Driving my 2005 nissan xterra I purchased 8 months ago in january 2013, my air conditioner worked intermittently. Eventually in july of 2013, my car was not drive able. Had it towed to dealership I purchased it at, and they verified that my radiator was leaking coolant, which mixed with my transmission fluid. The resulted in the need to repair the radiator and transmission.
2005 Nissan Xterra engine complaints
Page 6 of 10: complaints 131 to 160 of 280, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Check engine light came up in my 2005 nissan xterra at 85,000 miles. Took it to the repair shop where I make oil changes, I was told transmission broke and radiator fluid contamination. Took it to the dealer, they confirm that the transmission failure, but they flat out refused the contamination, instead offer to replace both transmission and radiator for $5,500 to avoid future problems. I was not convinced. Immediately, another guy in the dealership offers to trade in for a new car. I took the car out and went to another transmission shop. Sure enough, they noticed radiation fluid contaminating the transmission fluid. Cost was around $3,750. Because, the deadline was early june'2013 and now is early july, they are telling me I cannot submit the claim. I hope the court does not approve the final settlement. Nissan should recall and pay for the repairs of defective transmission/ radiator.
While driving my 2005 xterra se noticed loud noise coming from front end - found out transmission fluid had become mixed with coolant from radiator. (I have a sample of the cloudy looking fluid). The problem rendered the SUV undrivable so was towed to dealer where spent $5,400 to have both transmission and radiator replaced, but do not know for sure if this a permanent fix or not.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle would not accelerate as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the transmission would have to be replaced because radiator fluid was leaking into the transmission. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 111,400.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle became hesitated and decelerated independently with the illumination of the check engine warning light. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was advised to the contact that radiator fluid had leaked into the transmission fluid, causing the transmission to fail. The vehicle was repaired but the problem persisted. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
The transmission went out when radiator acted up.
I had my oil changed and was told that I have a leak around my oil filter housing. I only had this vehicle a year,
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while having the vehicle inspected, she was advised that radiator fluid had entered the transmission. The dealer diagnosed that the radiator and the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 84,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH the vehicle stalled and failed to shift gears. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who stated the transmission failed because cooant mixed with the transmission fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was not reported to the manufacturer. The failure and current mileage was 108,000. Updated 08/20/13
Fortunately I was simply attempting to back out of my driveway when the vehicle would not move. I read numerous horror stories of others who had this issue in the middle of the highway so I am very thankful that this did pose any further risk of injury especially since I am 9 months pregnant and was on my way to an ultrasound. After taking my SUV in, we learned that anti-freeze was leaking into the transmission causing complete transmission failure and ultimately requiring a full transmission replacement. The cost is closing in on $4,000. Never did I receive any notification from nissan that this was possible and my xterra did not show any signs of concern. I started researching this problem online only to learn that I am one of many who have experienced this issue and at a hefty price with no help from nissan. I read online that nissan's answer to the problem was to extend the warranty to 80,000 miles but I have just recently passed that threshold. Furthermore, I have learned that this problem more often begins to present itself after 80,000 miles. I am appalled that this issue has not been investigated and more importantly been recalled since it could cause serious injury if not death. One thing is for sure, my husband and I will never purchase another nissan vehicle. I strongly feel that the federal safety agency should analyze the way nissan is doing their business not to mention find a way to compensate every single customer who has suffered from this problem. Nissan should be ashamed of themselves and hopeful that no one gets seriously hurt should it occur in the wrong circumstances.
Car started vibrating like it was going over a rumble strip, loss of power/rpms, unable to accelerate. Problem was intermittent and got worse. Took it to nissan dealership, and apparently this is a known problem on some makes and models manufactured between 2005-2010 with defective radiators that leak coolant into the transmission system hence damaging it. Since I was at 100,000miles I had a copay of $3000.
A radiator failure caused the cooling system fluid to mix with transmission fluid causing transmission failure.
I have experience what many other owners of a nissan xterra have experienced with a defective radiator. A leak in the radiator has allowed coolant to mix with and contaminate the automatic transmission fluid, resulting in damaged internal transmission components and a damaged internal transmission computer. In less than a week since noticing loss of power in my vehicle it became inoperable. Due to the high number of these incidents involving the nissan xterra transmission parts have become impossible to find to rebuild the transmission. As a result they only recourse to resolve this problem is a costly $6000 replacement of the transmission.
Started vehicle and began to drive when the vehicle appeared to have no power. Continued around the block to return home and realized that the vehicle was not shifting gears. It appeared to be stuck in 2nd gear and would not shift up or down. Shut vehicle down and tried again believing that perhaps "something was stuck" with the same results. The vehicle was towed to a transmission mechanic who diagnosed the problem as glycol contamination in the transmission requiring an entire rebuild of the transmission. Upon research of the internet, I have discovered that this is a known problem to nissan with the 2005 xterras and other nissan vehicles. While it is accurate that nissan did offer to extend the warranty for the radiator (the known source of the problem) they did so without explaining the full extent of the problem or known possible catastrophic events if the radiator leaked. The resulting events of a leaking radiator is a damaged transmission requiring a full rebuild due to the glycol contamination.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the transmission and the radiator would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 115,000.
