CarComplaints.com Notes: In a very limited selection on small pickup trucks, the Frontier is one of the best options except -- and I cannot emphasize this enough -- for one problem that makes it an avoid-at-all-costs pain in you know what: the radiator ruptures and leaks coolant into the transmission, killing it. Such a buzzkill.
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 was driving my truck notice the service engine light had came on and while driving the accelrationwas very weak.I had the code check and it came back as tcm and valve body problem and came home and researched to be a common problem with this truck type.
I was driving on the highway and my truck shutters like going over shallow rumble strips for about 3 weeks. I realized it was my transmission and searched on transmission issues with my truck and found the big one (coolant leaking into the transmission fluid). I immediately flushed the coolant and the transmission fluid, performed the at cooler bypass operation and refilled. I'm now saying my prayers, taking my vitamins, and exercising hoping for the best.
Vehicle shudders bad in 5th gear clunking in and out of gear, and unable to maintain speed on highway. Hard up shifts from gears 1 to 2 and 2 to 3. hard down shift clunk from gear 2 to 1. coolant leaked into transmission fluid causing catastrophic failure of transmission and new radiator needed as well.
While driving at speeds of approximately 40 mph the truck made a sound as though it was driving over rumble strips and it feels as though the transmission is slipping or about to fail. This will last 5 to 10 seconds and then it will seem normal, and then after a short while the sound and slippage will again occur. I am concerned that the transmission is experiencing the problem which has plagued other 2005-2010 Nissan models where transmission fluid becomes contaminated with antifreeze from cracks which develop in the transmission cooling line where it passes thru the radiator. I have called Nissan to report this. It was assigned case #[xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Clutch break band solenoid failed. Lost all power to my vehicle and would not start again. $1000 for the part $400 for the labor $100 for transmission fluid.
- Boise, ID, USA
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Transmission cooler line failure, causing cross contamination from the radiator to the transmission. Contacted Nissan, through phone and certified letters to the president of Nissan. Nissan would not except any responsibility. My vehicle was non drivable for 6 months due to the cost of repairs.
Apparently a known issue with the radiator leaking into the transmission - causing an $3000 repair to a vehicle that was well-maintained. The transmission started slipping and after diagnostics was told by the mechanic this was an issue that Nissan knew about and never did anything about. Spent $3000 of my money to fix something that should have been prevented and fixed by the manufacturer. I liked Nissan, but after this; I may not buy anymore. Have documentation to prove the issue.
At oil cooler internal component of the radiator failed causing transmission fluid to go in to the radiator and coolant to go in to the transmission. Destroying.
The transmission cooler line leaks coolant into the transmission causing a failure. Nissan has known of this problem for many years and has not notified owners of the need to replace the radiator.
Transmission demora en aplicar, esta vaga, no desarrolla velocidad SE encontro que la guagua mezcla aceite de transmission Y coolant en la barilla de aceite Y en el radiador. SE llevo al dealer Y SE nos notifico que era un desperfecto de la guagua Y tuvimos que pagar $3,287.88 ya que la guagua tiene 9 anos Y la garantia era 80,000 millas O 8 anos lo que surgiera primero. Entiendo que no ES justo ya que no ES nuestra culpa del desperfecto que tiene la guagua.
I purchased a used 2005 Nissan Frontier SE crew cab with 86,000 miles for $13,300 November 29th 2013. No warning or indication that this vehicle was part of a class action lawsuit over the radiator cooled transmission problems. There was no indication that this vehicle may exhibit symptoms that seem unrelated. On August 6th 2014 at 99,978 miles I took my truck into a ase certified mechanic to check out the transmission because of shuddering while shifting. They ran a diagnostic, checked the fluids, and sensors. At that time they assessed it was a dirty sensor and sent me on my way, and followed up after a few days. The vehicle was still having the same issues and I brought it back in. Upon further inspection of the transmission oil there was a significant amount of radiator fluid in there and the problem was identified. The current mileage is now 100,600 miles. I then made a claim to Nissan Consumer Affairs department regarding the issue. At this time I now found about the class action lawsuit settlement and the extended warranty. Free up to 70K or 80K and a co-pay after. I was never informed of this until now. Tuesday August 19th I was informed that Nissan was not responsible for divulging any of this information to me and that they would not cover even the co-pay. It is August 20th and my truck is currently at the ase certified mechanic awaiting the parts to come in to replace my transmission and radiator for $5,100 which is much less than the Nissan quote of $6,700. I now have a truck purchased 9 months ago with a $5,100 mechanic bill. I have 28 $400 payments to make for the truck in addition to replacing the poorly manufactured transmission and radiator.
