Radiator problems of the 2005 Nissan Frontier - part 2

Radiator ruptured and coolant leaked into transmission causing transmission problems and had to be fixed. Transmission performance declined and then could not drive vehicle.

Sudden loss of power/stalling. Check engine light came on as well as anti-slip light. Took vehicle same day to Nissan dealership. Truck actually stalled on the way to the dealership however I was able to get it started again. Diagnosed the problem as a bad cam shaft sensor. Sensor was replaced. They also mentioned that transmission fluid was contaminated with engine coolant. Suggested repair was to replace the radiator and the transmission-$4800. I chose to just replace the cam sensor. Three days later, 8/9, lost power at highway speed. Radiator and hoses leaked and had to be towed to dealership. Again dealership suggested replacing the radiator as well as the transmission. Replaced radiator and hoses, flushed transmission twice. I plan to dispose the truck. There were no warning signs prior to these two incidents. My opinion is that this is definitely a manufacturing/engineering defect.

I started noticing my automatic Nissan Frontier having problems shifting gears around November of 2012. I eventually took the truck into a dealership to take a look at it after receiving paperwork in regards to a lawsuit Nissan is encountering due to radiator leaks. When I took the truck into the dealer they told me this did not have anything to do with radiator leak. They quoted me 5,000 in repairs. I did not have the money to fix the problem so I continued to drive it until July 12th it finally gave out. I was getting off of the freeway and as I was stopping at the red light to get off of the freeway the truck started to feel like it was going to give and it started shaking, it jerked suddenly and almost caused the car behind me to crash into my bumper, I put a little more gas into the truck and made it into the parking lot of the nearest place around. As I was going to park it finally gave out for good. I called a local towing company and they took the car back my house, I called up a mechanic to come to the house and examine the truck and he advised me of the radiator leak, the one the Nissan dealership denied having. I am very upset that they lied to me as well as Nissan only extending the warranty to 80,000 miles when most people are experiencing this problem after that. I have aprox 118,000 miles, I will look for a lawyer to file a class action lawsuit against Nissan.

I was driving the Nissan Frontier about 50 mph when the rpm shot up then dropped and the transmission quit causing the vehicle to stop. I had to cross two lanes of traffic to avoid a major accident. I managed to get the truck to the dealer and was told it was a problem with the transmission leaking fluid into the radiator causing the transmission to fail with out any warning. I was told the fix would cost me around 5,500. 00 dollars. Nissan is aware of this problem and really should correct it before some one is killed by this obvious major malfunction in the design of there product.

Took my truck in for air-conditioning service. Nissan dealer found transmission fluid in my coolant. They stated I needed a new radiator due to transmission cooler in radiator failure. They changed out the radiator, the cost was over 1200. 00. Once radiator was fixed they stated they found a small amount of coolant in my transmission. They flushed the transmission twice (additional 250. 00) but could not tell me if there was any damage to the transmission. They also stated they have never had this failure at this dealership in fredericksburg, va before the new Nissan extended warranty expires (90000 miles or 9 years). Nissan has known about this issue for a long time. . . . .

Just bought an 05' Nissan Frontier and upon getting onto a highway I sped up to 55-60mph to feel a vibration like going over speed bumps and a loss of power. It turns out that the intercooler from the radiator broke inside the transmission causing a leak of antifreeze inside the transmission. Which caused something in the transmission to breakdown. I am not very proficient in car repair so I am not sure the exact part this causes to malfunction inside the transmission. All I know is that I need a brand new transmission and radiator which is going to cause $6000. 00 at least. I also know that this is a widespread thing and a lot of people are having this happen to 05-10 Nissan Frontiers, xterras and pathfinders. This seems like a safety issues; if I'm on a highway with my family and try to pass someone and experience a loss of power to speed up to pass them I could get in a head on collision.

Transmission failing sounds and feels like driving over rumble strips. Also noticed cabin heater does not work when at a stop. Signs indicative of radiator/transmission seal failure and radiator coolant in transmission.

