My 2006 nissan xterra's transmission has been significantly damaged due to the issue of contaminated transmission fluid / radiator fluid. It started to exhibit symptoms shortly after reaching 100,000 miles, which is just out of reach of the extended warranty.
2006 Nissan Xterra engine complaints
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Bought 2006 nissan xterra used on august 1st, 2013, had problem the evening after I bought it. Transmission was not changing gears properly and was causing high RPM's. Took it to nissan dealer and they said the transmission and radiator would need to be replaced due to anti-freeze mixing with transmission fluid cause by broken cooler tube.
My xterra experienced the dreaded " cracked radiator leaked into transmission" problem that many other nissan trucks have experienced. It happened all of a sudden while driving through a parking lot, and the car down shifted and would no longer excel. Because it happened at a little over 92,000, I had to pay the $3000 deductible that was determined from the class action lawsuit earlier this year. That money covered a "reman" transmission (not even a new one) and hopefully a new radiator (it was not specified). The radiator should have been a recall from the get-go.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle came to a complete halt as all the warning lamps illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 83,400 and the current mileage 83,487. Updated 11/13/13*lj the consumer stated while driving, the transmission went into neutral and the vehicle stopped moving. All the indicator lights on the dashboard began flashing. He shut off the vehicle and re-started it. The vehicle began moving, but it was stuttering badly. He stopped put it in reverse and backed up and the lights began flashing. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. An inspection revealed an extensive repair was needed. A new transmission was needed as well a computer. Updated 11/19/13
Transmission was having hard time to engage, took it to jb automechanics in des plaines, ill to find out that transmission fluid is mixing with coolant on the radiator and had possible transmission damages.
On 9/13/2013 I took my vehicle to alan webb nissan to investigate some transmission slipping that I had experienced the previous day. On 9/16/2013 I was informed that my transmission had become contaminated with radiator coolant and my transmission and radiator would have to be replace at the cost of $5300.00 plus applicable tax. I was further informed that this was known problem with this generation vehicle but that nissan only provided repair assistance for vehicles with less than 100k miles on them and I was therefor required to pay the full amount. It was only later through online research that I discovered that a class action lawsuit had been the only reason they provided any repair assistance. I also noted that the vastt majority of reported cases were for vehicles over the 100k mark. 1. If this was a known defect that affected millions of vehicles why wasn't nissan forced to perform a recall and replace the radiators. 2. Why was I not as a minimum informed of the defect when I purchased the vehicle with 74k miles on it. With less than 80k on them nissan would repair the problem at their cost. 3. If the problems are not as a rule happening to vehicles until they go over 100k miles then why cap the assistance requirement. 4. Now that it is recognized by the courts as a known failure why are the consumers paying anything to do these repairs whn it could have been avoided with a $200.00 radiator and an hours labor. I find this very dishonest that nissan was not forced by the courts or the federal safety agency to do a full recall or disclosure to owners. If so many vehicles are on the road which can have a major transmission failure at any time why hasn't the federal safety agency forced nissan to do something about it? This may not be as hazardous as fuel tanks rupturing but I would think that a vehicle that has a transmission failure at highway speeds should be of concern.
The transmission is failing due to the transmission cooler inside the radiator allowing coolant to get into the transmission causing a catastrophic failure. It is my understanding that this is a common problem and that nissan knew it was from a defect in the radiator. I've seen online that many people with a 2005-2010 xterra, frontier and pathfinder with the 4.0 v6 engine are having this problem
2006 nissan xterra with 95000 miles. Felt a vibration at 40 MPH and after doing research online, took it in to have the transmission and radiator flushed. Found out that the radiator leaked coolant which found its way into the transmission and has all but destroyed it. Currently at the transmission shop looking at a $5k plus bill to replace the transmission and radiator. This has happened enough that the national transmission shop sells a package for nissan vehicles to correct this issue. Not happy. Was recently considering buying a second nissan but not anymore as they are failing to address this well documented issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan xterra. The contact stated that coolant leaked into the transmission, causing the vehicle to stall while driving. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The dealer stated that the transmission and the radiator needed to be replaced. The contact did not have the transmission or the radiator replaced. The failure mileage was 152,000.
