The transmission is damaged, because the cooland fluid got mixed with automatic transmission fluid. All of this because a bad nissan design. Nissan does not take care of this problem, leaving the costumer with a mayor problem. People should not buy nissan. This company does nothing for problems that they created. It happened in motion driving on a city street.
2005 Nissan Xterra engine complaints
Page 3 of 10: complaints 41 to 70 of 280, newest first, as owners wrote them.
A leak inside the radiator has allowed radiator fluid into the transmission. Just driving a short errand near home when I felt a vibration at about 40-45mph, followed by erratic shifting. As I returned home, the car wouldn't even climb up my driveway. I was able to back out, and tried driving forward, but could only crawl a couple of MPH. Luckily reverse still worked enough to safely move out of the street.
Chain tensioner has failed resulting in engine damage. Nissan has been aware for years that this part is a problem and has chosen not to remedy the defective part. Instead, it will cost me thousands in repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. While driving at any speed, the vehicle idled highly and made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator fluid leaked into the transmission and the transmission fluid leaked into the radiator. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
My son was driving the car on a local road near home at night. He was accelerating up a small grade, when he said the car acted as if it had popped out of gear. It began to rev higher and made a higher pitched sound. He tried changing from being in "drive" to a lower gear, but it still did not engage the transmission. He had enough momentum to be able to coast onto our side street and park the car. Luckily there was no accident, but he was almost rear-ended as his car slowed suddenly and traffic ran up on him. The car would not start, nor turn over at that point. I had the car towed to the local nissan dealer. They mentioned it was a known issue with the transmission and radiator and it would cost over 5k for just a new transmission, not including a new radiator or labor to install both. I was able to find another mechanic that purchased a rebuilt transmission, but the whole thing still cost over 5k to have the rebuilt transmission and radiator installed with no assurance that it would not happen again. This is a well documented issue with these vehicles and continues to cost people thousands of dollars for a very poor and dangerous design.
Was leaving parking lot onto main street and car just died....
I just purchased my 2005 xterra used from a lot, and only after seeing great reviews on edmunds.com and cars.com did I realize the terrible problems these cars have. There's a terribly high-pitched whine coming from the engine bay at all speeds, which my mechanic told me over the phone is likely the timing chain/chain tensioner system and that it's well known on this model year. He said very low-quality parts were used in the construction of the chain system and that it's prone to critical failure. That kind of fix is anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000. Apparently, just like the transmission and radiator failures, nissan covered this problem up as best they could and preferred to endanger customers and hand out waivers when people asked specifically instead of owning up to the problem and fixing it outright. Appalling.
Was driving and vehicle transmission stopped moving vehicle. Engine was running and I could see the rpms increase as I gave gas but the drive train stopped working. Had the car towed to a transmission shop. The diagnosed the problem as transmission cooler problem. Explained that it is a common thing with this vehicle. Then discovered through the internet that this has been going on for years and nissan has not recalled for the defect. Repair shop told me it will be $4500 to repair.
Confirmed diagnoses of vehicle damage of radiator assembly & transmission are due to nissan's defective radiator assembly which allows coolant to pass through into the transmission rendering the vehicle unsafe to operate. Nissan is unwilling to assist with the repairs of damage caused by defect. I was not notified of this manufacturing defect. This is a safety issue, a damaged transmission due to coolant entering it has rendered the vehicle unsafe to drive, a known defect, yet the manufacturer will not even compromise to assist with repair of this defect. A manufacturer should assist with repair of any defect that renders the equipment unsafe to operate - no matter when that defect decides to show up! Nissan should assist in all repairs due to their known defect to let the consumer operate the vehicle in safety.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle vibrated and shifted gears. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was caused by a mixture of transmission and radiator fluid that affected the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift gears and the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator, transmission, and coolant heater hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,334.
My nissan has the defect that brought a lawsuit against nissan motor for a failure in the oil cooler that caused my transmission and radiator to be completely rebuilt/replaced because coolant had leaked into my transmission. I ended up with a bill for $3941.46, and now, I can't even file a reimbursement form or get a hold of any one at nissan to help because all 3 numbers listed in letters and paperwork are no longer in service.