Experienced sudden jerking when traveling at highway speeds. The problem was diagnosed as a failed transmission cooler which allowed coolant to mix with the transmission fluid, causing internal damage to the radiator and transmission. Prior to this, there was nothing amiss with the operation of the vehicle. Apparently this is common and even though several complaints have been filed to NHTSA, Nissan still claims that there is no defect. Based on the number of complaints regarding the exact same issue, please consider issuing a recall. I just bought my truck in Dec. 2012 with about 81,000 miles and 4 months and 2,000 miles later, I am on the hook for this defect.

My truck began displaying symptoms of catastrophic transmission failure. For example, gear slippage and shuddering as if rolling over rumble strips. I took it to a mechanic and they found the coolant had transformed into a thick pink substance. It was determined that a seal had failed in the radiator causing coolant to mix with the transmission fluid. This then baked inside the transmission. We replaced the radiator and so far have delayed the inevitable replacement of the transmission. I called local Nissan dealerships and they know about the problem but declined to offer significant information. I contacted Nissan and because of language barriers, etc. , they would not address my issue. I contacted the bbb and a Nissan representative eventually called me, but in the end disregarded my issues with mock concern. I contacted the mn attorney general and they said I might take them to small claims court. It seems that Nissan has concocted a warranty that only benefits people who experience the problem at a very premature stage.

Transmission cooler line failure, causing cross contamination from the radiator to the transmission. Contacted Nissan, through phone and certified letters to the president of Nissan. Nissan would not except any responsibility. My vehicle was non drivable for 6 months due to the cost of repairs.

Radiator leaked into the transmission. We had to replace transmission. Nissan would not stand behind anything since it happened at 111k miles rather than under 100k.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration power. The contact had the vehicle towed to a mechanic and was informed that radiator coolant leaked into the transmission and caused the failure. The failure and current mileages were 101,500. Mah.

When I was driving down the road and at about 45 to 50 mph, my transmission went out leaving the truck powerless and not being able to make it to a safe place to pull over! I was stranded in the middle of the road, which was a death trap not only for myself but for my wife or daughter as well. I began checking the fluids and I discovered the transmission fluid was a burnt brown strawberry milk shake color. I was very confused about the color of my transmission fluid so I hopped on google to research problems with Frontiers transmission. I found list of complaints of the same issue I had just experienced. I immediately called the dealership in gainesville GA. I asked the tech if the truck had any recalls. The tech stated that there where 2 recalls. I asked him if there was any known problems with the radiator and transmission, and of course no was the response. I inquired about the issues I discovered. The tech then replied "well Nissan did extend there warranty on that problem". He told me to call Nissan n. America. The Nissan representative asked all the questions the dealership did and asked about the miles. I replied 101570. The rep. Stated he was sorry I was out of all extended warranty plans. I asked him just because I am 1500 miles over you guys cant help me? the representative replied that it was out of their extended warranty window, so he was sorry they can not assist me. Then he gave me a number to the radiator and transmission hot line. I replied to him by stating, wow this is that big of a problem that Nissan specifically has a hotline for the situation? the representative just hang up. I then called the 1877-208-9275 radiator and coolant assist line. They where closed because of martin luther king day. My argument is why has Nissan not made a recall about this safety issue?.

While just merging onto the brooklyn queens expressway in brooklyn at aprox 50 mph with no previous warning signs to any vehicle problem the transmission went out of gear almost causing a rear end collision. Had to put hazards on and coast across 3 lanes since it was a left lane merge. Vehicle slowed to aprox 20 mph when transmission began to catch again and was able to exit bqe to a safe location. Brought to dealership and was diagnosed with anti freeze mixing with transmission fluid which is a well known problem now with Nissan. It could of all been avoided if radiator was recalled by Nissan prior.

My 2005 Nissan Frontier has a problem with the radiator that allows coolant to enter the transmission which is causing major damage to the interior parts of the transmission causing it to not shift through the gears. Nissan is only willing to extend the warranty to 100,000 miles and $3000 for the repairs of their defective products.

My vehicle has developed a vibration while I am driving which has been very uncomfortable, however, nothing major in the performance of the vehicle, however, now my vehicle has decided to randomly turn off while driving. This is extremely dangerous and could cause an accident. I took it to the Nissan dealership and they said that they found trans fluid mixing with coolant due to leaking trans cooler in radiator and the total cost would come out to $5,000. I am unable to afford this bill so I have not been able to repair my vehicle.

