CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005-2007 Pathfinder appears to have a widespread defect where coolant leaks into the transmission, causing transmission failure around 90,000 miles. Repair costs are typically upwards of $3,500.

According to the New York Times & a class action lawsuit, the defect actually extends through 2010 model year. More info here.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
103,399 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2007 Nissan Pathfinder drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2007 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 16 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #26

Sep 282010

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 86,922 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Start having problems in mid July of 2010. Transmission was jerking in gear. Radiator broke down, allowing fluid to leak into the transmission. Vehicle is inoperable. Also been having problem with fuel gauge. Unable to get vehicle repaired, due to limited income. Vehicle became inoperable passed extended warranty.

- Riverdale, GA, USA

problem #25

Jun 082012

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 107,000 miles
I have maintained my car. In June, my Nissan dealership charged me $1500 after I reported a jolt in the transmission. I brought it back 08/10/2012 and they said the transmission needed replaced. I took it to another shop and they said the radiator fluid had leaked into the transmission and ruined the transmission presenting a financial burden and a huge safety issue. Updated 09/13/12

- Chandler Az, AZ, USA

problem #24

Mar 212012

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • miles
Started noticing in March 2007 a noise like running over a rumble strip for brief periods that we thought were either our new tires or road surfaces. Later we noticed it started getting longer and it seemed liked it had a hard time shifting gears. We took it to our Nissan dealer who informed us that there was a leakage between the cooling system and the transmission which in time will cause the transmission to fail. We also found out they were aware of this problem, but we were never notified. Now they told us even with and extended warranty to 80K we were past that at 81K. I feel they should be forced back to up their known defects and issue a recall.

- Fairfield, PA, USA

problem #23

Dec 012011

Pathfinder

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This vehicle has approx 80K miles when heat stopped working and transmission started shifting hard. I was informed by my mechanic that coolant had mixed with the transmission fluid and that it was a known problem at Nissan. We replaced the radiator and fluids. A few months later the transmission is inoperable and Nissan has refused to acknowledge the issue. My mechanic at midas of richmond va informed me that he sees this problem all the time and that Nissan is doing nothing. Clearly, Nissan knew this was a problem and has refused to take any action due to the high cost of the repair. This is clearly a safety issue as well as a known defect issue. I cannot believe the manufacturer would be allowed to install a major vehicle component with a known defect and for the customer to have no recourse.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #22

Jun 012012

Pathfinder

  • miles
I understand now that Nissan Pathfinder owner (05-07) have experienced issues with the transmission failing due to defective parts. I now have to have my transmission and radiator replaced to the tune of $7000+. why has there been no recall for this problem?

- Sewickley, PA, USA

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problem #21

Jul 032012

Pathfinder

  • 75,875 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the filter radiator caused the cooling to leak, which destroyed the transmission. The dealer was notified who stated that he was not familiar with the type of failure and offered no assistance. The manufacture was not notified. The failure and current mileage was 75,875.

- West Islip, NY, USA

problem #20

Mar 122012

Pathfinder

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At first started noticing hesitation in transmission at 40 mph, confirmed by 2 mechanics trans fluid is milky color and changed fluid at a local service station that had to go to Nissan and get their transmission fluid to finish job. Now back to milky transmission fluid, have to take overdrive off because gears will not shift, I also carry gallon of water because at any time radiator fluid levels can be low; have to turn air off at long stop lights so temp gauge doesn't go up.

