2008 Nissan Xterra transmission problems

Filed Aug 11, 2025 · Transmission · 225,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the contact shifted the vehicle into drive, and the vehicle unexpectedly went into reverse with no warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the instrument panel displayed that the gear shifter was in reverse while shifted into drive. The instrument panel also displayed that the gear shifter was in neutral while shifted into reverse. The contact stated that to prevent the vehicle from rolling away, the wheels were chocked, and parking brake was engaged. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.

Filed Nov 23, 2022 · Transmission · NH · crash · 1 injury

driving and transfer case locked up sending me in to oncoming traffic and guardrail

Filed Apr 23, 2022 · Transmission · CA

A leak developed in the radiator that allowed engine coolant into the automatic transmission and visa versa. Engine coolant in the automatic transmission can cause sudden failure of the transmission which could cause an accident. This is a known design flaw of Nissan transmissions. Nissan has refused to issue a recall and class actions have been successful, but are not extensive enough to cover all Nissan buyers. I have filed a complaint with Nissan and they offered zero help in covering repairs. They just say that it is out of warranty. I had my Xterra worked on at the dealer 18 months ago and they could have recommended a new part be installed to keep the transmission failure from occuring, but said nothing. The result is that now I have to replace the transmission and radiator at a $9,000.00 price tag out of my pocket because they refused to recall the parts (<$1000.00) involved and will not give owners any warning or guidance on how to prevent this totally preventable catastrophic transmission failure. Nissan Case # 46218952.

Filed Jul 25, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · OH · crash

Total transmission and radiator failure. a dealership "fixed" the coolant contamination problem when nissan offered the warrantied coverage for what's known as SMOD. all the dealership did was flush the transmission and radiator. they did not repair or replace any components even after being berated by my husband to do so and to do it under the covered warranty.($5k for tranny replacement that we couldn't afford) they claimed the flush had fixed the xterra. less than 3,000 miles later I was driving on the highway with my 2 children in the car and the vehicle just shut off. no warning lights or behaviors just shut off at 70+mph on the highway. while sitting broke down [pulled off highway edge as far as I could after vehicle died and before it coasted to a complete stop] we were then rear-ended and my 2 kids spent 2 days being monitored in a children's hospital. 1 of which had a concussion. although the xterra only needed a new rear hatch and bumper and etc insurance didn't consider it totalled so it was cosmetically repaired. after reaching out to nissan about the incident they refused to even offer us any sort of discounted repair costs on tranny replacement[car was still under extended coverage warranty] nor would they offer any kind of anything regarding a discount on a replacement vehicle. so here we were still paying on a car loan for a car that was still under warranty, but could not be drove. or even starred for that matter. it ended up wrecking us financially. the car never showed any signs of any mechanical problems prior to dealer flushing trans. the car didn't show any signs of anything afterwards until that day on the highway. the problem ended up being metal pieces from coolant contamination shorted out something in transmission and I guess shorted so strong that it blew the trans fuse and blew fuse links on positive terminal which caused car to just shut off. nissan needs to take responsibility for their bullcrap.

Filed Sep 30, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 167,043 miles · ID

The radiator has taken in fluids from the transmission or? The radiator fluid appears milky and lotion like consistency from the radiator and overflow tank it has been shifting very loud and hard..

Filed Oct 11, 2019 · Transmission · 200,000 miles · WA

I have an 08 xterra and when I was driving it one day it felt like it was having a hard time getting up hills and almost felt like it wouldnt downshift. Then finally when at a light had to really gas it to get the car going. Limped the car to a family members house to let it sit until I figured out what was wrong with it. After research figured the car put itself into limp mode so I disconnected the battery to do a full reset on the computer. Was able to get it home 25 miles after reset. We have a spare/commuter car so I was able to let it sit in my garage for a few months while I tried to figure out what was wrong with it when I had time. Finally after narrowing it down to things that I had never done before, I decided to take it to nissan. They told me the next day that it was the radiator failure and proceeded to quote me $7000 for the repairs........ouch on a car that was now 11 years old which I had purchased from that dealership brand new. I decided to take it home because it was a big decision to make right away. So here I am with a car that missed the lawsuit as I have an xterra that is 11 years old [!@#$%] near 200000 miles. I did my own maintenance, when replacing my head gasket I noticed I had the no carbon build up on the head, basically looked like a car that had 20000 miles on it. Shame on nissan for not doing a recall or notifying owners of this issue. I love my xterra but I'm sure the cost of the fix is roughly what the car is worth. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 11, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 133,316 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan xterra. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle decelerated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the shoulder and had the vehicle towed to his home. In addition, the check engine and 4wd warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic came to the contact's home and diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new transmission and radiator. The contact installed the radiator. The transmission was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 133,316.

Filed Dec 19, 2018 · Transmission · 156,000 miles · CT

Complete failure of transmission during rush hour. Vehicle needs a new transmission and radiator at a cost of $5,500.

Filed Dec 19, 2018 · Transmission · 156,000 miles · CT

Complete failure of transmission during rush hour. Vehicle needs a new transmission and radiator at a cost of $5,500.

Filed Jul 5, 2018 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · MO

My car stopped on a highway. The transmission/radiator failed on 5/25/2018. The car has 130,000 miles on it. The failure was sudden and there were no warning signs of a problem.