As supplement information to the following claim form, I original had wallace Nissan in stuart estimate repair costs, and subsequently took my vehicle to local mechanic montery transmission for follow up quote on 1/29/13. Monterrey ordered a replacement part from Nissan, which proved to be faulty on installation. Appears there were no other parts available nationwide, so wallace back ordered on Nissan, which had to include in a parts shipment from japan. Part was finally delivered via wallace early March 2013. Job completed and picked up 3/13/13. An unusual delay, happy my motorcycle was serviceable. Nissan Frontier, 2005, submitted claim #[xxx], major parts replaced, valve body #31705ea50b, radiator #3196, master kit #n173004af, total cost $3665. 48. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Transmission and radiator/cooling system to be replaced due to contamination of transmission by radiator fluid. Routine maintenance performed regularly. At 98,000 miles began to experience sporadic vibration when driving, was diagnosed with above state issue. I use the truck to commute with my children everyday on the interstate, while I am thankful that the transmission has not stopped functioning, it has put us at greater risk than usual with a compromised transmission. To have both systems replaced, I have been given "an opportunity" to provide a "CO-pay" of $3000. 00. I paid Nissan once for a functional and reliable transmission and cooling system, I resent having to pay an additional $3000. 00 for a design flaw made by Nissan. As a consumer, $3000. 00 is the type of money used as a down payment for a new car, not what I expect to pay as "routine maintenance" on a vehicle with less than 100,000 miles on it. My payment would have been lower if mileage were lower. It is my understanding that the corrosion happens over time, I'm not sure how much time it takes, but I feel certain it was thousands of miles ago. If I had been made aware of the issue earlier, I could have addressed it, possibly with less damage to my vehicle, less safety/risk to my family, and certainly at less cost regarding the "copay" for me as the copay is based on mileage on the vehicle. The heater has never blown warm air when idling, which is one of the few early signs of this issue from what I understand. This indicates to me that problem has existed for most of the life of the truck.

I purchased my 2005 Nissan Frontier at approx. 95k in February. The test drives were fine, the car sounded and drove perfectly fine for a few months. It recently began to start shifting roughly . The Nissan dealership I purchased the car from did something to cover up the issue which was obviously why they were trying to sell it before 100k and I got burned on it. I purchased the truck from marietta, GA at team Nissan. I didn't get it checked until now, but have since discovered the numerous complaints of a recall related to radiator antifreeze leaking into the transmission and causing failure of both. This is a safety issue and it really does baffle me that a whole generation of Nissan vehicles from 2005-2010 have this issue and that it could caused some accidents due to high speed transmission failure. I see this as being a safety issue on the same scale as the Toyota issues of a few years back. To have this be a limited warranty recall is disgraceful. You can believe Nissan knows exactly when these incidents are likely to occur so they extended their coverage up to that point and they fail thereafter. Not to mention that the current recall does not seem to include issues it causes to the transmission. My truck as you can see is out of the extended warranty for the radiator and was when I purchased it.

Suddenly my truck appeared to have no power; could not accelerate up to traffic speed or effectively get across an intersection. It was scary and dangerous as this could have easily caused an accident. The "service engine soon" light came on and I promptly took my 2005 Nissan Frontier nismo v6 to my local Nissan dealer for service. I had just had the full 90k mile service with radiator flush and no issues where reported to me. So I was shocked when they told me that it needed to have both the radiator and transmission replaced due to "fluids mixing". Antifreeze and water from the radiator had leaked into the transmission and destroyed it. And I was further shocked and angry that it would cost me $3k even after Nissan's "extended warranty". (I don't have this kind of money lying around to dump into my 7+ year old truck, that I had bought new in '05. ) this is a catastrophic defect in the design - known by the manufacturer and should be made right by the manufacturer. I've found that there are hundreds of complaints about this same issue across the internet for other 2005-2010 Frontiers, pathfinders and xterras. Nissan needs to do their consumers right, or risk loosing loyalty. Up until now, I've been really happy with my truck, my service dealer and Nissan, but now I'll be looking at other brands that back their products and consumers better.

