2005 Nissan Frontier: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Jul 4, 2023 · Transmission · GA

The truck loss power stalling,shuddering, bucking, want pick up speed even when excellerating, slow take off, loss of speed

Filed Feb 3, 2017 · Transmission · 164,000 miles · SC

Transmission started shuddering in od - radiator coolant leaked into transmission

Filed May 10, 2016 · Transmission · IN

Transmission started to shudder at around 45 miles an hour. Drove the vehicle home and parked it in the driveway. Went out to start vehicle next day and it would not crank. Had vehicle towed to dealership and had it diagnosed and found out that the radiator had an internal rupture which caused antifreeze to contaminate the transmission fluid causing the TCM module to fail along with damage to internal parts. The repair is estimated at about $5300.00. Since the problem was diagnosed, I learned that nissan has known about the problem for years but no notification was sent to me warning me of the problem. Despite nissans knowledge of the problem, the company has recently refused to cover the cost of the repair.

Filed Feb 1, 2016 · Engine · AZ

My truck started shuddering every once in a while. Eventually it was pause when changing gears (would not accelerate and would lose speed), and then it began to make a clanking sound. Took it to a mechanic and he said on this particular model the coolant via a leak in the radiator combines with the transmission fluid. Repair estimate is $3,800 plus tax! Vehicle was in motion and on city streets and highways.... Generally at a speed of 40mph or higher. The issues began about a year ago and then slower progressed to worse. When it started is a guesstimate.

Filed Feb 27, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 103,000 miles · OR

Transmission began to shudder at speeds 40-50 MPH a few weeks ago, feels like going over shallow rumble strips. Did research online and found that the issue is coolant leaking into the transmission fluid.this has been a major issue with all 2005 nissan frontiers. My truck has 103,xxx miles. Outside the warranty now. Never new of this warranty and now I'm stuck paying thousands of dollars out of pocket for new transmission and radiator.

Filed Feb 17, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 113,500 miles · LA

Transmission began to shudder when in overdrive and at speeds 40-50 MPH. Shuddering gradually grew worse and worse. Occasional clank sound when shifting from reverse to forward. Diagnosed at dealer as ruptured heat exchanger in radiator which allowed coolant to enter and contaminate the transmission.

Filed Jan 20, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 96,000 miles · ID

Vehicle shudders bad in 5th gear clunking in and out of gear, and unable to maintain speed on highway. Hard up shifts from gears 1 to 2 and 2 to 3. Hard down shift clunk from gear 2 to 1. Coolant leaked into transmission fluid causing catastrophic failure of transmission and new radiator needed as well.

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 999,978 miles · MN

I purchased a used 2005 nissan frontier se crew cab with 86,000 miles for $13,300 november 29th 2013. No warning or indication that this vehicle was part of a class action lawsuit over the radiator cooled transmission problems. There was no indication that this vehicle may exhibit symptoms that seem unrelated. On august 6th 2014 at 99,978 miles I took my truck into a ase certified mechanic to check out the transmission because of shuddering while shifting. They ran a diagnostic, checked the fluids, and sensors. At that time they assessed it was a dirty sensor and sent me on my way, and followed up after a few days. The vehicle was still having the same issues and I brought it back in. Upon further inspection of the transmission oil there was a significant amount of radiator fluid in there and the problem was identified. The current mileage is now 100,600 miles. I then made a claim to nissan consumer affairs department regarding the issue. At this time I now found about the class action lawsuit settlement and the extended warranty. Free up to 70k or 80k and a co-pay after. I was never informed of this until now. Tuesday august 19th I was informed that nissan was not responsible for divulging any of this information to me and that they would not cover even the co-pay. It is august 20th and my truck is currently at the ase certified mechanic awaiting the parts to come in to replace my transmission and radiator for $5,100 which is much less than the nissan quote of $6,700. I now have a truck purchased 9 months ago with a $5,100 mechanic bill. I have 28 $400 payments to make for the truck in addition to replacing the poorly manufactured transmission and radiator.

Filed Mar 3, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 137,000 miles · TN

While driving on the interstate my truck began a small intermittent shudder, as if driving over rumble strips. This occurred 2 or 3 times. The next week the shuddering recurred. Scheduled and appointment with my local nissan dealership. They very quickly diagnosed the problem. They indicated it was a common problem with this vehicle where the transmission cooler fails and intakes radiator coolant into the transmission. The indicate the transmission will in all likely hood need to be rebuilt.

Filed Feb 10, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · CA

This issues is with a 2005 nissan frontier le. Shuddering at approximately 40-45 MPH (seems to be while shifting) and sometimes between 80-85 MPH. The sound and feel of this shuddering is very similar to driving over highway hazard speed bumps. I initially thought that road work had been done in certain areas and didn't realize the effect was emanating from my truck. Loss of horse power and miles per gallon are also a symptom of this issue. Some jerking movements in the lower ranges of shifting. During the shuddering it feels as though the tranny is trying to catch the next gear. If I accelerate or decelerate passed the above ranges the shuddering subsides till the next time I cross those ranges. This description is of the final symptoms at their very worst for my individual experience, leading up to this points has been gradual signs of the same issues beginning at the 50k-60k mileage ranges. Even though, to date, nissan corporate has known of this defect their dealerships/service depts seemed to be completely unaware of the issue till I was well passed the extended warranty (class action lawsuit imposed). At that point they became very informative of the problem and its symptoms. On several occasions (months if not yrs ago) I had mentioned these symptoms and was told fluids were checked and ok'd by techs and service reps, but reading into the issue now I have learned it is very easy to spot if you truly do know what you are looking for or actually check the fluids as I suspect they never did.

Filed Dec 27, 2013 · Transmission · 118,500 miles · TX

Exited side street onto frontage road, right turn, car shuddered and stopped moving. Transmission was erratic causing car to lurch forward at times and remain immovable at others. Fortunately oncoming traffic was able to stop and alleviate a possible t-bone scenario. Was able to limp car through light and into service station.

Filed Dec 6, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 92,540 miles · NJ

The first week of november 2013 while driving at approximately 50-60 MPH, I would intermittently experience shuddering vibrations like the ones you feel when you drive through those highway strips. I did not pay much attention to eat thinking it probably was a minor problem with the tires. 3rd week of november the truck started slipping. I went online to find out what causes the slip and there it was. Hundreds of not just 2005 nissan frontier owners but also xterra's and pathfinder owners from 2005-2010 having the same problem.internet searches came out that at a certain point in the life of the vehicle at average about 90-100t miles, radiator coolant mixes with the transmission fluid due a crack inside the radiator, and the transmission becomes contaminated and eventually fails. After finding out the symptoms of possible contamination I examined my truck's radiator and transmission and found out that indeed transmission oil and coolant had mixed. I immediately replaced the radiator and flushed the transmission thinking that this could still save the transmission. A week ago while at a stop, with the truck on drive and right foot on the brake pedal, I heard a big bang around the transmission area and felt a violent shake and then the truck jerked forward and I almost hit the car in front of me. I was able to bring the car home.I cannot use the truck now out of fear that the transmission will suddenly fail while I'm driving in the freeway and cause or be in an accident. Many owners have reported that when their transmissions failed, their vehicles suddenly lost power in the middle of the highway and almost got into an accident. I called nissan customer service and I was told that this is a known problem with this vehicle and they have extended the radiator and transmission warranty to 100000 miles with a $3000 co-pay.