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.

2005 Nissan Pathfinder drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2005 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 7 of 23)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #330

Dec 102013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 90,467 miles

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

The car been great until on December 2013. I was driving back home from work and I notice the car at the time of shifting from first to second has having a hard shifting, then later I spend around 450 for the transmission service, the car was shifting better but not perfect, then on July this year. After having a short trip and turning off the engine and then on again to go to the next destination, the car at the time of finishing the starting the transmission kick a bad noise and even the car jumps, today I went to the dealer and explain my problems and show the kicking the service advisor told me I have the choice to pay 3000 to get a new transmission and radiator, they know we have the problems with this transmissions and they didn't call for a recall that's bad. I have only 96350 miles and still 4900 to pay for it. Nissan is not making good business in America, please help us.

- San Pedro, CA, USA

problem #329

Aug 302014

Pathfinder

  • 167,000 miles
The transmission in my 2005 Nissan Pathfinder has failed. My son was in a very dangerous situation on a busy street and this problem jeopardized his life.the vehicle basically stopped in the middle of a turn onto a busy street. The defective transmission/radiator breakdown is a serious situation and a known issue with these vehicles. My radiator fluid leaked into the transmission and failed. The amount to repair this vehicle and make this a safe vehicle is more than we can afford....approximately $5300 because the fuel sending unit also failed!! I feel this faulty product should be recalled and necessary repairs made or a reimbursement made by Nissan.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #328

Apr 042013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 96,123 miles
April 2013 (96K) - transmission failed as I was pulling out of my parking space. Transmission and radiator were replaced under the extended warranty offered by Nissan at a co-pay of $3000. February 2014 (105K) - transmission hose ruptured as I was driving on an expressway. I was able to pull off on an exit and park in a lot until a tow truck arrived. March 2014 (105K) - rpms spiking, sluggish acceleration as I was driving on a busy interstate. Transmission was again replaced. August 2014 (109K) - mechanic noticed leaking from transmission hose while replacing brakes. Drove to the dealer and had hose fixed again. September 2014 (109K) - transmission slipped as I was pulling out into traffic from a side street.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #327

Aug 142014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 67,000 miles

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

Check engine light came on, and after bringing vehicle to Nissan dealership, they informed me that due to an internal radiator crack, that engine coolant had leaked into the transmission cooling coils and as a result transmission failure was imminent and that both the radiator and transmission would need to be replaced. Then they indicate that they had extended the original vehicle warranty due to the volume of such failures, and that they would make the necessary repairs for a meager $3,000 "copay". I laughed because I thought he was merely making a joke, but then found out that the joke was on the Nissan customers. Apparently as a result of a class action lawsuit settlement, Nissan had agreed to the warranty extension. What a slap in the face, to say that in lieu of recalling the defective radiator, and making a $500 repair, they decided to roll the dice with their reputation and their customer's wallet on a potential $3,500 to $4,000 repair. What a moron business decision. The second joke came, when I inquired about the warranty on the repair, and they informed me that it was only 12 months or 12,000 miles. What a vote of confidence in their $3,000 repair (copay ??). so for a few bucks more, I can have an independent shop do the repair, and get a better warranty. Insult # 3 came when they offered up, that alternatively, they would discuss buyer assistance on a new Nissan vehicle. They probably heard me laughing in Japan.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #326

Aug 202014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 243,000 miles
Nissan dealership just diagnosed that my radiator was leaking into my transmission. This was problematic because the radiator coolant has damaged the transmission. In April of 2014, I had my 2005 Nissan Pathfinder to the same dealership for the same issue and they had flushed and replaced my transmission fluid.

- Medway, OH, USA

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problem #325

Aug 122014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 102,675 miles
My radiator cracked internally and leaked into my transmission, which destroyed the parts and caused significant damage.

- Spanish Fork, UT, USA

problem #324

Aug 072014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 87,000 miles

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

Radiator failure allowing transmission fluid to mix with antifreeze causing transmission failure. Radiator failure due to crack in transmission cooler. Is manufacturing defect, should be Nissan 's responsibility to fix not the consumer.

