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.
After taking painstakingly good care of my 2005 Nissan Xterra, by exceeding the requirements of the factory recommended service intervals and procedures for almost 8 years, the heater core assembly sprung a leak in a metal supply pipe near the firewall (outlet pipe). When I bought the car, lightly used, the Nissan certified technicians had changed the radiator coolant, along with many other fluids. However, I discovered around 5 months afterwards that the heater assembly had been air locked, causing a loud "Gurgle" or bubbling sound, emanating from near the glove compartment area.
Being unprotected from oxidation for so long likely caused premature corrosion of the coolant system. The coolant was changed more frequently than recommended throughout my time of ownership. The design of the VQ40DE's coolant system required (or at least it was highly suggested) that a special vacuum coolant filling tool be used in refilling the coolant system, otherwise bubbles would be nearly impossible to remove. Redesigning the coolant system to include a bleeding section would alleviate the problem. If a trained certified technician caused this problem by following recommended service procedures, then the system clearly needs re-designing in my professional opinion (as an engineering graduate student).
Also, designing systems to require the use of an expensive specialized tool, or proprietary tool during routine maintenance functions is a major negative in the eyes of car enthusiasts and mechanics. Such engineering choices negatively impact the brand loyalty and for lack of a better word, love of a car from an enthusiast's point of view.
Due to the above conditions, the heater core failed at what can be considered a premature interval. The failure resulted in coolant flooding the cabin, saturating the carpet and sound dampening material beyond repair, and personal property loss in excess of $100 due to coolant exposure.
To repair the heater core in the F-Alpha chassis HVAC system design, a FULL dashboard removal is necessary. Designing the heater core to be a modular component requiring minimal removal of parts as in many other designs would be advantageous.
During repair by a Nissan Sr. Master Technician at a local dealership, the heater core was replaced successfully, but several parts were no longer available that matched 2005 OEM specifications. As such, the coolant hoses in the engine compartment were dangerously relocated such that undue stress was placed upon them. In the process of repair, the drain hose for the A.C. module was not properly placed during installation, leaving a large gap for A.C. condensate to leak into the cabin. It is not known whether or not the technician or interference from incorrect part mating was at fault. In the process, the exterior drain tube was not replaced and several interior panels were scratched beyond repair as a result of removal techniques. Also, all wiring harness zip ties were clipped in the dash area, and no effort to replace these in reinstallation was given, causing an airbag wire to be disconnected, and the FM radio antenna wire to be pinched, severing the conductor.
As such, the cabin flooded with A.C. condensate, causing the coolant saturated carpet to displace coolant all the way into the aft sections of the vehicle. The flooding was severe, as is evident from the included photos. The first follow up repair attempt failed to correct the issue. After being out of commission for almost two weeks, the vehicle was driven on a long trip after repair, only to discover halfway through the trip that the AC condensate was still leaking into the cabin at the same rate as before. A second repair attempt at another dealership resulted in a week of downtime, and a temporary patch. No permanent solution could be implemented without removing the entire dashboard and A.C. unit again. Instead of risking further failed repairs and more down-time, I decided to sell the car as is, at a slight loss.
This is not the first time Nissan technicians were unable to repair the vehicle. Between the amount of engineering touch-ups and patches that have been applied to this vehicle over the years due to poor initial design and the evidence of poor serviceability at several dealerships, I am forced to conclude that Nissan engineering in the mid 2000s was sub-standard to say the least. My experiences, in addition to the potential catastrophic coolant system and transmission failure issue that plagued 2005-2007 X-Terras (Google the common term, "Strawberry milkshake of death" in regards to this), have caused me to abandon Nissan for the foreseeable future.
I will not buy another Nissan again for a daily driver, unless I see hard evidence that their systems engineering team has improved substantially.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
click to see larger images
After taking painstakingly good care of my 2005 Nissan Xterra, by exceeding the requirements of the factory recommended service intervals and procedures for almost 8 years, the heater core assembly sprung a leak in a metal supply pipe near the firewall (outlet pipe). When I bought the car, lightly used, the Nissan certified technicians had changed the radiator coolant, along with many other fluids. However, I discovered around 5 months afterwards that the heater assembly had been air locked, causing a loud "Gurgle" or bubbling sound, emanating from near the glove compartment area.
Being unprotected from oxidation for so long likely caused premature corrosion of the coolant system. The coolant was changed more frequently than recommended throughout my time of ownership. The design of the VQ40DE's coolant system required (or at least it was highly suggested) that a special vacuum coolant filling tool be used in refilling the coolant system, otherwise bubbles would be nearly impossible to remove. Redesigning the coolant system to include a bleeding section would alleviate the problem. If a trained certified technician caused this problem by following recommended service procedures, then the system clearly needs re-designing in my professional opinion (as an engineering graduate student).
Also, designing systems to require the use of an expensive specialized tool, or proprietary tool during routine maintenance functions is a major negative in the eyes of car enthusiasts and mechanics. Such engineering choices negatively impact the brand loyalty and for lack of a better word, love of a car from an enthusiast's point of view.
Due to the above conditions, the heater core failed at what can be considered a premature interval. The failure resulted in coolant flooding the cabin, saturating the carpet and sound dampening material beyond repair, and personal property loss in excess of $100 due to coolant exposure.
To repair the heater core in the F-Alpha chassis HVAC system design, a FULL dashboard removal is necessary. Designing the heater core to be a modular component requiring minimal removal of parts as in many other designs would be advantageous. During repair by a Nissan Sr. Master Technician at a local dealership, the heater core was replaced successfully, but several parts were no longer available that matched 2005 OEM specifications. As such, the coolant hoses in the engine compartment were dangerously relocated such that undue stress was placed upon them. In the process of repair, the drain hose for the A.C. module was not properly placed during installation, leaving a large gap for A.C. condensate to leak into the cabin. It is not known whether or not the technician or interference from incorrect part mating was at fault. In the process, the exterior drain tube was not replaced and several interior panels were scratched beyond repair as a result of removal techniques. Also, all wiring harness zip ties were clipped in the dash area, and no effort to replace these in reinstallation was given, causing an airbag wire to be disconnected, and the FM radio antenna wire to be pinched, severing the conductor.
As such, the cabin flooded with A.C. condensate, causing the coolant saturated carpet to displace coolant all the way into the aft sections of the vehicle. The flooding was severe, as is evident from the included photos. The first follow up repair attempt failed to correct the issue. After being out of commission for almost two weeks, the vehicle was driven on a long trip after repair, only to discover halfway through the trip that the AC condensate was still leaking into the cabin at the same rate as before. A second repair attempt at another dealership resulted in a week of downtime, and a temporary patch. No permanent solution could be implemented without removing the entire dashboard and A.C. unit again. Instead of risking further failed repairs and more down-time, I decided to sell the car as is, at a slight loss.
This is not the first time Nissan technicians were unable to repair the vehicle. Between the amount of engineering touch-ups and patches that have been applied to this vehicle over the years due to poor initial design and the evidence of poor serviceability at several dealerships, I am forced to conclude that Nissan engineering in the mid 2000s was sub-standard to say the least. My experiences, in addition to the potential catastrophic coolant system and transmission failure issue that plagued 2005-2007 X-Terras (Google the common term, "Strawberry milkshake of death" in regards to this), have caused me to abandon Nissan for the foreseeable future.
I will not buy another Nissan again for a daily driver, unless I see hard evidence that their systems engineering team has improved substantially.
- ncwookieherder, Gastonia, NC, US