CarComplaints.com Notes: While there are fewer "radiator leaked into transmission" complaints for the 2008 model year, they are starting to pile up. Buyer beware.

Nissan has extended their radiator warranty on 2005-2010 Pathfinders to 8 years/80,000 miles. However the average mileage for transmission failure for earlier model years is 95,000 miles, which conveniently (for Nissan) is just past the limit of their extended warranty. Owners beware.

9.1

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,940
Average Mileage:
118,800 miles
Total Complaints:
81 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace radiator & transmission (68 reports)
  2. not sure (8 reports)
  3. no solution. transmission and radiator must be replaced (5 reports)
  4. install external cooler (1 reports)
2008 Nissan Pathfinder transmission problems

transmission problem

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2008 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #61

Sep 282016

Pathfinder SL 6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

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

BOUGHT THIS AUTO NEW AND WAS GARAGE KEPT. LOOKS NEW. NO DENTS AND INTERIOR IS PERFECT. WHEN RADIATOR BLEW HAD A NEW RADIATOR INSTALLED; MOTOR FLUSH AND NEW COOLANT. A MONTH LATER TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. INSTALLED A RE-MANNED TRANSMISSION FROM NISSAN; HAD MOTOR FLUSHED AND NEW COOLANT AGAIN. SO FAR SO GOOD. BUT LITTLE CONFIDENCE IN CAR NOW.

- William P., Richlands, VA, US

problem #60

Nov 072016

Pathfinder LE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,550 miles

Takata Recall ?? The 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND BREAKDOWN DUE TO COOLANT LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. Purchased pre-owned with NOTHING listed on Car facts (Carfax), or with ANY advisement to the issues with radiator coolant leaking into transmission. After a $1,017 bill from Aamco for a diagnostic to find the issue, (in which they had to pull the transmission and inspect it was damaged due to fluid from radiator getting inside compromising transmission seals) I discovered, online, this ongoing well know problem..Called Nissan North America and discovered my vehicle was covered under the 100K mileage (94955 actual) and good through 8-2017, from a previous filed complaint or class action, not sure which. However, Apparently I only qualify for a co/pay of $3,000 on a vehicle valued at tops, $7,500. Needless to say I would have never Purchased this vehicle, had I known this was an issue. I have been in touch with my bank, the dealership I purchased it from, and Nissan North America and No one is willing to assist. I suppose I will contact my Attorney at this point (lemon law, Tort Laws, something) because I cant' seem to find anyone understanding to me, the Consumer, whom is not at fault on this deal for help. I am extremely Unhappy that Nissan Has allowed this to happen. They should at least put a carfax warning or something to notify potential buyers or owners of this problem. I understand that parts get worn and go bad, however, this in NOT something that I have neglected to fix, maintain, check, or anything. This is a bad part/design flaw in the coolant system and should in all rights be fixed at 100% by Nissan. BEWARE.

- Robert W., Valley Center, KS, US

problem #59

Sep 012016

Pathfinder SE 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 197,211 miles

unbelievable....last payment on the car is next month and ive heard its gonna cost over 3k to fix this problem. This is pathetic! My 3rd nissan and i will not and everyone i speak to will not buy a nissan again!!

- christoland, Campbell, TX, US

problem #58

Sep 082016

Pathfinder SL 6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

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

COOLANT IN RADIATOR CRACKED AND I REPLACED IT WITH A NEW RADIATOR APPOXIMATELY 90 DAYS AGO. NOW THE NEW RADIATOR HAS CRACKED BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS BLOWN UP DUE TO THE WATER/TRANSMISSION MIXING. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS.

- William P., Richlands, VA, US

problem #57

Apr 172015

Pathfinder LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE. I had to replace tranny and just had to spend $600 for the hoses to radiator. The cost for parts and lack of warranty when you go to NISSAN is criminal

- Beth B., Stony Point, NY, US

problem #56

Jul 152016

Pathfinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,067 miles

Bought this Pathfinder used from Browns Chevrolet in 2015. It didn't last a year and I was never told by them about the service bulletin that was out. My daughter needed this car for college. She now has 4yrs left on loan and needs to sink another 4 or 5 grand in to car or have no car. How does Nissan get away with designing this faulty transmission/cooling system and not be held liable for the extreme cost of the repair. Great example of the greed from the Nissan Corporation and the used car lot and why this country is in a downward spiral when corporations are not held accountable for there shady products. Beginning to believe there are no honest sales men left in the world. This really sucks and my poor daughter dosen't have any options to fix her used un-recalled Nissan Pathfinder!

