My truck would go in to gear but would not drive. I had it diagnosed by a transmission shop and they said that the radiator was leaking water and coolant in to my transmission and it would need to be replaced. I then had my vehicle towed to the nissan dealer where the technician said that this is caused by a faulty hose on radiator and it was happening to a lot of frontiers and xterras. When my husband questioned the tech on this being a recall he stated that it should be, but is not because it does not cause a safety issue. He told us we would need a new radiator, hoses, and transmission. The truck breaking down is a safety issue! We then had our truck towed to our normal mechanic and he is repairing it now.
2008 Nissan Frontier engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 35 of 35, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The engine makes a whining noise that increases in frequency with engine RPM. The truck has 69,000 miles on it but the noise has been apparent for some time. I took the truck to the dealer and was informed that the secondary timing chain tensioners were worn out and needed to be replaced at a cost of $1,800.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan frontier. While driving approximately 30 MPH, there was a waddling noise coming from the passenger side of the engine. The vehicle stalled and the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain tensioner failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000.
My nissan dealer told me today that the timing chain on the 4.0l v6 engine in my truck requires replacement. This truck has less than 60,000 miles on it and the dealer charges $2,140 for the work. Timing chains are normally expected to last for the life of the vehicle. Failure of the timing chain would destroy the engine and, if it occurred while the vehicle was in motion, could result in a crash. Nissan has known about a defective timing chain problem on this and related engines since at least 2004, yet they continued to use those defective timing chains until approximately 2010. Nissan should issue a recall and replace the chains under warranty.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan frontier. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled with and all the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was able to restart minutes later. In addition, the service engine warning light and the flip error light illuminated continuously. The failure recurred six times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000. The VIN was not provided.
1) $1473 to replace timing chain system @ 53,610 miles 2) nissan had issued a service bulletin ntb09-128 revealing a knowledge of the issue on at least 3 models over a 5 year period of time 3) called nissan consumer affairs to check on reimbursement since nissan knew it was a problem. In fairness, they responded within 24 hrs. Only to take less than 1 minute to deny the claim 4) wrote 3 letters (1 per month) to nissan consumer affairs until they contacted me again today 1/13/2016 only to deny the claim once again. I've owned only nissan trucks since 1984 and been very happy with their products and quality. I bought this truck new in 2008 and only had 53,610 miles when this issue came up. I'm thankful I heard the noise and had it fixed before the chain(s) seized and caused major engine damage or even a wreck. I would have thought I had an uncommon problem (bad luck) if it hadn't been documented via the service bulletin. Nissan acknowledged the issue via the service bulletin that covered at least 3 models over a 5 year time span. They now refuse to accept any type of responsibility. A quick internet search reveals several class action lawsuits concerning the timing chain issue. I'm very unhappy with nissan's lack of product support on what was was clearly a quality assurance problem. I will most likely not buy (nor recommend) a nissan product anytime in the foreseeable future.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan frontier. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not accelerate. In addition, the vehicle started smoking. The contact stated that the front driver's side air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where it was diagnosed by an independent mechanic that the radiator and the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 167,514.
Timing chain guides and tensioners need to be replaced. Also the timing chains [3]. If these fail on the highway, a severe accident could result. Nissan has published bulletins on this problem but has not notified owners about it. There are evidently class action suits filed against them. These part are defective in design and quality and pose a potentially hazardous situation.
Heard a high pitched whining noise coming from the engine of my nissan 2008 crew cab 4 wheel drive frontier. Made an appointment to have the issue evaluated at the same nissan dealership where I purchased the vehicle (nissan of atlantic city - formerly admiral nissan). I purchased the used frontier in june 2011; approximate mileage was 40 - 41k. I also purchased an extended warranty at that time - 48 months, 48 thousand miles (expiration 6/15/15). After evaluating the problem, a nissan service manager told me that the noise was coming from the timing chain and its components - cost of repair $1900.00 - 2000.00 plus 7% sales tax. I asked him if the repair was covered by the extended warranty I purchased. He said no! He informed me that my extended warranty had expired for mileage; I was over by a few hundred miles. This is an existing problem. Nissan had know of, and been dealing with this issue well before I purchased my 2008 frontier in june 2011. However, this information was never made available directly to the consumer. When the engine whine first began it was low - barely noticeable, but the more I drove the worse it got. If I had been aware of the service bulletins sent to the dealers about this issue, I would have had the vehicle checked out before the warranty expired; the extended warranty had a $50.00 deductible. My final cost for the repair on 3/28/15 was $1974.16. Nissan of america is at fault and so is the dealership - nissan of atlantic city. They are both responsible because they both had the information about existing timing chain problems and failed to disclose it.
I have a 2008 nissan frontier with only 48,000 miles on it. I noticed that the engine started to whine and took it to a local mechanic. Come to find out that this is a known issue and it will cost $1,500 to repair. I took a look on the internet and there are a lot of people stating that they have the same problem. I think that nissan should be pressured to send out a recall to pay for the repairs on these engines.
My check engine light went on as I was driving home on a sunday afternoon. With in an hour, and almost arriving home... The vehicle began to slow down and could not accelerate past 25mph. I stopped at a traffic light and felt a very large bang under the truck. As I tried to accelerate from the light I could only get up to 25mph. Then the truck stalled completely, in the middle of a busy street. Luckily no one was close behind me and I had my hazard lights on, otherwise this would have been a sure crash. I took it to a mechanic who checked and informed me that my radiator was faulty and had contaminated and ruined my transmission. I paid $2900 to have it fixed. No help, or money back from nissan, not even an apology for their faulty parts.
