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 is my second Frontier, and my last. I still find it hard to believe that a prestigious company like Nissan would let their customer's down in this manner, especially when this could have been easily remedied/avoided.
I also think that there should be some regulations that would prevent people and dealers from selling vehicles with documented defects.
I BUY MY TRUCK FROM THE DEALER, HAD IT LESS THAN A YEAR AND THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY STOP. THE DEALER DIDN'T DO ANYTHING, SO I CONTACT NISSAN COMPANY, THEY WOULDN'T DO NOTHING. I LOOKED UP RECALLS AND FOUND THAT THERE A A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. BUT THEY SAID IT HAD PASSED THE WARRANTY MILEAGE SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW IT WAS A DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY. I HAD TO PAY 4,000 DOLLARS TO REPLACE IT. I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR. NOW I HEAR A WHINING IN THE TRUCK AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE MOTOR OR TRANSMISSION, EVEN THO IT'S CHANGING FINE. IF THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE WRONG, I REALLY THINK THE NISSAN COMPANY SHOULD CONTACT ALL VEHICLE OWNERS.
Update from May 17, 2016: I replaced the transmission and still have not receive anything from the Nissin people. it cost me $3,950 to replace it. I was looking for some help!
My 05 Frontier just did not seem to be running as smooth. It was not shifting right, like from one day to the next. Checked my trans. oil and it did not feel or look like trans. oil. I'll be taking it to the dealer tomorrow to see what the problem is. From my research on this matter I now know why Nissan had sent me a Warranty Extension Notification letter. My truck now has just over 80,000 miles on it. The warranty coverage now applies as follows 8 years/80,000 (no co-pay), 9 years/90,000 miles $2500 co-pay, 10 years/100,000 miles $3000 co-pay. I'm at the 8 year but over 80,000 by 500 miles. If Nissan knew about this problem they should pay for the whole deal.
This really sucks cause I know they are going to want a co-pay. I found out the problem has been corrected on the newer models. I almost traded this truck back in February for a 4x4 Frontier, but did not like the deal. Well it is what it is, I still have to get this truck fixed.
Update from Jul 2, 2014: Well, got the news on 7/1, that the trans. and rad. are shot. and need to be replaced. Nissan approved the repair but would not cut me a break on the 536 miles over the 80'000 mile mark for 0 co-pay so I have a $2500 co-pay. Truck should be ready by 7/8. The Office of defects on June 20/12 opened an investigation on this problem due to the # of complaints and the case is still open. I hope something positive comes from this, like full reimbursement for all money spent.
Truck had transmission issues, took to dealer,"sorry your vehicle is outside of warranty limits, 90,000 at that time. So I had them replace radiator to extend the life of truck and hopefully not have fluids mixing with each other than destroying engine. I was proactive. Nissan again extended warranty this time to 100,000 miles but did not inform customers. Now again I find myself on the outside looking in. Direct contact with Nissan has gone nowhere.
Truck stranded me on Christmas Eve 2011. I thought fuel pump went out. I didn't have the money until aug. 2012 to get new pump. Finally replace it, and did not work. Come to find out about an open recall from factory on ECM relay. Got it running just to get it to dealership. I was driving it home after repair and it jump out of gear. I managed to get it home and it drove ok the next day. One week later( last friday), I was backing out of my driveway, no reverse. Rolled backwards in nuetral.and put in drive and will not shift higher than 2nd gear . I can barely manage 32 mph with engine reving at around 3000 rpm.Once engine is off for a while reverse gear is there but disappear once fluid get warm up or circullated. I didn't want to waste $120 on trans. flush if its not going to help.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This is my second Frontier, and my last. I still find it hard to believe that a prestigious company like Nissan would let their customer's down in this manner, especially when this could have been easily remedied/avoided.
I also think that there should be some regulations that would prevent people and dealers from selling vehicles with documented defects.
- Marcos M., Lumberton, US