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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
87,689 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.
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 55 mph with the cruise control activated, the rpms accelerated and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart on the first attempt, but the gears failed to shift. The vehicle was towed home. It was diagnosed that the transmission was flooded with water and the radiator needed to be replaced. The radiator was replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 179,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the radiator failed and caused coolant to penetrate the transmission. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to have the manufacturer warranted radiator replacement performed; however, the repair did not correct the failure. The radiator coolant penetrated the transmission and caused the engine to overheat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator and the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 40 mph, there was an abnormal vibration to the vehicle. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator fluid leaked into the transmission. The contact was informed that the radiator, transmission, and transmission cooling lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle began to downshift independently and caused the vehicle to lose power. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled on previous occasions when attempting to make turns. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission and radiator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving approximately 45 mph, the transmission seized and the check engine warning light illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator fluid leaked into the transmission, which caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine sensor light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that fluid from the radiator had leaked into the transmission. The transmission and radiator would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,400.
Problem with the radiator and transmission fluid mixing. Told that this happens often with these trucks. Recommended to either have the radiator replaced and double flush the transmission for $1200, or opt to replace both radiator and transmission by Nissan and pay a co-pay of $3000, plus\tax. If this is a problem with these trucks then Nissan should fix their products.
Just got the car last year.. so this year I was driving it and all of a sudden there was a loud knocking noise coming from the car.. took it in to Nissan and they say its because of the trasmission and radiator. The fluid from the radiator have leaked into the trasmission. An estimated cost of $7000. Just cant afford to get it fix right now!
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle began to vibrate and would not accelerate over 50 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where the contact was informed that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. Updated 03/31/14
Transmission oil in radiator, cause car to over heat. Most likely need new transmission and radiator. Just over Nissan 100,000 mile warranty and they won't cover the replacement. And if the would want me to pay 3,000 out of my pocket for a know defective part. I feel this needs to be recall and Nissan expense and fix my car.
My problem started with my 2005 Pathfinder over a year ago, I went to the Nissan dealer they told me that I need to drop off my vehicle for them to fix it I asked if Nissan covering it they said no I have to pay $2,500. This is not my fault it's their problem. Why do I have to pay for them to correct their problem with a radiator leaking and messing up the transmission?
2005 Nissan Pathfinder. Consumer states problem with vehicle transmission the consumer stated while driving, the check engine light illuminated, as well as the 4-wheel drive light. The vehicle started hesitating. When the consumer called the dealer, they advised her to open the gas tank, to see if a puff of air came out. Once she told them no, she put the vehicle in drive and it would not move, she then put it in reverse, and it still did not move, . the dealer then advised her to disconnect the battery for a half hour. She reconnected the battery and drove around the block and it stalled. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. An inspection revealed a problem with the transmission. The dealer stated a gasket between the radiator broke and anti-freeze leaked into the transmission. The dealer informed the consumer, it would cost $6,000 for the repairs.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving up an incline approximately 25 mph, the transmission began to slip with extreme hesitation and the rpms increased rapidly. The failure occurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized however the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated there was a crack in the radiator which caused damage to the transmission. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
I was traveling on interstate I-95-N near exit 7 at a high rate of speed, my transmission failed due to a crack(fault )in the radiator assembly unit. As I attempted to exit the interstate while losing speed, I was almost rear ended by a tractor trailer and hit by another car. Eventually, after coasting down hill to an intersection of center of new england/ new london turnpike, had to get out and push the vehicle with help from other persons to nearest service station. Nissan extended warranty on radiator assembly unit to 8yr/80,000. I have 6yrs+/92000, took extremely good care of this vehicle and am now being told I need to pay $6,500 to fix vehicle (while I still owe $12,000). Should have been a recall before someone gets killed (if not already) and /or the warranty should be offered for at least 120,000 miles. What a poor attempt to cover up an obvious design flaw, while trying to hide from their obvious liabilities for this situation.
2005 Nissan Pathfinder. Took off out of parking garage, car lost power (wouldn't accelerate) and the service engine soon light came on. Took car to independent shop who advised that the computer code they were receiving from the car was a manufacturer code and I would have to take it to the dealer. Took car to dealer and was told that radiator had failed and caused the coolant and transmission fluids to mix, resulting in damage to the transmission. Recommended repair was replacement of radiator and transmission with an estimate of $5,200. I bought car at 48,000 miles from the dealership as a Nissan-certified pre-owned vehicle. I've had multiple problems including replacing the fuel sending unit as well as a catalytic converter. The car had 115,000 miles at the time of the incident and I contacted Nissan to request assistance with the cost of the repairs but was denied any help.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that when driving 40 mph or above, the engine would flood, causing the vehicle to hesitate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was advised to the contact that radiator fluid was leaking into the transmission and causing the transmission to fail. The dealer stated this is a known problem, but the manufacturer was not going to cover the cost of the repair unless the vehicle had been serviced by a dealer for all maintenance issues in the past. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 110,000.
First time- transmission failed- new one installed under extended warranty- has gone bad again last week- they tell me the coolant is leaking into the transmission and has ruined it, the gas tank needs replacing, new radiator, new catalytic converter, new U-joints for the second time. My extended warranty has expired- they are telling me that I need $8000 worth of repairs to fix the problems. That is more than the vehicle is worth with 155,000 miles on it!!! please help.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Alberquerque, NM, USA