Nissan Xterra problems
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Nissan Xterra model years
Common Nissan Xterra problems
Based on complaints from Nissan Xterra owners, several common problems have been reported with these vehicles:
- Defective Fuel Level Sensor: Many Xterra owners have experienced inaccurate fuel gauge readings due to faulty fuel level sensors. This can lead to engine stalling and poses a risk of accidents. The problem is common in Xterras produced between 2001 and 2011, with specific recalls issued for 2006-2008 models.
- Transmission Failure: Transmission failure is a significant concern, especially in the 2005 model year. This issue is often linked to radiator leaks, where coolant mixes with transmission fluid, causing corrosion and overheating. Replacing or rebuilding the transmission is complex and costly, emphasizing the importance of monitoring radiator leaks to prevent this problem.
- Timing Chain Issues: Another common problem reported by Xterra owners is related to the timing chain. Defective timing chains can lead to a high-pitched whine from the engine, indicating a problem with the timing chain tensioner guide wear. This issue was particularly notable in earlier model years and required replacement of the tensioner guides and chain.
- Fuel Injector Failure: Some Xterra models have experienced issues with bad fuel injectors, leading to symptoms like engine misfires, loss of power, hesitation when accelerating, and excessive vibrations. A failed fuel injector can trigger the check engine light and necessitate repairs to address these performance issues.
These common problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any symptoms to prevent more severe issues with Nissan Xterra vehicles.
What is the problem with Nissan Xterra?
Fuel injector failure – Several Xterra models have struggled with bad fuel injectors. A failed fuel injector may cause symptoms like engine misfires, loss of power, hesitation when accelerating, and excessive vibrations. The check engine light will come on when the vehicle detects a bad fuel injector.
What year was the best year for the Nissan Xterra?
The Nissan Xterra has a reliability rating of 3.9 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, and a reliability score of 3.0 out of 5.0 on Consumer Reports. Many drivers consider the 2015 model year the best in terms of performance, reliability, and relative modernity. The 2012 and 2014 Nissan Xterra models also get good marks.
Is a Nissan Xterra a good vehicle?
Nissan Xterra Ratings Overview
The average rating is a 3.9 out of 5 stars. The Nissan Xterra Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5. It ranks 9th out of 32 for all car brands.
What is the average life of a Nissan Xterra?
The Xterra is one of those vehicles you drive “till the wheels fall off,” thanks to its impressive life expectancy. On average, a Nissan Xterra can last for about 200,000 miles. However, with consistent and diligent maintenance, some Xterra vehicles can even surpass the 300,000-mile mark.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Nissan Xterra years
We have researched Nissan problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Nissan Xterra cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Nissan Xterra model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Nissan Xterra model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Nissan Xterra years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Nissan Xterra car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Nissan Xterra , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Power train problems
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Engine problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Nissan Xterra vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Xterra model years
A total of 124 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Xterra model years
There were a total of 35 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Xterra model years
There were a total of 118 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Xterra model years
There were a total of 4 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 3122 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Nissan Xterra . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Nissan Xterra vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Nissan Xterra 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-26
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-10
- VIN: 5N1AN08U76C
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the front passenger's side air bag intermittently. The front passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was provided a cost for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
Nissan Xterra 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-03
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-22
- VIN: 5N1ED28Y5YC
- Components: STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Unknown
Nissan Xterra 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-11
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-16
- VIN: 5N1ED28Y5YC
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: My car keeps stalling out like it's not getting gas.
Nissan Xterra 2000
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-15
- VIN: 5N1ED28Y5YC
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: My car dies out while driving. I've replaced so many parts already and it keeps leaving me stranded.
Nissan Xterra 2010
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-12
- VIN: 5N1AN0NW9AC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: After getting the air bag control module reprogrammed per the recall, I was on a dirt road and the rollover airbags deployed when they shouldn’t have. The dealership I got the recall done at is claiming the airbag system registered “rollover conditions”. When I asked what the conditions were they told me they were unable to provide them. I am concerned either their reprogramming didn’t fix the issue or that they never actually reprogrammed it. Either way my airbags deployed when I was no where near a roll over situation and luckily no one was injured in this instance
Nissan Xterra 2011
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-30
- VIN: 5N1AN0NU3BC
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, an engine oil leak was present. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the oil connector bolt and O-ring seal needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not replaced. The contact was aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V592000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Nissan Xterra 2011
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-17
- VIN: 5N1AN0NW2BC
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The vehicle was driving just fine, then about a month later the heat gauge started to fluctuate, i replaced the radiator caps, thermostat...it ran good for another month, started to overheat....i made sure water was in radiator and overflow...about a month went by the gauge started to fluctuate again, now there is water in my oil, meaning a cracked head gasket...this is the 2nd vehicle ive purchased that the same thing has hapoened to.
