Radiator problems of the 2005 Nissan Frontier - part 1

Tl-the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, a noise emerging from under the vehicle started, but it went away when the gas pedal was not depressed. The contact also stated that the failure had occurred five other times in a two week period. The vehicle was taken to an unknown independent mechanic that determined that the radiator fluid was leaking in to the transmission and the vehicle needed a new transmission and a new radiator also a new transmission module. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000. Bp.

My truck just reached 80,800 miles and it has lost power. I took it to the Nissan dealer for a diagnostic test and it came back with the radiator, transmission and the fuel pump all need to be replaced. They told me I had no warranty on any of these parts as of 2010 and they quoted me almost $7,000 to replace all. After going home and looking up transmission shops I found hundreds of articles about the same problem with thousands of Nissan cars. I have never received a notice of recall on my truck. Then I find they have sneakily extended their warranty without notifying us and now my truck is 12years old with only 80,800 miles and I need to come up with $7,000 because they failed to notify their clients about their mistakes.

(aw no dealer info) tl the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. While driving various speeds and shifting gears, the vehicle hesitated and jerked. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the radiator water and coolant fluid leaked into the transmission. The transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.

Transmission cross contamination with coolant. 72,000 miles on odometer. Had transmission failure on the freeway driving full speed, forcing me to quickly move over 6 lanes with no high gear. Now I have a $4900 repair bill. I was in the Nissan dealership just 1 week prior for an oil change and have had the vehicle serviced at Nissan since it was new. I was never told of the recall or that I should bypass the radiator or beware of the problem.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle jerked front to back and then stalled. The engine and other warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was pushed into a parking lot. The driver attempted to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was able to be started the next day; however, the failure recurred a week later. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the radiator liquid was leaking into the transmission, which caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer who confirmed the mechanic's diagnosis and replaced a faulty sensor. The failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer again, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact pulled the vehicle into an empty parking lot and the smoke dissipated. The contact removed the key from the ignition and exited the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the radiator fluid mixed with the transmission fluid. A remedy was not provided. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. The VIN was not included.

2005 Nissan Frontier. Consumer writes in regards to engineering issues with cross contamination fluids between radiator and transmission.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the transmission slipped and the vehicle experienced abnormal vibration. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the transmission fluid mixed with the radiator fluid. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the transmission fluid mixed with the radiator fluid and stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure occurred without warning. The failure mileage was 81,000.

Radiator leaking fluid into transmission . Notices slight shutter at high speed, approximately 65 mph, in the transmission. Vehicle was checked by dealer at 89,000 miles without any issue at that time . Dealer would not replace radiator due to no problem at that time. Vehicle is at 112000 and now radiator fails. Nissan would not cover due to out of extended warranty. Faulty designed system and potential safety hazard in my opinion. Vehicle at my independent mechanic for new radiator and transmission flush out to see if it will fix problem. Major expense for poor design passed onto customer. I will not spend any more money with Nissan.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled when the contact attempted to slow down. The vehicle started normally after a few minutes. The failure recurred four times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was an electrical short in the fuse box. The transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

Radiator and transmission failure due to coolant leaking into the transmission. This poses a significant safety issue when I lose power on a busy interstate. The transmission loses power when trying to upshift. Inspection completed via an authorized Nissan dealership. Efforts to rectify with Nissan have failed. This issue has been known for quite some time and is marked as an open NHTSA investigation.

In 2013 I received a notice of class action about a Nissan vehicles related to possible radiator fluid leak into the transmission due a defect that permits cross-contamination of engine coolant and transmission fluid. It did not include vehicles before it happens. In 2013, I went to a authorized Nissan dealer to check if my radiator can be affected but they told me that in that moment the radiator was working well without given me the option of replacing it to prevent damages. At the time I was under the warranty limits, less than 10 years and less than 100,000 miles. Now in February 13, 2016 my vehicle began to have problems to move , had a harsh shift , it slowed down and did not drive at times. I clearly saw a transmission problem. I called united Nissan service for a diagnose . They check my vehicle and told me that my radiator leaked fluid into the transmission due the radiator defect. I couldn't understand why this class action did not include vehicles that will face this damage in a future . It did not include prevention of damages. Nissan did not released a recall for the faulty radiator. I know I am now outside the warranty limits, but at the time when I visited Nissan service to prevent this no one provided my help or information that would help in prevent such damage. The price for a new transmission is 6,000 dlls. The total cost of repair all goes up 9,000 dlls. Also I received a rude customer service by the service agents of Nissan service . Now I have to cover these costs by myself. My son was driven the vehicle when this happen. The good thing is that the failure occurred while he was driven on the freeway making it so dangerous. What will happen with people like us? the legal case was closed in 2012 but Nissan still having vehicles suffering this this damage . This is a negligence that pass the financial burden to consumers.

