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:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
102,916 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.
Transmission failed, had to replace transmission, radiator, motherboard for computer inside transmission and had to have locksmith reprogram security system.
Radiator fluid mixed with my transmission fluid, making the car undriveable. At 65 mph the vehicle began to slow as the RPM's were increasing. The vehicle then slowed to only 40mph, and we barely got the car off the hwy. Then, eventhough in drive, the vehicle would not move; like it was put in neutral. Looked up issue online, and it is another known Nissan recall; but they limit the amount of miles that you can have to receive any reimbursement. Basically, I will get no relief for this known defect. I did get a recall notice but my vehicle was having no issues at that time, and now at 18 months later my vehicle is toast. I will never buy a Nissan again.
At 40 mph the vehicle would seem like it upshifted to a very high gear and then start to vibrate real bad. We took it in for an analysis and they told us immediately that the two fluids had mixed (trans and coolant).
The coolant has mixed up with the transmission fluid, and it is having problems with shifting. I done some research online, and found out that this a major issue with Nissan and they are not willing to fix this issue. It says that there a hose leak issue into the transmission. Now M car is sitting I N my driveway, dead.
I took my vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test and was informed that the coolant from the radiator was leaking into the transmission and vice versa. The service technician stated that this was a known issue with my particular make/model vehicle.
- Lafayette, LA, USA
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I purchased a used 2007 Nissan Pathfinder with extended warranty for my daughter on 12/28/13. Last week the check engine light came on. She made an appointment, arrived early and 5 hours later was told that a sensor needed to be replaced and suggested that she take it to a Nissan dealer as they had equipment specific to Nissan vehicles and her warranty covers the work at any dealership. She asked if the vehicle was safe to drive and was told yes. She drove two miles to a Nissan dealer spent another 2 hours there while they ran their own diagnostic tests. They determined that there was cross contamination in the radiator. Not only did her radiator need to be replaced but so did her transmission. She was further told that her vehicle was unsafe to drive. The called the warranty company who indicated that the radiator wasn't covered and therefore the transmission wasn't covered as it was caused by the radiator. My daughter drove back to auto nation again and asked to speak to the general manager. She was told he wasn't in and the used car sales manager would speak to her. I left work and went over to help her. I also asked for the general manager, was asked what it was about, I said I would prefer speaking directly to the GM and was told the same thing as my daughter. The used car sales manager reluctantly agreed to replace the radiator and flush the transmission twice he indicated that would solve the problem. She picked up the SUV today and 2 blocks later the check engine light came on. She went back to auto nation and was told by the used car manager that there was no way he was paying $3500 to replace the transmission. He told her to just drive with the check engine light on. This is so wrong! to send a 22 year old off in an unsafe vehicle. This was apparently a known issue on this make/model & year. Nissan even extended the warranties because of the issue.
Radiator transmission cooler failure allowed cross contamination between transmission fluid and antifreeze.the resulting lack of lubrication and electrical conductivity of antifreeze caused electrical and mechanical transmission failure.
The fluids of the radiator and transmission mixed. 3 mechanics and a Nissan dealer said its a known issue between 2005~2007. And no recalls we're being issued. I had a diagnostic test done at antwerpen Nissan done when my Pathfinder was running. I have had a 95 sentry, I have a 09 versa, I have talked my mother in law into a Nissan Altima, as well as my step mom. My husband has talked a couple of his co workers into a Nissan also. I want to know why there has been no recalls on a "well kept secret" as that is what I was told.
Vehicle struggling to shift. Diagnosis: Transmission fluid leaking into the radiator. Replaced radiator drained and replaced all fluids, still struggling to shift.
This vehicle was bought from dealer early 2010 with around 40,000 miles. There was no knowledge of a manufacturing design defect inside of the radiator. A leakage due to an internal tube inside the radiator causes transmission fluid to be cross-contaminated and become mixed then over time destroys both the transmission and radiator. Nissan manufacturer won't help with repairing this problem. On top of that, the mileage makes me ineligible for extended warranty. It is 10 years/100,000 miles which ever comes first. Help me please!!!! I don't have $10,000 to pay for this repair when its not my fault. This is a manufacturer defect and they don't have an official recall on this problem but an out of reach warranty. Failure happens after 100,000 miles mostly.
Vehicle began to shake as if riding over bumps at approx 60-65 mph and then when approaching a stop a jerky shift would occur at approx 5-10 mph. Service engine soon illuminated car would not accelerate more than 10 mph so my wife pulled into a parking lot and shut the car off. The car would not start again and had to be towed. I had the code pulled from the ECU and it reported error "P0717 input turbine speed sensor circuit no signal". after searching online I found a lot of information on defective radiator in 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, xtera and frontier which allows coolant and transmission fluid to mix and causes transmission failure which was also confirmed by contaminated coolant in the radiator. This is a safety concern as there were no signs of this failure like so many people have reported until its sudden failure and there should be a recall in place. www.carcomplaints.com/Nissan/Pathfinder/2007/transmission/coolant_leaked_into_transmission.shtml.