I had an issue approximately 6 months ago regarding my radiator. The coolant and transmission fluids were mixing due to a defective (known) issue. My transmission has now failed due to a rusted valve body in the transmission. In fact it completely failed as I was driving. After pulling into a parking lot, it would not go into gear, any gear. These issues are obviously directly linked but I am now left holding the bag due to the fact that nissan's extension of the warranty covers only vehicles with up to 100k miles. I am now nearing 115k miles.
Noticed vibration and bumping while car shifted randomly. Transmission is basically shot due to coolant leaking into the transmission cooler and mixing with transmission fluid causing total destruction of the transmission. Radiator needs to be replaced due to failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle shook violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the torque converter, radiator and the transmission had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 94,200. Updated 06/18/13*lj updated 06/21/2013
Car hesitates going into gear, very rough shifting (it is an automatic). Very dangerous at intersections and on highway- cannot drive it. Brought in for service. When mechanic attempted to flush the transmission, it was discovered that the radiator fluid has been leaking into the transmission. Class action lawsuit filed on this complaint, reimbursement only up to 100,000 miles or 10 years, whatever is less, and only costs above 3000k covered! This is at least a $5200k repair job and that may not event remedy all components that may have been affected. Additional problem is that my mileage was 5k over what the lawsuit allows. There was no way to know when this problem even started occurring.
Approximately 4 months ago my engine light came on. We took it to nissan and it was the fuel pump. That was $700, then 2 weeks later the engine light came back on we took it to nissan and it was the catalytic converter, that was $1800. Here we are 4 months later engine light comes back on we take it to nissan and now I'm told it is the radiator and transmission. This is going to cost $2500.00! I come to find out that there is a defect with the radiator and transmission and nissan has known about this since 2007. My complaint is if nissan knew about a defect, and in my opinion a safety hazard, then why didn't they recall the defected parts? Why is the consumer being penalized for a defect? Nissan needs to recall these known defective parts and fix them!
The car started to shake very badly apx 40 MPH. I took it in for repair and found out that the radiator had malfunctioned and allowed coolant into the transmission. The damage was non repairable. My car is in the shop now waiting to have the radiator and transmission replaced.
Radiator leaked onto transmission. Learned about their faulty radiators just today. Now I'm in a $6200 bind to get a new radiator and transmission. I take good care of my xterra and I am so appalled with nissan I don't know what to do with myself. A $600 fix turned into a $6200 fix.
While driving across country from california to virginia noticed the xterra begin to shake when switching to overdrive. A service shop in virginia determined that coolant from the radiator leaked into the transmission. Notified the local dealership of the problem. They were familiar with the problem and stated that the radiator and transmission needed to be replace at an approximate cost of $6500-$7000. When asked if flushing the transmission would help, they stated that they have tried that on other vehicles with the same problem, but transmission failure ultimately occurred. Contacted nissan about extended warranty but odometer reads 102k miles which disqualifies for the 9yr/100k warranty extension.
The transmission went out at an intersection on exit#407 in tn. 250 miles away from home. The transmission never hesitated or slipped..no warnings at all. Just got to the intersection and it wouldn't go. It finally caught after causing other vehicles to stop and I got it to a parking spot thank god. I towed the car home to bob richards nissan in north augusta sc and was told the radiator cracked causing my radiator and transmission fluids to mix. Nissan covers it 100% under 80k miles and would not help me at all since I am at 84,900....I can only hope to get reimbursed the $2500 co-pay. Nisan never mentioned this defect and its a $100 fix. My 2008 frontier is also effected by the radiator. I will never buy another nissan.
The transmission went out at an intersection. Exit #407 in tennessee. 250miles away from home. The transmission never hesitated or slipped....just got to the intersection and it wouldn't go. It finally caught after almost causing an accident and I got to a parking spot but the transmission wouldn't go into gear after the fact. I towed the car home to bob richards nissan in north augusta and was told that the radiator cracked causing a mixture of radiator and transmission fluid.
I was driving on the freeway when suddenly the car stalled. Pressed on the gas and car would not move just humming sound. I knew that it had to be transmission problem. Had car towed to transmission shop. They notified me that there had been numerous complaints about the nissan. After looking at the car they saw that the radiator had a crack and that coolant had leaked into the transmission. After taking the transmission apart I was notified that the seals, valves, torque converter, including the computer were all damaged, the transmission would have to be flushed replaced or repaired, the radiator flushed replaced or repaired, the engine flushed. All this costing about $4,000. This problem has been known to nissan and I was never informed. I'm 65 and on fixed income. I need this car and need help.
My car started shaking and I lost power. I had the car in for repairs for 10 days and it cost $3,700.00.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle began shaking excessively and would not accelerate. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was caused by contamination of the transmission by the radiator. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began shaking as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised the contact that transmission fluid had leaked into the radiator and both components would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 114,000.
Driving on freeway and transmission began to slip and within a matter of seconds had absolutely no power to wheels. Have researched and found issues with this vehicle regarding coolant line for transmission failing and leaking anti-freeze into transmission. Was wondering why it is that there is not a recall by nissan for this issue as it is undetectable, unpreventable, and expensive.
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