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.
I purchased my 2005 Pathfinder new and have always taken exceptional care of this vehicle. I faithfully kept up with the required routine maintenance at a Nissan dealership. As a stay-a-home mom, the vehicle was not used daily; after 12 years it only has 85,000 miles. My paint is also peeling ... first, the rain channels on the roof; then, the pillars along the windshield; and now the driver front fender. My vehicle is also blue, which seems to be the common color for this problem.
When I first noticed the problem a few years ago, I brought to the attention of the Nissan dealership that has been servicing the vehicle since I purchased it. They told me it was "normal" wear and tear and there was nothing they could do about it ... except repaint the vehicle at my expense.
I am now in the market for a new vehicle. I love owning an SUV and have narrowed my choice to three vehicles, NONE OF WHICH ARE A NISSAN. FOR THIS VERY REASON, I WILL NEVER CONSIDER PURCHASING ANOTHER NISSAN VEHICLE!!
My 2005 Pathfinder was bought new, it has 79000 miles now. I went to car washers regularly. For the first 9 years it was keep inside a garage. The paint is chipping and getting rust on hood, roof, inside the hood side fenders. For a $30000.00/+ vehicle, nissan did a bad job with all the recalls, issues and now paint problem that I am having on this SUV. I wish that they would put up a recall for this issue. I won't be buying another nissan vehicle. I will be checking around for $$$ to fix it.
Paint is peeling off all along the luggage rack on top of vehicle. I've read all over the internet many, many other Pathfinder owners with same problem. My truck is now 10 years old. Waxed so often, that when parked next to my ONE year old Toyota (yes Nissan Corp, never another one from you!) with the SAME color - White - family and friends literally cannot see any degradation between the tow. Oh, except for the fact the Nissan is peeling off all along the roof line. I've heard many others get on other areas of the Pathfinder as well, such as the wheel wells. And Nissan Corp is refusing to take ANY responsibility for it. For ANY of it. So what else is new. Apparently Trust, Commitment, Honor, and Corporate Ethics are NOT something that comes Standard; Doesn't come with the Upgrade. Hell, is NOT even an Extended Option; Of any kind... on the vehicles they sell. Not even from the up sell guy in the closing room. So, now that's saying something. Sigh!
After reviewing more than several complaints, I've decided to add my complaint as well. I purchased my white 2005 Nissan Pathfinder in August of 2012. The vehicle had approximately 78,000 miles when purchased. Within the first month of owning while at the car wash, paint from the A Pillars/windshield starting flaking off. Since then the problem has worsen to gutters on the roof, both front doors and the right front fender. It's ridiculous how easily the paint is chipping/flaking off. And it isn't like it's just small little flakes. I would describe it as huge chunks of paint flying off, therefore I have to be very careful when washing it as to not make it worse, which doesn't seem to help all that much!
How can this not be a factory defect when so many people are complaining of the same issue? I live in northern California where the weather cannot be an issue or a contributing factor to this matter. I have been a long time and loyal Nissan owner, but am at my wits end and unless I receive some assistance (Nissan needs to repaint my vehicle!), I will more than likely start owning Toyotas. Hopefully more customers with the same problem will post complaints about this issue!
The paint started peeling on one roof rain gutter, wasn't too big a deal but has not gotten really bad. The other gutter is doing the same thing. Then noticed under the hood the top of the fender where bolts to the body is peeling - this area receives NO weather effect. Now the pillars around the windshield are peeling. Have taken to 4 body shops and all say it is a defective paint job. All 2005 Pathfinders are built in Tennessee, not overseas. I speculate that either they had an issue with this paint color, as the other photos are of blue vehicles, or there was an issue on the assembly line the day these were made. Maybe the primer coat was contaminated so the paint did not adhere properly. Nissan would know full well if this happened as their manufacture records would indicate if there was a problem.
Can the other people with this problem please post photos and if possible find the manufacture date of their vehicle and VIN if possible- I am assuming these are all 2005 Pathfinders here. If there is a link between vehicles then it would make it harder for Nissan to dispute and we could all benefit.
This is the second major problem I have had, the first was the cross contamination issue which set me back $5000!! I decided to keep the truck thinking that it will serve me well...now I wish I had sold it. I do like this truck, it was designed very well, but these serious issues and the way Nissan shirks any responsibility has left me extremely p__d off.
I went to the dealership to see how this issue could be resolved. They told me that paint was not covered under the warranty and since I do not usually go to their dealership to do the maintenance work that they would have to charge me. What kind of excuse is that?!!
I contacted Nissan Corporation and they blamed it on where I live, Washington state. They replied it wasn't under warranty and they would not cover it. I then took it to the dealership. They told me to get 3 estimates. Which I did and all three estimates said it was a factory defect and the repair costs would be around 6,300 dollars in damage because of the work they had to do. The truck is a good truck but the company does not stand behind their product. Therefore I would not recommend anyone to buy a Nissan product. (Angry and upset)
Update from Oct 7, 2015: I just found out my truck is made in, the state of Tennessee. If this helps anyone. At 146,000 miles. Transmission just started to leak coolant from the engine. Along with paint chipping. They will not cover anything. It's all out of pocket. Something can be done. I calling a reporter from a news channel, with all my information. To everyone good luck. I'm still in the fight.