On my truck I experienced a sudden loss in power and throttle response while driving without warning, as the transmission failed to shift gears properly. After spending $100 for a diagnostic from a mechanic it was found that my transmission cooler reservoir is leaking in my radiator and caused cross contamination between my antifreeze and atf. The antifreeze is getting into my transmission and boiling once the transmission reaches operating temperatures. The antifreeze vapor is then causing the transmission clutches and bands to not be able to engage correctly, and therefore not being able to shift up and down through the gears properly. I just about got hit trying to turn left out onto the road in front of cross traffic. I avoided an accident, but this happened with no warning. This fix is going to cost me anywhere from $500 to $5,000 to fix depending on the extent of the damage the antifreeze in my transmission caused. I just read that a few years ago Nissan extended the warranty due to this, and I am past that point, but this is still unacceptable at only 102,000 miles. Nissan should have recalled this and fixed it when it was just a couple hundred dollars for a new radiator years ago. Lastly, my truck without issues was worth nearly $8K in its condition, now I'll have trouble getting a dealer to pay anything in trade-in value if I choose to not fix the truck.
My transmission on my 2005 Nissan Frontier completely failed and left me stranded on the interstate highway. After towing it and a little research I found out that this was a problem that Nissan was well aware of and neglected to notify me or do anything about. The transmission cooler had cracked leaking engine coolant into the transmission. I learned that they extended the warranty to 90,000 miles with a $3000 dollar deductible which is laughable, considering that this was a problem that is going to cost about that to fix on my own. Nissan states on their website that they extended the warranty for customer satisfaction, in reality they got sued and that was the settlement. Nissan should have recalled these trucks years ago like a morally responsible company would have and I would not have to be running up credit card debt to fix it now.
If transmission in these trucks are not fixed then someone is going to have an accident due to it. I am lucky I didn't have one thank god for that we are safe. Radiator leak cause failure in transmission radiator was fixed a year ago and was still have some issues with it but was told they think it is normal to feel it slip gears when driving. I trusted them and lost my torque converter while driving on the highway going 100km an hour and had no pickup speed from it. Nissan told me as long as light is not on don't worry about it. While light didn't come on until I had no gears at all. I am not happy about risking my life my husbands life and the life of 2 small kids. One day if Nissan don't take fault for this someone is not going to be so lucky and get hit by another car before they can drifted to safety.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while the vehicle being serviced, the independent mechanic advised that the radiator fluid had leaked into the transmission. The mechanic replaced the radiator and flushed the transmission however, the engine warning light remained illuminated after the repairs. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic testing, who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,677. Updated 9/8/14 the consumer requested to be reimbursed for the transmission. Updated 1/13/2015
While getting on the freeway, I accelerated to merge with traffic but was unable to gain speed so I got off on the first exit ramp. Had plenty of engine power but lost torque. First thought, must be the transmission slipping. Got home and checked the transmission oil level and it was fine, the oil did not look like transmission oil, it was discolored and had a different feel to it. Was able to get the truck to dealer and was told it needed a radiator and transmission. Coolant had leaked into the transmission. Did my research and found there have been many complaints about this problem. As for the warranty, by which I still have to pay over $2500, I believe Nissan should have had a recall on the 05 Frontier, pathfinder, and paid for the whole repair for their use of what I call defective parts. ( radiator & transmission cooler ).
Noticed transmission "rumble." Took vehicle to local dealership where I was told there was cross-contamination between the radiator and transmission. Apparently a known issue with this make and model. Informed it would be over $6000 to repair. I have owned the vehicle since 2005 and was never informed of the defect or the pending class-action suit.
I found out a faulty engineered control valve assembly caused radiator and transmission failure in my vehicle. It happened less then a month outside & 7000 mi over the extended warranty. Extension for the warranty to 80,000 was put in place for a class action law suit for this item back in 2010. In 2010 my vehicle did not even have 50,000 so none of this applied to me! nor did Nissan do the right thing and recall my truck prior knowing this part fails after 80000! all the people this happens to after this law suit went down are out of luck because too much time has passed. So, I as a consumer who takes care of their vehicle and keeps low miles, has to pay big money to fix this problem! I called Nissan headquarters to do the right thing. They said because of the judgment of the class action law suit, they can not honor my request to do the right thing. I have to pay $2500 to fix my truck! I asked if I had to sue independently and take to twitter to help my cause? the gal on the other end of the phone (highest person up the chain I could reach) said; "yes mam, I'm sorry mam, but I guess that's what you have to do. My hands are tied by this judgment I can do nothing for you"! I feel completely ripped off and deceived by Nissan!!! is there a possibility you can come to my aid and direct me how I may get this covered? this has become a major hardship!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Albemarle, NC, USA