For earlier Pathfinder model years (2005-2008), a defect in the radiator allows engine coolant to leak into the transmission. However this defect doesn't appear to affect Pathfinders from 2009 & later. Nissan did include the 2009-2010 models when they extended their radiator warranty on 2005-2010 Pathfinders to 8 years/80,000 miles in response to the transmission defect.
6.0
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$580
Average Mileage:
86,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
replaced radiator so fluids would not mix and ruin transmission (1 reports)
Bought my '09 Pathfinder in late summer (8/15) with 85,000 miles. Had done my homework before purchase so I knew about the radiator/transmission snafu. Tried to get this repair covered by Nissan as, clearly, the intervention was a more "cost effective" preventative action (<$600) than waiting for the transmission to go (>$3,000). No support form Nissan but I elected to do the repair anyway because I already had a loan on the truck and could not afford a transmission failure on top of that. I still think this repair should have been covered and I would pursue any action to get it reimbursed. This issue with the fluids was a known, and ridiculous, design flaw with catastrophic results. I've never owned a Nissan before but, right out the gate, I'm not feeling impressed with their responsiveness to customer service issues, especially when the responsibility for the issue rests so clearly with them.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Bought my '09 Pathfinder in late summer (8/15) with 85,000 miles. Had done my homework before purchase so I knew about the radiator/transmission snafu. Tried to get this repair covered by Nissan as, clearly, the intervention was a more "cost effective" preventative action (<$600) than waiting for the transmission to go (>$3,000). No support form Nissan but I elected to do the repair anyway because I already had a loan on the truck and could not afford a transmission failure on top of that. I still think this repair should have been covered and I would pursue any action to get it reimbursed. This issue with the fluids was a known, and ridiculous, design flaw with catastrophic results. I've never owned a Nissan before but, right out the gate, I'm not feeling impressed with their responsiveness to customer service issues, especially when the responsibility for the issue rests so clearly with them.
- colorado22, Longmont, CO, US