Noticed a coolant smell, loss in power and rumble vibration type feeling coming from the center of the vehicle. Went away and came back. Researched some xterra forums and came across the radiator issue leaking coolant into transmission. I opened cap, saw a reddish river. Drained a 1/4 cup and its the strawberry color showing the mix.
Transmission started to slip abruptly and with imminent failure. Checked complaints and discovered a well known issue with transmission/radiator fluids intermixing due to a failure in the transmission cooler. Mechanic verified this was my problem as well. Nissan quoted $8500 repair. Service adviser at nissan north (ohio) confirmed that this is a very common problem. Apparently nissan acknowledged this in a class action lawsuit settlement in 2012 but did not notify any of the owners of potential failure without any previous symptoms.I had my car serviced at the dealer 3 months prior and they did not notice/notify me of any potential issues. Transmission failed on a trip to new york. I'm looking at a repair bill that potentially exceeds the value of my automobile. Nissan has a moral and a implicit obligation to notify owners of problems such as this. This should have been a recall, as it would have prevented the failure and saved numerous owners outrageous repair bills and possible loss of vehicle.
My 2006 nissan xterra with 96,560 miles experienced transmission failure caused by a crack in the transmission cooler inside of the radiator.
My transmission went....the coolant was leaking into the transmission and over time ruined it. Barely made it to the transmission shop who charged $3900 that I didn't have. This is a nissan fault and I should be compensated, even though I'm over the absurd low mileage limits. Please help!
I had been noticing a whining noise associated with transmission 'flare' on acceleration for some time, but only in march 2013 was it diagnosed at 96k miles by the dealership as faulty timing chain guides, a known problem with the 4 l engine. The dealer said the faulty parts needed to be replaced soon. I contacted nissan USA consumer affairs about having nissan partially cover the cost of replacing the faulty parts. Despite having the dealership's original report and estimate, nissan's regional rep insisted that the dealership had to reconfirm the diagnosis, which was done. The rep then refused to return my calls, and did not respond to dealership queries about the repairs either. The engine noise was getting worse, and fearing a catastrophic engine failure, I had the dealer repair the vehicle. The dealer said the timing chain was slapping and about to fail. The dealership urged me to report the problem to appropriate federal, local and nissan officials because the problem is potentially very dangerous.
I was driving down the highway with my family in the car. The car was traveling at 65mph and suddenly started to jerk back and forth and swerve side to side. Then it suddenly slowed down and we were almost hit from behind. Then vehicle continued to do this until I was able to get the vehicle off the highway and on the side of the road. Im told that the radiator had catastrophically failed inside and sent transmission fluid into the radiator causing the transmission to fail. This is extremely dangerous and is my sons vehicle that he drives daily or at least used to.
2006 nissan xterra. Consumer writes in regards to transmission problems. *smd the consumer stated radiator coolant contaminated the transmission fluid, and now the transmission needs to be replaced.
My 2006 nissan xterra w/ 119,000 miles experienced transmission failure caused by a failure of the radiator. I understand this is an ongoing investigation and would like to have notice of where the investigation stands at this time. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
About 61k miles the transmission felt like it was dragging while I was traveling at highway speed. When I got home I took it to the shop. The local shop dropped the pan and said the fluid was ok. The dragging didn't come back after a fluid change. However, later on, at highway I occasionally felt a vibration that stopped when I took my foot off the gas. I later got notice of an extended radiator warranty to 80k miles, but it didn't say anything about a transmission problem. The antifreeze never looked low when I checked the radiator, there was nothing in the driveway, so I put the sticker from the mail from nissan on the manual and put it back in the glove compartment. On saturday 6/8/2013 service engine light came on. At that time the car seemed to ?drag?. It seemed to need to rev at higher RPM than usual to get going. At one point in stop and go traffic it wouldn't move forward for a minute, and I hit almost 4000 RPM before it moved forward, very sluggishly. I took it to the shop the next day, they told me to see a transmission shop, since a code "1754" came up, indicating a defective control unit within the transmission. The transmission shop told me I needed a radiator, control unit, since the defective radiator had contaminated the transmission with antifreeze.
