2008 Nissan Frontier: complete transmission failure

Filed Jan 12, 2021 · Transmission · 130,138 miles · NJ

Transmission failure due to coolant in trans oil contaminating trans components. Total trans rebuild/replace radiator and trans cooler. 130k miles on vehicle - low miles for a 2008 frontier. The vehicle shuddered, hesitated, would not pick up speed as it should, was having difficulty shifting thru gears as it transitioned from stop to moving, typically around 30-40 MPH under load (accelerating). We have since found out this is a known problem. Expensive repair!

Filed Aug 8, 2020 · Transmission · 98,800 miles · OR

First long trip since I bought the used truck, a trip to oakridge, 90 mile round trip from home. The truck made it back to our driveway, then when I put on the break for my husband to get out, it would not move and all the dash lights came on. I couldn't budge the truck. It was locked up. Couldn't move the stick. The engine quit. Forced it into park and tried to restart, but not a sound. The neighbor came over with his code reader. It said p1000. Battery checked good, got a new one anyway because its age. Grounds were good, but cleaned anyway. Had it towed to dealer. They put a new transmission in.

Filed May 10, 2018 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · PA

Transmission locked during driving could have caused an accident. Transmission fluid mixing with coolant causing transmission failures

Filed Nov 30, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 63,000 miles · PA

Transmission cooler in radiater failed and coolant leaked into transmission causing transmission failure and overheating.broke down on side of road and had to be towed.

Filed Aug 28, 2016 · Transmission · 113,000 miles · TN

This is in regards to an item already under investigation by the federal safety agency. I am another victim of nissan's leaking transmission cooler leading to a catastrophic transmissoin failure. My transmission locked in second gear upon accelerating from a stop sign. Fortunately I was 1/2 mile from my home on a side street and not on the interstate where such a problem could lead to an accident. Consumers need to know about this problem. The fix is relatively cheap before the transmission cooler begins to leak. Unfortunately consumers are unaware of the issue until it is too late, and the repair requires a new transmission and radiator costing $5000 to $6000. Although no wreck was involved in my incident, the potential for an accident is definately present if such a failure where to happen on a congested interstate.

Filed May 19, 2016 · Transmission · 110,300 miles · ME

Radiator and transmission failure due to cross contamination of radiator and transmission fluid caused by cracked atf line running through engine coolant chamber in radiator.

Filed Nov 25, 2015 · Airbags, Engine · 167,514 miles · CT · fire

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.

Filed Mar 6, 2015 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · NY

Transmission needs replacing.

Filed Aug 13, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 84,400 miles · CA

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.

Filed Oct 17, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 85,000 miles · MD

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.

Filed Jan 12, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 95,000 miles · AL

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.

Filed Nov 20, 2012 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · NC

Total transmission failure due to coolant mixed with transmission fluid.