SERVICE INFORMATION Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies and replacement control valves (valve bodies) now come with blank Transmission Control Modules (TCMs). Blank TCMs come without software and must be programmed (not reprogrammed) and then configured after they are installed. When ordering a replacement A/T or control valve, use the Nissan electronic parts information systems to obtain the correct software program part number See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Nissan Xterra powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Nissan Xterra have filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Xterra | 6 |
| 2015 Xterra (this page) | 6 |
When does it fail?
Of the 6 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 Nissan Xterra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when actually, it?s not. Use this service bulletin to help make a more accurate diagnosis of the steering rack. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the driver is resting their left foot on the brake pedal while accelerating. Advise the customer not to rest their foot on the brake while accelerating. * Use CONSULT-III plus in Engine Data Monitor to check operation of the brake lamp circuit signal. Monitor the brake switch during the incident; it should be "OFF". Please see this bulletn for further details.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Transmission failure due to past radiator leak, same as complaint on file
Nissan xterra 2015 purchased on 3/14/2015. Odometer at 4200 miles. Vehicle has loss of power for approximately 30 seconds. Vdc dash indicator turns on. Sometimes accompanied by metallic grinding noise as if the ABS system has turned on. This has occurred several times always on dry asphalt pavement. Usually after a 90 degree turn. Although has also happened previously for a second or two…
My Nissan xterra 2005 has a transmission problem caused by coolant fluid in transmission. They are charging me for a rebuilt transmission $6,000.00. This is what my car costs. If they have told me before about the problem I could have fix it for little money. Now they don't answer my calls. Should I throw my car in a junker now? This is a major problem caused by a defect from the car. They…
After 30000 miles needs a new clutch bought used at 24000 miles in nov. 2015. It is not covered under factory warranty. So the consumer has to pay for the wear and tear item. It went out after parking at home luckly. The 2006 xterra had clutch problems and some of the other modles pathfinder had some cluctch problems.
Bought my x-terra brand new and was told is has a bumper to bumper 36,000 mile warranty, at 22,000 the car would not shift into gear. Had it towed to a Nissan dealership that is saying the clutch is bad from normal wear and tear and not covered under the warranty. We've read a lot of other reviews of this happening to other people as well and want to report it. Both drivers in our household are…
Vehicle started showing signs of clutch slipping at 50,000 miles: engine would rev up while clutch pedal was fully out, then you would feel it re-engage completely after a few seconds of whining and spinning. I'm a lifetime clutch driver (nearly 20 years), and every vehicle got in excess of 150,000 miles before needing a new clutch. The second generation xterra manual transmission clutch is…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 Nissan Xterra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2015 Nissan Xterra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 63,050 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Nissan/Xterra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.