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.

2005 Nissan Pathfinder drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2005 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 1 of 23)

problem #449

Mar 092021

Pathfinder

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on US 95 in DC, MD and NJ, when the traffic became stop and go, my SUV could not get into 1st gear to go. The engine revved, the car shook and made noises. Several times I came close to being rear-ended. This problem also occurs when starting after a red light, when accelerating on a highway (usually 3rd or 4th gear), and when turning left on a green arrow. Not only has it caused many close calls with being rear-ended, but it has also incited road rage in people who are driving behind me. Now I'm told I need a new transmission and also a new coolant system which leaks due to a fault in the system known by Nissan, and pollutes the transmission. This is a terrible safety threat and Nissan should own up to it and pay for the repairs.

- Va Richmond, VA, USA

problem #448

May 152021

Pathfinder

  • miles
Transmission began to fail suddenly, resulting in a situation where the car would not accelerate in busy traffic.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #447

May 152018

Pathfinder

  • 126,000 miles
In the last 4 years I've replaced emissions system brakes rotors air conditioning system exhaust system radiator and transmission. Car was vibrating shaking cutting out leaking exhaust fumes and emissions system failed.

- Stratford, CT, USA

problem #446

Jul 052013

Pathfinder

  • 98,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Al encender el carro Y calentar para salir el vehculo enciende una luz Y en marcha el solo SE apaga en medio de las calles O carreteras. Los mecanismos lo chequeo Y junto al servicio de seguro ellos sacaron la conclusin la transmisin calienta los cables que van al motor que esto ES un problema de fbrica Y por esto yo tuve que rebelda la transmisin por $40.00 Y el seguro me aumento de $1000S a $ 4000S. No puedo usa mi carro que pague $200. Fui al diler de la Nissan Y ellos me dijeron tengo que pagar $165 para empezar Y despus me dirn E cuanto me cuenta el total del arreglo. No obstante con el diagnstico del ingeniero de mecnica del seguro state farm Y los 3 mecanismos que estuvieron en arreglo 1 de motor Y elctrico Y transmisin. He gastado mucho dinero Y no pueden hacer nada ni usar mi vehiculo. En que ustedes me pueden ayudar por amor a dios?

- Newark, NJ, USA

problem #445

Nov 052020

Pathfinder

  • miles
Over heats, coolent leaked into transmission causing transmission to go out

- Pace, FL, USA

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problem #444

Sep 072020

Pathfinder

  • 180,000 miles
Started up drove fine then when I stopped it would not accelerate. Turned off went through gears couple times and had to do that 3 times before it would accelerate and shift. I drove 50 miles home next day it did same thing after driving 1/2 mile. Goes into reverse but will not go over 5 miles per hour moving forward.

- Kearny, AZ, USA

problem #443

Nov 202019

Pathfinder

  • 131,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. While the vehicle was at a stop sign with the brake pedal depressed, the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated forward into traffic and suddenly stopped. The maintenance, 4WD, and check engine warning indicators illuminated. Also, the gear shifter symbols were blank. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the transmission fluid had a burning odor. The transmission was replaced, but the failure recurred two days later. Additionally, while driving 35 mph, the vehicle became stuck in first gear. The vehicle was towed to the same independent mechanic. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 131,000.

- High Point, NC, USA

problem #442

Aug 262019

Pathfinder

  • 120,000 miles
Radiator internally failed causing fluids to mix. Coolant was run through the transmission causing it to fail.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #441

May 142019

Pathfinder

  • 120,000 miles
I bought the vehicle having no idea of this issue, I didn't investigate because this is our 7th Nissan and they have been good cars. I was driving 75 mph to work at rush hour and the trans started letting loose and shuddering so bad I had to pull over onto the should and that's just as safe as driving this thing. Paid a lot of money to have it sitting in the driveway. But everyone that asks why I tell them because Nissan doesn't care about their loyal customers. We intended for our 14 Y/O to drive it but no way in the world would I let that happen

- Fayetteville, AR, USA

problem #440

Mar 112019

Pathfinder

  • 80,000 miles
Complete loss power and transmission problems shop, the diagnose was a failed transmission fluid cooler integrated into the radiator that allowed engine coolant to mix with and contaminate the automatic transmission fluid. The vehicle did not report any warning signs before the failures other than a sudden loss of ability to move the vehicle. My Pathfinder is 2005 with only 81000 because I am in the military and I did not drive it, and I have no report of a recall.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #439

Feb 012018

Pathfinder

  • 81,957 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer (melloy Nissan, 7707 lomas blvd ne, albuquerque, nm 87110, (505) 545-6420) for a routine oil change and inquired about failures with the transmission; however, the dealer found no failures. The contact stated that the vehicle's transmission malfunctioned and would not shift gears. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and was informed that the radiator was cracked and the fluid seeped into the transmission fluid. The repair cost would exceed $5,000. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 81,957.

