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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
95,309 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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.
Coolant from my radiator got into my transmission and damages my transmission and transmission computer in 2015 and I had to have it replaced. Earlier this year 20Q8, my transmission went out again with what seems to be the same exact problem. I can't afford to replace the transmission again so I'm stuck now.
Transmission failed from radiator leak. Nissan didn't notify us. Called corporate on different occasions over the last couple years and we keep getting a run around. We've been told the vehicle has to many miles or to old. I asked to speak with manger and was told there decision has been made. Each time the managers were always busy. They vehicle shut down in the middle of traffic on a busy highway.
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Xterra. While driving various speeds, the contact experienced a bumpy ride. In addition, the vehicle would decelerate, the odometer would decrease, and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure occurred three separate times. An independent mechanic diagnosed that transmission fluid was leaking into the radiator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and the dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 126,000.
- Frankfort, KY, USA
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Nissan dealer told me that the radiator fluids started to leak into the transmission and now the transmission needs to be replaced and it will cost $8000 dollars to fix
While driving, the car started not to shift well when changing gears. I've noticed on the highway and on the city roads. I took it to the dealer within that week and they said it was my transmission and that it will cost over $3000 to fix. When I purchased the car 2 years ago, I also purchased a bumper to bumper warranty that included the transmission. I did not have the paperwork with me so I had to go home to look for it. Once I found it, I called and sent the copy directly to the dealer. They called me the following day saying my warranty covers everything except intermix ingrid which was exactly what it was. I spent extra money to make sure if anything happens to my car I could get it fixed with the warranty. They told me they couldn't do anything and to fix it I must pay the $3000. I had my car for 2 years and it only has 75,000 mikes and now my transmission goes out" I researched what intermix ingrid is and found out I'm not the only one with this problem?"! Nissan isn't taking responsibility and instead charging us all $3000+ to get the problem that everyone is having fixed. There should be a recall or the warranty should cover this problem. Nissan should not be making a profit on an issue they are aware and not trying to notify people about.
I noticed my coolant level was low, but no leaks. I took it in and had it checked. The man put a new cap on the radiator, said he pressure tested it and could find no leaks. A few days later, on my way home from work, it barely made it home. After I parked I tried to start it and it wouldn't. my husband researched it and read about radiator coolant in the transmission and sure enough that's what happened.the repairs come out to be more than the vehicle is worth. I feel so ripped off. That was the first expensive vehicle I'd ever purchased. I only had it for 3 years and had just paid off the $18,000. Now I have nothing. Complete devastation since I live paycheck to paycheck. I feel like I just tossed thousands of dollars out the window. My Nissan has 119,000 miles. I always maintained it and thought it would last at least 100,000 more.
I brought this car in 2007 and have had electrical issues, and have maintained the car regularly. I was driving recently and only had 91K miles and the transmission just suddenly went without warning.
I purchased an Nissan Xterra 2007 SUV in 2008. Can has been well maintain. I recently took trip and in my way back car started to feel and sound weird.I just felt different. I went to Nissan to check it. I thought it was the breaks or something else. But I was informed that Xterra had an extended guarantee on the transmission because the coolant was leaking in to the transmission. It will cost me 2,500-3,000 to fix. I was never notified or warned of this defect. Why "??" I have to pay this. I even purchased an insurance up to 60,000miles car is only 76,351. Very very unfair.
Coolant leaked over into transmission. This seems to be a big issue with these vehicles. Now need new transmission and radiator. Yes there was a slight settlement years ago but no recall... this should be a recall. I have no money to fix and now cant even get to work to even try to make money to pay for it.
Tried to start car and jumped car with no success. Had to be towed to dealership. Dealership stated that the transmission fluids and radiator fluids had combined and corrupted the computer that starts the car.
Our 2007 Nissan Xterra had a leak in the radiator, that cost $500 to fix, but it leaked radiator fluid into the transmission which is going to cost $3,500 to $5,000 to fix.
Driving down freeway, vehicle started to shudder/vibrate, check engine light comes on, can's accelerate, smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. Pulled the vehicle off the highway. Take it to a mechanic, where he diagnoses the problem as transmission/radiator coolant issues. Hose broke and the fluid from the radiator/transmission mixed causing transmission to stop working. Take to Nissan dealer, told $6000 to fix. I have an extended warranty since I purchased vehicle used (Ford warranty). Told Ford will not cover anything, since the "transmission" wasn't really the problem. It was the coolant lines to the transmission that caused the problem. Just Ford (big business) trying to find a way around paying for something. I paid for the warranty, and the warranty is basically useless. Was told by the dealership where I purchased the vehicle Liberty Ford, maple hts., Ohio that it would cover transmission issues. What a scam. I will never purchase another Nissan vehicle nor will I ever purchase an extended warranty. Frustrated Nissan owner in Ohio.
While driving the vehicle stalled. It turned out to be the radiator leaking coolant into the transmission and fried the transmission. This is apparently a common problem in Nissan. When taken to the local mechanic he said it would cost $5000 plus to fix this problem.
My coolant system has leaked into my transmission system causing malfunction of both. This causes my car to hesitate when accelerating and will eventually cause the transmission to give out completely while in motion.this appears to be a common problem that Nissan is aware of and has not adequately addressed.
Noticed a strawberry colored fluid coming from the radiator overflow reservoir. Checked the radiator and found that the whole cooling system had the same color of fluid. I took my Xterra to a radiator shop and had the cooling system flushed and antifreeze replaced. I was told that what happened was that the transmission cooler had failed and that antifreeze and transmission fluid mixed together and went through the cooling system and transmission. I first got the radiator replaced and cooling system flushed again. I had been hearing a suspicious noise from the transmission and noticed that transmission was starting to slip. All this in williston, nd which was 620 miles from my home. I had to take the train home. We had to rent a car for my wife to use so I could use her Nissan armada to go back to williston and tow it back home. I also had to rent an auto Transport trailer. My car is now in the shop getting the transmission rebuilt. I have been told by my mechanic and read several complaints online that the only solution for the transmission is to get it rebuilt or replaced, which can take up to $6000, depending on where you go. This is an ongoing problem and Nissan needs to be held responsible. From what I can see online there has been at least 300 complaints filed, and I am sure there has been other issues that haven't been reported. I also have found that there was a class action lawsuit filed and there was warranty extension granted up to 100,00 miles. I am sure that the NHTSA is also aware that 90% of the complaints are from car owners that have over 100,000 miles on there odometer. I am also sure that Nissan is also aware of this and know that this is a manufacturers defect and are doing what ever is possible to avoid fixing and replacing 100's of transmissions. I am hoping that this matter can be dealt with swiftly and once and for all.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Portland, OR, USA