My 2005 Nissan Frontier began shifting hard noticeably. I took it to a trusted mechanic to evaluate the cause and learned that there is contamination in the transmission fluid. Coolant from the radiator has leaked into the transmission body, resulting in contamination and corrosion. At this time the transmission still functions, but will not continue to do so for long. This issue requires the replacement of both the radiator and the transmission with an estimated cost of $3,800.

The first week of November 2013 while driving at approximately 50-60 mph, I would intermittently experience shuddering vibrations like the ones you feel when you drive through those highway strips. I did not pay much attention to eat thinking it probably was a minor problem with the tires. 3rd week of November the truck started slipping. I went online to find out what causes the slip and there it was. Hundreds of not just 2005 Nissan Frontier owners but also xterra's and pathfinder owners from 2005-2010 having the same problem. Internet searches came out that at a certain point in the life of the vehicle at average about 90-100t miles, radiator coolant mixes with the transmission fluid due a crack inside the radiator, and the transmission becomes contaminated and eventually fails. After finding out the symptoms of possible contamination I examined my truck's radiator and transmission and found out that indeed transmission oil and coolant had mixed. I immediately replaced the radiator and flushed the transmission thinking that this could still save the transmission. A week ago while at a stop, with the truck on drive and right foot on the brake pedal, I heard a big bang around the transmission area and felt a violent shake and then the truck jerked forward and I almost hit the car in front of me. I was able to bring the car home. I cannot use the truck now out of fear that the transmission will suddenly fail while I'm driving in the freeway and cause or be in an accident. Many owners have reported that when their transmissions failed, their vehicles suddenly lost power in the middle of the highway and almost got into an accident. I called Nissan customer service and I was told that this is a known problem with this vehicle and they have extended the radiator and transmission warranty to 100000 miles with a $3000 CO-pay.

My transmission is slipping. I have been told by a dealer I have radiator fluid in my transmission fluid. Apparently, this is a known problem with certain model year Nissan vehicles, due to a break in a transmission line that runs through the radiator. Please force Nissan to recall and repair this issue!!!.

While driving my Frontier, the transmission starting making noise. It started slipping when I was taking off, after having stopped for a red light. Then the service light and indicator lights came on. I could tell that 2nd gear was gone. The truck was towed to a certified Nissan dealer. They informed me that the truck was not covered under warranty and gave me a $5190 estimate. This does not include the $300 for the rental I have had to get for this first week, or the $101 for the towing and diagnostic testing. I have since discovered that the coolant was leaked into the transmission and has caused it to fail. I have also learned that hundreds, if not thousands, have registered complaints that this was due to a radiator failure that was known by Nissan. I did not receive a recall notice or any other notification concerning this problem. I called Nissan consumer affairs and received a case number. After 24 hrs. They called to tell me that they had extended the warranties on the radiators up to 8 yrs. And 80,000 miles, but that they would not be able to help me with my case. I have since found out online that Nissan did not issue recalls on this. My truck had been properly serviced at my Nissan dealership, and both the radiator and transmission was flushed at 30,000 and 60,000 miles. The power-steering was also flushed at 60,000 miles. I believe my dealership should have made me aware of the problem when my truck was in for servicing, and then I could have had the radiator taken care of under the warranty period before all the transmission damage was done. And Nissan should have issued a safety recall, as my truck stopped at 35 mph; and was almost rear ended. I would have normally been on the highway, except once the noise started, I decided to take an alternate route in order to get my vehicle to a safe area. Nissan should have to pay for this period!.

Was traveling at 55mph in my 2005 Nissan Frontier when it was as if the transmission was put in neutral. Had to stop in the highway, nowhere to pull off. As luck would have it was near my destination and managed to get there going about 10 to 15mph. It was at night so luckily not much traffic when it occurred. Towed to dealership next day and was told the radiator failed and coolant was allowed to enter transmission thus also causing transmission failure. Vehicle had exceeded the 80,000 mile warranty but also found out that warranty had been extended from the original 36,000 mile warranty because of problems. Only the radiator and transmission were issued the 80,000 extended warranty, but my vehicle had 95,994 miles thus no warranty coverage, and repair cost would run $6,900. 00. Contacted Nissan consumer affairs but was denied reimbursement. Although dealership worked with me and got the price down to $4,800. 00 this is a major expense to me on a vehicle that should have been taken care of by the Nissan corp. , due to the large number of complaints about this exact problem on vehicles with more than 80,000 miles. Have yet to find any consumer that has been compensated for this problem.