- Joplin, MO, USA

problem #19

Jul 222012

Pathfinder

  • 133,000 miles
While driving with the ac on, my vehicle started to blast out hot air through the vents and overheat. My car has never ran hot before, I haven't had any problems since I've had it. I was able to pull over safely and let the car cool down. My husband removed the radiator cap and noticed a milky liquid in the radiator. We had to have the vehicle towed to a mechanic shop and they notified us of the recall on the Nissan (2005-2010 models) radiators. They said that it was a common problem that they have been seeing where the coolant mixes with the transmission fluids and cause a major repair problem. We have been told that the radiator, transmission, transmission kit, throttle, vial body, and torque converter will have to be replaced. I feel petrified to know that Nissan knew about this existing problem but refused to have these issues repaired rather than taking the easy way out and extending the warranty. We bought our truck brand new from the Nissan dealership and we also paid for the 5yr/100,000 mile warranty. I have had my truck for 5 yrs and 2 mths, something should have been done about this. We the consumers have trusted this brand for many years and we depend on our vehicles on a daily bases. My family and I were all in the vehicle when the incident happened we could have been seriously harmed in a high risk situation. We had the 90,000 mileage maintenance completed where they flushed the radiator, changed the transmission, & etc. And everything was fine. My husband have always taken my car in for timely maintenance and no one has ever mentioned the radiator issues.

- Duluth, GA, USA

problem #18

Jul 022012

Pathfinder

  • 71,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan pahtfinder. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph. The radiator failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the radiator, water pump, radiator thermostat, and transmission were damaged due to leaking radiator fluid. The dealer also stated that radiator needed to be repaired. The contact stated that this was the second occurrence of the same failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed both failures. The manufacture was notified and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 71,000 and the current mileage was 122,000.

- Atlanta , GA, USA

problem #17

Jun 092012

Pathfinder 6-cyl Diesel

  • 81,000 miles
At 40 mph, the vehicle started vibrating and grinding. I promptly took it in to the dealership for a check, and was informed that it is the transmission that needs replaced. I was told that I "just missed" the cut off for the warranty extension to cover this defect, as my vehicle as 81000 miles on it. The defect is reportedly only covered until 80000. I was never notified of a defect or recall. I have followed all manufacture recommended maintenance of my Pathfinder. Please consider extending this coverage, since it is a defect and not related to my care of my vehicle.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #16

May 182012

Pathfinder

  • 138,203 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I drove 2hrs away to pick up my niece from college. The vehicle was fine on the freeway, but as soon as we exited, it started to sputter. We were very close to campus so we pulled in and made it through a couple more stop signs before we pulled into a stall and parked. It would not start after that. I had to tow it back home and to the dealer ship where I was told that a problem in the radiator caused fluids to mix which shot my engine. Now Nissan wants to charge me $7650 for a radiator and transmission. That's ridicules considering Nissan knew these vehicle had faulty radiators in them. This could have been very dangerous if this occurred on the freeway!

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #15

Jun 012012

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 116,524 miles
The faulty seal that separates the anti-freeze and transmission fluid mixed and resulted in the transmission failing. This catastrophic failure that the manufacturer is admitting to but only giving partial remedy as it may not happen before 80,000 miles. I find myself along with many other customers who are footing the bill for the 8600 dollar repair in tough economic times. When buying a new vehicle it should last long enough to finish paying the car note without any major expenses. This issue needs to be addressed immediately as a recall so the consumer can be reimbursed for terrible engineering that any mechanic will tell you. Even the Nissan dealers know is a problem but will not take ownership. Is there any assistance as a consumer?

- Huntsville , AL, USA

problem #14

May 262012

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 109,000 miles
I was pulling out of my garage when my check engine light came on, I took my care to a garage where they diagnosed it as a transmission problem. I took it to a transmission shop where they have found that my transmission fluid is leaking into my radiator and vice versa. They mechanic said he has seen quite a few of these, when I called Nissan to find out more I was told that there was no recall even though there are many of these Pathfinders with the same issue. It is the failure of a 400 dollar part that Nissan sent no notice to anyone for. I was told I was out of luck. I have owned 5 Nissan and because of this absolute disregard for customers will not buy another one.