2005 Nissan Frontier. Consumer writes in regards to coolant leaks from radiator into transmission.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. While parked, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, who diagnosed that there was contamination by the engine coolant. As a result, the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. While driving at approximately 35 mph, the radiator overheated and allowed coolant to spill into the transmission. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle began to decelerate and was towed to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

My 2005 Nissan Frontier has cross contamination between the radiator and the transmission. Nissan new about this problem years ago. To fix the problem they extended the warranty out to 10 years. Now I need a new radiator and transmission. My cost 3000 dollars. I only had a month left before I was [xxx] out of luck. I have been driving for 35 years and have never had to replace a transmission that only had 67000 miles on it. Poor design and the consumer pays. They wanted to know if I was going to fix it. I told them I had 2 choices fix it or set it on fire. They gave me a strange look. I told them to repair it and I would but Toyota next time. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

With no warning the truck would not start, and just stopped working. We hooked it up to the code reader and did some research online. What we found was really troubling. We bit the bullet and paid to have it towed to the dealer. The dealer looked it over and said that the radiator contaminated the transmission causing a failure in both. They would have to replace the transmission, all the seals and hoses, the radiator and the computer. These repairs were quoted to be $8,000. We just bought the truck which is worth $11,000 and now we are hit with an $8,000 repair bill? this is a major manufacturer failure and was already part of a class action settlement, but since you had to be a part of the class action suit before we even owned the truck we are just out of luck? Nissan needs to buy this truck at full value from us, instead they are trying to take us for another $8,000.

Vehicle wouldn't shift into a high gear. This after hesitation, stuttering, and other issues. Transmission cooler failure resulting in transmission failure and radiator failure. Common defect. Local Nissan dealers as well as Nissan consumer affairs department unwilling to fix or to "good will" a solution. 3700$ at a local licensed garage to fix.

My truck started shuddering every once in a while. Eventually it was pause when changing gears (would not accelerate and would lose speed), and then it began to make a clanking sound. Took it to a mechanic and he said on this particular model the coolant via a leak in the radiator combines with the transmission fluid. Repair estimate is $3,800 plus tax! vehicle was in motion and on city streets and highways. . . . Generally at a speed of 40mph or higher. The issues began about a year ago and then slower progressed to worse. When it started is a guesstimate.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. While driving approximately 40 mph, there was water leaking into the transmission. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

I purchased a used 2005 Nissan Frontier se crew cab with 86,000 miles for $13,300 November 29th 2013. No warning or indication that this vehicle was part of a class action lawsuit over the radiator cooled transmission problems. There was no indication that this vehicle may exhibit symptoms that seem unrelated. On August 6th 2014 at 99,978 miles I took my truck into a ase certified mechanic to check out the transmission because of shuddering while shifting. They ran a diagnostic, checked the fluids, and sensors. At that time they assessed it was a dirty sensor and sent me on my way, and followed up after a few days. The vehicle was still having the same issues and I brought it back in. Upon further inspection of the transmission oil there was a significant amount of radiator fluid in there and the problem was identifited. The current mileage is now 100,600 miles. I then made a claim to Nissan consumer affairs department regarding the issue. At this time I now found about the class action lawsuit settlement and the extended warranty. Free up to 70k or 80k and a CO-pay after. I was never informed of this until now. Tuesday August 19th I was informed that Nissan was not responsible for divulging any of this anyformation to me and that they would not cover even the CO-pay. It is August 20th and my truck is currently at the ase certified mechanic awaiting the parts to come in to replace my transmission and radiator for $5,100 which is much less than the Nissan quote of $6,700. I now have a truck purchased 9 months ago with a $5,100 mechanic bill. I have 28 $400 payments to make for the truck in addition to replacing the poorly manufactured transmission and radiator.

The radiator cracked and leaked coolant into the transmission, mixing with the transmission fluid creating a toxic fluid that irreversibly damaged everything around it. The vehicle was being driven when first noticed. I had the radiator replaced and the transmission flushed at my local Nissan dealership. I could not afford to replace the transmission so flushing it was my only option. It lasted for a few years but now it needs to be replaced. This is a defect that has affected thousands of customers.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. While driving approximately 50 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle failed to accelerate and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission, the torque converter, and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing change needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while the vehicle being serviced, the independent mechanic advised that the radiator fluid had leaked into the transmission. The mechanic replaced the radiator and flushed the transmission however, the engine warning light remained illuminated after the repairs. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic testing, who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,677.