There is some sort of emission control behind the rear tires. It seems to get plugged and engages my service light to come on. Well since I live on a dirt road it is almost impossible to keep it from being plugged. I've had to have it replaced three (3) different times. It really irritates me.
I just had to have the radiator replaced and the automatic transmission rebuilt at a cost of almost $3,000 in my 2008 nissan frontier se 4v 2.5 with only 84,000 miles because of the cross contamination. According to carcomplaint.com, the average owner is becoming aware of a problem at 94,565 miles. If nissan would have recalled the radiators immediately upon knowledge of the defect, it would have saved them from dealing with numerous transmission replacements and customer satisfaction concerns. I brought my truck to the nissan dealer and I was told by the service manager that the problem was not caused by contamination and I should get help from nissan who later on denied help for me. The next day I brought my nissan frontier to a shop expert in transmissions and their diagnosis was that the failure in my transmission was caused by an "anti-freeze contamination, code 1751". Nissan knew that they had a faulty radiator and instead of recalling the radiator, they extended the warranty knowing that the majority of the cars would surpass 80,000 miles before they started having problems with the transmission. Now looking at high cost to fix the timing chain cover seal. Nissan knows about both of these issues and is not taking responsibility and won't help.
Service engine light came on. Fuel sensor reported. 2008 nissan frontier.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan frontier. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the transmission shifted erratically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission fluid and coolant were mixing. As a result, the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 102,355 and current mileage 102,400.
I have the well documented problem with the radiator coolant entering and damaging the transmission. I am having it repaired a nissan dealership. I will have to pay over 3200.00!. There was a settlement agreement that is ridiculous!. The problem does not even occur until over 80000 miles when nissan will not cover anything. There are hundreds if not thousands of complaints.
All of a sudden I heard a whining noise that I had never heard in my 2008 nissan frontier 4.0 truck. The noise is new and over the last week or so, it comes and goes. Vehicle went out of warranty 2.5 months ago at 5 yrs 2.5 months old. 54500 miles on the truck. The whine pitch increases with engine speed. In neutral as you rev the engine you hear the whine noise go up and down with the rpms. Very disappointing to think I am stuck with a large $1500 timing belt issue with what I thought was a well designed vehicle from a company I thought I could trust high quality.
Known defect by nissan. Radiator fluid leaks into transmission causing complete failure of transmission. They have extended warranty for new transmission but comes with a $2500 deductible. Why should I have to pay anything when they know they made a defective product.
Trans cooler ruptured within radiator causing water/coolant to mix with transmission fluid destroying transmission.
Engine intermittently flutters while in gear. I bought this vehicle while still under warranty; however, while it was being driven around the dealership for service, etc. It went over the 60,000 mile warranty. The dealer said they would still look at the problem and suggested that it may need a throttle adjustment. After speaking with the mechanic he said the throttle was within range and it was reported to him that all frontiers and pathfinders have that problem. Someone should be able to force nissan to fix this problem.
A whining or buzzing type noise has develop from the timing chain area caused by excess slack in the secondary timing chains. Nissan has issued a service bulletin (ntb09-128) regarding this issue. Replacement of both secondary timing chains and their tensioner shoes will be necessary to repair this concern. My 2008 frontier has 89k miles on it (out of nissan's 60k warranty) and has been whining for sometime now. Nissan knows of this problem per the previously mentioned tsp. It is my worry that if the chain breaks or fails while driving it the motor will instantly stop/fail and possibly lock up therefore putting myself and family and or others at great risk for injury.
I received a letter for a settlement offer from nissan about the transmission cooler failure which leads to total transmission failure. I started to research what was wrong and what I can do about it seeing as my frontier has 102,000 miles on it and is not covered by the settlement offer. As I did some research I found out about a symptom before transmission failure occurs which is at an idle you have a loss of heat until you rev the engine or start to accelerate and heat returns. I noticed that this had happened around november 2012 while I had left my truck running while parked for a few minutes which I normally do not do. I started to drive and the heat was working again so I thought it might have been a thermostat sticking and watched my vehicle for the signs of this to happen again. I did not notice anything happen again because I do not let my truck sit idle long enough until I tested it today and when I let it sit idle for a minute the heat stopped working properly and returned to normal function when I started driving it. I am trying to find a way to repair the problem before it gets worse but I do not know if I will be able to afford it. So as for the time being I will have to drive my only vehicle to work and hope the transmission does not fail completely and cause an accident or worse. Hopefully I can find a affordable repair or nissan will be forced to repair it before someone driving down the road at highway speeds has this happen and us consumers suffer bodily injury or fatalities before they will do the honorable thing and admit their vehicle has faulty materials used in its construction and repair them. Only they will suffer in the end if they do nothing.
I have had this vehicle in twice now due to the smell of leaking anti freeze and have been told no problem ,now we have gotten two different things about the radiator and transmission I have called the customer service number they gave and they told me to look for leaks or check fluid for milky color,there needs to be a total recall on these before someone gets seriously hurt!
Failed transmission twice due to leak of coolant caused by radiator leak. Occurred at 50k and 64k miles. First failure caused a delay after pressing accelerator allowing engine to rev before engaging when trying to accelerate from a stop. Both replacements covered by warranty.
Reports of transmission failure due to coolant from radiator entering transmission via the internal at cooler, located in the radiator.
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