Transmission Fluid Leaking problems of the 2008 Nissan Xterra

Radiator fluid leaked into the transmission which resulted in unrepairable damage to the transmission which require the entire tranmission to be replaced at a significant cost. Not sure when the radiator began leaking fluid into the transmission there were no warning signs incidating that something was wrong until the damage had been done.

My Xterra is currently un-driveable due to the fact that the radiator fluid leaked into the transmission, which caused me the blow my transmission while I was merging on to the highway, which almost caused an accident due to an extreme lost of power. After this happened to me, that is when I found out that this is a very common problem with make model and year of my vehicle. Nissan has done nothing to help.

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!.

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.

I took our 2008 Xterra into a local shop to have the all the fluids except the oil serviced (already had it changed at a Nissan dealer) on Feb 7 2015. When the shop called, they told me there was oil in the radiator and what they suspected and told me I should take it to a dealer. When I looked at the radiator fluid it had what looked like oil and the overflow tank looked like a chocolate shake was in it. I took it to the dealer on Feb 9th 2015 and waited for 1/2 day to find out that it needed the radiator and tranny replaced, but they couldn't do it that day. Having researched the problem online I had seen the stories about the vehicle seizing up on the highways/roads. I expressed my concern and asked that they contact the aftermarket warranty insurance and discuss what Nissan would cover and what maxcare would cover. I was then put into a rental for almost 2 weeks while it got repaired. Now less than 2 weeks after getting it back it has a smell, is leaking from the front right corner under the hood, and has a clanging noise from the same area. Upon popping the hood and I found a dark oily substance in the radiator and foamy 'stuff' on the radiator overflow cap again. It appears the problem is not fixed or bad remanufactured parts were used, or it wasn't completely cleaned out prior to putting it back together. I don't understand how an issue that can make a vehicle seize up on the roads can not be considered a safety issue. All of this after purchasing the Xterra oct 31 2014 at our local carmax facility. Carmax supposedly does a thorough job of checking over the vehicles they sell but they sure dropped the ball on this one. Now just after the 12 month 12000 warranty on the replaced parts, the transmission fails again, 5 days without the Xterra and still waiting for maxcare to approve the repairs. Wondering about keeping it after this repair is done.

I took our 2008 Xterra into a local shop to have the all the fluids except the oil serviced (already had it changed at a Nissan dealer) on Feb 7 2015. When the shop called, they told me there was oil in the radiator and what they suspected and told me I should take it to a dealer. When I looked at the radiator fluid it had what looked like oil and the overflow tank looked like a chocolate shake was in it. I took it to the dealer on Feb 9th 2015 and waited for 1/2 day to find out that it needed the radiator and tranny replaced, but they couldn't do it that day. Having researched the problem online I had seen the stories about the vehicle seizing up on the highways/roads. I expressed my concern and asked that they contact the aftermarket warranty insurance and discuss what Nissan would cover and what maxcare would cover. I was then put into a rental for almost 2 weeks while it got repaired. Now less than 2 weeks after getting it back it has a smell, is leaking from the front right corner under the hood, and has a clanging noise from the same area. Upon popping the hood and I found a dark oily substance in the radiator and foamy 'stuff' on the radiator overflow cap again. It appears the problem is not fixed or bad remanufactured parts were used, or it wasn't completely cleaned out prior to putting it back together. I don't understand how an issue that can make a vehicle seize up on the roads can not be considered a safety issue. All of this after purchasing the Xterra oct 31 2014 at our local carmax facility. Carmax supposedly does a thorough job of checking over the vehicles they sell but they sure dropped the ball on this one. I'm not sure who I am more upset with, Nissan for not taking care of their customers by voluntarily doing a recall, or carmax for selling something that certainly wasn't checked over very well or they would have noticed the fluids.

My Nissan Xterra is a victim of the manufacturing defect where the coolant in the radiator mixes with the automatic transmission fluid, due to a leak in the transmission cooler, causing complete transmission failure. My transmission slips and driving is erratic, causing unsafe driving conditions. The repair is quoted at $6,000 dollars and is not considered a recall item. Nissan has extended coverage on vehicles up to 100,00 miles only, but this is starting to happen to newer vehicles over 100,00 miles. A radiator replacement would have prevented this problem. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed soon!.

I own a 2008 Nissan Xterra (4x4 4. 0l 6cyl 5 speed automatic transmission) with vehicle mileage of 114k. Im the sole own of the vehicle. In late October of 2012 I had to have the radiator replaced along with the transmission, due to the a interior crack in the radiator causing the coolant to leak into the lines of the transmission fluid. This resulted into complete disaster, as my vehicle was not shifting properly, the transmission began to slip in which the transmission had to be replaced along with the radiator . The two mixed fluids inside the transmission appeared coffee mixed with cream like, the color was a creamy/light brownish inside the transmission. I'm writing to you in hopes this can assist towards the on going investigation and in hopes of a reimbursement with my total repair costs& rental costs, or a vehicle replacement. I hope my story helps the hundreds of others who have similarly been affected in the costly matter. Thanks.