CarComplaints.com Notes: While there are fewer "radiator leaked into transmission" complaints for the 2008 model year, they are starting to pile up. Buyer beware.
Nissan has extended their radiator warranty on 2005-2010 Pathfinders to 8 years/80,000 miles. However the average mileage for transmission failure for earlier model years is 95,000 miles, which conveniently (for Nissan) is just past the limit of their extended warranty. Owners beware.
1.8
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
92,540 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.
This particular year and make of vehicle has a known manufacturers defect that causes the transmission fluid to mix in with the radiator, which in turn ruins your vehicle and causes about $5,000+ in repairs. A class action lawsuit was settled regarding this, and all Nissan did was extend their warranty. Unfortunately, this defect doesn't always breakdown prior to the warranty ending, in my case, it happened shortly after the warranty was up. So now I'm stuck with a vehicle I purchased 2 years ago, that doesn't work, and I still owe money on it, all because of this known defect.
My hose S from the radiator to the heater core exploded while I was driving in the city and trow some kind of gunk that the dealer says it is transmission fluid mixing with the antifreeze causing the hoses to become weak also my transmission start slipping and not working properly the dealer says it is a extended warranty on it but my car has 108000 miles and the extended warranty it is only until 100000 {with a 3000 dollars out of pocket for the owner of the vehicle } but they never send me a letter to fix that problem even do I have done more than 2 services on a Nissan dealer that warranty or problem was never mentioned to
Radiator coolant leaking into transmission, causing transmission failure. Dealership has informed me because I am over 100,000 miles there is no coverage and will cost me upto 8,000. My current mileage at diagnostic was 104,000 miles. My Pathfinder is in great shape and has a lot of driving left in it. I feel let down by Nissan that they have known about this defect and will not stand by the fault to keep customer loyalty and satisfaction. I do not trust Nissan and never will again, they have proven to me they do not care about their customers and do not stand behind their product. I am in a position as a single mother with 3 kids that I cannot afford 8,000 dollars to fix this known problem. I could not believe that they were prepared to do nothing.......
We bought a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder, with 97,000 miles. Zero issues at the time of purchase. At about 123,000 miles we noticed the transmission began to stuffer. Upon further investigation we discovered that the transmission fluid and coolant fluid have mixed together. The transmission will need to be replaced. We are currently financing this vehicle, making monthly payments, and now among millions of other Nissan consumers are in a horrible spot. Nissan should have issued a recall for cracked radiators. I work 12 hour swing shifts, live in a small town, and have 4 children. Nissan needs to make this issue right with consumers due to the shear volume of defective vehicles and the immense cost and unfortunate position it's putting hard working american in.
Cracked radiator leaking fluid into transmission. This is causing transmission failure. Transmission slipped when trying to accelerate or at a low gear switch. This caused me alarm and I was unsure if my car could accelerate properly if I was in a critical situation. www.nissanproblems.com/trends/coolant-leaks-destroy-transmission/ keep the care or turn it in? buy Nissan again, or another brand...
- Bryn Mawr, PA, USA
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Problems start after I ended payments on my car; the surround sound got bad and I have to replaced it $500. Cost me. Takata recall I did called the dealer and told me my VIN number isn't in the recall so they said nothing to worry, then another situation came up about the fuel pump, I did called the dealer and they said my VIN number isn't in the recall either and I had pay $600. In May 9, 2016 first time I was driving my car and broke down in the middle of the intersection, also another time I was driving on the bridge and when I was driving the car was going down on the bridge broke down out of not where, was very scary, police and other people help push my car to a safety area. Both time was because I run out of gas cause the gear pump wasn't telling me I run out of gas. Next one was the radiator and trans service. They said radiator was crack need to replace I spent $800. Next problem P1774 said low coast brake-fastens solenoid valve function. All this time engine light came on and charged me $50. To reset light. Then next problem is the transmission now is 4 gear come with issues and is in the mechanic now, June 6, 2017 I need to replace it and charging me $3,200. But they still working own cause they don't know yet if doesn't work I will need to pay more. This is ridiculous cause this car only have 8 years and I keep maintaining my car since I got it, so disappointed and I shouldn't didn't pay for all this cause is a recall and my car is 2008 and all the problems my car had is in the recall just cause my VIN number isn't that isn't fear. Hope anybody understand my frustrations and find the solution of this problems. Pay me back what I being putting in to this car.
