Nissan Xterra hesitation problems

Filed Mar 30, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 217,000 miles · TN

The xterra started missing and hesitating (engine) eventually dying and not restarting. The missing and hesitation occurred while underway on a busy 4 lane divided highway, but thankfully made it home before dying and not restarting. Missing and hesitation occurred while traveling straight on and while stopped at red lights.

Filed Feb 18, 2019 · Electrical · GA

Got into my car one day and upon trying to crank it , when turning the key it hesitated to crank and finally did so. When I reached my destination, when I left my car would just not crank. No clicks. Lights work fine. Nothing is wrong with security, battery. Just replaced the starter around oct of last year.

Filed May 25, 2016 · Transmission · 66,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. While pulling out of the driveway, the vehicle surged, hesitated, and lost acceleration. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the radiator fluid was leaking into the transmission and the transmission needed replacement. The contact also stated that a humming noise was present for approximately three months every time the vehicle was driven. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

Filed Aug 6, 2015 · Fuel system · 98,500 miles · VA

My coolant system has leaked into my transmission system causing malfunction of both. This causes my car to hesitate when accelerating and will eventually cause the transmission to give out completely while in motion.this appears to be a common problem that nissan is aware of and has not adequately addressed.

Filed May 31, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 132,000 miles · CA

A hesitation in the vehicle's acceleration began occurring frequently upon depressing the accelerator after a full stop at a stop sign or red light, but not at any other time in driving the vehicle. The problem was first noted when departing the dealership after which a new timing chain had been replaced. When reviewed by the dealership upon return to the service area (another appointment had been made at later time), a loss of over one quart of transmission fluid was detected (over what time period was unclear), but no known source of external leakage was found. This LED to the conclusion that internal leakage was very likely occurring. Due to the many instances of radiator cracks and toxic mixing of fluids among similar year models (mid-2000 model years of nissan xterra), the dealership recommended that the radiator be replaced and the transmission thoroughly flushed, which might prevent the transmission from requiring a complete overhaul in the future - although there are no guarantees. This work was completed for a total of $1500 including discount; the incident occurred well after the extended warranty provided by the manufacturer for resolving issues that had been experienced by others, hence the dealership's charges. A request was nonetheless made to get reimbursed by the manufacturer (nissan), currently under review. It is possible that this issue was dealt with at a very early stage and might therefore result in a lower probability of transmission problems in the future, which could cost several thousand dollars ($6-7,000 or more). Other drivers/owners have typically experienced more severe issues, such as shaking/stalling vehicles and/or illuminated dashboard lights indicating engine problems.

Filed May 30, 2015 · 139,000 miles · MO

I took my car in for an oil change in april 2014 and they found a milky substance in my radiator and replaced the radiator cleaned the lines and replaced the antifreeze. They also drained the transmission fluid, cleaned the lines and replaced the trans fluid. In march 2015, I noticed the hesitation when the car was switching gears from 45 to 50 MPH. I took it to aamco and they advised this is a known defect that nissan is being sued about. I contacted consumer affiairs with nissan and filed a case. I took my nissan to a nissan dealer and they confirmed it needed a new transmission and radiator at a cost of $7000. They also advised given the mileage that nissan would not do anything and they were right.

Filed Apr 27, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 127,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 nissan xterra. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated when the accelerator pedal was depressed and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the radiator and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.

Filed Jan 31, 2015 · Acceleration, Transmission · 112,056 miles · VA

Driving home from work my vehicle started to tremble and shudder at speeds above 30-40 MPH. Eventually after much hesitation and loud engine revving I decided to pull over and turn the vehicle off. Turned it back on and got about a few hundred feet down the road when the same problem occurred. The transmission wasn't responsive with the engine causing me to cut someone off just to pull of the road safely. I have heard the common issue with nissan's transmission/coolant contamination and decided to look further into the issue after getting towed home. $100 down the drain. Sure enough my coolant reservoir and radiator cap were smothered in a thick goop known as the infamous "smod". There is trans fluid mixed into my coolant and more than likely, coolant in my transmission. This is design flaw in nissan. This problem should be resolved completely by nissan with no fault to their dedicated customers. Warranties need to be extended past 100k because that's when the issue is occurring in most xterra, pathfinder, and frontiers. I'll be damned if nissan only partially cover my cost repair leaving the bulk to me. I am a student working a full time job trying to pay for their education bit by bit. This is not what others in similar situation need to deal with and neither do I. Remember, nissan is only successful and wealthy because of us, the consumer. Give back to those who helped you build a reputable auto manufacturer.

Filed Jan 14, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 95,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed, the transmission hesitated to shift into gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was transmission fluid in the radiator, and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure recurred and the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Jul 6, 2014 · Transmission · 98,721 miles · VA

I'm the owner of a 2006 xterra I was coming to a stop at a major intersection with no previous malfunctions of any kind. I have driven this vehicle across country 4 times and have meet all required preventative maintenance requirements and scheduled tune ups. Now back to the intersection we came to a stop when the light turned green I depressed the gas pedal and it hesitated for a second and approached 10 MPH and then it just revved as if the transmission was no longer engaged and the check engine light illuminated on the dash. I turned on my foreways and naturally proceeded to investigate the situation. To my surprise their was no evidence of external damage or tampering with anything underneath the vehicle. A police officer came to the intersection to assist myself and my family I entered the vehicle and shifted from park to drive and it took off as if there was never a problem. I drove 2 miles to my place of residence and decided to investagate. I looked up some information online to see if other people are having transmission problems with this type of vehicle and found that their is a common rupture at the base of the radiator that allows coolant to mix with the atf. I decided to drain some coolant and verify my assumption. I made a video of the processes and there was a good amount of atf in my coolant and then I proceeded to remove the transmission drain plug to extract a sample atf and sure enough a pinkish tint and very watery atf was extracted from the transmission.