Vehicle had many times failed to gear itself properly causing a sudden jerking motion once gear finally set in. This caused poor acceleration and a check engine light appears. Mechanic says radiator was leaking into the transmission. Radiator was replaced and transmission fluids flushed. Problem still occurs and check engine light keeps appearing. Mechanic says he cannot fix stating the radiator is causing transmission failure somehow and suggests to bring it to the dealership.
I purchased a brand new 2005 xterra 1/2006 with 10 miles!!!! I paid 28,000 for this vehicle and worst vehicle I never had!!! I only service this vehicle at the dealership!!!! I had so many issues with this new truck!! The check engine light keeping on at from the very beginning and when I took it to the dealership said nothing was wrong! Over time, this was a complete lemon!! The vehicle had to replace a radio, 6 batteries, 3 alternators, hoses leaking, oil leaking within 3 years purchasing a new truck, fuel sensor replaced, fuel pump replaced, 1 cal.conventor replaced, and worst of all transmission issues!! The truck will not go up hills and when I took it to 2 different places said that the radiator was leaking into the transmission and nissan knew about this and never said nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I only took my truck to the dealership and they never said a thing! I could replaced the radiator long time again to avoid the transmission going out!! 5,500 repair job!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is poor quality truck with all the issues I had since I brought it brand new !! My acura have 241,000 and never had any of these issues that I purchased used!! I contact the corp office and they will never do anything! The nissan dealerships around the country knows the issues with these nissan cars and never say a thing!! I will never purchase a another nissan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They will not stand behind their product!! 4 of my friends with nissan (xterra, pathfinder, and maxima) the transmission went out within 6 months of each other!!!
I was informed by a friend who has the same make and model car that there is a defect in the radiator that causes radiator fluid to leak into the transmission, thus ruining the transmission. Therefore you need to then replace the transmission.
Driving on freeway at 65mph car started stalling and loosing speed, I stepped on the gas but car would not accelerate. I was a few yards from exit, so I exited and when I reached the bottom of the exit, car stopped and it accelerated in reverse. Very scary and strange. I pulled the emergency brake and turned the engine off even though it seemed to not be running. I towed the car to a mechanic and I found out that the problem was a design flaw in the car that nissan has acknowledged but did not recall the vehicles. I find myself with a $6,000 repair estimate. I called the dealer after finding out what caused my car to die and they were aware of the problem as well and informed me that nissan had extended the warranty on the car with a $3,000 co-pay. The problem is not only expensive to repair but a real danger if the car goes into reverse while on heavy, fast traffic. I'm completely aghast that nissan and the dealers have known about this problem but have not notified car owners nor will they own up to the design defect and repair the vehicles which should not be needing new transmissions with less than 100,000 of driving. I don't know what you do with these complaints, but nissan needs to do the right thing and repair the vehicles free of charge. The class action lawsuit that they settled is a sham. When we buy cars we expect them to run well, and not have major flaws that would render the cars useless if you don't have the huge amounts of money that it takes to repair them. What does the law allow nissan to do in this case. They've already ripped us off by selling us faulty vehicles and now they want to rip us off by having us pay for repairs that should not have been incurred to begin with.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal noise without warning causing the vehicle to decelerate. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who inspected the vehicle and stated that the vehicle was operating normally. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated the entire instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart after numerous attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic control module needed to be replaced. The dealer informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v517000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 61,000.
We have a 2005 nissan xterra and were never told about the trouble with this models trouble with the radiator coolant leaking into the transmission and causing damage. Nissan extended their warranty with a deductible up to 100,000 miles and ours leaked at 106,000 miles causing $5600 in damages that nissan refused to acknowledge. Had there been a recall this never would have happened.
My 2005 nissan xterra transmission went out as I was driving across the causeway and almost ended up in the marsh. I searched online and this is a common problem with the radiator leaking into the transmission. Nissan was involved in a class action lawsuit but it's to late for damages. I think this is a safety issue and nissan should have recalled these vehicles before someone is killed.
