2006 Nissan Xterra: jerking or lurching

Filed Nov 15, 2020 · Engine · 148,000 miles · TX

Transmission started jerking and radiator blew at the same time

Filed Jul 19, 2016 · 150,000 miles · MN

I bought my xterra in sept. 2014 and just this last month. Not even putting 20,000 miles on it and still have a loan on it had to put 4700 into it because of the radiator fluid running into the transmission. It was fine one day and the next day I was going 40 miles an hour and it starts jerking on me and wouldn't go over 20 miles an hour. I could have gotten in a accident with all the traffic. I don't understand why there was not a recall on this. What I have read from other people this has happened a lot. Don't you think nissan would stand behind their product and fix their mistakes!

Filed Mar 2, 2016 · Engine · 115,000 miles · TX

At 115,000 miles my transmission died. In one week it went from a few jerky shifts to me crawling into the dealer not being able to go over 20 MPH. Upon further inspection the transmission cooler leaked fluid into the transmission and basically shredded the transmission. Im now stuck with a 3700 dollar repair bill.

Filed Oct 9, 2015 · Transmission · 102,000 miles · ID

The radiator cracked causing intermix with transmission fluid I found after the occurances. While driving the transmission started slipping out of gear while in motion in the middle of traffic on city streets. The next time I drove it seemed okay. I entered a curving onramp and suddenly the transmission slipped out of gear, the engine revved high, and jerked hard back in to gear, spinning the wheels and causing me to go sideways near another vehicle. I quicklyquickly regained control, and continued driving to the nearest exit. The transmission slipped a couple more times, causing me to slow down but no loss of control. This could have caused a fatal accident, and though I was lucky enough to be okay, I had to pay $3700 to fix it. This occurred at 102,000 miles and happens to every xterra, pathfinder, and frontier from 2005-2007. Their should be a recall before this results in deaths. It will inevitability cause fatalities.

Filed Sep 22, 2015 · Transmission · 87,000 miles · LA

I was driving on the interstate at about 70 miles per hour went my car starting losing power and jerking. The cars behind me were getting right behind my car and slowing down,they were yelling at me to speed up and, I was so scared one of them would hit the back of my car and cause a accident and kill me,I tried to get the car to the to the side of the interstate but had a hard time crossing traffic,I was praying to make it across with out getting .nission knew that my xteria was was recalled for this issue but did not send me a recall notice or anything in the mail,now they want me to pay the first $3000 to fix my transmission. But they build the car that way so I think they should fix it. I had a guy who worked on my car before and he said that due to a cracked coolant leak into my transmission, my transmission went out. I sure wish no one else went through the same thing on the interstate, it was bad., I am disabled and cannot afford the $3000 so my car is now useless and I have no way to go to the doctor.

Filed Apr 28, 2015 · Acceleration, Body · 45,000 miles · ID

These vehicles seem to have a safety flaw. When depressing the brake pedal the amount of travel is such that it is a common occurrence to depress the gas pedal at the same time causing the car to lurch forward. I have had two different nissan dealers (henderson, nevada and boise, idaho) inspect my vehicle and was told in both cases there is nothing that can be done...its the way the automobile was manufactured. During my last dealer inspection in boise, idaho the mechanic brought a new 2015 model into the garage and put the two cars side by side. The difference in brake pedal travel was approximately 1/8 of an inch, so the problem has evidently never been addressed by the manufacturer. Today, my vehicle lurched forward when braking because the gas pedal was depressed while braking. It is paramount that one's foot is centered on the brake pedal; if your foot is off to the right side just a little, the gas pedal will be depressed while braking causing an unsafe situation. I have had many very close calls because of this issue.

