2008 Nissan Xterra: complete transmission failure

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 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 Feb 27, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 83,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan xterra. The contact received an unknown manufacturer recall notification. The vehicle was taken to bill robertson nissan (928 n 28th ave, pasco, wa 99301, (509) 545-3000) where the contact was provided a rental. The contact then received a call from the dealer stating that the parts were not available for the recall repair and he needed to return the rental. Two weeks later, while driving, the transmission failed and the radiator overheated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle had to be repaired at a nissan dealer rather than an independent mechanic. The contact was provided case number: 29163686. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

Filed Jan 7, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 120,000 miles · ME · fire

Noticed shuddering at first, then a stumbling upon hitting gas 120000 miles took truck in and had ext. Cooler put on, flushed out tranny fluid, new radiator, new gaskets and filters in tranny $1,100.00 job. 1 month later service engine soon light came on and truck wouldn't start. Tcm module in tranny started blowing fuse, truck smelled like it was burning up and wouldn't allow truck to start. 2,000.00 to replace module and secondary breach. Its not just in radiator, there is another breach problem that puts the transmission and coolant together. 2nd breach. Shop wont guarantee 2000.00 job, new transmission 5800.00. My beautiful truck left on a flatbed to salvage yard. Single mom of 4. Thanks nissan, you suck. Also issues with airbag coil. 600.00 for that. Nissan I love my xterra and its so sad we had to part ways today, I watched my 18000.00 vehicle leave with no justice but tears and hoping the zero degree weather breaks, walking the kids to school, one with disabilities is just rotten. Nissan get a conscience. Because my xterra sat on a dealerships used lot, no one was notified of class action and warranty issued. I got doubled f**cked.

Filed Apr 21, 2017 · Transmission · 175,000 miles · MO

Vehicle was loosing fluid from radiator, no leakage on ground.then the next thing that happened was, it wasn't shifting correctly. I went to a transmission shop and they told me I needed a new transmission I then called around to get a second opinion, went to a different shop, at that shop after I parked the car, it wouldn't even start back up, car has repaired at that location . Radiator leaked fluid in my transmission and ruined it!

Filed Apr 14, 2017 · Transmission · 135,000 miles · FL

During a routine oil change at fort lauderdale nissan I was told the radiator somehow cracked was leaking around the vehicle, but no more info was covered or discussed. As it was already in the shop who was to argue this, as I was told I wouldn't be able to drive the vehicle. I had driven the vehicle many mile since my prior service and not once had this vehicle overheated. A month later when I was getting tires I received an inspection at a different shop and their claim was my transmission fluid was very dirty and frothy and it needed changing, so I did this. Now, in 2017 after a few odd transmission issues that went unexplainable besides regular service, at 135,000 I have transmission failure and have learned why: due to faulty radiator leakage at one point. I wasn't informed of anything of this nature now I am paying for it. The total failure happened while driving.

Filed Jan 20, 2017 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · MD

I purchased my xterra back in october of 2008. It hasn't given me any significant problems until now. I have taken it to the same certified nissan dealer/service center for just about all of the scheduled maintenance and so on. Even though this issue was known by nissan, not once in all of my many visits to this service provider, was I warned or notified of this condition or the class action lawsuit that was in progress which has since been closed (october 2016). Also, being that my vehicle is just over the lawsuits agreed upon mileage allowed for any compensation from nissan, I wouldn't qualify to receive anything at this point. So now, here I am with a vehicle, that I planned to keep for many more years, either having to basically junk it, or pay upwards of $7000 in repairs (according to the nissan service center) to replace the transmission and radiator. I am between a rock and a hard place. I feel that I should be compensated in some way for this. If I were notified of this problem around the time that it first came to light, I would have at least had the chance to trade the vehicle in, instead of being stuck here with a vehicle that is essentially worthless. Not only could they have been considerate enough to notify me as 1 of many purchasers of a nissan vehicle with this issue, but you would think that during service visits they would keep an eye out for an impending issue such as this. After research of this problem, I found that my vehicle was displaying symptoms of this condition arising months ago (ie: the heat not remaining warm when in idol position). Also, I just had a oil change 2 weeks prior to having them check this problem out. I do know that this issue was already present then, because I had a couple of instances where it seemed that my transmission was slipping, and not only that, but the engine light was on.

Filed Dec 10, 2016 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · AZ

Code p0717 the speed sensor is ruined due to a falty radiator leek into the transmission causing deterioration of parts and transmission failure.

Filed Aug 19, 2016 · Transmission · 175,000 miles · NY

I have a 2008 xterra that has suffered a transmission failure due to the well known problem with these models - namely that the radiator cracked, transmission fluid and coolant mixed, thus destroying the transmission.

Filed May 15, 2015 · Transmission · 128,000 miles · WI

My 2008 nissan xterra starting shifting rough over the past couple weeks. I dropped it off to the nissan dealer this morning and recevied a call stating radiator and transmission needs to be replaced due to engine coolant leaking into transmission. Was told this was a familiar issue so I researched and see there is pending claim open since june 11 2012: how many vehichles are needed before the recall is passed. I was just quoted $10,000 to replace radiator and transmission. I do not have 10k and I rely on my vehicle for work as I am a hospice nurse. This is causing me serious stress as I need my vehicle for work. See below : the federal safety agency defect investigations for the 2008 nissan xterra the office of defects investigations (odi) is an office within the federal safety agency which investigates serious safety problems in the design, construction or performance of vehicles. The federal safety agency is authorized to order manufacturers to recall and repair vehicles, if the odi finds a safety issue. The federal safety agency investigations for the 2008 nissan xterra, both ongoing and closed, are listed below: transmission failure (atf contamination)the federal safety agency defect investigation #dp12004 status: open date opened:june 11, 2012 date closed:pending recall:possible recall component(s): power train power train:automatic transmission power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM, PCM) power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines power train:automatic transmission:torque converter summary: odi received a petition requesting investigation of transmission damage attributed to contamination by engine coolant.the source of the contamination is a cracked atf line that runs through an engine coolant chamber in the radiator.odi has received (512) five-hundred-twelve consumer complaints between august 2005 to may 2012 regarding transmission problems.