- zarg12345, Oakdale, NY, US

problem #55

Jun 052016

Pathfinder SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

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

Purchased car as 'certified used' in 2011 with approximately 26-27,000 miles. Car hasn't run 'smoothly' for a while, but we drive hilly roads, so kinda expected the rough idle. Driving from WV to Chicago, IL while pulling off interstate for gas/food, car did a serious chugg/missing while downshifting and slowing down on off ramp. Car continued running, so, we did too. Only noticed issue very sporadically, mostly on accelerating from a stop. On returning home, starting doing research. Oh oh. Problem is getting worse. Took to dealer and got the response everyone else is getting. 'internal radiator failure resulting in Now researching other non-dealer shops. Car is running still, but problem is there. Looking at $3000 new transmission/radiator repair. We've added the complaint to all the recommended sites. Was pretty satisfied with purchase until this issue, no major repairs or issues. Was even looking into another Pathfinder/Xterra for college student. Not anymore!!!

- Robert S., Wheeling, WV, US

problem #54

May 312016

Pathfinder SE 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,500 miles

As many others have stated, my 2008 Pathfinder's radiator crack lead to transmission failure, luckily I bought an extend warranty on this vehicle when I purchased it. Owned the vehicle less than 30 days. Hard to believe the dealer did not know any of this was taking place with the vehicle but, it was driving fine when I test drove it.

All replacement and repairs have been covered by my warranty company. I am left with $100 deductible and sales tax.

Even with the cost of repairs being covered I wish I had chosen another vehicle. My fear is that I will continue to have problems with this model.

- Tyler L., Charlotte, NC, US

problem #53

May 032016

Pathfinder S 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 156,000 miles

I've been without my vehicle for over a month as parts are on back order. My Pathfinder is one of two at the shop waiting on same part. I picked this garage as the other garage that is familiar with the problem had three waiting on parts. Thankfully, I was in my own driveway when the shutdown occurred. I'm sure it would have been an safety issue if I were in traffic, as it just simply stopped moving.

- Dusti K., Ruffs Dale, PA, US

problem #52

Jul 152015

Pathfinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

Nissan Dealer wanted nothing to do with Warranty Work covering the cost after 105,000 miles

- Arthur S., Milford, CT, US

problem #51

May 132016

Pathfinder SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

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

My vehicle is a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder SE with 68,000 miles. Purchased new in Oct 2007. Have taken it to the same dealership we purchased it from for all routine maintenance, oil changes, state inspections, etc. Never had any major problems until recently. Over the past several months, the vehicle would shudder occasionally (usually while accelerating at low speed).

Today (13 May 2016, Friday the 13th) we took it to a local garage that we trust wholeheartedly due to past experience with our other vehicles to let them check it out. Unfortunately, they informed us that coolant was getting into the transmission fluid through a leak in the radiator. After some research, I have discovered that Nissan has known about this issue since 2007. Why didn't the dealership that's been doing all of our service and repairs keep an eye out for this potential problem.

Apparently there was a class-action settlement that extended coverage for service that is needed to fix this problem AFTER IT HAPPENS. Guess what. The 8yr/80,000 extension for repairs to be done at no cost to me expired last October. That's just 7 months past the mark. Now, I fall into the 9yr/90,000 window which means I have a copay of $2500. Totally, totally UNACCEPTABLE. I bought the vehicle assuming Nissan would back their product if defects were discovered.

Shame on me for thinking that Nissan was a reputable manufacturer. It's all about the bottom line and what's good for the shareholders, customers be damned. So now I have to pay to fix Nissan's faulty engineering and/or poor quality control on their parts suppliers. OK Nissan, you may have gotten me with this one this time, but I will now be looking at other manufacturers for any new vehicles I buy in the future. GOOD-BYE Nissan.

