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:
5 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
106,074 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.
Failed transmission fluid cooler located in the radiator assembly that allowed coolant to mix with and contaminate the automatic transmission fluid. The radiator had to be replaced, possible damage to transmission.
I took my car to a Nissan dealership complaining about issues with the transmission slipping. I was told they found nothing wrong- however the Nissan technician was fully aware of the issues with the transmission radiator coolant and failed to inform me of the possible issue. Why not just replace the radiator before it causes the transmission to go bad. Finally the transmission failed at 130K miles and of course I am told that I am out of luck and $4200. I think it is really sad that Nissan offered extended warranties for customers under certain miles and left others out in the cold. If there was enough evidence to prove they were aware of the defect all along then customers should be able to have this repaired at no cost to them regardless of the number of miles on the vehicle.
Sudden jerking in the vehicle when traveling at highway speeds. The problem has been diagnosed as a failed transmission cooler which allows coolant to mix with the transmission fluid, causing internal damage to the components. Nothing happened before, but the transmission started slipping 5th gear and no going into it, now 4 and third finally just stopped moving... repair cost is going to be 6500$ at the Nissan dealership and they will not admit a known issue....
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 65 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration power. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the radiator and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 62,880.
I was driving down a major highway and all of the sudden my SUV stalled. Check engine light popped up, took to a shop and mentioned that I need to replace the transmission valve body.
- Whittier , CA, USA
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I was driving.it did a click sound when changing shifts from 1 to second. I took the mechanic and I was told the transmission had leak some fluid damage because the radiator had a leakage. I changed the radiator and heater assembly hose that it was damage, too. To replace a re-build trans. I was told that I need 5K that I don't have it right now. But, sooner of later I have to replace it. I called my dealer and I was told that I'm in my own.because my car has 137K miles. I found out that there are more than a few owners with the same problem.
My car would not start one morning so I had to call a tow truck to take it to my mechanic, he called me to tell me that the radiator was allowing moisture or water to go into the electrical part of the transmission and the transmission has completely fried. I got a quote of $4000 to $6000 to fix or rebuild it. He then told me there are thousands of articles online about the problem and that since my car was at 109,000 miles there was nothing Nissan would do about fixing it even though there was nothing I did to cause the problem!!! I still owe $8500, as I have only had the car for 2 years, and I sure can't go buy another car. I have 3 small children so now I have no car, can't afford another and Nissan will do nothing to help.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated and jerked while driving at any speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer test drove the vehicle and was unable to duplicate the failure. The jerking and deceleration increased with greater force and the dealer re-inspected the vehicle, advising that the radiator fluid had penetrated the transmission. As a result, both the transmission and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 57,800.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact was driving 30 mph when the vehicle stalled and jerked as the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was coasted off the roadway until it was powered off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed a transmission mount. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 57450.
Transmission problems - vehicle has been having problems shifting - then suddenly began to make loud noises - took to transmission shop - they found no problems with computer diagnostic - 2 weeks later the service engine light came on P1746 - went to drive to shop and couldn't make it - had to have it towed home. Transmission made loud grinding noises all of sudden and would not shift gears checked tranny fluid and everything else - do not understand why it went out - no prior problems or service engine light before this -- etc..went downhill fast - if I could have caught earlier or had some kind of warning from Nissan maybe we could have done something preventive - extremely upset after finding out online about 05 tranny problems - called Nissan - I have to pay out of pocket for costs - was never informed by Nissan or dealer about transmission radiator problems - not a mechanic so I don't speak to details about the transmission replaced radiator last year in October 2012 - still was not advised about potential impact to transmission my wife was driving - lucky she was not in heavy traffic or on freeway - could have been horrible accident - Nissan should honor - and fix - or either give us rebate on new vehicle for trade-in.
I was driving towards reno, nv and every time there is an uphill roadway the engine would rev up and the transmission shifts to another gear, I would feel a thumping sound and on every 3 to 6 miles of driving the vehicle would feel like it is running on an unpaved road. I took the vehicle to the dealership and that is when they informed me that my transmission fluid and engine coolant are mixing. Not to mention that my fsr is no longer functioning properly. It turned out that the fsr (fuel sensor relay) is not on the recall list unless it is a 2006 and up. I don't mind the fsr, because I can work on this but the coolant and tranny fluid mixture should be a recall since a lot of people are experiencing this issue.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 mph and there was a slight loss of transmission power with severe hesitation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis andy they informed the contact that the transmission line was cracked and transmission fluid was leaking. The transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 66,889.
Vehicle lost power while driving and won't accelerate. Checked the fluid levels and they all are ok, however, transmission fluid color appears brownish instead of the usual pink color.
Transmission oil in radiator, cause car to over heat. Most likely need new transmission and radiator. Just over Nissan 100,000 mile warranty and they won't cover the replacement. And if the would want me to pay 3,000 out of my pocket for a know defective part. I feel this needs to be recall and Nissan expense and fix my car.
During the time I was driving the Pathfinder I notice that the transmission started pulling. I got into the turning lane to pull over to check it out but when I stopped and then try to turn the vehicle would not move more then 3 feet that left me in the middle of the road. Lucky no one was hurt but it could have been a bad situation if I was on a busy street.
The transmission in my 2005 Nissan Pathfinder is failing, just as it has been stated all over the internet. Of course the extended warranty from October of 2012 does not assist me. My truck was fine at that time, and now, I am over $124,000 miles. Nissan is still responsible for failing to inform its consumers about the on-going failing transmission issues. Nissan needs to pay for my transmission. I expect it to happen!!!
It's the typical Nissan Pathfinder (2005-2011) transmission/radiator failure due to fluids from both devices mixing and causing catastrophic failure of both. Nissan informs me that they certainly understand my problem, which is comforting, but will not pay a dime. Never buy another one.
There is problem with this model vehicle. Thousands of people are having the same problem. The radiator has a leak in it causing the transmission oil to mix with the radiator coolant creating a mixture of gravy type substance. The transmission and the radiator are filled up with this substance. The engine is not being cooled down. The vehicle starts to vibrate after a certain speed. When you pop up the hood it smells like plastic burning.
Nissan has a recall on the transmission only up to 100,000 miles. I purchased the vehicle at 98,000 but did not know about recall. I contacted Nissan and since it is over 100,000 they will not fix their mistake on engineering this vehicle. So I now have a vehicle that is setting in my driveway and will not run! the transmission is completely useless and I do not have $6000 to fix it!! I feel Nissan should be liable for the faulty vehicles no matter what mileage considering it only happens in higher mileage. Nissan has told me that they will not fix it and it is now my responsibility to do so.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Omaha, NE, USA