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:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
113,384 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 stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that radiator fluid leaked into the transmission. As a result, the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 134,000.
Hi I brought my 2005 Nissan Pathfinder in December 2012 from kings auto Porsche and the car fax was clear on it. I brought it with 63K miles on it and I now have 90K on it. I never received and paperwork such as any recalls campaigns. About the end of may or first week of June of 2013 my car started to do a vibration and then acted like it wanted to stall and hit real hard into gear. It wasn't till June 14, 2013 that it put me on the side of the road running hot to where I pulled over in 80+ degree weather with my 2 year old son and my 3 month old daughter in the car. I started to search the internet to find a few recalls and many unhappy Nissan customers and find that Nissan has many complaints on the radiator fluid leaking into the transmission causing a milky substances. I knew nothing about any recall and find out that many are very upset with Nissan who isn't fixing this issue after their vehicles hit 80K. I am very unhappy with this issues and feel that Nissan should be responsible for this. Please contact me on my issues. As I will be going higher up and to the media like the rest of your unhappy customers! thank you for your time and looking at my letter.
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.
- East Point, KY, USA
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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.
While driving on a local street in my neighborhood at 35 mph on my way to pick up my son from school, the Pathfinder began to lose power. I press on the gas and the Pathfinder would not go any faster, it was hesitating and seemed like it was going to stop. I made to the mechanic and was told the radiator had leaked into the transmission. The mechanic then advised the radiator and transmission would have to be replaced at a cost of $5828. I am upset and completely in shock when he tells Nissan has an extended warranty however it only covers you up to 100,000 miles. Nissan is aware of this issue and if it happened at 100,000 I would have brought it in for servicing. I paid over 30,000 for the Pathfinder brand new and after eight years this is what I am left with, no recourse?
Lost power, transmission not engaging, was told that it was radiator coolant was leaking in the system. After transmission was replaced after at approximately 27,000 miles same incident happened again.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, a strong burning odor emitted from under the hood and the vehicle lost acceleration power. The contact was able to move the vehicle into a parking area. The contact inspected the vehicle and found smoke. The contact drove the vehicle home. The mechanic inspected the vehicle and found that the radiator failed and caused the radiator fluid to leak into the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 127,525.
I was driving about 40-45 M/H and the car stop accelerating, I took the car to the mechanic and he say it was the transmission($7,000) so I look it up in the internet and a lot of people have the same problem.
During the month of December 2012 I had my Nissan truck serviced. The diagnostic test recommended to replace rear differential fluid, replace cabin air filter, replace windshield wiper blades, air filter, perform engine coolant exchange, transmission fluid exchange, power steering system fluid exchange, perform brake system fluid exchange, and fuel injection. I also had to replace the catalytic converter, which was done by Nissan. I had all of these services performed by the Nissan automotive department. On February 28 2013, my service engine soon light comes on along with sensor light indicating a door is open. However, no doors were open. I take the truck back to Nissan, and they tell me the transmission is about to go out!!!! how is this possible? I have always taken my truck to Nissan to perform the service. I am outraged!!!! all of the service needed has always been performed by Nissan. Please help!!!!
My Pathfinder began to shudder and make a deep rumbling noise while trying to maintain a constant speed anywhere between 40-55pmh. I took it to the dealership this morning and was told this afternoon that there was a crack in the intercooler inside the radiator and it had leaked coolant into the transmission fluid. It has caused major damage to the transmission. The radiator and the transmission has to be replaced. The tech said the estimated cost will be $5300.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the engine RPM reading began to increase as the vehicle shifted hard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised the contact that the transmission would have to be replaced because radiator fluid was leaking into the transmission. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. There was an investigation under NHTSA action number: DP12004 (power train) that could have been related to the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 78,241.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that fuel gauge displayed incorrect readings. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the fuel level unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 4/1/13 updated 04/23/2013
I own a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The engine coolant contaminated the transmission fluid because an internal piece broke. The only reason I noticed any issue is the reverse gear began to have trouble engaging. After visiting two mechanics, I had to replace the entire radiator/coolant system and put in a new transmission. Although Nissan has acknowledged this is a common issue, they refused to do anything to help with the situation. Ultimately, this repair cost me upwards of $6000 to repair.
My 2005 Nissan Pathfinder suffered a radiator leak which leaked fluid into the transmission. While driving the car the engine started running at a high RPM while the vehicle suddenly lost the ability to drive despite the car running and the gas pedal being depressed. Then the transmission "kicked in" and the car lurched forward until the issue happened again and the car completely broke down on the road.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and noticed the vehicle would not accelerate. After continually applying pressure to the accelerator pedal the vehicle responded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that fluid from the radiator was leaking into the transmission and caused corrosion. The technician stated the transmission and radiator would have to be replaced. There was an investigation under NHTSA action number: DP12004 (power train:automatic transmission: Cooling unit and lines) that could have been related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
We own a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder that my wife drives daily until a couple of weeks ago that the transmission gave up on us at exactly 100298 miles. She said that she was driving around 50 miles an our and that all of a sudden the SUV just quit and it would not go no further. Luckily there was no cars behind her because our daughters were with her at the time. So now I have a Pathfinder that does not run because I cant afford the six grand they are trying to charge me because I went over 298 miles.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, an unusual noise could be heard coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the transmission was flushed and the radiator was replaced. The technician stated that the transmission exhibited internal damage as a result of coolant leaking from the radiator. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 10V517000 (engine and engine cooling) due to the fact that it had exceeded the 100,000 mile limit. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,720.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Eagle, ID, USA