Vehicle moving along interstate in heavy traffic at 60 MPH when acted as if it was shifted into neutral. Almost got hit twice trying to coast to side of road. There was no response to trying to accelerate, shifter still in d position. Engine temperature rose quickly. Shut engine off engine, to prevent a fire. Sit there momentarily, restarted the engine, temp came down, transmission engaged, drove home. Husband investigated and found oily substance in radiator and transmission low in fluid that was a pasty looking material now on dipstick. Refer to the nissan radiator defect class action lawsuit settlement case is in re: nissan radiator/transmission cooler litigation, case no. 10-cv-07493, u.s. District court for the southern district of new york. We were never notified of a recall or the suit, when we would have qualified for assistance from nissan. Does the state of new york decide reparations to the rest of the country while I am now poor and need a car and can't afford to repair it. How many more failures are out there? Includes pathfinder and frontier models. Also discovered VIN number on top of dash was incorrect. Thanks.
The transmission shakes violently on acceleration. So I drove the vehicle to the dealership for a diagnosis. I have learned that the radiator cracking and leaking into the transmission is a common problem for the 2005 nissan xterra, and that nissan settled a lawsuit in october of 2012. I do not remember getting any information that this might be a problem and I have to pay $3000 to get the transmission and radiator replaced! After 100,000 miles I am stuck to pay the complete cost of the repairs. Is there any kind of recourse for this problem that I am unaware of?
The engine started to overheat and the vehicle transmission started to shift irratically. There was an oily substance in the coolant reservoir. I contacted the dealership and was told that this is a known condition requiring replacement of the radiator and rebuilding of the transmission. I was told that since there was 101000 miles on the vehicle, that the entire $3800 for repair would have to be borne by me . I tried driiving the vehicle several times afterwards with the same result. It has been parked in front of my house for 6 months now as I don't have the money to repair.
My car was running fine and normal but when I tried to start it, nothing happened. I tried to jump the battery and I replaced the starter. After those attempts I had the vehicle towed to a nearby dealership who told me that coolant from the radiator leaked into the transmission and mixed fluid, damaging both the transmission and ECM. Car will not start and the is no communications working. The nissan dealership recommended I get a new radiator, ipdm module, and transmission which was estimated at a cost of $5,500 after parts and labor. I had the vehicle towed to a local repair shop for a second opinion and was told the same thing as the dealer had said.
Cracked radiator 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. My xterra is not able to drive. Got quoted over three thousand to repair and my car is not even paid off yet.
This is a complaint towards nissan and there failure to be and act as a professional car company. There should be a recall on there radiators leaking into the transmission, it has costs numerous amounts of people thousands of dollars to replace transmissions and radiators and even when done the problem still occurs. The class action lawsuit that they were so "nice" enough to agree on does not help anyone what so ever especially when hitting the 100k mark. These vehicles were built to last a long time, not crap out after 50,000 miles. It's a problem that needs to be resolved.
2005 nissan xterra. Consumer writes in regards to transmission and radiator issues. *smd the consumer stated after he dropped the vehicle off at the dealer, he received a call from the service advisor, stating transmission fluid was leaking into the radiator and nissan was aware of the defect and should cover the cost in replacing the radiator and transmission, because they extended the warranty. When the consumer contacted nissan to confirm, he was informed the vehicle had over 80,000 miles and he would have to pay $3,000 if he wanted the repairs done.
Driving down road and car quits steering was difficult hit a curb. The car all of a sudden came back on? Has done this to me several times until I parked it now. Dangerous situation. Lucky no vehicles were around me.
Coolant enters into the transmission system from a defective radiator system and destroys transmission. Nissan manufacturer is aware of this, even lost a class action lawsuit, but has not recalled the vehicle. As a result, owners are not aware of the defect until transmission is ruined. Nissan only agreed to help repair vehicles, after the fact and only up to 100,000 miles - with the owner still having to pay $3,000 toward repair. Since we were not aware of the defect, we didn't do anything preemptive so we had to wait until our transmission was ruined. Since we are beyond the 100,000 mile mark, nissan will not accept any responsibility for repair.
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