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.
ECM replaced under recall. Radiator/transmission replaced @ 96K miles under "extended warranty." Transmission replaced 2nd time 1 year later. Transmission hoses replaced twice (during same time period). Now - 103K miles - check engine light came on: Vias solenoid valve, bank 2 catalytic converter, & oil pressure sensor switch all need replaced (possibly related to ECM relay issue)
Transmission radiator ruptured. Coolant flooded transmission and destroyed transmission. This ruptured occurred while vehicle was in motion traveling on interstate.
Transmission failure just bought truck for about 3 months for daughter never drove it first putting on the highway truck stop moving in the middle of traffic in the fast lane cause two accident get it pull home then found out its the transmission an alot of people having the same problem once it cools off it will drive till the transmission gets hot then it stops working again
On 12/11/2015 at approximately 6:00 pm, I was driving down a city street when my vehicle's engine shut off as I was driving at approximately 35 miles per hour. The brakes locked and I had to force the gear stick into park in the far left turning lane and nearly ran through a red light. I tried to start the vehicle and the engine stalled for about 40 seconds before re-starting. After I got the vehicle started, the "vdc off" and "slip" lights came on. The warning lights are still one and the engine has been skipping. This is the 3rd time in the past 2 weeks that I have been driving and the vehicle has just shut off. The other two shutoffs happened on highways while driving at night and approximately 60 miles per hour.
- Rembert, SC, USA
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Apparently there was a known issue regarding a radiator leaking fluid into the transmission causing the transmission to fail. I bought my vehicle a year ago with 117K miles and no one bothered to mention the issue to me. I did buy the extended warranty, but according to them, I'm out of luck because the warranty doesn't cover the radiator and the warranty doesn't cover "corrosion". I am disgusted by the way I've been treated and I feel like I've been scammed
The vehicle will at times not accelerate from a stop light, or will feel like it is laboring and barely move. The shop retrieved codes P1754 and P0744, and cleared codes, which returned in short order. This condition can occur when making a left turn, or where we live, strand the car on a railroad crossing (we have had 2 young ladies killed at rail crossings in the last 2 years here). When a driver expects the vehicle to accelerate, and instead it flounders, the results can absolutely be deadly. The car has had the radiator replaced (a known defective part causing costly damage), but the transmission is now being fingered as the culprit after cross contamination of coolant and trans fluid alters the transmission function to be erratic. Ours is not an isolated case, and it seems like it is becoming increasingly typical for a manufacturer to cover-up known defects even when life and death safety concerns are obvious. The suggested remedy is a very expensive transmission replacement, costing thousands more than on other vehicles. This is not acceptable. Please help.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle began to downshift independently and caused the vehicle to lose power. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled on previous occasions when attempting to make turns. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission and radiator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Drove vehicle out of parking lot and lost power in transmission. Transmission was damaged by coolant contamination from a cracked transmission line in the radiator. Resulted in a $6000+ repair at local repair shop
There is a leak in my radiator which as gone into my transmission rendering it inoperable. Mechanics recommend to replace the entire transmission due to this massive design flaw Nissan has been well aware of for years....updated 12/03/15 I've spoken with my Nissan dealer as well as the dealer that looked over the car when I purchased it and both said it's a massive problem and customers have no way of knowing if or when it could occur, and therefore no way of preventing it. I understand the North Carolina consumer council filed a petition back in 2012 and that the complaint volume has been tremendous on this issue. I hope the NHTSA comes to the conclusion that this part should have been recalled. I have no family vehicle now and cannot afford to pay $7500 for a new transmission, that had no issues at all until the defective radiator got a hole. Thank you
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while at an idle position, the vehicle shook and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact was a certified mechanic and was able to determine that the transmission was damaged because of contamination of the engine coolant that seeped through a cracked at the line and contaminated the radiator. The entire transmission would need to be repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were both made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 142,741. Updated 02/12/16
This is the same as another complaint (# 10777718) filed through this site on 9/25. I took my truck in because of the service engine check light and the tech reported catalytic converter, heater hose vacuum & valve, power steering hose, and tire gps. We have taken the truck in for the 3rd winter season and now they are saying it cost $725 dollars to repair the issue. For 3 years we have taken it in and they flushed the system, replace a sensor, and now this" also the catalytic converter costing $1380 and power steering hose at $305. I noticed 4 recalls that we were never contacted about with the engine, and we have taken the truck in numerous times for these issues and they never mentioned the recalls. Our issue with the catalytic converter is exactly the same as the above mentioned issue filed in September. We also purchased an extended warranty, and none of this is covered. I wonder who else is having the same issue with the catalytic converter"
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving at a low speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The engine's rpms increased and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Issues with the transmission. Began with radiator issues. Come to find out, there has been many issues with coolant mixing into places it shouldn't. then the torque converter went out, and now the safety neutral switch and valve body. Very short engineering and problem after problem obviously known to Nissan but no recalls reported.
After receiving a complimentary multi-point inspection from the local Nissan dealership, my wife told me that on the way home that the transmission seemed to not want to shift properly. Went to check transmission fluid and found that the dipstick is locked into place. Did some quick research to find out how to check fluid level and then found out about issue with Nissan Pathfinders radiators having a problem with leaking coolant into the transmission cooling system. Checked radiator and found frothing foam on the inside of the pressure cap indicating that the radiator had failed. Contacted dealership and asked them why the section of the inspection for the cooling system and transmission system were checked as "ok". did not receive an answer. Also, we were never notified by Nissan about the issue with radiator in our Nissan. The vehicle is currently parked since the dealership said it would cost up to $3000 dollars in repairs under the agreement reached. I do not understand why this was not a recall. This situation could of caused a catastrophic failure of the transmission at speed while driving or catastrophic failure of the engine because of lack of cooling causing the engine to seize up at speed while driving.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle failed to shift into fourth gear, there was an abnormal noise, and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The service engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact mentioned that the vehicle jerked before resuming acceleration. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission fluid leaked into the radiator and caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Never buy Nissan again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my 2005 Pathfinder the trans cooler has started showing signs of failure. Radiator/transmission
The vehicle has had all sorts of issues starting with the brakes when one brake shoe totally disintegrated and evidently ruptured brake lines at around 61,000 miles. New brake replacement almost $900. Since that time (the vehicle now has 75000 miles) the transmission has continually slipped, the gas gauges and all other gauges work intermittently, and the emissions test last month showed possible catalytic converter issues (there are evidently two). When taken in for service the service technician suggested I get rid of the vehicle because it was notorious for cross contamination of coolant and transmission fluid. Continuing to drive it would eventually destroy the transmission, and even now may have permanent damage. When contacting Nissan about possible recalls and the supposed settled class action lawsuit concerning the transmission contamination, I was told I would need documentation of all service done to the vehicle to receive $800 toward the necessary $3800 repair cost just for the contamination leak. If anyone is considering purchasing this or any other Nissan product, I would avoid it at all cost.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Albuquerque, NM, USA