Nissan Xterra 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-12
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-17
- VIN: 5N1AN08U27C
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The vehicle was driving just fine, then about a month later the heat gauge started to fluctuate, i replaced the radiator caps, thermostat...it ran good for another month, started to overheat....i made sure water was in radiator and overflow...about a month went by the gauge started to fluctuate again, i had it towed to sayre auto parts in sayre, al to have a water pump installed and the mechanic told me their is now there is water in my oil, meaning a cracked head gasket...the vehicle never got over the 3/4 mark on gauge and this is the 2nd vehicle ive purchased that the same thing has happened to.
Nissan Xterra 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-28
- Date Complaint: 2024-04-28
- VIN: 5N1AN08U86C
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: THE TIMING CHAIN HAS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO DIE ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A FEW CARS. i HAD TO DRIVE MY CAR GOING ONLY 40 MPH ALL THE WAY BECASUE THAT IS ALL IT WOULD DO. IT HAS A VERY LOUD NOISE AND IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD ANYMORE. I HAVE READ AND NISSAN SHOULD REPLACE THESE BECAUSE ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEM YES MY CAR IS AVAILABLE FOR IMSPECTION i HAVE REGULAR KEPT MAINTENENCE ON IT NO THERE WERE NO WARNING LAMPS AT ALL JUST LOUD NOISE AND THEN NO COMPRESSION
Nissan Xterra 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2017-04-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-03-18
- VIN: 5N1AN08W47C
- Components: STEERING,STRUCTURE
- Summary: My 07 Xterra has extreme rust in the door jams and rear panels. The rack-n-pinion, power steering system leaks fluid.
Nissan Xterra 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-03
- Date Complaint: 2024-03-04
- VIN: 5N1AN0NW6FN
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: Rear passenger side door will not open from the inside or outside. This is apparently a widespread problem for Nissan Xterra rear doors. It creates a safety problem as passengers cannot leave the vehicle in case of an accident.
Nissan Xterra 2012
- Date Of Incident: 2012-10-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-01-25
- VIN: 5N1AN0NW9CC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 1) Rubber stopper under clutch pedal has failed multiple times, preventing vehicle from starting in various locations, usually parking lots and mostly after dark which presents potential safety concerns. This is a rubber part that allows vehicle to start only when clutch is depressed. I request that several/multiple of these be provided at no cost to keep in glove compartment since the poor quality of part manufacturing will most definitely cause future failure of each in the future. In addition, an explanation and instructions for removing broken part and replacing with new part is difficult for one person since you have to crawl up under the dashboard, locate the part, remove the broken part and correctly replace with a new part. I have purchased 7 pieces which have all broken and been charged approximately $7 each. The first time was the date of purchase and there have been more than 5 additional incidents since. Rubber stopper 46512-9bp1c purchased 9 between 10/14/12 and 4/6/22. Photos of those purchased just in the last couple of years
Nissan Xterra 2012
- Date Of Incident: 2021-12-22
- Date Complaint: 2024-01-25
- VIN: 5N1AN0NW9CC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Clutch burnt out with 5 min between 1st incidence of barely slipping and total failure leaving me stranded on roadside with little notice and nowhere safe to pull off.
Nissan Xterra 2012
- Date Of Incident: 2016-04-04
- Date Complaint: 2024-01-25
- VIN: 5N1AN0NW9CC
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Extreme smell of gas after filling gas tank while out of town. Odor was so strong it required all windows to be down to drive without feeling affected by fumes and I was terrified that someone would fluck a cigarette out of a car somewhere, especially at a stop light, and cause an explosion. Once the gas tank was only half full or less, the odor diminished. Dealership found that this issue had been reported on other vehicles but did not qualify as a recall. Dealership found faulty gasket INSIDE gas tank and required the entire tank be replaced at a cost to me of more than $2000. I can get receipts from Charlottesville Nissan Dealership.
Nissan Xterra 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2013-12-03
- Date Complaint: 2023-12-31
- VIN: 5N1AN08W47C
- Components: SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
- Summary: There is usual rust on body of truck. There is some kind of electrical problem rather it’s the security system or wiring. There’s a clicking sound coming from dash area. There is a suspension problem, has to change leaf springs, struts and shocks often.
