Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle shook. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that transmission fluid had leaked into the radiator and both components needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 88,000.
2005 Nissan Xterra engine complaints
Page 7 of 10: complaints 161 to 190 of 280, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The trans cooler and radiator has busted. Almost caused us to wreck / vehicle started shaking badly. Was not made aware by nissan that there could be a "mostly likely to occur" problem until this happened to us. Fuel guage also quit working a few months back. Nissan will not help because vehicle has over 100,000 miles. Their hotline (in the phillipines) was of no help or concern. Repairs , not including fuel gauge, are starting at $5600. Nissan should have told us years ago that the radiators were mostly likely going to be defected so we could have spent the $600 or so then to replace !!!!!
My daughter drives this vehicle to college about 5 hours from home. On 9-4-12 it overheated and she had trouble driving it but made it the the dealership in lubbock. They said the radiator needed to be replaced because the old one had internal transmission cooler failure. The service advisor said the fluid from the radiator got in the transmission and the transmission fluid got in the radiator. They said the transmission would be fine after they did a transmission flush on it. We paid the $814 for the repairs. Six months later as my daughter is driving home for spring break the xterra started vibrating really bad. Luckily she was about 30 minutes from home so she could still drive it as long as she stayed around 40 MPH. We took it to the dealership in arlington where it was purchased. The service advisor told us the radiator would have to be replaced again as well as the transmission. They said the lubbock dealership should have also replaced the transmission back in september since a transmission flush doesn't guarantee all the contaminants are removed. We have just paid $5600 more for repairs. Nissan has obviously admitted this is a widespread problem by agreeing to make partial reimbursements to customers whose vehicles have less than 100,000 miles on them. Unfortunately we are in the group of customers whose vehicles have over 100,000 miles who nissan has chosen to ignore. Since nissan has not stepped up to do the right thing we will not be future nissan customers.
The radiator has leaked many times which has caused the transmission to go out.
Antifreeze mixes with trans fluid rendering the trans broken repair replace trans and radiator =$7000.00 repair at dealer.
Due to a cracked radiator line coolant leaked causing major transmission and electrical failure. This causes the car to shut off randomly or shake violently ( this happen to me on the freeway and I was stuck with cars zooming pass me at 70 MPH) and transmission to jolt and shake when going through the gears.
In march 2011 my wife was driving my son home and the xterra began to shake as if she was driving on rumble strips. I quickly scheduled an appointment at a nissan dealer and in anticipation of the scheduled appointment, I googled 2005 nissan xterra, rumble strip. Literally dozens of web pages popped up revealing that a defect in the radiator was causing coolant to leak into the transmission, thereby ruining the transmission/radiator. The testimonials detailed my exact experience and also described instances where transmissions would lock-up while driving. I raised my suspicions to cochran nissan in pittsburgh, pa, and they performed a full service check which confirmed that coolant had leaked into my transmission. Cochran explained that the transmission was salvageable, but that the radiator needed replaced which I later found out had its warranty extended to 80,000 miles. The problem was, however, that my xterra currently had 101,000 miles, making me a victim of circumstance and the extended warranty of no benefit to me. Cocharan replaced the radiator and flushed the transmission at a cost of approximately $830.00. Now in february 2013 again as my wife was driving (our two kids), the transmission slipped causing the xterra to stall and lock up and again I am looking at a substantial repair costing well above the $830 previously paid. Nissan has known about the problem with the radiator/transmission for years (possibly 2007) and has done nothing about it. Damage resulting from a design defect is not something for which preventative maintenance from the owner could rectify. Selling a product with design and/or manufacturing defects to unsuspecting buyers that places persons in danger is unethical and nissan should be forced to stand by their product and to do the right thing. Please help and protect the consumer.