Vehicle shudder like rolling over rumble strip. Problem is related to manufacture defect with radiator.
In december 2012 the coolant in my radiator bagan leaknig into my transmission, which I had fixed in april 2013. Now in june 2013 all the coolant and transmission frluid has leaked out and leaving me with no car.
My transmission was leaking into the radiator. I need a new transmission and radiator, over $4000.00.
Check engine light came on and stayed on. Had diagnostics and found catalytic converter not to be working properly. Replaced catalytic converter on 29 nov 2012. Again on may 2013 check engine light came back on and again it was the catalytic converter. Had to have it replaced again. Total cost of both replacements was in excess of $1900.00. Contacted nissan and they would not stand behind their product, said that warranty had expired. Had converter replaced at nissan dealer the first time.
Transmission failed due to well known issue with 2005-2010 nissan SUV/truck transmissions. Coolant leaked into transmission fluid through coolant line causing catastrophic failure. Dealer quoted $7000 to replace transmission.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan xterra. The contact stated that the vehicle jolted intermittently. The vehicle was taken to dealer for diagnostic testing, who stated that there was contamination in the transmission and radiator. The transmission and radiator would both need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no further assistance. The approximate failure and current mileage was 89,000. ...updated 07-10-13 *bf updated 07/11/2013
Cpsc: i1340159a. Nissan xterra. Consumer stated the problem with this vehicle, is radiator fluid leaking into the transmission.
Xterra began to feel sluggish and would not change gears appropriately (it is an automatic), after driving a couple of miles. Returned home to check fluids and found that the transmission fluid did not look 'right'. Car was towed to a local nissan dealer/service department and was told that there was cross contamination of radiator fluid with automatic transmission fluid and the cause was that the radiator had failed. Correction required is that the radiator and automatic transmission assembly has to be replaced at a total cost of $8438.43. I was told that nissan would cover 70% of the cost of the repair, however required that I pay $3000 dollars up front before they would even order the parts. Once I gave them the $3000 by credit card because a check was accepted, I was told it will take three weeks for the parts to arrive and then another two days for the installation. In addition, my extended warranty will not cover the repairs because the radiator is not a covered part according to the warranty. The fine print states that if a non-covered part causes a covered part to be damaged then they do not cover the covered part.
This 2006 nissan xterra problem has caused problems with stability of the vehicle, lurches in acceleration, near-stalls, and uncertainty about reliability of vehicle in taking trips. The problems continues to get worse and we have determined that it is caused by engine coolant leaking into the transmission and vice versa. There is very visible evidence of the coolant being in the transmission and transmission fluid in the radiator. I have checked both of these and there is no mistaking it. This problem has caused me to not be able to take two trips because of being afraid of the transmission completely failing and leaving me and my family stranded in a remote area during the trip, not to mention my everyday driving that is required.
In dec 2012 I had to take my 2006 nissan xterra to the garage, there I was told that my radiator had cracked in 3 places and that I had coolant in my transmission. I had to replace the radiator and have the transmission flushed several time. Then on april 10 I was driving home. While getting on the interstate my check engine light came on and my vehicle did not want to go (like it wasn't getting any gas). Took the xterra back to the garage and was told that I needed to rebuild or replace my transmission. I feel that so many people have had problems with this that nissan needs to do recalls and reimburse everyone that has already had this problem. If they were any kind of "good" company that is exactly what they would do! Very disappointed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Radiator fluid leaked into my transmission. This caused an entire shutdown of my transmission. I was told by nissan that it would take up to $5,000 to repair. The radiator fluid leaked due to a defect that nissan could have easily recalled and avoided. I have conducted research and found that thousands of other nissan owners have experienced the same problem and nissan is not willing to do anything about it. I was told that I would be responsible for the cost even though this could have been easily avoided by nissan manufacturers.
Know radiator leak into transmission. Nissan refuses to pay on extended warranty to repair. My out of pocket expense is $7,300.00.
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