Same as the other Pathfinder owners. All of a sudden the paint is chipping off the roof gutters and the windshield rails. I also noticed the hood is ready to start peeling. It doesn't look like Nissan did a primary coat. I will not buy another Nissan (this was my second) if they don't fix this problem.
Paint peeling off right front windshield rail, both roof racks and now edges of hood. Called Nissan Corp and they had me take it to dealer for evaluation. Dealer said it looks
Ike delamination and sent an estimate for repair to Nissan. Nissan Corp said they could not cover it because the car is out of warranty. Interestingly enough, I have seen other Pathfinders in the area with the same problem. Wish more people would come forward to report this problem!
I talked to my autobody shop. They said my Pathfinder had been painted before. This was shocking to me as I purchased the car new from Mossey Nissan in San Diego. I was not informed of any rework done to the car.
The entire left front end and top rails on both sides of the car have been repainted (and not well according to the body shop). The paint is continuing to peel off the hood, the sides of the windshield and both sides of the top of the SUV by the rails. Car now has 70,000 miles and other than the paint peeling off it, looks brand new.
Still investigating if Nissan will take care of this problem. I think I got suckered when I purchased my Pathfinder. Seems as though my auto has been in accident and repaired prior to purchase without any notification to my prior or post purchase. My SUV also has a post market grill, which I was told was an "upgrade". I am now questioning the reason as to why - I think a front end collision took replace and I was not informed.
AT 44000 MILES MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER'S PAINT BEGAN SPONTANEOUSLY PEELING OFF--FIRST WAS THE PANEL THAT GOES OVER THEPASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE--AND NOW IT IS PEELING OFF OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE PANEL THAT GOES OVER THE WINDOWS---NISSAN REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PAINT JOB. I WILL CERTAINLY NEVER BUY A CAR FROM NISSAN EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!
The paint is seriously peeling off of my 2005 Pathfinder. Until now, I have loved this car but I am now thinking about trading it in. The lady at the dealership said that it was rare and I believed that until I did some research and saw so many people with the same problem. I also called 1-800-Nissan1 and the case rep told me it was highway wear and there was nothing they could do. I really need advice on where to go from here. PLEASE, someone help!
Just another chink in the body armour of this vehicle.It just doesnt stop.From day one it has been one thing after another with this vehicle.The only plus side is that I don't have to deal with Nissan anymore since the warranty ran out.
Just wanted to voice that those suffering this problem are not alone. I will be calling Nissan this week and touching base with the dealer, just to make note that im not impressed. I did not notice the problem till after I purchased the vehicle, and only now have I come across this site and the images below from a previous poster.
My paint on the roof on the edges of the rain channels are just like the ones in the images from the poster below. And my front right fender is starting to peel... and from the noted images I can only guess where its going to go from there.
My husband bought me a 05 Nissan pathfinder back in Feb. of this year. It is a great suv. Our only problem is the paint chipping. It is around the windshield (A rails) and on the top around the roof rails and a small spot on the bumper. I have shown this to lots of dealers as well as repair shops.All are saying the same thing, defect! I have contacted Nissan (1-800-NISSAN-1) We went to the dealer they took pics and sent them to the regional specialist. With in 5 mins she said theirs nothing they can do until enough people come out and say they to have this problem! Then just maybe, their will be some kind of recall to fix this problem. So please if you have this problem contact Nissan!! (1-800-NISSAN-1)
I noticed paint peeling off just before my three year anniversary of owning the vehicle and just before I hit 60,000 miles. The front side passenger panel appeared to bubble from underneath the paint, cracking the paint and leading to subsequent peeling along the entire panel. I began to inspect the entire car and noticed fine chips in the paint along the edges of each panel (including along the top-see picture) and at random places all over. I battled the issue with Nissan for over a month. Long story short, they stated it was not covered under the warranty, but would help me with a payment plan to re-paint the car. I asked for a second opinion, and then a third as I felt it was a bad paint job. I was told that there was a problem with how the metal was "treated" (I don't know if my terminology is correct) which is why the paint will not "stick". I could pay to have it re-painted, however it will most likely not-adhere and I will have to paint it again in the future. I ended up having it re-painted in the areas where the paint was coming off; however less than a year later it was peeling again. I still own the vehicle and will not pay to have it painted it again.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I purchased my 2005 Pathfinder new and have always taken exceptional care of this vehicle. I faithfully kept up with the required routine maintenance at a Nissan dealership. As a stay-a-home mom, the vehicle was not used daily; after 12 years it only has 85,000 miles. My paint is also peeling ... first, the rain channels on the roof; then, the pillars along the windshield; and now the driver front fender. My vehicle is also blue, which seems to be the common color for this problem.
When I first noticed the problem a few years ago, I brought to the attention of the Nissan dealership that has been servicing the vehicle since I purchased it. They told me it was "normal" wear and tear and there was nothing they could do about it ... except repaint the vehicle at my expense.
I am now in the market for a new vehicle. I love owning an SUV and have narrowed my choice to three vehicles, NONE OF WHICH ARE A NISSAN. FOR THIS VERY REASON, I WILL NEVER CONSIDER PURCHASING ANOTHER NISSAN VEHICLE!!
- Diane T., Middleboro, US