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:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
96,082 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.
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.
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!!
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.
- East Orange, NJ, USA
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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.
Car would not start, got it towed to my mechanic, radiator allowed coolant to mix with transmission fluid. Containment the transmission. Radiator and transmission has to be replaced. Job will cost $5346.74.
While driving at approx 40 mph, the transmission suddenly disengaged; rpms went up to 5000; was like being in neutral. At the time, I was traveling up a slight incline without a shoulder or safe area to stop. Stopped in the roadway. Had it towed to Nissan dealership. They advised that they were aware of the known issue'for a long time and that the radiator part that cools the transmission fluid failed and radiator fluid had entered the transmission causing the transmission to fail. This known issue, was never a recall and Nissan had no intentions on a recall due to a class action lawsuit. Unfortunately, my vehicle mileage is over the class action lawsuit settlement mileage and therefore Nissan will not take any responsibility; leaving strict instructions' to Nissan customer affairs to specifically not offer any assistance to persons affected by this known issue. Nissan dealership service dept advised that Nissan had fixed' the known issue on a newer model of radiator. Nissan should have recalled the product for a safety inspection and replaced all parts known to fail. Total estimated cost to repair at Nissan dealership started around $8000 and negotiated to $5000. Several private transmission repair shop estimates are approx. $4000. Most private auto shops will not touch this repair due to the known issue' and no confidence that Nissan fixed the known issue'. request an investigation with an eye towards safety recall & reimbursement for those who already had to pay out of pocket.
Just over a year ago our 2005 Pathfinder's transmission failed due to Nissan installing a faulty radiator in the vehicle when it was made. Due to the expense of getting it fixed, it still sets in the garage waiting to save up the money to fix the issue. Over the year, Nissan has admitted it was a problem but instead of fixing it, they say they will cover it if the vehicle has low millage. The radiator problem is not millage dependant. We drove our Pathfinder and it was beyond the millage they would cover. So I guess I am being penalized by Nissan for driving the Pathfinder. I just wish Nissan would do the right thing for its customers.
Radiator cracked allowing coolant to contaminate transmission fluid. Transmission suddenly failed on highway. No warning signs. Vehicle was revving but not moving. Dealer says internal transmission problem and not eligible for repair under extended warranty. Specialty shop says radiator is cracked. Photos and parts available.
I was driving and stopped at a traffic signal. When the light turned green and I pressed the gas pedal the vehicle moved less than 5 M.P.H. this continued all the way to church on March 10th, 2013. I drove to the vehicle to the dealer and 2 days later they diagnosed the issue. The radiator was leaking coolant into the transmission, cross contaminating the transmission fluid. This caused the valve body in the transmission to fail. The Nissan dealer informed me that the radiator and valve body in the transmission had to be replaced. They also informed me that my power train warranty was expired because I was over 100,000 miles and my vehicle is at 104,000. I was told that Nissan wouldn't cover the repair even though the radiator is defective but since I caught it early the transmission wasn't totally damaged just partially damaged saving me more money. However, my repair bill was $2,999.94!! even the mechanics at Nissan told me that this is an known issue (off the record) and Nissan should cover the repair!! this is due to a defective radiator and Nissan should issue a recall. Consumers shouldn't have to foot the bill for a manufacturing defect that Nissan is aware of! it effects 2005 thru 2010 Pathfinder, xterra and frontier vehicles. Nissan is voluntarily offering to co-pay for repairs if your vehicle has less than 100,000 miles because of a class action lawsuit that is still pending in court. The issue only occurs after 100,000 miles leaving millions of consumers on the hook for an obvious manufacturing defect!! please help us recover the cost of this expensive repair?? please!!!!
Noticed my truck hesitating at about 40mph took in to have checked and was told the transmission and radiator were both failing due to a broken line between the two which caused the fluids from the two parts to mix and cause the failure. Then the good news haha the cost would be $6,000. I then came to read that this is a problem for many and it should have been a recall by the Nissan Corp.
I was leaving an appointment at the hospital and as I approached a speed bump I heard a loud drop noise and the vehicle would no longer move upon pressing the gas. There was a complete loss of motive power. I put the vehicle in park and turned it off and then on again and it went into gear however I was unable to accellerate over 40mph and headed straight to a dealership. I received a call on from the dealer diagnosing the problem as a failed transmission fluid cooler located in the radiator assembly that allowed coolant to mix with and contaminate the automatic transmission fluid, resulting in damaged internal transmission components and a damaged internal transmission computer.
While driving in middle of the street, suddenly car stopped driving. Had the car towed to repair shop. It seems there is a coolant leak into transmission that caused the issue. However Nissan's extended warranty only allows up to 100000 miles or 10 years whichever comes first. Since my mileage is over that, Nissan will not cover any repairs.
Transmission cooler leaks, allowing transmission fluid and engine coolant to mix, leading to automatic transmission damage. Nissan dealer is aware of the incident and offer a $2500 deductible, this is not a fair deductible and Nissan is not playing a fair game.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from traffic light, the vehicle hesitated and failed to engage in gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that radiator fluid was leaking into to the transmission and as a result, the transmission solenoid needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 116,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle seemed to shift incorrectly. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that there was a crack in the radiator that was allowing coolant to enter the transmission. There were also cracks in the hoses that contributed to the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 127,000.
2005 Nissan Pathfinder. Consumer writes in regards to defective radiator in vehicle. The consumer stated he sent Nissan a letter regarding his concerns about radiator coolant leaking into the transmission. Nissan responded by saying they would not cover any repairs until the leaked developed.
While driving the Pathfinder at 45mhp it started to shake and slowed down even while pressing gas pedal down... felt like the brakes were on.. after getting the vehicle home I discovered the problem with the transmission and radiator. It seems to be a common problem that Nissan is aware of... if we were on the interstate at high speeds it could of been a serious accident.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Helena, AL, USA