,000 miles. At that point I just dealt with the rough running rough shifting vehicle. Move ahead to May 2014. Once again the vehicle's transmission slipped while turning almost causing me to have an accident. At this point I began researching my vehicle and found out that transmission problems, more specifically coolant leaking into the transmission causing failure was an on going problem, I had the vehicle inspected at pickerington Ohio Goodyear. Coolant was present in the transmission. At that time I notified my dealership and Nissan of my issue. Nissan stated that due to the vehicle age (175,000 miles) they could not assist me; Nissan reference number #[xxx]. I believe this is just as much a safety issue as a mechanical issue. If the transmission fails when turning in front of traffic an accident could take place. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
SUV started vibrating badly while driving at speeds near 60 mph. This happened for about 3 months. Took vehicle to sheehy Nissan in annapolis, md to have investigated and was told coolant had mixed with transmission fluid due to a failure in radiator. I was told that a costly repair is my only option, and that while I can drive it now, a total failure at "some point later" is imminent. How can I drive this vehicle on the streets knowing that at any moment the transmission could fail??/
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that the gears slipped intermittently while traveling at any speed. The failure recurred multiple times. An authorized dealer was notified of the failure more than once, who repaired the radiator and transmission to no avail. The contact had heard a humming noise when changing gears and also experienced the fuel gauge providing erroneous fuel level readings. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 10V075000 (fuel system, gasoline) but the local dealer and manufacturer both stated that the vehicle had exceeded the one year time frame to have the recall repair performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000. Updated 08/11/14 the consumer would like to reimbured the payments made towards the deductible and the car rental. Updated 08/18/2014
Felt vibrating while driving. Stopped at a light and had no 1st gear after. I was told water got into the transmission. Called Nissan after doing research to find out this was a big problem. I was told tough luck pretty much. Nissan should recall all affected vehicles!!!
Well I was driving along and the vehicle started chugging and then it stopped moving, when I had a transmission shop look at it they told me the radiator cracked and leaked fluid into the trans and destroyed the trans, now it is going to be replaced or rebuilt. I cannot afford this but need to get it fixed since I borrowed money to buy it. I was told by the trans shop that this was a common problem and it is not supposed to happen since the trans fluid lines and radiator fluid do not come into direct contact with each other, but is a defective radiator and design that caused this problem.
While on a business trip away from home noticed the heater stopped blowing warm air. A few minutes later engine temperature spiked but then returned to normal. 50 miles later heater started working again. Took the car to a local mechanic and discovered transmission cooler within the radiator had failed, allowing the radiator coolant to mix with the transmission fluid. Paid for the replacement of the radiator/transmission cooler, system flush. Had the system flushed again 1 week after radiator replacement. Transmission now acting erratically, particular when shifting between 3rd and 4th gear. Initial assessments by mechanic suggests transmission and transmission computer require replacement. Cost of replacement exceeds the value of car even though the rest of the car is in excellent condition.
Car was not accelerating properly and was shaking. Took it to the shop. The radiator had failed allowing coolant into my transmission and ruining my transmission. Repair will cost $4102 + tax.
Transmission failure due to contamination by engine coolant. The source of the contamination is a cracked line that runs through an engine coolant chamber in the radiator. Resulting in having to replace radiator and now the whole transmission. Current there is a recall however I was never notified of recall. My car is under 8 years old and has approx. 152,000 miles, hence, does not fall under the settlement of class action suit ordering Nissan to reimburse repairs. I am now out $4,000 even though Nissan is aware this is a pure mechanical error on their part. I was driving with my young daughters in the car and almost caused a pile up! shame on you Nissan!
I have warranty extension notices sent out by Nissan. They are for a leak in the radiator they may go into the transmission..my radiator was replaced because the dealer said it had a leak. There was no fluid in my garage or driveway.. now my transmission had to be replaced 76993 miles. After dealing with customer service they told me it was not a related problem..there has been a class action in against Nissan for this problem.the cost was $4500.if you need any other question answered please call me at [xxx]..I am looking for reimbursement for the cost of tranny repair..all work was done by mike barney Nissan 3676 sheridan drive amherst, NY 14226. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Transmission damage attributed to contamination by engine coolant. The source of the contamination is a cracked atf line that runs through an engine coolant chamber in the radiator. Resulting in having to replace radiator and now the whole transmission. Current there is a recall campaign # 10V517000, however I was never notified of recall. My car actually is 8 years old and has approx. 105,000 miles, hence, does not fall under the settlement of class action suit ordering Nissan to reimburse repairs.
Nissan will not step up and fix their mistake, our car is at 87000 miles and the coolant is leaking into the transmission due to how Nissan configured their system from the years of 2006 - 2009. When I spoke with [xxx] at Nissan Consumer Affairs he intimated that Nissan is not aware of this being a major issue, but interestingly enough stopped using this configuration in 2010. They claim that it will not happen to every Nissan, we need more consumers to come forward, so that this will become a "recall". the system is faulty it may not happen at 80,000 / 90,000 / 100,000, but count on it happening at some point. This is a very expensive repair. If Nissan had communicated to us that the warranty covering this transmission failure was extended to 80,000 but of course why would they admit to a faulty system, and let their valued customers know. Simple they do not value their customers, they lost this group. Way to go Nissan, somewhere down the line this will hurt you. Signed-disgusted information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Benton, LA, USA