Brought vehicle in to mechanic because of rough sound happening occasionally. It turns out it was the transmission, and that radiator fluid leaked into transmission which has caused transmission issues. Cost to repair will be approximately $4,000. This should not happen to a vehicle with 66,000 miles.

2005 Nissan Frontier. Consumer writes in regards to malfunction in the radiator leaking, that resulted in completely damaging the vehicle's transmission.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. While driving approximately 45 mph up an incline, the transmission failed to down shift. There were no prior warnings. The failure only occurred when driving up an incline. The contact replaced the radiator and there was no longer a malfunction with the transmission. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

Transmission cooler failing and contaminating the transmission, repaired transmission cost was more that I can paid, fixed anyway but still not 100% good, haven't bought a new radiator, don't want the same problem again. I hope this will be a recall so I can have my transmission repair by Nissan and a radiator replace.

Was stopped at red light went to pull off transmission slipped and check engine light came on. Had engine checked and it had a code of p1754 for transmission solenoid. Check code on internet and saw where it was a problem Nissan had with a cracked radiator. Took to radiator shop and he said radiator was cracked and fluid from radiator and transmission was mixing together had radiator replaced and took truck to Nissan to have transmission check, they said transmission was damaged by antifreeze and it has to be replaced.

Nissan has a known problem with the radiator and transmission. The date listed is merely the date we discovered the issue. Before Jan 31, 2012 we knew nothing about this problem. It is a safety issue. You don't know if this has happened to your truck until it overheats and you find out the fluids have mixed. Replace the radiator. Flush the fluids (3 or more times, since the fluid is now like purple soft serve ice cream). Then the real troubles begin. . It slips out of gear while driving at 70 mph and the only option is to pull over, turn the truck off, remove the key, then restart the truck and hope it works. This is really dangerous on the highway at the higher speeds but also unsafe on the side roads or in stop and go traffic. I take my kids to school 3. 6 miles each way. I have to stop and restart the truck at least 3 times during the round trip. Speed doesn't matter. You stop at a red light and have know idea if it is going to go when you push the gas or not. Pulling out into traffic can be very dangerous since you have to go and you find out you can't. There have been several "warranty extentions" issued by Nissan on our truck that we were not aware of until after making the repairs on our own dime. There is a "warrany extention" for this issue due to a class action lawsuit but it does nothing for a lot of the owners since many are over the "extention mileage". I try to never drive the truck on busy roads without shoulders or turn lanes, I fear red lights and traffic but stop signs are the worst. . . I never know if the transmission is going to work or not. All because a known faulty radiator cracked and leaked fluid into the transmission. But, I'm over the extended mileage so I'm expected to pay over $5k to fix a known issue.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the check engine warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that transmission fluid entered the radiator and the radiator fluid mixed with the transmission. As a result, the transmission and the radiator would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 87,000.

At 45mph the truck started jerking and I thought it was going to stall out. When I got it to my mechanic we found radiator coolant had contaminated the transmission fluid.

On 1 Nov 2001 I was coming back from ajo az. When my engine overheated as I was trying to pass a vehicle. About even with the other vehicle transmission started slipping and I noticed that the engine was over heating. I let off the gas and stopped as soon as I could and was almost rear ended. After stopping I discovered no water in radiator. I filled it from a 5 gallon can of water and made it to a gas station. The mechanic on duty told me that the radiator failed internally and that I had water and antifreeze in the transmission. Mechanic told me that he had several pathfinders and a few Frontiers with the same problem. I got on line and found hundreds of people with Nissans had the same complaint. I called the Nissan dealer and they said that that was not the case that they would replace the radiator and flush the transmission and it would be good to go. On line peoples complaints that I found said they were told the same and the transmissions still failed. Can I expect a recall to fix this problem?the waranty was up at 98,000 miles.

Radiator failed/cracked and coolant leaked into the transmission and destroyed the transmission.