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:
5 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
106,216 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 check engine light came on in the vehicle the night before. Vehicle was taken to the Nissan service dealership the next day-June 5, 2013-for a diagnosis. Was told the coolant had leaked into the transmission and ruined it. Both the radiator and the transmission will need to be replaced. Was told by the mechanic that Nissan will not pay for any part of the repairs due to being over 100,000 miles. The odometer has 103,000 miles, only 3,000 miles over the limit. This is manufacturer's defect and should be repaired by Nissan, free of charge. After further investigation, discovered that thousands of owners 2005-2010 Pathfinders, X-terras, frontiers and armadas have experienced the same exact issue. The cost for my repair is $6300! Nissan needs to be investigated and the total repair costs refunded to the owners! this is an enormous hardship for this family and all who have experienced this fiasco!
The 2005 Nissan Pathfinder's transmission started to slip and engine speed would dip and vehicle would feel as though it was attempting to shift into a non existent gear at speed. Several weeks after this started to happen a notification was received in the mail pertaining to the coolant leaking into the transmission oil. After having replacing the radiator and flushing the transmission and replacing transmission oil, the transmission is continuing to slip. Awaiting word from Nissan North America to replace or fix this known issue.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel continuously. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that there was a combination of both the transmission fluid and coolant leaking together, which could cause damage to the transmission. The manufacturer offered an extended warranty associated with a manufacturer's voluntary recall related to the transmission. The vehicle was ineligible due to the excessive mileage. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 119,072....updated 07-10-13
Driving down interstate and vehicle started slipping wouldn't take gear had to coast off to the side of the road had to have vehicle towed into station serviceman said that radiator leaked into transmission and damaged the transmission had to have both transmission and radiator replaced the man at the station said that was the sixth vehicle that he had to do the same repairs too same make and model said that Nissan had a recall on this make and model for a defect.
I felt a grinding nose while shifted and I stop and took the car to a dealer Nissan and the find out a problem from transmission/ radiator. There was a recall for a faulty radiator who leaks into the transmission that cause the problem and I should pay for the repair on my own. I find out that Nissan knows that problem never sent me a recall for that and I bought the car new I serviced it and all the maintenance at a dealership no word I should change the radiator. The same thing happens to me with my 2002 Altima.
- Huntington Station, NY, USA
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2005 Nissan Pathfinder. Consumer writes in regards to transmission failure. The dealer informed the consumer they would replace the transmission at a cost of $4,000
I started off at an intersection in heavy traffic where I live in atlanta, ga. My truck would not move. The engine revved when given gas but would not go forward. I was in panic mode because of the traffic and I had my family in the car. I was told by a Nissan rep that radiator fluid is leaking into my transmission fluid and causing it to fail. He said eventually it will fail for good. These vehicles need to be recalled by Nissan!!!!!!! this is a known issue and is very dangerous!! this must be addressed before someone loses a life at the hands of a faulty transmission!. also this is a very expensive repair for me. Please do something!!
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated that the radiator and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage 105,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated and the gears made a grinding noise while shifting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the radiator had fractured and caused coolant to mix with the transmission fluid. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 84,000.
I am reporting about my Nissan Pathfinder 2005, suddenly stopped driving on 85-N after existing the freeway yesterday (05/28/2013) around 1:30 pm and it was not moving at all and we were shocked and almost hit from behind and their was a lot of traffic. We were lucky it didn't stopped on the freeway, since it was busy day. With me in the car were, my wife, 3 children, youngest been 1 year old and with my sister-in law.. when traffic was backed, we got assistance from the hero and he moved us from the exit and later we towed the car to the mechanic shop and we found out it has a transmission problem. I saw an advert ( North Carolina consumer council) and we reported to them too before someone is killed. Please advise us what to do next.
I have only had this vehicle for a year. I noticed the transmission started sputtering when I got to about 40 or 50 mph. I had it taken in to see what the problem was and they told me the radiator failed and leaked into the transmission and both had to be replaced. Luckily I was not on the road with my children in the car when this thing decided to fail.
I took my truck to the Nissan dealership for them to tell me that my transmission fluid and radiator fluids have mixed and that I need to replace both of them. After doing some research I found out that this has been a problem with this truck since around 2007. I called Nissan and asked them what do they plan to do to help me get my truck fixed and they told due to the miles that they couldn't help me. I
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while at the dealer for routine maintenance the technician advised that the radiator would have to be replaced. After the replacement of the radiator, the contact was parked when the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the technician stated that the transmission would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and the transmission slipped out of gear. All of the instrument panel warning lights illuminated when the failure occurred. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer stated that the relay pack malfunctioned and the transmission was defective due radiator fluid leaking into the transmission. There was also transmission fluid that leaked into the radiator. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Transmission started chugging took it to the repair shop the next day and they showed me I have engine coolant in the transmission and that it would be 5000 to repair. Told me I was the 6th Nissan that has been in his shop in the last month with the same problem!!
My wife was on way home. As she slowed and turned into driveway car just stopped pulling. It was like it was in 5th gear. Had to accelerate hard to just get into driveway. Parked and shut it off. After inspection I found trans fluid looked milky. Searched web and found that hundreds of others had experienced this. I hoped I had caught it early enough not to have damaged transmission. I replaced radiator, thermostat, trans filter and fluids. No help...... still doesn't pull. Does have nice clean fluids in it now.
Having the same problem that the Nissan put out a recall for. An alarming number of Nissan xterra, Pathfinder and frontier owners are stepping forward with stories about their cracked radiators which are causing coolant to leak into the transmission. Once mixed with the transmission fluid this lethal combination kills the valves, seals and torque converter -- rendering your entire transmission useless. This issue is currently contained to the 2005 - 2007 model years, but we're keeping our eyes open for reports from other years.
I have been notified by my mechanic, that there is transmission fluid in both my radiator and coolant system. Thought I'm thankful that no incident has happened yet, in doing research I have heard of many Nissan Pathfinder 2005-2010 owners having the same issues with their vehicles. Some have even reported repair costs in excess of $3000 for transmission failure repairs. I am getting mixed information as to what my options are in regard to a class action suite against Nissan. I need some clarity in this issue before I find myself in an unfavorable situation.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the transmission started to exhibit a loud noise when shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the technician diagnosed that the radiator fluid leaked into the transmission. As a result, the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 99,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hope, RI, USA