- Keith R., Fairfield, PA, US

problem #50

Sep 102014

Pathfinder SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,500 miles

Never buy Nissan products again. Dealers, Nissan company are pushing customers around.

- neverbuynissanever, Chicopee, MA, US

problem #49

Mar 282016

Pathfinder S 4.0L, V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,000 miles

Nissan is a crooked, criminal company who KNEW about the severity of this problem back in 2012 when they settled a class action lawsuit. The settlement was complete CRAP and didn't cover cars over 100K miles. Yet, that's typically when most vehicle owners started to experience problems! The repairs would have cost us over $5,000! We are having to "junk" the car and buy something new. Nissan should have RECALLED this system and done the RIGHT thing. We will NEVER buy another Nissan.

- Nikki M., Huntington Beach, CA, US

problem #48

Apr 082016

Pathfinder ES 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,454 miles

WARNING !!! Loyal Nissan customers are getting screwed! I have a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder 86000 miles. Just found out the radiator is cracked and leaked into the transmission causing $4,500 in damage! Was unaware ( as are many other Nissan owners) that this is a prevalent problem and Nissan already settled a class action suit regarding this malfunction but it is too late for me to file. I missed 1 payment and Nissan was all over my ass but they could care less about this problem facing Nissan owners. What a joke!! From now on its HONDA FOR ME !

- Robert M., Whitestone, NY, US

problem #47

Mar 062016

Pathfinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,900 miles

This almost cost me my job because I had no ride to work. I have been begging ride for two week.

- Georgia F., Port Saint Lucie, FL, US

problem #46

Feb 032016

Pathfinder SDN 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

I think its absolutely a disgrace, that Nissan knows of this problem as a result of a default that they made, and customers who came to them in good faith to buy a product they are providing, are unwilling to stand behind it. Screwing us out of thousands of dollars at no fault of our own. This just happened to me, and in a matter of 2 conversations, I found out this same thing happened to my brother in law. Small world? I don't think so. I think this is such a prevalent problem and it is sickening to me that Nissan doesn't cover this at 100 percent no matter what. I will never buy another Nissan, and I will share this story with absolutely everyone who will listen. Eventually, if you don't stand behind your products you will lose out and people will go elsewhere.

- Megan R., Shippensburg, PA, US

problem #45

Sep 192015

Pathfinder LE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,500 miles

Nissan will pay for repairs on a tiered arrangement for the known problem of the radiator failing and causing fluid to mix with the transmission fluid which will then cause transmission failure. The repair cost is $3800; however, they refuse to pay $485 to install an external cooler which will prevent the problem from occuring.

- Vernon L., Whitsett, NC, US

problem #44

Oct 022015

Pathfinder S 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,000 miles

We all hear about car issues and recalls which I consider normal in some cases because we don,t live in a perfect world. But when a company knows of an issue with its vehicle and doesn't warn its customers AND DOESN't admit the responsibility and let it happen ,especially a very costly one that is called a very f*cked up company. Because if I would,ve known to keep an eye on the problem or at least I would.ve replaced the radiator early enough and saved myself a big chunk of money ,where a reputable company at the size of Nissan should've done from the get go and keep a good customer satisfaction rate. Therefore I WON'T BUY NOR RECOMMEND NISSAN TO ANYONE AND I WILL ADVERTISE MY PROBLEM TO EVERYONE AND EVERYWHERE I CAN.

- William S., Pasadena, CA, US

problem #43

Aug 312015

Pathfinder SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,490 miles

Transmission failed due to Nissan Mfg faulty radiator that leaked into transmission. It is a known Nissan issue, class action lawsuit settled but has a copay/deductible of $3000!!!!!

- mojodaddio, Huntington Woods, MI, US

problem #42

Jan 012015

Pathfinder SE 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

I'm f*cking pissed off. I just got finished paying it off in June and now I have to buy a new car. As big as a company Nissan is and they just look the other way with an issue like is absurd. Before this I've owned a Nissan Sentra, Nissan Altima, Nissan Maxima. Never a Nissan again.

- Peter A., Freehold, NJ, US

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