I was driving on the highway around 70 MPH. Experienced a loss of power followed by my car running hot. I pulled over and had the vehicle towed to my repair shop. Diagnosis was the radiator was leaking coolant into the transmission. The radiator was replaced and the transmission was flushed. Total costs $900. Possible damage to the transmission unknown at the time. The car is now back in the shop with the same issues slipping/grinding at highway speeds. Looking online it seems that a number of people have the same problems with a leaky radiator hose. I spoke with a nissan dealership and consumer affairs and they said that nothing can be done.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that when driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel would shake violently. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and they advised her that transmission and radiator fluid had mixed, and both needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-50 MPH, the vehicle began to shake without warning. The contact also stated that the radiator was cracked and caused fluid to leak into the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that the radiator and the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance due to the vehicle not being included in any recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 80,625. The VIN was not available.
I have a 2005 nissan xterra which over the years my engine light would come on for all periods of time and then go off. The first time it came on I ran to the dealership because I could not afford to be broke down. No diagnosis was found (phantom light - $300 to tell no there was no problem) so after that I did not run to the dealer everything the light come one which was most of the time. Starting in january 2012 my 2005 xterra would seem to have a difficult time changing over at certain speeds especially 40-45 and 55-60 MPH. I mainly drive highway so I knew this was not normal for my car. Since the car was still running and I had a state inspection coming up in march-april 2012 I wanted to wait because I cannot be without a car. The engine light remained on from january until april when I went to the dealership. Finally in early april 2012 I realized that the heats was not working. At the april 10, 2012 inspection the dealership told me I needed a new radiator ($999.45). They told me the radiator leaked into the transmissions but they were able to fix the problem. The car seemed to work fine after the repair, no difficultly changing over at certain speeds until october 18, 012 when I left work and the car would not start. Aaa came and tried to jump it to no avail. Towed to local mechanic (not going back to dealership again) and found out about the transmission cooling problem ($1,950.98) and two weeks without a car and $100 towing bill. Now I get a letter from about lawsuit with nissan but my vehiles diagnosis occurred 1,985 miles after the allotted mileage (100,000). So, I am out $2950.45 plus the cost of towing and rent a cars with the vehiile that I am never going to be able to trade in because no dealer would purchase it from me knowing the problems with 2005 nissan xterra. I will never buy nissan again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that as the engine was started, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine area. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 117,000.
On september 8th, 2012, I got back from a 20 minute trip and was pulling into my driveway when my xterra would not move. Transmission fluid was leaking all over my driveway. I had it towed to a service center where they estimated the cost to be between $2,500 and $2,800. When they realized the transmission and radiator had to be replaced the repair bill would have been much higher but they kept their promise and the final bill was $2,856. I am thankful that this did not occur on the highway. I should not have to pay for a defect that is not my fault and that is a possible safety hazard.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that the radiator cracked and leaked fluid into the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was informed that the radiator cap needed to be replaced. The failure recurred so the dealer replaced the u joints. The problem continued and the contact stated the vehicle began to shake while driving and the transmission failed. The dealer stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 106,000 and the current mileage was 106,716.
Just started moving after stopping at a light, and the engine stalled. Would not restart immediately, but when it finally restarted it was missing. Every time I have driven this car since then it has stalled, usually but not always after I have stopped or slowed to make a turn. I took it to the dealer this week (1/5/2013) and was told the problem is the transmission and radiator. The transmission is leaking fluid into the radiator and they both need to be replaced. I was told about the extended warranty and the $3000.00 co-pay. I have to fix the car but I don't know where I'm going to get $3000.00. I don't understand why nissan didn't recall the part that fails which allows the fluid to leak into the radiator. That would have saved hundreds of people and nissan a lot of trouble and expense. There shouldn't be any co-pay since nissan could have prevented this.
Radiator leak, heater temp dropping, rough gear vibration from transmission.
A crack in radiator assembly causes a transmission failure.
