My transmission was failing. It started with unexpected downshifting. It graduated to no reverse gear... it would just slip. We refilled the transmission fluid. Problems returned. We replaced all transmission fluid at a cost of $180. Problems returned. We took it to a mechanic to diagnose... Fluid was low again so he refilled it for another $80. Problems returned.
I started pricing out new transmissions. Then a mechanic randomly asked me to check the radiator. Did the fluid look funny? Yes, it did. It looks greasy.
Problem is with the radiator. It is swapping fluid with the transmission.
I have no idea if my transmission is going to survive this ordeal. I will replace the radiator and pray that the damage to the transmission is not fatal. I expected better from Nissan.
My mileage is under the 100000 mile extended warranty but the truck is over the 10 year limit. I disagree with a 10 year limit on the warranty, I should not be penalized for driving under 10000 miles a year.
So, just bought a used Frontier. Took it into the dealer for a failed cat converter (eh, it's gone through a lot of miles), and upon completion they let me know that the radiator is leaking coolant into the transmission.
A quick google search later and I discover that this is a major problem. And that it'll most likely require the transmission to be replaced sometime in the future. Oh, and there's nothing I can do about it because the "Extended Warranty" that Nissan provided didn't do squat back in 2013, and it'll certainly do nothing now.
So here I am, with a $12,000 used repair-time-bomb. Great. Looks like I'll be spending a few thousand more than I was expecting....
Terrible thing. It really is. Such a common problem should have been recalled. Nissan could have called them all back in to put in an separate transmission cooler.
I wanted to buy a Toyota Tacoma truck, but they were too expensive. Instead, I bought a used Nissan truck in 2008, it had 34,000 miles on it. It was the perfect size, with 4 doors for the kids and a short bed for cargo. For the next 75,000 miles, I had no major problems besides a fuel level sensor. I had gotten advisories from Nissan about transmission issues, but never had any problems, the car started and ran great every day.
Fast forward to March of 2014. At 110,000 miles, the truck began to shudder sometimes during light acceleration. I did some online checking and remembered the Nissan bulletin. I had the dreaded milkshake in the radiator! My radiator was leaking fluid into the transmission, and vice versa. I did some research, found this is a too-common problem, and Nissan won’t assist. Dealer estimated $10,000 for repairs. I loved the truck, so I paid my favorite mechanic $7,000 to replace the transmission, radiator, thermostat and hoses.
Now I have 140,000 miles on the truck, have spent over $11,000 in the past 24 months on repairs, and am thrilled to report I HAVE HAD ALL OF THE TOP 5 COMPLAINTS WHICH MAKES THIS TRUCK A CLUNKER: Failed fuel gauge, failed radiator, failed transmission, failed catalytic converter, and failed timing chain guides. Since none of these are safety issues, there are no recalls on them. Since my truck has over 100,000 miles, Nissan will not help.
I have learned my lesson: I should have spent a little more money to get the Toyota! Nissan makes an inferior product, and doesn’t stand behind them. Never buy a Nissan, you will pay for your mistake if you do!
- lennyleonards,
Fremont, CA, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
2006 Nissan Frontier SE 4X4 - Transmission failed at 89,00miles due to cross contamination of the fluid from a defective radiator that Nissan has known about for years and will do nothing about the problem. I had gone to my local dealer a year ago when I heard about the problem. The warranty covered vehicles with 80,000 miles or less. My truck at the time had 83000 miles on it. I asked the dealer what preventive measures I could take. I was told there wasn't any.
I asked about a new radiator. I was told it would be the same one and that wouldn't help anything. They made it sound like it was rare to have this problem but now my truck can't be driven because of that exact problem I call Nissan and they said it's still under warranty but that there's a deductible of $3,000 dollars plus tax for fixing the problem a friend of mine had the same problem with his truck the warranty didn't cover it so he went to a local mechanic and end up paying $3,500 to get his truck fixed so the deductible Nissan is asking for is what it cost to fix the problem makes no sense anyways
There should be a total recall on all of these vehicles. Just think how many people will never purchase another Nissan. I've never driven a Nissan my whole life. This was my 1st one and my last one.
I purchased a 2006 Nissan Frontier 2 months ago with around 47,000 miles on it. I paid around $19,000 with extended warranty that covers nothing. I haven't even put 3,000 miles on it and my radiator failed. I brought it to the Nissan Service Center and now it needs a radiator + Timing chain work + front strut, coil suspension work. Does a truck with under 50,000 miles have this many issues and why are the people suffering for their mistakes?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My transmission was failing. It started with unexpected downshifting. It graduated to no reverse gear... it would just slip. We refilled the transmission fluid. Problems returned. We replaced all transmission fluid at a cost of $180. Problems returned. We took it to a mechanic to diagnose... Fluid was low again so he refilled it for another $80. Problems returned.
I started pricing out new transmissions. Then a mechanic randomly asked me to check the radiator. Did the fluid look funny? Yes, it did. It looks greasy.
Problem is with the radiator. It is swapping fluid with the transmission.
I have no idea if my transmission is going to survive this ordeal. I will replace the radiator and pray that the damage to the transmission is not fatal. I expected better from Nissan.
- Geoffrey M., San Rafael, CA, US