Filed Dec 31, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 149,000 miles · NC

The initial incident was failed timing chain tensioner guides. As indicated earlier nissan knowingly redesigned the parts since the originals were found to wear through, causing the timing chain to rub directly on the metal post of the tensioner and contact the housing cover. During the repair the nissan service department confirmed the failed radiator coolant contamination addressed in odi the federal safety agency action number: dp12004. The timing chain and guides were replaced; the radiator was replaced; coolant was flushed; transmission was drained, flushed, and filled. The service department also confirmed nissan, n.a. Would not offer any amount of repair assistance. Total cost was $2200. The day after the vehicle was repaired it suddenly decelerated from 55mph to 30mph and the RPM's increased to 4k+ while traveling on a multi lane dark country highway at 11pm. The section of highway did not have an emergency lane or shoulder. A vehicle was in the left lane and a semi-truck was quickly approaching from the rear in the right lane. Once crossing the bridge the vehicle was jerked to the shoulder, avoiding a rear collision from the approaching semi-truck. The vehicle was turned off and restarted. The RPM's returned to 1k, the transmission was in neutral, and the check engine was illuminated. The following day nissan service confirmed it was a failing valve body as a result of the coolant contamination. The wholesale repair cost was quoted at $1400. Again, nissan, n.a. Would not address the failure. At this time the repair has not, and will not, be completed.

Filed Jun 5, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 148,000 miles · LA

Engine coolant started mixing with transmission fluid due to broken line from transmission to radiator. Now my car shutters when your push the accelerator and is having problems shifting gears. Jerks at times when it gets hotter. Company is doing nothing about it because it has over 100k miles even though they knew of the defect. This should be a recall definitely!!!!

Filed May 29, 2014 · Transmission · 94,000 miles · IL

Transmission jerks and shudders at speeds around 40-60 MPH when it shifts into overdrive. This occurs under light engine loading and while traveling up hill. Also, have noticed it at lower speeds lately. During the winter, the vehicle failed to heat properly; adding more coolant alleviated this problem, but only for a short period of time. After inspection, it is found that engine coolant is leaking into the transmission cooler and transmission fluid, causing both the engine to run low on coolant (and cause a no-heat situation) and is most likely causing the transmission to fail.

Filed Feb 27, 2014 · 86,150 miles · MD

I was in md interstate 97 going north at 65 MPH when my vehicle started to shake intensely that I had to slow down which nearly cause a multiple collision(at least 4) from a vehicle behind hitting me. As I slowly moved to the side, the vehicle jerked forward that nearly hit another vehicle. Brought it to pep boys and assessed caused by transmission and I was advised to bring it to the dealer. Nissan dealer diagnosed coolant leaking into the transmission. Coolant also leaking from the upper and lower radiator and radiator is also leaking. This looks like a mechanical issue that definitely lead and cause safety issue.

Filed Dec 8, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 100,000 miles · MS

As I was driving along the highway, I felt a jerk from the vehicle. The vehicle then over heated. Pulled over and let set for a minute. Restart and limp to work place. After calling dad found radiator fluid in transmission. The rest is history!!!!

Filed Dec 7, 2013 · Transmission · 144,000 miles · KY

We have an 2006 nissan xterra and the radiator leaked into the transmission and caused a cross contamination. We had to replace the radiator and have the transmission rebuilt. We participated in the nissan class action lawsuit, but unfortunately we received a denial letter in the mail earlier this week because we were over 100,000 miles. I am highly disappointed with nissan for being so greedy and not taking responsibility over this issue. This problem happened to occur the winter of 2011 when I would go out to start the car and it would blow cold air and never heat up unless the car was running. If I was to sit at red lights the car would blow cold air again. That spring I noticed the car jerking and driving a little rough but didn't think much about it because we had just replaced the universal c joint back that prior fall. The summer of 2011 and at first I noticed the RPM's revving up but the car wouldn't go anywhere. Then the air went out and would cool down the car. Meanwhile I am driving my kids around in a car with no AC in 100 summer heat and humidity. Eventually the car got so bad it wouldn't run. It would rev up but go no where. I finally took it into a shop when I noticed it leaking a reddish, brown/green fluid. Come to find out there was cross contamination between the radiator and the transmission. I had been driving months with this car like this it really messed up my xterra. It cost me $4500 to fix this issue on top of many inconveniences. I't super disappointed in nissan for not recalling this faulty part they knew about. Apparently a letter was sent out asking customers to bring the cars in to be checked. We never received this letter. All I want is nissan to fess up and pay hard working people back the money they owe them. My xterra was paid off and I had to sink $4500 into a 6 year old car. Nissan has lost a customer for life. Ill never buy another.