- Linwood, NC, USA

problem #323

Aug 022014

Pathfinder

  • 55,630 miles
Engine coolant leaked into transmission causing irreparable damage; requires both the radiator and transmission be replaced. This problem was noticed while driving. The car shudders and there is a heavy vibration while accelerating/shifting. This is a concern as the transmission failure may result in unsafe operation of this vehicle.

- Trappe, PA, USA

problem #322

Aug 012014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 100,212 miles
All of my experience with my transmission failure took place on the road while in heavy traffic which was unsafe and scary July 2014 - present. First, the truck developed a "bucking" movement whenever it was driven. The bucking movement is similar to a car that is trying to shift gears like a manual car, but the transition between gears was not smooth. Gradually and unexpectedly, while driving, the car started making revving noises like a race car, while the speed is only 20mph. The speed dropped and would not accelerate regardless of how hard you are pressing on the gas. To decrease the revving noise you cannot drive above 40mph. As always I rely on the dealership to service my car, and at first the diagnostic test did not show the coolant leaking into the transmission. With more and more test by the Nissan mechanic, there was still no indication by the diagnostic test that shows the increase defect of the transmission. 3 weeks later, after handing over the car for a complete day, the dealership strip the car and ran further diagnostic test which indicated that the transmission failure due to leak from the engine coolant liquid mixing with the transmission fluid leading to an automatic transmission damage. The recommendation by the dealership is to replace the transmission, which would cost $5,000. Remaining payment balance for the car is $1700. Total mileage on the car is 100,200.

- Somerset, NJ, USA

problem #321

May 292014

Pathfinder

  • 83,601 miles
Had a problem with the radiator leaking a couple of years ago. My mechanic told me to put in some fluid that seals up the leak. Worked well for a while. Then this may the transmission started making noises and vibrations. Took it to my mechanic and he tells me that the radiator has leaked into the transmission. About $1,000 to fix it. I say go ahead as what choice do I have. They replace the radiator and flush the transmission about 4 times. About a month later the transmission starts shifting into 4WD by itself and the car won't go anywhere while giving it gas. Turn it off then on and that fixes it. I take it to Nissan because my mechanic shop was closed. I explain my previous repairs and my problem. They tell me about the extended warranty. Ask me if I have a factory or after market radiator installed. I don't know. So I wait until Monday to talk to my original mechanic and they say it was an aftermarket. Nissan says this is a problem and after talking to the dealership and Nissan Consumer Affairs they tell me they can't honor the warranty. I ask them to maybe take a statement from my mechanic that he took out the original factory radiator and replaced it, but they say they need the original which was taken to the scrap yard. Nissan had to replace the accelerator pedal and now I think I will have to replace the transmission. Lesson learned that Nissan does not make good cars. And won't back them up either.

- Bolton, CT, USA

problem #320

Apr 152014

Pathfinder

  • 100,702 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was applied. The vehicle was difficult to shift into gears and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed due to water and anti-freeze entering the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 100,702.

- North Dinwiddie, VA, USA

problem #319

Jun 292014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 82,700 miles
Vehicle began to shudder and shift hard. Then it lost almost all power. Limped home in the dark not knowing if I could get home. Very scary situation. I was lucky that the weather was not severe (excessive heat or cold) as this could have been very dangerous. With children in the car, in a remote area and from what I now understand, the transmission could have actually caught fire, this has the potential to be a real disaster! please review this situation, Nissan needs to be held accountable before someone gets killed!