- Alberquerque, NM, USA

problem #438

Aug 122018

Pathfinder

  • 199,924 miles
Coolant damage transmission. The car lost power in motion

- Boqueron, PR, USA

problem #437

Jul 262018

Pathfinder

  • miles
Known to Nissan Corp, a design defect makes the engine radiator rust and leak into the transmission. My car has always been properly maintained and I jus took it to perform the 90,000 miles service. Coolant fluid was found in the transmission oil and dealer quoted me $6,884.59. After a class action lawsuit I just learned about, Nissan has extended the warranty with partial copay up to 10years/100,000 miles whichever comes first. My vehicle is now out of warranty. This is something unacceptable and Nissan should be held accountable and fix it for free for life.

- Mill Valley, CA, USA

problem #436

Jun 152018

Pathfinder

  • 175,000 miles
Was sitting at a red light on the way to work. Light turns green tries to accelerate and hardly anything happens besides a whining noise. Radiator fluid has leaked into transmission fluid causing a milkshake like fluid mix. Now Nissan dealer wants me to replace radiator, and transmission on my on dime. I have seen several forums where this has been the case. Now Nissan has not recalled this vehicle for any safety fixes of the nature.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #435

Mar 302017

Pathfinder

  • 80,825 miles
Purchased vehicle in 2005. In 2017 took to dealership with problem of loss of power to transmission on freeway while my daughter needed to pull over due to problem. Problem of noise in engine timing belt was also told of at dealership. With extended warranty of 10yrs./100,000mi. They said they were not liable & needed $6971.28 to repair. Vehicle had 80,825 miles on it but was two years out of coverage. After finding out in 2013 a lawsuit was filed by mendelsohn and mazie slater katz & freeman for known defect to Nissan, problem was never contacted to me for some reason" was just informed by falco V. Nissan notice administrator to file paperwork on known problem with engine timing belt for possible 20% return of payment made to repair of defective tensioner assembly. Why four years ago was I not informed of radiator leak causing possible damage to vehicle & possible injury to driver"

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #434

Jan 012018

Pathfinder

  • 85,000 miles
My vehicle was recently diagnosed stating that the radiator had leaked fluid into the transmission and it would cost $6,200 to repair. My vehicle has 85,000 miles. I was never made aware of the extended warranty when I could have had it checked (the dealership did replace the transmission fluid once so the issue should have been taken care of then when it was under warranty). There is a vibration when the rpms settle around 1000-1500 after the vehicle has warmed up. It is intermittent, but was diagnosed by the Nissan dealer mechanic as the issue.

- Shelbyville, IN, USA

problem #433

Mar 162018

Pathfinder

  • 126,000 miles
Transmission started slipping. When I took my vehicle to the dealership, radiator fluid had leaked into the transmission causing me to have to replace not only the transmission but the radiator, hoses, etc.

- Pell City, AL, USA

problem #432

Oct 012017

Pathfinder

  • 82,000 miles
Radiator fluid has leaked into the transmission, compromising the integrity of the transmission. I feel a shudder when the transmission hits 40 mph - 60 mph.

- Lodi, CA, USA

problem #431

Oct 052017

Pathfinder

  • 133,657 miles
The issues with the vehicle began at 133834 miles. When driving, at times it would vibrate out of nowhere. After a stop, it would shift up hard or fail to downshift and then hit hard when it finally would go in to gear. Once I took it in to a mechanic, the following codes came up: P1731 - 1st gear logic error, P0430- cat efficiency bank 2, P0455- evap system leak large. The recommendation was "tear down". in the end, I had to replace my: Transmission, radiator, torque converter, valve body, valve body solenoids, catalytic converter bank 2, exhaust gaskets, oil pressure sensor, and oxygen sensor. With a total cost of $4,824.65. I will upload the services my Nissan Pathfinder had to have.

- St. Albans, WV, USA

problem #430

Feb 222018

Pathfinder

  • 165,400 miles
Transmission went out while with 2 small children in the SUV. I had only had the SUV for 4-6 months. Transmission was repaired by dealer service department. Shortly after the radiator needed repair. It was repaired, and Nissan helped with partial cost. Recently (02/19/2018)transmission went out again while yielding in a busy intersection to go on the highway. Transmission went out a second time on 02/22/2018 again. I was stopped at a light, the light turned green and I began to push on the gas to make a left hand turn in a busy intersection and once again, the SUV only coasted. I took the vehicle to Nissan service department, paid $110 for a diagnostic test and was informed once again the transmission needs to be replaced. A 6,000.00$ job. The transmission has only been about 4-5 years old presently. I am out of a vehicle.

- Whiting, IN, USA

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