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:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
102,916 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.
At 99000 miles truck failed to take off then all of sudden took off then going down the highway the truck wouldn't accelerate. During a road trip which caused a 3 day delay and 3000 dollars in repair. Now fast forward to 111,975 miles and was going up hill at light and truck started rolling backwards and sputtering, took it to Nissan dealership stated that coolant in transmission repair cost 7246 and still owe 9200 on truck.
The truck began shifting gears very roughly and slowly with a strong jerking motion to the truck. When taken for diagnosis was told that the transmission fluid and coolant were mixing due to a faulty radiator and thus got into transmission causing the need for replacement of radiator, flushing of fluid lines and transmission replacement approx. Cost $6000. After researching this problem, I see multitudes of other Nissan customers have had the same problem. This issue is extremely unsafe on roads. My car falls outside the extended warranty given due to this problem. In addition, if my Pathfinder did fall under the warranty, Nissan only assists with payment to replace radiator not the damage done transmission because of the faulty radiator. This absolutely needs to be investigated further!
My vehicle just completely shut down without any warning signs or previous issues. I have taken very good care of this vehicle and the radiator has a manufacturer defect that allowed transmission fluid to leak into the radiator causing catastrophic damage to my radiator and transmission that Nissan will not take any responsibility for and will cost me upwards of $5,200 at least.
Vehicle began to vibrate at speeds of approx 45 mph. Over a short period of time, the condition worsened - the vibrations became more aggressive and began to occur at higher speeds. After investigation by Nissan, they advised that there was an issue with the radiator and possibly transmission that was no longer under warranty because I was outside of the 100,000 mile limit. The coolant is leaking into the transmission fluid cooler line and ultimately right into the transmission, thereby causing damage that may or may not be repaired with a new radiator and transmission. Apparently, this is a know issue with these vehicles and Nissan neglected to alert consumers. At this time, the vehicle is inoperable.
- Fredericksburg, VA, USA
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Nissan refuses to fully cover the repair/replacement of a faulty radiator and transmission. Nissan is currently under investigation for this neglect and is stalling on recalling the vehicles. Nissan extended a warranty leaving the burden of $3,000 deductible for the consumer. This is an appalling and sad excuse of customer service - the vehicles did not meet quality control and it is disgusting to have the customer put out that much money for a problem that existed before the vehicle left the dealership.
Vehicle has not been warming up for about 2 weeks, never thought it was anything serious, thought it would be a heating coil or something, took it to the dealer on 1/3/14 to get an oil change and for them to look at the problem and the technician came back and said "oh you need a transmission and radiator bring the car back on Tuesday" like it was something common. Just looked into the complaints did not know this was a common issue with the vehicles, needless to say this will be my last Nissan. I purchased a extended warranty which they did ask me, however I did not know about the class action suit that would have covered the issue until today 1/8/14.
I was on expressway, driving approximately 60-65 miles per hour and without warning car lost all its ability to accelerate or maintain speed. Car engine would rev when you pressed on the accelerator but the car would not respond. Vehicles behind me had to hit on there brakes and go around me as I attempted to steer vehicle to the side of the expressway. Once vehicle came to a stop, my transmission would not engage in any gear leaving me stranded. I had to have vehicle towed to my home. I was informed by Nissan that engine coolant had leaked into my transmission and ruined my transmission. I have since found out this is a common problem on Nissan Pathfinders and the cost to repair vehicle is between 4 and 5 thousand dollars.
The vehicle vibrated and shuttered and ceased to move. I was in traffic and luckily had a place to pull over. I had the vehicle towed to the local Nissan dealership. After a discussion and diagnosis by the technician and shop foreman it was determined that the transmission and the radiator had crossed contamination of fluids resulting in the transmission becoming inoperable and requiring the transmission and radiator be replaced. The shop foreman stated that Nissan knew about this defect in the radiator and the resulting problems. I am waiting to find out if Nissan will help with repair cost. I was told by the shop foreman that the cost to replace the transmission and radiator would be approximately $8,000..
Cracked radiator allowed coolant to leak into transmission so not knowing Nissan was having this problem we had a new radiator installed and the cooling system and transmission flushed out mileage at this time was 79290 now 4 months later the transmission is shot and need a new one mileage now 83158 since the mileage is above 80000 Nissan will not fix the car under there extended warranty and wants me to dole out 2500.00$. if I would have known Nissan was having problems with there transmissions I would have taken my car to a Nissan authorized service center the first time.
Radiator failed (product defect, no accident or external causes) and leaked into the transmission, effectively destroying it. Had to get both radiator and transmission replaced. Symptoms started with shuddering during shifting, which led to rough shifting, gear slippage, check-engine light, and eventually the car not even starting.
