2005 Nissan Xterra: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 27, 2018 · Engine · 82,000 miles · AZ

On 8/2542018 I was driving my 2005 nissan xterra down a highway in the suburbs of phoenix, az and when driving the vehicle abruptly began to jerk and go out of gear and would not accelerate. There was no warning on my dash that would tell me there was an issue and I had to wait in the car for approximately 2 hours in the 105 degree heat for a tow truck without water. I had the car towed to my mechanic and was told that the transmission fluid had been mixing with my coolant which was a common problem with the design of that year and nissan tried to wipe this under the rug. I am in need of an entire new transmission and my car has 82k miles on it and is now 13 years old. Nissan agreed to pay for the cost for a period of time but if a recall had been issued, this problem could have been fixed for under "$150. I would greatly appreciate your assistance in helping me recover the damages that should be paid for by nissan as they were aware of this problem and did nothing to assist me .

Filed Mar 23, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 140,000 miles · ID

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that the transmission failed and the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was taken to an authorized mechanic who stated that radiator fluid leaked into the transmission, which caused the transmission to fail. The transmission was replaced. The contact also stated that the fuel gauge failed. The contact did not know if the fuel tank was full or empty. The fuel gauge was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Oct 8, 2015 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed May 6, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 87,150 miles · VA

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.

Filed Jan 25, 2015 · Acceleration, Transmission · 118,000 miles · VA

Unexpectedly, transmission seemed to be in neutral. Applying gas just revved engine. Then strong jerk and back into gear. Happening at highway speeds on a busy interstate had it gone on longer or I not been able to pull to the side, this could have triggered a major pile up.

Filed Apr 21, 2014 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · MI

Transmission has a jerk, and it turned out to be due to the oil and coolant mix in the transmission. This has been an ongoing issue and several complains have been filed, no extended warranty,dealer or anybody is covering the cost. It is a very expansive repair and I can not afford to fix on this financed vehicle. Nissan must pay for the repair.

Filed Dec 6, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 75,600 miles · NY

My 2005 nissan xterra with 75600 miles jerks when it shifts. After doing my own online research and bringing to the dealership, it was discovered that the radiator was leaking coolant and mixing into the transmission fluid. There is an extended warranty for this defect to 80,000 or 96months. I qualified for the mileage but not the service duration (6 months overdue). The dealership said it would be a $2500 copay to replace my radiator and repair my transmission. I talked to nissan consumer affairs but they refused to help and said $2500 is my only option. This radiator is a known issue and should be a recall for all the damage it caused. I've owned many nissans before and had great loyalty to them. Nissan should be held accountable for knowing about their faulty radiator and not fixing them before they caused further damage!

Filed Oct 8, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 106,000 miles · FL

The car began to vibrate at 40 MPH. I took it to two mechanics who could not figure out the problem. I tried regular maintenance and tire rotation and balance but the vibration continued. Finally, while I was out of town, a mechanic dropped the transmission pan and discovered the engine coolant had entered the transmission system. He discovered that this is a problem with the nissan xterra 2005 - 2010. Nissan even has a bypass part to be installed. This piece was installed and the transmission flushed and new transmission fluid put in. The radiator appears to be fine, no cracks as often reported with this problem. Now, three months later, I have serious transmission problems. The car jerks violently at 40mph on acceleration and deceleration. The mixing of engine coolant with the transmission has obviously caused serious damage to my transmission. I am devastated. I love this car but have no financial means to fix this problem.

Filed Sep 30, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 124,356 miles · PA

While turning back into traffic my 2005 nissan xterra jerked as I began to accelerate over 20 MPH. Once I got the vehicle to the speed of traffic it began to have troubles shifting gears and accelerating. While the vehicle was at a steady speed I didn't notice any other issues. As I slowed to an exit the vehicle started to jerk and not shift properly. It also had trouble accelerating. After having these issues I checked my fluids and found a milky like substance was in my transmission and my coolant. I researched the problems I was having with my xterra and found that it was very common and realized that their is a crack in my radiator which is causing the contamination of my transmission and coolant. I have had this vehicle for just about two months and it is very upsetting to know that I may have to pay for a new transmission and radiator which is more then what I paid for the vehicle.

Filed Jun 11, 2013 · Transmission · 117,100 miles · TN

The 2005 nissan xterra with an automatic transmission was driving fine, then suddenly jerked into four wheel drive low. The vehicle would barely move and the RPM gauge would rise, but would not change gears. The oil pressure also dropped drastically. Now, this has been occurring for the past two weeks, with the vehicle running well sporadically and inconsistently. However, the transmission is no longer jerking into four wheel low (or the indicator lights aren't showing that it does). At times, the xterra will not even move or go into gear, but the RPM gauge will rise. I have taken the xterra to two different garages and both have informed me that I not only need a new transmission, but a radiator as well. The estimates that I have received range from $3,500 to $5000.

Filed Jan 2, 2013 · Transmission · 119,000 miles · MI

My wife was driving the vehicle during the afternoon on a sunny day. The incident occurred while she was exiting the entrance ramp onto I-75 north from business I-75. While accelerating to merge (approximately 60mph) the transmission began to fail, causing the vehicle to "jerk and hesitate" making it difficult to control the vehicle. The entrance ramp enters the freeway in the left lane, she was able to avoid the other cars and get her vehicle off to the right shoulder but there was a near miss. Upon contacting nissan they informed me they are aware of the problem but they didn't feel they needed to report the defect to me, and therefore endangering me and my family, because the federal safety agency had not forced them to into a recall.

Filed Oct 30, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 101,000 miles · OH

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!