When driving and you go to stop and move your foot from the gas to the brake when you push the brake the veh tries to accelerate and you have O always pay attention or could possibly run into the back of another veh. It also happens numerous times daily depending on how much you drive it.
Vehicle shutters when trying to change gears. This occurs when driving at high and low speeds (it has an automatic transmission). If the vehicle is cold and I put it in drive, the transmission will not engage. When idling, the car blows cold air in the front, even if its set on the warmest temperature. The car consistently blows cold air in the back, whether its idling or being driven. After having my car looked at, the problem was found to be caused by a cracked radiator that leaked coolant into the transmission. Not only causing damage to the transmission, but also to the heater hose which is beyond repair and needs replacement. After doing research, I have found that this has been a major issue for Nissan with a year of 2005 to 2010, and although they did not do a recall, they offered an extended warranty up to $80,000 and 100,000 with a customer co-pay. But for most people that problem did not start occurring until after 100,000 miles... like myself. There was a class action lawsuit on this which settled in October of 2012. I bought my car from a Nissan dealership in April of 2011. Why was I not made aware of this at the time of purchase?!
Engine chain started making humming/whirring sounds several thousands of miles ago -- I don't recall the exact date. I had no idea that there are several class action lawsuits filed in regards to this issue until I recently researched this issue online. Nissan failed to inform me of this issue.
Takata recall ?? the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder radiator and transmission failure and breakdown due to coolant leak into the transmission. Purchased pre-owned with nothing listed on car facts (carfax), or with any advisement to the issues with radiator coolant leaking into transmission. After a $1,017 bill from aamco for a diagnostic to find the issue, (in which they had to pull the tranny and inspect it was damaged due to fluid from radiator getting inside compromising transmission seals) I discovered, online, this ongoing well know problem..called Nissan North America and discovered my vehicle was covered under the 100K mileage (94955 actual) and good through 8-2017, from a previous filed complaint or class action, not sure which. However, apparently I only qualify for a co/pay of $3,000 on a vehicle valued at tops, $7,500. Needless to say I would have never purchased this vehicle, had I known this was an issue. I have been in touch with my bank, the dealership I purchased it from, and Nissan North America and no one is willing to assist. I suppose I will contact my attorney at this point (lemon law, tort laws, something) because I cant' seem to find anyone understanding to me, the consumer, whom is not at fault on this deal for help. I am extremely unhappy that Nissan has allowed this to happen. They should at least put a carfax warning or something to notify potential buyers or owners of this problem. I understand that parts get worn and go bad, however, this in not something that I have neglected to fix, maintain, check, or anything. This is a bad part/design flaw in the coolant system and should in all rights be fixed at 100% by Nissan. Beware.
Our 2008 Pathfinder lost all power in the middle of the freeway, causing others cars to swerve to miss hitting us. After about 30 seconds we were able to regain a little bit of speed ( about 30 mph) to be able to pull off the freeway and head down an exit ramp. This experience was very scary for my family and I with two young kids in the back seat, with cars passing us at speeds upward of 70 mph. Even on the way home that night, the SUV would start to drive at normal speed, then suddenly come to almost a complete stop at about 5 mph.
My only one family vehicle suffered the now known 2008 Nissan Pathfinder radiator and transmission failure and breakdown due to coolant leak into the transmission. I've purchased this vehicle pre-owned from np Mazda in san antonio Texas. They did not inform me of this known issue which involved several year models for the Pathfinder. I've spent a little over $5K of loaned money to have this resolve via independent transmission specialist as gunn Nissan presented me with a much higher price quote. I recently found out from a local Nissan service specialist that my vehicle currently have an extended warranty designed specifically for this and as a result of October 2012 class action lawsuit settled by court and Nissan Corp. I am attempting to have Nissan help me with some of recently mentioned financial impact regarding their well known defect.