- Granbury, TX, USA

problem #13

May 172012

Pathfinder

  • 131,000 miles
I was driving home from work when I noticed my 2007 Pathfinder was not shifting properly, then my check engine light came on. I then took it to an auto parts store to see what code was causing the check engine light to come on, I was told it was the transmission speed sensor. The next day I took my car to a transmission repair shop where I was told it was not the speed sensor, but the radiator had leaked coolant into the transmission. I was then told this was very common in the Pathfinder and Nissan would not help with repair cost. I contacted the local dealership where I usually get my car serviced and was told that Nissan knew about this issue and would not help with repair costs unless I brought my car to them for diagnostic testing. I did they told me what I already knew and that it would cost $7500 to repair minus the $105 I spent for the diagnostic test. My car is not paid for and I can't afford to get it repaired. Nissan should be held responsible for their poor handling of this defect. It should not take someone being seriously injured or killed before they take action. Since finding out this problem I have been researching and have found I am not alone in this fight against Nissan.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #12

Apr 302012

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
Car started shifting very rough and stalled in traffic. Very dangerous! found out from Nissan service center there is a defect in the radiator that causes the coolant to mix into the transmission. Both the radiator and transmission need to be replaced. Nissan extended the warranty on both parts to 80,000 miles (apparently Nissan knows there is a problem). Unfortunately, it affected my car at 88,000 miles. Now, Nissan is really giving me the run-around. My car has been in the Nissan service center for 2 days. They informed me today (May 11, 2012) they would make a determination by May 16th if they will "help pay" for the fix. The defective radiator should have been recalled! I should not have to pay for this fix. Someone is going to be killed or seriously injured due to this defect!!!!

- Kensington, MD, USA

problem #11

Apr 132012

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 103,000 miles
My Nissan Pathfinder started overheating. We had the thermostat changed. Nissan still overheated so I took it to the shop and a faulty mechanical issue with the Nissan caused the transmission to get antifreeze in it and the radiator to get transmission fluid in it. Nissan extended their warranty to 80,000 miles because of all the customers having trouble with this, but mine was over. Also the gas gauge is faulty and when you fill the gas tank up the digital readout will not work and the gas gauge goes to empty. I've ran out of gas twice because of this faulty gauge.

- Roseville, OH, USA

problem #10

Mar 132012

Pathfinder

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder. While traveling 40 mph, the contact noticed a grumbling sound coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the radiator was leaking into the transmission. Both the transmission and the radiator were replaced. The current and the failure mileages were 87,000.

- Chelsea, AL, USA

problem #9

Mar 142012

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 112,449 miles
My vehicle started to stall as if it was going to cut off, I pulled to the side of the road and waited a few minutes then it started right up as if no issue. Later that day when my husband was driving the vehicle started to shift really hard and stall. I took it to the dealership and the dealer diagnosed the transmission problem as fluid cooler located in the radiator assembly that allowed coolant to mix with and contaminate the automatic transmission fluid. I was really afraid of being rear ended as the vehicle stalled as it shifted to the next gear, prior to this there had been absolutely no warning that there was an issue of this magnitude.

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #8

Mar 202012

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 116,000 miles
Car would not engage in reverse. The problem was diagnosed as my transmission failing due to design flaw that allowed radiator cooling fluid to leak into the transmission. I had to replace the transmission at a cost or $3,400. The car warranty had run out and I was not reimbursed by Nissan. Nissan has not recognized that they have a design flaw issue that is costing their car owners thousands of dollars in repairs as well as ruining their reputation.

- Stevensville, MD, USA

problem #7

Jan 012012

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 109,000 miles
I have a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan sent me an extended warranty on the radiator to 82000 miles, stating that it will crack and leak into the transmission causing damage. My Pathfinder's radiator failed at 109000 miles and Nissan told me that I will be responsible for repairs because it was past the extended warranty. So the radiator cost me about $600 and the transmission failed and cost me $2500. I complained to Nissan and they don't care, I have seen online that this is a major problem with Nissan but they will not recall the radiator, they have horrible service.

- Lenxa, KS, USA

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