I recently had to replace my radiator and transmission due to the known 2005 nissan xterra radiator problem. The problem started off as heavy vibration when gears shifted, and the heater was noticeably not as warm as it had been. After a short amount of time with the vibration issues, the transmission got to a point where the vibrations would last longer, meaning the vehicle was not shifting gears reasonably. This became a serious safety issue when I was merging onto the interstate one day and my overdrive completely missed, leaving me in basically neutral at approx 50mph with no ability to accelerate with a car almost slamming into the rear of me since it could not move out of the lane to avoid me. For this not to be considered a safety issue is very ridiculous. A failing transmission is most certainly a safety issue when it fails while you are driving. Nissan may have agreed to have this repaired for free for vehicles under 80000 miles, but the likelihood of this problem occurring is past 80000 miles. Nissan should not only be responsible for the cost of this repair, but nissan should also be responsible for letting owners know of the symptoms, problems, and associated safety concerns with a failing transmission. As far as I am concerned, nissan has failed in every aspect of dealing with such a costly issue.
Like many other xterra of this year, the radiator was faulty and leaked antifreeze into the transmission. Consequently I had to replace the radiator, have it serviced for 1177.00 dollars and then was told by the dealership that it was not covered because it was not a safety recall even with a high failure rate for this model. Thinking the radiator was the root cause of the vehicle driving problems I was assured nothing else was wrong with the xterra. I continued to research this problem as I had continued trouble with the transmission and being towed several times. I was told that the radiator leaked antifreeze into the transmission rendering it inoperative and needing a full replacement. I then paid 3550.00 for a new transmission. Again, I was told by nissan that this was not covered by any warranty and that they were aware of the problem with this model and year. After more research, I discovered there was thousands of people complaint of the same issue and nissan telling their customers that it was out of there hands and not in high enough incidence for a recall. I understand that there is a class action lawsuit for customers to be repaid for these repairs and my family and I hope nissan does the right thing and pay their customers back for their mistake and faulty parts.
Radiator assembly failed causing antifreeze to leak into the transmission.
While driving on the 73n freeway in orange county, my car started shuddering. The temp gauge was ta the max so I pulled over. I was towed in to a nissan dealership where the master mechanic told me that the problem was caused by the transmission cooler in the radiator failing causing radiator fluid and transmission fluid to mix rendering both inoperable. He also told me that this is a growing problem with nissan and he has personally seen many such cases. He said that nissan is using defective radiators which is the main cause of this.
Vehicle started making a jerking while shifting into moderate speed of 65 or lower. Vehicle was taken to a transmission repair shop where the technitian informed me that there was transmission oil in the radiator, causing the proper engaging of gears. Extended warranty is expired and the extended warranty of the radiator issue is also expired. Nissan was made aware of the malfunction and denied assistance unless I wanted to pay out of pocket. Transmission repair shop offered to fix problem at a cost of $5000! Car is still being paid for until 2015!
I bought the nissan xterra brand new in april 2005. My xterra began to have minor issues since buying it,(bad battery,fuel sending unit, oil pressure gauge,defective radio). As of october 2011 the catalytic converters went bad causing my "service engine" light to come on. My local nissan service center will not offer any help with the issue. Their cost to replace the converters exceeds $1800.00. Now I'm facing a new major issue with the transmission. My xterra only has 120,000 mile and the transmission needs to be replaced. I've been reading a lot of reviews from fellow nissan xterra owners facing the same extremely expensive issue as I am at this moment. I'm hoping that nissan will soon offer a recall for these issues. I've had several quotes on having both issues repaired and the cost exceeds $5000.00. Again nissan will not offer any help with the parts or labor. I think this is a issue that is effecting a lot of nissan owners and something needs to be done to correct these issues.
Two years ago my 2005 nissan xterra began rattling, shaking and not heating when idling. I took it for diagnostics at my mechanic he thought it may be a u joint or tire problem. Recently, this problem is getting worse. I took it to the dealer after searching the nissan website which has recently posted an extension of the radiator/transmission warranty due to the many reported problems of radiator fluid leaking into the transmission and destroying the transmission. My xterra has 84000 miles on it. I was just told by nissan that they will rebuild the transmission due to the defective manufacturing, however I must pay a co pay of 2500.00 dollars since I am over the 80,000 miles. This is ridiculous. They say it is dangerous for me to driver if I don't pay to replace it. Why isn't this a recall item ? How can anyone justify not recalling a defective radiator/transmission on a car with less that 100,000 miles on it ? This must be stopped. Nissan must be forced to make right the defective engineering used in it's automobiles. The customer who paid full price for a new car should not have to bear any of the cost for this defective and dangerous workmanship.