Latest 5 recalls Nissan Xterra
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 58 recalls for different components of the Nissan Xterra.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Nissan Xterra 2009
- Report Received Date: 2023-02-10
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
- Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
- Model: Nissan Xterra 2010
- Report Received Date: 2023-02-10
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
- Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
- Model: Nissan Xterra 2011
- Report Received Date: 2023-02-10
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
- Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
- Model: Nissan Xterra 2008
- Report Received Date: 2023-02-10
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
- Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
- Model: Nissan Xterra 2012
- Report Received Date: 2012-09-20
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
- Summary: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra two-wheel drive vehicles manufactured from June 19, 2012, through July 12, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with front wheel hubs that may not meet the design hardness specifications. A wheel hub that was manufactured below hardness specification may wear prematurely and eventually crack.
- Consequence: If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replaced the left and right side front wheel hub assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began on October 22, 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Latest negative Nissan Xterra car reviews
Latest positive Nissan Xterra car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2013
The XTerra is an exceptional vehicle that delivers sports car performance and competes with the best off-road and in the snow. With 32k miles on it, I have had no repairs or maintenance other than oil changes. It is a solid road car that I have driven from Denver to Santa Fe and Taos about twice a year, including a long trip to Arkansas. In areas where additives are not present, the gas mileage gets an impressive 22-24. The XTerra is a reliable and high-performing vehicle that I highly recommend.
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Vehicle year: 2001
This vehicle has been incredibly reliable and fun to drive! I've never been stuck in it, it can handle anything.
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Vehicle year: 2000
I love my 2000 Nissan Xterra! I bought it in 2003, right after my baby girl was born and I needed 4 doors instead of my extended cab suicide doors on my Silverado. I have owned it for almost 12 years and driven it for 200,000 miles. The only downsides are the bad gas mileage, averaging 12-14mpg, and it's a bit underpowered. However, I was able to improve the gas mileage by +1mpg with a cold air intake. The only major repairs I've had to do were changing the timing belt at 145k (which was supposed to be done at 125k anyway) and replacing the distributor at 195k. Other than that, just normal wear and tear maintenance. Overall, I can't really complain about the cost of repairs since there have been so few.
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Vehicle year: 2009
This is my first Xterra, but it's my seventh Nissan. I have always been a fan of Nissan vehicles, and the Xterra is no exception. It's a fantastic SUV to drive, and my wife even calls it my 'sport truck'. Not only did I get a great price on my Xterra, but it also came with $1300 worth of free electronics upgrades. The Rockford Fosgate sound system is amazing, and I think it's even better than the Bose system I had in my Pathfinder. The Blue Tooth hands-free phone and XM satellite radio are also fantastic features. The Xterra handles extremely well and is a solidly built vehicle. The 261 h.p. engine is typical Nissan quality - great quality and performance. I have never had a single engine problem with any of my previous Nissans. In summary, I am completely satisfied with my new Xterra.
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Vehicle year: 2006
I purchased my xTerra brand new in August 2006, which means I have owned it for almost 9 years now. This is the longest I have ever owned a car! Usually, I would trade cars after 3 to 5 years because they would start giving me problems, but this Nissan has been amazing. I absolutely love it. It looks great and runs great. The powerful engine makes accelerating in traffic a breeze. I sit high, which allows me to see over and around cars. The interior is low maintenance and easy to clean. I have a base model with no electronics, which is why I gave it a low rating on electronics. I only get about 16 miles per gallon, occasionally 15 for some reason, and I can't understand that. Half of my driving is on the freeway, and I don't drive fast or brake hard. Interestingly, my boss drives a big Yukon, and we get the same mileage! Another friend has a Dodge Ram 2500 pickup and gets the same mileage. The Ford Expedition gets 16 mph and is twice the size. Still, I've done the math for what I would save in a year at 16 mpg and 20 mpg. The savings would only be $300 a year ($25 a month), so I'd rather have the Xterra. For the most part, I've only done regular maintenance, such as oil changes, tire rotations, and alignments. I've had one tune-up. I replaced the tires at 60k and again recently at 100k. I do think I should get more miles from the tires, but I only drive about 12k a year, so I'm changing out tires every 4 to 5 years, which is reasonable. I replaced the brakes twice too. As for non-routine maintenance, the driver's side window motor