2005 Nissan Xterra: engine failure

Filed Sep 7, 2016 · Engine · 129,000 miles · MT

Engine timing chain failure leading to catastrophic engine failure. Vehicle was in motion on interstate.

Filed May 7, 2016 · CA

Cross contamination of radiator and transmission fluids due to faulty design. Vehicle has 102k miles on it and can't be driven. We purchased the vehicle used with 86k miles and were never informed of any recall or lawsuit. This is the second transmission problem I have had with a nissan I lost thousand trading in a almost new nissan ultima 2007 previously due to constant transmission problems now this transmission has seized up and the radiator is full of gunk. This should be a full recall and repair on the part of nissan they know their design caused the problem. We still owe $$$ on this car and will ruin our credit by turning it in and cannot afford the $6k cost to repair this. The deal they did still left the consumer holding the bag for their bad design.

Filed May 26, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 23,160 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle seized and smoke emitted from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission, radiator, and another component needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,160.

Filed Jul 18, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 85,000 miles · AZ

Complete catastrophic engine failure during rush hour traffic. Luckily I was approaching a red light and there were cars slowing ahead of me I was able to brake slowly to a stop while I was not able to be steer. I had to be pushed to the side of the road by the help of others. The vehicle was towed to the pinnacle nissan dealership where they informed me that the transmission and the radiator has to be fully replaced due to a faulty valve . Nissan said the valve that connects the radiator and transmission broke allowing coolant and anti freeze to mix together and immediately catastrophically destroying both components. I was informed that their was a classaction suit for this very reason that was settled but this is very dangerous if I had been in a freeway situation. Nissan has had numerous complaints for this vehicle for this reason. I have had every recall part for this vehicle needed to be replaced due to faulty manufacturing, this is a very expensive repair and it has been known due to the # of complaints on this particular part being faulty but a recall needs to happen not at the expense of nissan. I am expected to cover this with a deductible of $2500.00 at no fault of my own . I am lucky to be alive. I have maintained all necessary/reccomended service outlined by nissan up till l this failure. Thank you

Filed Apr 12, 2013 · Transmission · 81,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle shook violently and failed to shift past first gear. The contact also stated that the transmission seized in various gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the transmission cooler had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

Filed Nov 18, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · MA

It has come to my attention during a recent horrific event that my transmission has seized due to a failure of the radiator cracking and mixing coolant into the transmission. I had bought an extended warranty plan through my dealer when I purchased this vehicle in 2009. They had an adjustor from carefree car protection come out to look at the vehicle on friday november 11, 2011. With that being said; they stated they do not cover the radiator issue; and since it was the faulty radiator that caused the entire transmission to fail and ultimately seized, they will also not cover that or any other of the repairs. Upon a bit of research on my own this is a known failure with this particular year/make/model of nissan. There are hundreds if not thousands of documented cases of consumers with the very same issue. There has been no recall made on this at all. Yes, nissan extended the radiator warranty up to 80,000 miles but not the transmission. Guess what; this happened in my vehicle at 89,000, so not only can I not fix the radiator issue but the transmission is also the same. The worst part of all this is; on wednesday november 9th my four year old daughter and I were almost killed due to this known malfunction. We were traveling on a very busy highway in mid-day traffic when the entire transmission seized in the middle of the highway. I have to say, if it were not for my extensive training in emergency vehicle operations by the state of massachusetts , I honestly do not believe my daughter or I would be alive today. The vehicle seized right on that stretch of highway and I had to veer into a ditch avoiding other vehicles, trees, guardrails and jersey barriers. I am thankful that we did survive that horrific even. Now I am looking to nissan to do the right thing and make this right. Updated ivoq 12/01/11

Filed Feb 7, 2011 · Engine · 131,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH the vehicle suddenly shut off. She pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and had it towed to a dealer. The dealer inspected the engine and stated the timing chain broke and the entire engine needs to be replaced. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic for a second opinion. The local mechanic informed the contact the engine does need to be replaced. The failure mileage was 131,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Nov 13, 2010 · Engine · 50,100 miles · CA

I own a 2005 nissan xterra 4x4 off-road SUV (VIN#[xxx]), around 50,300mi. The incident occurred on nov. 5, 2010 around 11pm. My xterra started to stall on the freeway and I was able to pull over to the side of the road safely where the engine died. I tried re-starting it and the engine ran rough, so I turned it off. I tried re-starting it after 30 seconds this time the engine ran smooth, waited for a minute and then started driving back onto the freeway heading home. About a mile later the engine started to stall again and I had to pull off to the side of the road right away almost nearly hitting another vehicle because my engine had no power to speed up because it was dying. Luckily no accident, just a near miss. I was able to re-start my xterra again and was able to make it home safely. I had to tow my xterra to the nissan dealership. From their diagnosis. The dealership service rep told me that I would need to replace my ipdm. He was checking to see if this part would fall under my powertrain warranty. He called me back later and told me it would cost $550 to replace it. I asked what about my powertrain warranty, he told me he have to get back to me because the warranty specialists was sick. Just my luck. I will have to wait till monday to see if I was covered under the warranty. They didn't even offer me a loaner car over the weekend. I informed him about the recall on the ipdm nissan put out on oct. 28, 2010. The service rep said there was no recall on the ipdm. Go figure! I'm going to bring him a copy of the recall notice from your website. As of right now nothing is being done to my car. Very unsatisfied customer information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).