- Radiant, VA, USA

problem #318

Jun 202014

Pathfinder

  • 110,081 miles
Vehicle stalled. Check engine light displayed. Took vehicle to security Nissan in baltimore, md to get checked out. Was informed by technician "radiator cooler is leaking coolant into automatic transmission". technician recommends transmission assembly, radiator with radiator cap, and flush cooler lines. Extended warranty states repairs are not covered. Total bull! cost of repairs $6000! contacted Nissan to see how they would assist with this problem and was basically told they wouldn't. Nissan Corp was aware of this problem since 2010. This situation could have been resolved with a recall to repair "crack in the radiator assembly leading to internal leakage of engine coolant". what could have been a couple hundred dollars or repairs by Nissan now is a few thousand dollars to consumers because of the neglect from Nissan Corp and many of it's certified dealers to make consumers aware of this problem. We purchased this vehicle in 2011 and not once did the dealer mention that this was a known problem nationwide.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #317

Jul 052014

Pathfinder

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping and that there was a transmission leak. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle was hesitating and stalled on numerous occasions. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed that the radiator and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V142000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #316

Jun 172014

Pathfinder

  • 100,000 miles
Heard a weird sound while driving down the road....then one day I drove my Pathfinder then came home and parked my truck and 3 hour later went to go to store my truck would not go forward. By later that night when the truck cooled down the drove fine... I then took it to a transmission shop and was told coolant was leaking in my transmission...... I have spent 440 dollars so far to get the water out of it...... I pick the Pathfinder up and drove 10 mile down the street and the truck did it again...... it is now back at the transmission shop and being looked at again.

- Petersburg, VA, USA

problem #315

Jun 302014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 90,851 miles
My 2005 Pathfinder started to have this heavy vibration sound while accelerating and a shuddering sound so on June 30th I took it to the dealer who said they didn't hear the sound so he took is and run a check on it and told me that the coolant is leaking into the transmission he then gave me back the truck and said he was going to get in touch with the warranty and called me I as still waiting for that call until my husband research it on the internet and told me to stop driving the vehicle I then took it back to the dealer on July 8th and was told the cost will be $6000 but Nissan was giving me a goodwill program of $3000 so I would have to come up with that other $3000 which I don't have right now so am out of a vehicle they know of the problem since 2012 and did not recall the vehicle, that is a rip off to consumers.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #314

Jun 232014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 115,692 miles
I was driving with my family on the highway when the A/T transmission began vibrating. Then the A/T transmission began slipping out of gear. Was able to coast to a gas station and inspect it. Transmission fluid has been leaking in my coolant tank and reservoir. Coolant has mixed with transmission fluid in the transmission and has caused catastrophic failure as a result.

- Johnson City, TN, USA

problem #313

Jul 202012

Pathfinder

  • 180,000 miles
Stopped at red light once light changed green vehicle would not pull off. Press gas to floor to get vehicle out of the way and crossed the street and pulled off over. Turned vehicle off then turned it on it would drive forward but very slow was able to do this to get to store parking lot to canal for assistance had SUV taken to transmission shop and was told coolant was in the transmission. Updated 1/29/2015

- Madisonville , LA, USA

problem #312

May 092014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 114,515 miles
While driving uphill on the freeway, the transmission in our Nissan began to slip through gears. I had to get towed off the freeway. I took the vehicle to our mechanic and learned the radiator trans cooler was leaking radiator fluid into the automatic transmission system causing cross contamination and failure. Our mechanic flushed the trans system and replaced the radiator. The vehicle transmission operated okay for approx. 3 weeks then began to slip again. Now it will not shift out of first gear. I started checking into this an learned Nissan was facing a class action law suit in 2012 for radiator/trans oil cross contamination issues. There was a deadline on Nissan's settlement in early 2013 where they extended the warranty on the radiator to 100K and would cover subsequent repairs to the trans. My mileage exceeds 100K and I knew noting about the lawsuit back in 2012 and 2013 and did not have a trans problem then. Nissan will do nothing to help. Is there anything I can do besides fork out all this money to have the trans rebuilt.

- Alta Loma, CA, USA

problem #311

May 132010

Pathfinder

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the vehicle vibrated. The contact stated that the vehicle speed was reduced to 20 mph and the vehicle came to a halt. The failure occurred on two separate occasions. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage 144,000.

- Groveland, IL, USA

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