In the middle of a heavy storm from the wake of an F3 tornado that swepted through, my wife and I were stuck in heavy wind and rain in an open area unable to start our 2008 Pathfinder after pulling over. Just prior, our transmission started shifting hard and slamming into gear. I got out in the wind and rain and after looking over the vehicle after it cooled down, thats when I noticed oil and water were mixed in the radiator.the Pathfinder now sits because the vehicle will not start. It went from parked and running to dead on thie side of the road.
In about January of this year 2016 I noticed a vibration during gearshifting while driving. I brought my car to my mechanic because when I explained the issue to Nissan they said out of warranty and all parts and labor would not be covered so I went to my mechanic anyway who said I had transmission failure due to a leak from the radiator which I believe is a design flaw on the car. If Nissan knew about a radiator issue why was I never informed so I could potentially replace the radiator before it destroyed my transmission? I am seeking full reimbursement on all parts and labor in the transmission. I understand I may have to pay some of the cost of the radiator due to ware and tare but if Nissan knew about this they should've contacted me to save transmission failure. I believe this is also a safety issue had I not known even why the transmission is failing I did have a problem while driving and not knowing what this is. I could've had trouble shifting from one year to the next on highway at high speeds
2008 Nissan Pathfinder. Transmission failed due to radiator failure which caused contamination of the cooling and transmission fluids. Engine overheated due to contamination. Entire cooling system had to be flushed several times after repairs. Repairs were over $4000. Nissan refused to address issue because of pending class action suit. I wish to be added to class action process to recoup expenses.
I was driving around 35 to 40mph when I felt a vibration under vehicle backed off gas pedal went away after that it would come back now and then around the same speed just like you where driving on a rumble strip. Took to Nissan for diagnosis told me vehicle shifted erratically and found anti freeze in transmission, they gave a quote of more than $7,000 to fix.when I asked what could cause this they said a bushing could have been worn to let coolant into tranny, now they get info on problems that occur I just got a phony answer. Any way Nissan dosen't give their customers heads up on notifications of problems and complaints all get lost or buried. Nice support from Nissan. No more business from me........ 103,345miles on Pathfinder 2008 all happened on a flat smooth road driving straight
Where do I begin with with problems that I have had with this vehicle" I purchased the vehicle in 2010 with 48,000 miles on it. Looked brand new, now, I think I know what they traded it in. I have had one problem after another. I have spent over $7000 in the past year and a half, outside of normal upkeep like tires and brakes, on repairs for this vehicle. I am a single mother with 2 small children! my husband was killed in 2014. Do you know how hard it's been for me to get all this done?!?! but I had to, it's paid off and I don't want a new car note! replacing a transmission that the company I feel knows is faulty is really unjust. I initially paid $1800 to get it fixed for it only to continue messing up again. I was told them they probably replaced the transmission but not the computer and radiator which is the major problem with the vehicle. I then paid another $2400 to get it fixed correctly. Then, there was the timing chain issue, why did it break, who knows, but it shouldn't have.. so that was another $2300. I've also had to replace both sides of the catalytic converter which were about $300 each and a ball baring I believe its called was gone. Currently, my horn only works when you turn the steering wheel left and steering is getting harder to turn so I think my pump is going out; checked the fluids and they are fine. I dont have the money to get either of those problems fixed right now. Oh, did I mention my electrical problems" my windows are temperamental and don't always go down when I want them too. I was told that would probably be about $500, maybe more, to get electrical work done. I will likely never by another Nissan again after this one! if this vehicle wasn't already paid off, I would have traded it in already!
Same as many bought 2008 Pathfinder had 65,000 miles one year ago in roanoke va, started missing, when checking radiator and transmission fluid were were cream like color, paid 104 dollars at maintenance garage to find problem of cracked in radiator part causing to mix.now need new transmission which my compartment is 3000 dollars, which is ridiculous since this is evidently a common failure which I was not informed of.when spoke with Nissan stated this is all court ordered them to do...sorry for your inconvenience..I don't have that kind of money, still owe on this vehicle thought I was buying a dependable car, have extended insurance won't pay cause of Nissan extended warranty...think this should have been a recall and consumer notified this is a major car issue and expense....Nissan should be ashamed doing there consumers that way..please spread the word..
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Montrose, CO, USA