I always take my car in for service at glendale Nissan and so last year in July of 2013 I asked were there any recall on my car I was told no. So in Feb of this year2014 I started experiencing some problems with me heat inside the car. They checked it and told me my transmission fluid was mixing with my coolant and I needed to replace both and its gonna cost me $5600. I asked was there a recall on this and I was told yes and my car wasn't covered because of the mileage. I instantly got upset because I always take my car in for service to this dealership. I was told I could try to replacing the radiator and drain the transmission but that was no guarantee how long the car would work. I did just that..now my car is staying idle while driving and it wont idle down for a period of time. I tried calling the 1800nissan1 number and explain my problem and they told me they can't help me and nothing they could do. This is so wrong! I've spent so much money at this dealership its ridiculous. Ive replaced my computer, belts, hoses, spark plugs, oil changes, drain my transmission fluid.so much I cant even remember everything. If they know that this is happening to these cars and put out a recall for this how can they get away with this! im a single parent of 5 children there's no way I can afford this!! and this is my only car I have for transportation!! this is just plain wrong! they shouldn't be allowed to get away with this!
My 2007 Nissan path finder was recently was diagnosed with a complete failure to the transmission due to a failure of the "radiator assembly" that failed and allowed water to get inside the transmission containment and this caused catastrophic failure to the transmission. Requiring now that the whole transmission needs to be replaced. The only warning I got was the failure warning light from my car, and at that point its already damaged. Looking for an explanation I turned to Nissan and I learned that this is recognized by Nissan defect and thought my vehicle hasn't been completely abandon by Nissan Corp. I still have to contribute $2.5K towards repairs for a known failing design, that fixing it could have prevent the much more costly result of leaving it as is. What happened to Nissan standing by their product and making good on poor design? even what's more is that I was mailed a letter regarding a class action reimbursement in legal lingo that I didn't fully understand and felt it didn't apply to me since id have no expenses. Yet it now makes sense as to what its purpose was.. it was to monetary reimburse those with Nissan's at my similar age and mileage for repair they performed due to admitting it was a faulty design. I cant help but wonder what harm would it have been to publish an advisory letter and allow the consumer the right to make repair prior to a complete failure. Additional Nissan Consumer Affairs dept. Need a personality training as they are unable to say anything unless it is pre-scripted for them. I'm beginning to rethink my forth vehicle purchase to not be a Nissan.
Bought 2007 Nissan Pathfinder fall 2010. Dec 2010 in for oil change at dealership. Sent home paper w/ boxes checked showing transmission & coolant "may need future attention" nothing else brought to our attention. 40,912 miles on truck. Dec 2013- 99,279 miles- took truck to dealership- wasn't heating at idle. Found to be low on coolant, contaminated transmission fluid, and oil sludge in the engine (oil light did not come on) they flushed fluids, refilled them & told us to change oil every 1,000 miles for a few months to ensure clean. Jan 13 2014 another oil change, another checked box stating transmission fluids "may need future attention" even though flushed 18 days ago. Feb 10 2014 another oil change, another checked box stating coolant "may need future attention". this seemed to be routine and nothing more since fluids routinely need changing. Feb 27, 2014 -103,000 miles- engine light on, drove immediately to dealership. Diagnosis: Coolant had leaked into the transmission from the radiator ruining both. $5,000+ to fix.found there are over 110,000 Nissan Pathfinders with exact problem, Nissan is/has been aware of this, but since there is no recall they don't have to inform owners. There is a class action lawsuit. Because of this, warranty was extended to 100,000 mi. But, this is happening right around or after 100,000, it is too late. Nissan will only pay for anything over $3,000, but are installing rebuilt transmissions that cost just that, so we are still paying total cost. Visits show that at 40,912 & 99,279 miles they knew this was the problem did not inform us since they would have been liable. A mechanic of 30 years explained that low coolant and cold on idle means there is a leak which will also cause oil sludge. Visits 1& 2 mos later also showed signs of leakage. Signs were all there and ignored! dangerous if happens while driving.
My car started to rattle and lose power at 45 mph. I drove it home and tried to reverse it in with no luck. I immediately knew I had a transmission issue. I parked the car for two days and took it to the dealer who later informed me that my radiator coolant fluid had mixed with my transmission fluid and destroyed my entire car. They quoted me between 7000-9000 to fix the car. I contacted Nissan who informed me that there is nothing they can do because they extended the warranty twice to up to 100,000 miles. I find this ironic since after extensive research the issue usually occurs after 100,000 miles. Nissan has know about this problem for 7 years and has chosen to ignore the issue and not issue a recall. Now the consumers have to foot the bill.
Radiator cooler leaking water into transmission, and transmission oil into cooling system. Transmission stuck in 3 gear, engine overheating due to sludge inside radiator, a total disaster for a low income individual trying to make ends meet.
Driving car in rush hour traffic and car completing stopped. It took about 10 minutes to start. Once the car started it cranked for about 10 seconds before it actually started. At dealership, the car was diagnosed with needing two new cam sensors. After paying $621 for this, mechanic test drove car and found it to be "bucking" and diagnosed that the radiator fluid had leaked into the transmission and we needed a whole new transmission. Nissan is requiring $2,500 deductible even after they realize they made a faulty radiator/transmission.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cape Coral, FL, USA