I was driving my Pathfinder down the highway and when I reached 40 mph, it began to hesitate as if the overdrive was not working. As I gave it more gas, it stopped. It has gradually gotten worse to the point that anywhere from 40 to 50 mph, the vehicle is hesitating unless you either slow to below 40 or speed up to above 50. I took it to the Nissan dealer and he stated that the transmission fluid was mixing with the coolant, which means that I must pay to have my transmission replaced or purchase a new vehicle! I have since heard that there have been many reports of this same issue. My vehicle has gone out of warranty, but, if this is an issue that has been known for quite some time (years) as I have researched, then I believe Nissan should have to cover the cost of replacement. Why was there not a recall on the issue, which could have been fixed easily instead of having to replace the whole thing at the owners expense! I also realize that at any moment my vehicle could stop in the middle of the road, which could cause injury or even death to me or my family.
Radiator failed, leaking antifreeze into transmission. This mixing of antifreeze and transmission fluid caused transmission to fail my Pathfinder is now in a parking spot. I owe payments on a vehicle I can no longer drive, nor afford to repair.
This is all after the vehicle was serviced (by Nissan dealer) for the known radiator leaking coolant into the transmission fluid. Repair back in May 2013 with approx. Mileage 68000. Now vehicle has about 75000. Driving home from dinner with wife in moderate traffic. Herd a clunk and car would not accelerate. Barely made it home. I let vehicle cool down and removed the radiator cap and found thick cream like fluid which is a definite sign of oil based fluid contaminated with water / glycol. Seems to me that Nissan did not replace or fix the leaking radiator. Driving a vehicle that behaves in this manner can not be safe to drive. Back to the shop (dealer) tomorrow.
While driving the vehicle had a sudden loss of power and the service engine light came on. A local Nissan dealer has informed me that due an apparent known issue for this vehicle a total failure of the transmission has occurred. The needed repairs estimate is $7,800 for a new transmission, radiator and electronic components.
This Pathfinder is experiencing a failure with the transmission oil cooler / radiator assembly and is within the 10 year period specified by the extended warranty but is beyond the 100,000 mile limit. Due to the nature of this defect, the severity of this failure, the repetitive nature of the failures and the limited or missing failure warning signs, I believe that an investigation is warranted. Extending a warranty for a short period of time a limited mileage that most consumers breeze through in a few years in order to avoid a recall is not good for repeat business or safety. Nissan settled a class action lawsuit where it identified the defective radiator, but capped the warranty at 10 years/100,000 miles. Whether or not the incident happened at 10,000 miles, or 200,000 miles, it is still a manufacture defect, not caused by the consumer. Simply extending the warranty coverage for the radiator without warning consumers of the consequences to the transmission only makes sense to me if Nissan is looking to cut their losses. Why didn't Nissan warn consumers that the transmission could fail very quickly as a result of a cracked cooler tube" how many consumers must needlessly suffer transmission failures in busy intersections and on busy, congested highways before Nissan does the ethical thing and issues a safety recall" this defect need not be left on the consumer's shoulders, and could very easily cause safety issues for the owner.
Vehicle would not start. After examining what may be the problem it was found that the engine coolant and transmission fluid had mixed due to a defective oil cooler inside the radiator that caused the valve body in the transmission to fail that controls starting and transmission shifts. Vehicle was towed by transmission shop for a compete overhaul including a new valve body. Cost of repairs total was $3074 dollars. Transmission shop installed an external transmission cooler and stated they were having to make these repairs on a number of these Nissan for this defect.
Dealership states that transmission needs to be replaced as well as radiator due to manufacture defect. Repair not allowed under warranty due to mileage. Told that repair would be $10,000.
Car loses power, shutters, has high RPM without acceleration, skips gears, stalls. Had radiator replaced ($1,200), but didn't solve the problem. Was told a new transmission is needed due to coolant mixing with transmission fluid and damaging transmission and components ($4,500).
2007 Nissan Pathfinder with 86K miles. Vehicle began hesitating when traveling 40 mph on highway, then loss of power sometimes. The car began to overheat. Took it to a mechanic who told me that it was the transmission and radiator. Cooler line had failed and mixed with transmission. I called Nissan and was told that they extended the warranty to 100K but I would have to pay $2500 out of pocket. Learned of a class action lawsuit in 2012. Nissan never notified me of the transmission problem. If they had notified me on time, I would still be under the 80K warranty. I have no money to fix my car and now I'm stuck paying for a car that I can't drive.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Kapolei, HI, USA