I was at a stop light and when it turned green my truck felt like it was stuck in neutral and wouldn't get into gear. With hesitation, it finally jumped into gear but was very sluggish with hardly any power. It was quite dangerous with a line of vehicles behind me I thought I was going to get rear-ended. Thankfully I was only 2 minutes from my office where I was able to pull in the parking lot and unload my two children and call my wife to pick us up. I had to have my car sit there over the weekend because I didn't feel safe driving it. On the following Monday I had it towed to a transmission repair shop where they diagnosed it as a cracked radiator head with coolant leaking into the transmission causing this failure. I then had it towed again to the Nissan dealership where they diagnosed it and confirmed the first diagnosis. They said unfortunately I was over the mileage and to call the national Nissan dealership and petition for assistance. After looking up all the information I find it discerning that Nissan hasn't done the right thing and recalled this to make it right.

A crack in the radiator has caused coolant to mix with the transmission fluid. This has resulted in catastrophic failure of the transmission requiring the replacement of the transmission and complete radiator replacement. I have been quoted a total cost of close to $5000.

I was driving along on a major interstate at 65 mph when my engine was revving up to about 3500 or 4000 rpm but my speed was dropping. I pulled over to the right hand side of the road, stopped and turned the vehicle off. Had I not been in the right lane of the major interstate when traffic was very light, I could have had a major accident. Everything seemed normal except the low coolant level in the reservoir bottle. There did not appear to be any problems with the engine so then I placed the truck into drive and moved the vehicle forward. As the vehicle picked up speed and at about the 35 to 40 mph the truck engine would rev up but the transmission was slipping and not allowing the truck to move any faster. When I took the screw off the transmission dipstick to see that that fluid level was too high for the proper level in the automatic transmission. Also, I noticed that the fluid had a greyish milky appearance which is a clear indication of contamination with a water based material such as engine coolant. I find the fact Nissan clearly knew that was a problem and failed to notify me as the original owner of the vehicle annoying. They would rather pay to have vehicle repaired after the fact than take care of a potential safety problem before it occurs. This is extremely troublesome when a manufacturer places profits and the bottom line ahead of customer safety. Upon further research, I have learned that I could have replaced the faulty radiator with another product from koyorad for about $120 retail and prevented this problem. So for a couple hundred dollars, Nissan is willing to jeopardize my safety and all other Nissan owners safety. As the national safety agency, I implore you act immediately and order a recall on these Nissan vehicles before people get hurt. It is your duty to protect the people of the nation from safety issues when manufacturers fail to do so.

Transmission failure related to coolant leaking into the transmission from the radiator oil coolant assemble. Nissan will not cover the complete cost of this know defect.

The transmission started jerking very bad when it hit 1700 rpm range while driving, so I slowed down. . . Scared. I went and had it checked only to find out it is very common with this truck - fluid in transmission caused from the trans fluid running through the radiator and the heat exchange leaks water into the trans fluid. This is a well documented problem I learned. The repair is not covered by Nissan and is a 5000 dollar repair at Nissan dealership, a total transmission and radiator replacement is needed.

The radiator failed causing the the transmission fluid to get contaminated with coolant. This caused the transmission to fail resulting in a nearly $5,000 bill.

Radiator leaked antifreeze into the transmission. Transmission has to be rebuilt/ replace and radiator has to be replaced.

We where driving on the highway when the trucks engine started to make noises and losing speed. It didn't give any warning, and it completely stopped running. The mechanics diagnostic was " c/s transmission wont move and mil is on. Vehicle needs a transmission and radiator due to an internal leak from the cooling system in to transmission" we took it to the Nissan agency because of the warranty but they refused to respect the warranty even though I have I have two diagnostics from different mechanics explaining that I have that same problem, Nissan is not making its self responsible even though its trucks have a factory defect.

Vibration in motor like driving over grooved pavement - on and off again for months before realizing it was the radiator and transmission problem that occurs in these trucks and SUV's. I don't want to pay $6,000 to fix a defect. They should pay no matter when it happens.

The transmission failed caused by a ruptured seal in the radiator.

2 months ago I had a leak in the radiator and I fixed it. Then after that I start having problem with the transmission. The speed does not change immediately and when it change you feel like some has pushed you from the back. And now the car does not drive anymore.