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.
2005 Nissan Xterra transmission complaints
Page 9 of 15: complaints 221 to 250 of 412, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
Upon exiting a highway, where traffic was congested and slow moving, my 2005 nissan xterra suddenly refused to accelerate. Suddenly, smoke appeared to be emanating from the undercarriage of my SUV. Initially, it appeared that my vehicle had caught on fire. Two passing fireman assisted me and determined that I had a transmission issue because of the fluid that was leaked onto the street. Since the xterra was not drivable, it was towed to a transmission repair center. It was determined that the transmission failure was caused by a malfunctioning radiator. Apparently, radiator fluid contaminated the transmission fluid and severely damaged the transmission.
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.
I initially noticed something was wrong when my xterra would feel like it wasn't catching while driving between 40 and 70 MPH. If I let off the gas and then hit the gas again, it was like the transmission was missing and the vehicle felt like I was rolling over a long road grate with a lot of vibration. Then I check the radiator and transmission to find that both had been mix together.
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.
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.
When leaving parking lot at work, xterra lost all power when accelerator was depressed. Car would not go forward nor in reverse. Come to find out the coolant from the radiator tubing had leaked into the transmission compartment causing complete transmission failure. There were no warning signs or any other issues before complete failure. Costs to repair due to defect in coolant tubing is estimated to be $4100 - requiring transmission rebuild, torque converter and valve component to be replaced.
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.
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 !!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and shifting gears, the vehicle would grind and shake abnormally. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance to the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The current mileage was approximately 66,000. The VIN was unavailable.
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 transmission suffered an apparent catastrophic breakdown that I have now been informed was caused by the breaking of the transmission cooler within the radiator. A mixture of coolant and transmission fluid destroyed the transmission and caused the car to become inoperable. I have since learned that this is a problem that nissan is aware of but has chosen to do nothing about. They have extended the warranty to 100000 miles (which would not apply to this car) but have not disclosed to me the nature of the problem in order to prevent it. Repairs (aftermarket) are going to be approximately $3000 for a rebuilt transmission and new external cooler. I hold nissan primarily responsible for this breakdown and am appalled at the failure of this company to work with their customers to safeguard the well being of their drivers. My daughter and granddaughter were left on the side of the road in the middle of the night because of their failure to act.
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 my vehicle to work in the morning and I was about to get in the highway when suddenly I lost power of vehicle and I pulled over to the side shoulder and checked it out I didn't see anything but my car didn't move when I put it in drive so I called a tow truck he took it into the shop and the shop told me it was the transmission fail he said something about the radiator fluid has gone into my transmission and it cause to fail he told me that nissans xterra have this problem from year 05-10 but they haven't issue a recall or have done anything about it. Now I have a $3,860 expense that I don't have I hope someone reads this and helps we would appreciated if a investigation is done and it would help other people from this problem.
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 at unknown speeds, the vehicle lost power then erroneously accelerated. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by applying the emergency brake and shifting the vehicle into park. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic where the contact was informed that the transmission had failed due to coolant from the radiator mixing with the transmission fluid. The transmission was replaced. The failure and current mileages were 143,000. The VIN was not available.
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.
Transmission shakes vehicle while shifting going 40-55 MPH. Dealer evaluated vehicle and stated that a new radiator and transmission is needed.
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.
Transmission stuck in 4th gear doesnt shift. This is the result of the faulty radiator leaking fluid into transmission.
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.
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