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.
I have submitted a previous complaint about the transmission failing as a result of a radiator leak into the transmission. The car was repaired and running fine however a new problem emerged, that is a result of the same radiator leak. My transmission control module failed on my wife while she was driving it. This is directly related to the radiator leak as there was coolant in the computer module. She was stopped at a stoplight on a busy freeway and suddenly could not move the vehicle. It created a huge safety issue for her and my sons. The repairs have now exceeded $5000.
The vehicle does not always go into gear from a starting position, or from one gear to the next. Also, it will suddenly lurch into gear. It's a consistent issue that happens every time the car is driven. I took the vehicle in for an inspection and was told it was an issue with the coolant leaking into the transmission and vice versa. I researched the issue and discovered that it had been reported to the NHTSA and is under investigation.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving at various speeds, the brake pedal vibrated when it was depressed. The contact heard an abnormal noise that came from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate to respond when depressing the accelerator pedal and an abnormal noise was present coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission valve body failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the transmission was previously replaced in August of 2014. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Vehicle had trouble picking up speed after stopping which is dangerous when crossing traffic. Vehicle stalled and had to cool off before restarting. Took the vehicle to dealearship and they stated that it was a common flaw in Nissan where the radiator coolant leaked into the transmission due to cracked atf line. They recommended either installing a new transmission or having the transmission rebuilt.
My transmission failed due to a leak in the radiator. I am beyond upset. No way this should have happened. This car is cared for perfectly. My transmission shop estimates the cost will be over $3000. Transmission shop told me this is a very common problem with this make and model.
Vehicle had trouble picking up speed after stopping which is dangerous when crossing traffic. Vehicle stalled and had to cool off before restarting. Took the vehicle to dealearship and they stated into was a common flaw in Nissan where the radiator coolant leaked into the transmission due to cracked atf line. They recommended either installing a new transmission or having the transmission rebuilt. They recommened a place to have the transmission rebuilt. Picked up the vehical after rebuild on July 1, 2015 and began having the same symptoms on July 7, 2015.
My car started shuttering when it was trying to change gears and when I took it to the dealership they informed me that the radiator was leaking coolant and it got into the transmission contaminating the transmission therefore I need a new radiator and transmission. I have a power train warranty which covers the transmission but not the radiator and because the radiator was the cause of the transmission going bad the warranty won't pay to replace the transmission either. After investigating this has been a known problem with this year, make and model and people are getting ripped off. If this has been an ongoing problem why wouldn't it have been a recall. I am disgusted with the entire matter and think it needs to be addressed so people don't continue to get ripped off. I am hoping they come through and replace mine for free.
Vehicle contained a defective radiator cooler tank that ruptures and forces coolant into the transmission through the cooler lines. When the coolant mixes with transmission fluid it creates a frothy liquid that eats valves, erodes seals and causes corrosion. Its toxic, irreversible and killed the 5-speed automatic transmission. This problem was listed as the 2nd worst problem on carcomplaints.com's "top vehicle problem trends of 2012". why is this not a recall?!
Transmission cooler attached to radiator cracked causing coolant to leak into the transmission leading to failure to accelerate the vehicle when needed and complete failure of the transmission.
I started having issues with my 2005 Nissan Pathfinder at approximately 100,000 miles. I first noticed the problem with the heater. When I was parked the truck would not heat up only cold air with come out. Next problem was when I would step on the gas pedal the truck would jerk alot and it would vibrate when I would speed up. It was very scary, it actually felt like it was going to cause me to get into an accident, that's how terrible it felt. I took it to the Nissan dealer where I bought the truck for them to check it and they immediately knew that the problem was coming from the transmission. The coolant mixed into the radiator causing for that to go bad too. I called the Nissan headquarters after finding out that this issue was experienced by so many other owners of 2005 Nissan Pathfinders. This job cost me over $4000.
Got recall in mail for radiator and transmission recall which we had to pay for"!?! over $2000. To replace the radiator and not even 3 months had gone by and have had the truck to the garage 3 times due to damage from transmission. Got in truck to go to work today yup you guessed it transmission is now shot put in drive and doesn't go. Totally unfair Nissan should have replaced it when the recall came out. Why should the consumer pay for there screw up" new transmission $5000. Will never buy Nissan again and will make sure I tell everyone. So far to date $5000. To try to fix up Nissan's mess and then I'm to spend another $5000. On there mistake. Ha total bull!!!!! they should have stood by there product and replaced everything at no cost to the owner!!! very unhappy!!
The radiator on my Pathfinder has cracked and allowed coolant to get into the transmission fluid. This has ruined not only my radiator but also my transmission.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Chico, CA, USA