had to be replaced once. One morning, I rolled it down, and it wouldn't go back up. Also, the fuel sensor went out after 3 years, so I never had any idea how much gas was in the tank. I managed by the number of miles I was getting per tank! I didn't replace it because I figured it would be recalled due to the number of failures. And after a couple of years, it was recalled. Nissan replaced it for no charge, and I only ran out of gas once in the 2-3 years I drove without it.I'm not sure if the sensor is fully functional as it's supposed to have a 21-gallon tank, but I have to fill up at 16-17 gallons. However, I don't worry about it too much since it registers as empty earlier than it really would be. The AC fan's second speed went out and had to be replaced, but speeds 1, 3, and 4 still worked, so it was just a minor inconvenience. One of the engine ignition coils went out around 100k miles, but that's all I can recall having repaired. In the 9 years that I've owned it, I've only had to visit the repair shop four times, which is reasonable to me and better than any other car I've owned. Currently, I've noticed a couple of issues: 1. There is an intermittent squeaking sound that can drive me crazy. I thought it was the seats, so I sprayed WD40 on everything that looked like it could use it. However, after doing some reading, it seems like it could be the hood. That makes sense because when I close the doors, I hear the squeak outside the truck. I'm hoping that replacing the hood stops will fix that. 2. The back hatch shocks no longer hold the back up, so I need to replace them. I found some YouTube videos that show me how I can do that myself, so I will be doing that shortly. This year's truck is notorious for cracking the radiator, so I'm thinking of trading it before that happens. It would be a shame to have this near-perfect vehicle become completely useless and worth nothing because I drove it one day too long! But I can't say enough good things about it. Mine has been a joy to own and drive. If I do trade it, I promise that I'll miss it!
Are you having problems with your Nissan Xterra?
Graham Buckridge 2025-06-22
Vehicle year: 2005
I really enjoyed my SUV, especially the amazing stereo. Although I did have a bit of trouble with a recall on the trailer hitch, which unfortunately led to a series of repairs. I had to replace the gas sender, brakes, front U joints, battery, and tires. I also had to fix the airbag sensor and get a radiator flush. Unfortunately, I recently experienced a radiator failure and transmission issue, and Nissan refused to help. Despite this, I am still grateful for my time as a Nissan owner, but I may consider other options in the future.
Caden Brown 2025-06-22
Vehicle year: 2005
I purchased my Nissan Xterra in 2005 with a platinum warranty, which turned out to be a lifesaver. After only a few months, the service engine light came on and Nissan had trouble diagnosing the issue. It took them 5 weeks and several replacements before realizing it was a computer problem, but thankfully the warranty covered it. However, at around 70,000 miles, the transmission and radiator failed, and it has been a costly nightmare ever since. Unfortunately, my warranty had expired and the Nissan dealership in Vallejo, CA where I purchased it was not able to help. I had to pay for the repairs myself, and even after fixing it, the car has not been the same. I have had to deal with one problem after another, including issues with the transmission, radiator, timing chain, catalytic converter, fuel pump, and various sensors. I have spent around $6000 on repairs and it is frustrating to consider getting rid of it after investing so much money into it.
Monte Weimann 2025-06-20
Vehicle year: 2006
The Nissan Xterra may look like a great SUV from the outside, but if you own one, you may have experienced some issues that have not yet been resolved. One of the most common problems is with the front drive shaft U joints. The NTBS has issued warnings regarding the front wheel bearings, which include the front U joints. Unfortunately, Nissan has not issued a recall for this issue, and it is not covered under warranty. Additionally, the tension arm blew at 7000 miles, and the front U joints started to fail at 22000 miles, with complete failure occurring at 33000 miles. If you enjoy restoring cars, this may be a great vehicle for you, but it may not be the best choice for everyone. It is recommended that you avoid purchasing a Nissan Xterra from the years 2005 to 2009.
Skye Homenick 2025-06-19
Vehicle year: 2007
I've been the proud owner of my 2007 Xterra for 15 months now, and it's been quite the journey. I bought it used with 58k miles and opted for the extended warranty, which turned out to be a wise decision. After a few hiccups, including a leaking radiator and rear differential seal, both of which were promptly replaced, the rear end needed a complete overhaul. The transfer case, rear differential, and rear axle were all replaced. Recently, the rear hatch stopped locking, and there's a coolant leak from the water outlet on the engine block. Despite these challenges, I still have a soft spot for this car. However, with 74k miles and $5400 in maintenance costs (thankfully mostly covered) in just 15 months, I may have to part ways with it soon.
Rhett Heaney 2025-06-18
Vehicle year: 2005
It's important to be aware that radiator fluid can eventually leak into the transmission, which can lead to high repair costs. Unfortunately, Nissan does not provide support for this issue. Additionally, it's common for dealers to have buyers sign a purchased as-is document right away, even though they are aware of this factory defect.