My purchase of a 2008 Nissan Frontier in December of 2015 was my first "newer car" purchase, with 95,000 miles.
At approximately 106,000 miles around July of 2016, I began experiencing a shuddering vibration when the truck would enter torque converter lockup, in overdrive. At 108,000 miles in September of 2016, I had the vehicle diagnosed at a reputable shop and they could not replicate the issue. They suggested I change my transmission coolant which I did, and they did not note any cross contamination at that time. Some froth was noted in my radiator coolant, however.
At 112,000 miles the issue began to reoccur. Between the flush at 108,000 and 112,000 miles, I noted that my transmission fluid had changed to a few shades lighter. I then took the Frontier in, explained the issue, and the shop replaced my radiator, and flushed my transmission fluid twice. On doing so, they noted that there was definite cross contamination of fluids between the radiator and transmission, noting this most obviously in the transmission.
Since then, I have approximately 114,000 miles on my Frontier. Occasionally the torque converter buzzes when applying throttle while in overdrive/torque converter lockup. I am not convinced that I was able to avert long term transmission damage, and potentially failure.
This is a well documented issue with the 4.0L V-6/ 4-speed automatic transmission combination that Nissan uses in its light duty trucks, and I suspect mine was traded in at 95,000 miles when the previous owner first noted the issue, then having the transmission fluid changed. Nissan provides no support for vehicles over 100,000 miles, and very little support between 80,000 and 100,000. This issue seems to occur most often when mine did, around 95,000 miles.
For the cost of replacing the defective radiators in these models, Nissan could have avoided significant issues for owners later down the road. Instead, it took a lawsuit for Nissan to even recognize this increasingly prominent defect, and at that point they only provided partial coverage. I am a former Nissan Pickup owner and will never buy a Nissan product again.
Nissan dealer charged $90 and had vehicle for the whole day of diagnostics that are commonly known. Wanted $7200.00 to repair.
After checking with two other transmission shops, we were told that this is a common problem with Frontiers and Pathfinders. After looking on internet, we find this has been a common problem with many Nissan styles and has been for many years. Haven't yet had repaired so don't know how many it will actually cost. With this many problems, there should have been a recall.
The estimate is $7300. If it would have happened at 100k, the cost would have been $3,000, This is a known bad design. Nissan extended the warranty. They should extend it farther for us that were "lucky" enough to not have it happen earlier. We did all the recommended maintenance, which probably extended our problem past the warranty extension.
Poor quality control on the part of Nissan outsourced parts (transmission radiator) causes a catastrophic failure of a major (transmission) component. Cross contamination of coolant and transmission fluid causes early failure of transmission. This is a relatively inexpensive component with a 3 year warranty taking out a very expensive component with a 5 year warranty.
Nissan has been well aware of the issue and despite the class action lawsuit, does very little to help all but the newest vehicle owners. Over 100,000 miles you are on your own - the average failure by the time of diagnosis is 98,000 miles. The help that they offer before that is inflated in terms of cost and the parts and labor must be through Nissan. So, they are actually benefiting from their mistake and the consumer is stuck with the bill.
Two different Nissan dealers have told me that this can cause catastrophic failure where the transmission locks the drive wheels at highway speed. This has happened. All for a faulty cooler. Nissan knows about this and are ignoring it because it is a costly recall to issue.
It's unfortunate, but somebody will have to have a fatal or life threatening crash, Nissan will have to end up in court and then they will take ownership for their mistakes.
Dealer sent me to Mother Nissan and after initial contact they say FU and it's my problem that they used inferior material . I hope the class action hurts them BAD. They give a bullshit warranty extension and a false feeling of caring they don't care sorry I ever bought this piece of crap. Jap Bastards
Remember Pearl Harbor
Not sorry re that little Hirosima thing Nissan go to Hell
- Marc F.,
Ocean City, NJ, US
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while driving, the transmission will shutter/flutter. also while at a complete stop in drive. the heating system seems to faulter while at idle (no heat). once you start to drive, plenty of heat. At first, thought it was a heating/cooling issue but have since learned through research, these problems are dependent of each other as the transmission cooler inside the radiator breaks down and the fluid mixes, I have added an external trans cooler and flushed both radiator and transmission. now i just keep my fingers crossed...... i have filed and filled out the class action lawsuit forms. after 30 years of being a mechanic, I have not seen a radiator or transmission fail with less then 80,000 miles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My purchase of a 2008 Nissan Frontier in December of 2015 was my first "newer car" purchase, with 95,000 miles.
At approximately 106,000 miles around July of 2016, I began experiencing a shuddering vibration when the truck would enter torque converter lockup, in overdrive. At 108,000 miles in September of 2016, I had the vehicle diagnosed at a reputable shop and they could not replicate the issue. They suggested I change my transmission coolant which I did, and they did not note any cross contamination at that time. Some froth was noted in my radiator coolant, however.
At 112,000 miles the issue began to reoccur. Between the flush at 108,000 and 112,000 miles, I noted that my transmission fluid had changed to a few shades lighter. I then took the Frontier in, explained the issue, and the shop replaced my radiator, and flushed my transmission fluid twice. On doing so, they noted that there was definite cross contamination of fluids between the radiator and transmission, noting this most obviously in the transmission.
Since then, I have approximately 114,000 miles on my Frontier. Occasionally the torque converter buzzes when applying throttle while in overdrive/torque converter lockup. I am not convinced that I was able to avert long term transmission damage, and potentially failure.
This is a well documented issue with the 4.0L V-6/ 4-speed automatic transmission combination that Nissan uses in its light duty trucks, and I suspect mine was traded in at 95,000 miles when the previous owner first noted the issue, then having the transmission fluid changed. Nissan provides no support for vehicles over 100,000 miles, and very little support between 80,000 and 100,000. This issue seems to occur most often when mine did, around 95,000 miles.
For the cost of replacing the defective radiators in these models, Nissan could have avoided significant issues for owners later down the road. Instead, it took a lawsuit for Nissan to even recognize this increasingly prominent defect, and at that point they only provided partial coverage. I am a former Nissan Pickup owner and will never buy a Nissan product again.
- jayjay3893, Trumansburg, NY, US