2007 Nissan Frontier: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Jul 18, 2016 · Transmission · 88,000 miles · NM

The problem began as "shudder" resembling what is felt when the car moves onto the "rumble strip" near the shoulder of the road. This occurred while traveling at lower rpms (1500 - 2000) at average highway speeds in 5th gear (55 - 65 MPH). Since the vehicle is primarily driven in town at lower speeds, the "shudder" occurred rarely and was not initially identified as a problem. Over the course of several months, the problem began occurring more frequently and at lower speeds, but always at lower rpms (1500 to 2000) and in all gears. As the shudder worsened, the vehicle also began to shift more roughly, often jarring as it moved from one gear to the next. (this occurs at all gear changes.). The vehicle is now "slipping" quite badly as it moves from 4th to 5th gear. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who diagnosed torque converter problems and possible transmission failure. The mechanic has recommended replacement of the transmission. It appears there may have been a valve body failure in the transmission and cross-contamination of the coolant and transmission fluid.

Filed Jun 12, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 140,000 miles · SC

A couple of months ago, I began to notice a loud vibrating or shuddering sound at speeds around 35-40 MPH. It seemed to happen as I stopped accelerating as if it were trying to up-shift for cruising. The sound began to get louder over the next few weeks before I could get it checked out. It now has a very difficult time shifting at those speeds and when it does shift, it's hard and makes a loud knock sound. It then began to run hot one day so after it cooled I check the coolant level and found that it had a light brown, milky looking substance which felt oily. I've recently discovered a lot of information from people with the same problem explaining that it is cause by the coolant and transmission fluid mixing and damaging each component.

Filed May 26, 2015 · 53,452 miles · NY

While I was driving I felt a heavy vibration while shifting, and accelerating, abrupt stalling, and shuddering noises. It was so dangerous to be on the road with this vehicle. I had to replace my transmission and radiator immediately on a vehicle that had only 53,452 miles on it.

Filed Jan 20, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 106,000 miles · CO

I first began noticing a problem with my 2007 nissan frontier when the heater was having trouble heating up the cab as I was driving. At first the problem was intermittent and the heater would warm up for a while and then get cold again. Shortly after that I began to notice a vibration or shuddering at higher speeds as if I was hitting a rumble strip. I began doing some research on the internet and found that this is a very common problem with several nissan models between 2005 and 2010. I took the truck to the local dealership and they knew immediately what the problem was and what was needed to repair it. The radiator develops a crack that leaks into the transmission and starts tearing up the internals of the transmission. The dealership recommended replacement of both the radiator and the transmission. The cost to do this repair was about $5,100.00. The cost was not covered in the nissan extended warranty because the truck had over 100,000 miles. I am extremely frustrated that nissan does not stand behind their vehicles. I did not receive any notice from nissan that there was an engineering defect in their cars.

Filed May 23, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 81,000 miles · NY

Transmission failed due to radiator leakage into transmission fluid. Just out of warranty! Nissan claims powertrain warranty will not cover since it is a radiator problem which causes the failure. ----- leaking coolant causes transmission failure an alarming number of nissan xterra, pathfinder and frontier owners are stepping forward with stories about how cracked radiators are causing coolant to leak into the transmission. Once mixed with the transmission fluid this lethal combination kills the valves, seals and torque converter -- rendering your entire transmission useless. This issue is currently contained to the 2005'2010 model years. Some articles online claim that being aware of the proper warning signs may help prevent your nissan from needing a rebuilt transmission. These warning signs are: heavy vibration while shifting heavy vibration while accelerating abrupt stalling shuddering noises car doesn't warm up when sitting owners who have had their radiator crack are claiming that even if you catch it early, your transmission is still doomed trouble due to this engineering / manufacturing defect. You can read their stories over at carcomplaints.com for the three nissan models that are showing the defect: pathfinder: 2007, 2006, 2005 xterra: 2005, 2006, 2007 frontier: 2005. 2006, 2007 perhaps even more troubling is owners who have already had their transmissions "repaired" by an authorized nissan dealer are still reporting catastrophic transmission failure. Through no fault of their own, nissan owners who are out of warranty are left to cover the hefty repair bill, which can be over $4,500 when all is said and done.

Filed Feb 3, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 106,000 miles · MA

My 2007 nissan frontier developed shuddering in the transmission. It has received all regular service at 3,000 mile intervals. Today I was told that the transmission is contaminated with radiator coolant due to failure of the radiator and will cost $6200.00 I note innumerable examples of radiator failures with catastrophic transmission failure in the public forums and nissan agreed to a class-action settlement up to 100,000 miles with a $2500 deductible. Most vehicles are over 100,000 miles. This is a known defect which should be subject to a vehicle recall.

Filed Sep 30, 2013 · Transmission · 128,000 miles · NJ

Driving along at highway speed truck shuddered then loss of power to wheels due to a defect in the coolant system mixing with transmission fluid and destroying transmission.

Filed Dec 7, 2010 · Brakes, Transmission · 20,000 miles · WI

Purchased new 2007 nissan frontier-v-6, long wheel-base truck. Expierienced brake problem at 20k miles, replaced by dealer, had low speed whine and brake pedal drop to floor and 35 to 40 MPH judder and vibration. Went back to dealer, they checked and noticed the drive shaft was comming apart, they replaced with new one, idicated it was defective from vendor. I have had this truck back into dealer four times since with the same re-occuring problems. They can't find the source or the problem. Zone mgr. For midwest drove the vehicle and indicated that they can't find the problem and they will not replace anything else. I was told to take it to the bbb if I wanted a solution under current lemon laws. He also indicated it will probably fall apart down the road-complete and utter dis-regard for my safety. They are in complete denial that they have a problem with this vehicle. Is it just now that toyota had a recall for broken/cracked yokes on tacoma's and nissan is exempt? Don't they all buy parts from dana corp.? Nissan has experienced a large sales surge and are expanding just like gm had in the 70's. They don't have time/talent to take care of their problems just more new vehicles, more engineering problems, push it out the door and let the dealers take care of problems. This somehow has a familiar ring to it like toyota's problem with acceleration! Keep relieing on electronic controls to run the vehicles and take away control fromthe driver. The auto companies need to be investigated further for safety compliance as madison avenue commercials alude to the fact that all of these safety features that are incorporated into vehicles work flawsley when they actually don't! How many more people have to be killed or seriously injured with these so-called safe vehicles, made in USA with cheap china made parts! I'm sure there are more vehicles out on the road with these same re-occuring problems not being replaced or repaired due to mfgr. Defects and problems!!!