Having the same problem as the rest of the 2005 nissan xterra owners - transmission & radiator failed; coolant looks like chocolate milk....leaked into the transmission & I now have transmission failure! Talked to nissan about this, they only cover certain VIN numbers & mine was not one of them! Seriously?!?!?! God willing, there will be no more nissan's for my household!
My problems started in november of 2010 with whistling noise coming from the engine. After taking the truck to nissan dealer they said the timing chain needed to be replaced and nissan has sent out a service bulletin to the fact that there is a defect in the timing chain that causes the noise. After contacting nissan consumer affair for two weeks at the end, they ruled that since I was over the standard warranty of 60k, they were not to cover the cost of this repair even though they knew about this problem and never sent out notice to owners to have this fixed. So I had to spend the $1063 with I did not have to fix the repair. Again this last december, one morning I was driving at 55 miles on the freeway when out of no where lost total power. I stepped on the gas and my truck went from 55 to 10 miles an hour. Thank god it was close to a off ramp and I was able to get off the freeway and when straight to the dealer close by. The determined that the defect is the radiator the anti- freeze in leaking to the transmission and causing it to seize. After some research on-line, I found out that this problem is plaguing many other owners of nissan xterra, pathfinder from 2005-2010. Nissan has issued a recall on this and extended the warranty from 60k to 80k. However I have not yet found one owner that did not have this problem happening before 80k. As far as I see it is nissan trying to hide the face that this is not a safety recall. I just came from nissan dealer and they gave me an esteemed of $4925.73 to fix the tranny & the radiator. I have contacted nissan and they have decided not to help me in this matter. So I have now have a truck that I can't drive or can afford to fix. I am going to look in to other options to deal with this problems. I will fight this to the end.
My nissan xterra started vibrating violently while traveling at high speed on the interstate. I sent the vehicle to the dealership to have it fixed. The cause of the problem is a faulty transmission cooler that leaks water into the transmission. After some research I find that this is a common problem with this model vehicle. Here is the reference # dp12004.
Our daughter was driving home, late at night, when the engine began making strange sounds and lurching at about 50 MPH. She was only a few blocks from home, so drove home very slowly. On later inspection, my husband found the radiator/transmission issue and looked on the internet to see if others had this problem. We were horrified to discover that many, many, many nissan owners have the same exact problem of coolant in the transmission. (our xterra has just over 100,000 miles.) this is obviously a well known issue with nissan, but nothing has been done. We spoke with a regional manager with nissan who listened politely, said she'd look into it, and had her assistant finally call us over a week later (she promised four days) to say nothing could be done. Something can be done! I encourage anyone with this same problem to write to nissan, send a cc to your better business bureau, and submit complaints to consumer awareness groups to document this problem and get nissan to act responsibly for their faulty radiator. This is a major, costly, potentially dangerous issue that should never have occurred in the first place. We love our xterra, faithfully change the oil, and have recommended it to so many other people. It feels like a slap in the face that nissan will not admit their role in this problem and do something about it! *tr updated ivoq 11/19/12
Radiator broke down which causes the transmission fluid to be mixed with radiator fluid. This kills both the transmission and radiator. This was a well known and defined problem by nissan and they never did anything about it. Total bill is well over $5k for transmission, radiator, labor.
Car was acting funny so I took it to my mechanic. Coolant was leaking into the transmission. Replaced the radiator before it caused any major issues with the tranny but still cost me $1200. Now a check engine light came on indicating something with the tranny. I am afraid it will fail now and I will have to put more money. Nissan extended the warranty to 80k miles but this issues started happening after that.
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