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.
Federal Law Mandating 8yrs Or 80,000 Mi Coverage On Emmission Products Such As Catalytic Converters - Federally required emission control warranties protect you, the
vehicle owner, from the cost of repairs for certain emission related
failures that result from manufacturer defects in materials and
workmanship or that cause your vehicle to exceed federal emission
standards. Manufacturers have been required by federal law to provide
emission control coverage for vehicles since 1972. There are two
federal emission control warranties discussed in this fact sheet: (A)
"Performance Warranty" and (B) "Design and Defect Warranty". This
fact sheet explains each warranty in detail, provides you with a list
of some of the parts covered under these warranties, explains the
procedures for making an emissions warranty claim, and answers some of
the most commonly asked questions about emissions warranties.
Finally, we will give you some tips on how to prevent future
emission-related failures and maintain the longevity of your vehicle's
engine.
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2005 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)
I have found the Nissan dealership in Kamloops, BC to be the worst dealership of any car manufacturer I have ever dealt with. As they overcharge and make up fictitious work that you don't need, and lie to you also as shown on my dash cam, I've been doing 95% the work myself so far. They did a factory recall for a relay that was supposed to be free but made up sh*t to cost $100.
I see the Pathfinder has failures of the four catalytic converters years ahead of other manufacturers. Never, ever have had to replace these on other vehicles - some over 300,000 km. This repair is an expensive one and will prove to be a long annoyance to diagnose the cause before replacing. This could have been avoided with good engineering and design, which is lacking with this vehicle (xterra and frontier are the same base as the pathfinder).
I've also ordered a new radiator off E-bay before this one fails due to the documented poor Nissan quality. If left to inevitably fail, it will destroy the transmission. It's due to fail any time per history on the internet.
I didn't provide my VIN as all of these problems are well known by Nissan - they do nothing about them after the sale is made, unless there is a class action law suit, which has happened for the radiator-transmission failure. You're out of luck if you live in Canada.
We vow to never by another Nissan - only vehicle manufacturer we've ever stated this.
Update from Jun 13, 2016: Forgot another PITA job - had to replace the EVAP canister purge volume control valve. Nearly broke the new one trying to fit it in.
Recently (01/2016): 103k miles - Check Engine Light came on: VIAS Solenoid Valve, Bank 2 Catalytic Converter, & Oil Pressure Sensor Switch all need replaced (possibly related to ECM Relay Issue)
Previously: ECM replaced under recall. Radiator/Transmission replaced @ 96k miles under "extended warranty." Transmission replaced 2nd time 1 year later. Transmission hoses replaced twice (during same time period).
MY CAR WAS BEING REPAIRED FROM 3/14/11 TO 3/30/11 (17 DAYS)
I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO CARMAX ON 3/14/11 BECAUSE MY AUTO START WAS NOT STARTING THE CAR AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE AUTO START WOULD MAKE A FEW ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN COMPLETELY OVER. THEN WHEN I WOULD START IT WITH THE KEY, IT WOULD MAKE ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO START IT AND GRIND.
CARMAX INITIALLY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP IN ILLINOIS. THEY HAD TO TAKE THE TRANSMISSION APART TO DIAGNOSE IT. THEY SAID RADIATOR FLUID WAS MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR. THIS PROBLEM WAS COVERED UNDER MY POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WITH NISSAN SO THEN MY CAR WAS SENT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN SOUTH HOLLAND FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE NISSAN WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS, NOT MY EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN I PURCHASED FROM CARMAX. I WAS STILL REQUIRED TO PAY A $50 DEDUCTIBLE THOUGH.
THE WORK ORDER I REC’D WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION EVEN THOUGH IT WAS COMPLETELY TAKEN APART. THE GUY AT THE TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSANS.
I DID NOT RECEIVE A RENTAL CAR UNTIL CARMAX HAD MY CAR FOR FOUR DAYS. I HAD A RENTAL CAR FROM ENTERPRISE (JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2011) FROM 3/17 UNTIL 3/21 AND A LOANER CAR FROM CARMAX (DODGE VAN) FROM 3/21 UNTIL 3/30.
NISSAN’S PHONE NUMBER THAT DID THE REPAIRS: 708-333-2000
NISSAN OF SOUTH HOLLAND 16269 VANDAMN ROAD, BISHOP FORD
OCTOBER 18, 2012
THEN I HAD TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE TO MY UNIVERSAL JOINT, PROPELLER SHAFT (4WD OPERATION REAR) WITH 67509 MILES ON IT
MAY 30, 2013
HAD TO HAVE MY SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED WITH 98934 MILES
JULY 14, 2014
HEATER HOSE ASSEMBLY REPLACE BY ALL AMERICAN TIRES WITH 120760 MILES ON IT $500
JANUARY 28, 2015
REPLACE BOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND BOTH DOWN STREAM 02 SENSORS WITH BY ACCURATE EMISSIONS CLINIC IN GARY INDIANA $582.18
MAY 21, 2015
JUST INFORMED THERE IS TRANSMISSION FLUID IN MY RADIATOR AND I NEED A NEW RADIATOR ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER RELATED REPAIRS TOTALING OVER $806.14 CAR IS AT ALL AMERICAN TIRE IN HOBART FOR REPAIRS NOW (3:26P 5/21/15)
I ALSO HAD THE FUEL SENDING UNIT REPAIRED SOMEWHERE IN ALL OF THIS MESS.
COULD THESE THINGS BE RELATED OR HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEMS WITH THE OTHER ISSUES?
I can't pass Smog in CA. Its going to cost for a catalytic converter $1200 at a Nissan dealer or at a small shop they want $850. The part is $700. Nissan needs to pay for it.
- carmi,
Orange, US
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The car's MPG went to abut 13MPG, it would have significant loss of power/hesitation and shake at certainly speeds. The issue was constant and predictable. Punching the gas would normally help it (until it would immediately do it again) but who drives like that.
We took the car to a mechanic and replaced spark plugs, ignition coils and a bunch of other stuff without resolution.
We took it to the dealership (who offered to do the same as above until we told them we already did that). We paid $150 for a fuel system flush...nothing.
They checked it again and suggested a Catalytic converter change. We paid $1200 for it (most painful Christmas present ever; and least fun). We drove it..SAME thing. Then we're told by by the dealership that the Pathfinder has (2) Catalytic converters - shall we go for round 2?
We sold the car at substantial loss and promised we NEVER buy another Nissan product again.
I had the ECU cleared and the new code stated the Drivers Side Front Catalytic Converter was the problem. The dealer wanted $800+ for each of the 4 so I went online to research various vendors. I found one with the one I needed for $155 and excellent ratings. I ordered it and installed it Saturday. I saw on a video (after installation,) that you can clean your converters while on the vehicle and/or after removed, HMMMM
So I finally finish the install and the battery is reconnected. The CEL is off but the VDC light and SLIP light is on. The next morning the two lights are off and the CEL is back on...UGH! So after church I have the code read and it states converter again. The rep tells me to run the truck at least 150 miles to get the ECU and converter on the right page then have it read...I will let you know. The good thing is I save a lot of money doing it myself and slowly I am replacing parts on this truck.
The catalytic converter is nonfunctioning, my truck is inoperable at the moment. I was unaware that this problem existed at all. Initially, when I purchased the vehicle the service engine light was on & as the transaction was taking place the dealer was made aware of the problem that existed. The service engine light was reprogrammed before the purchased was finalized, so at that time the service engine light was off. When the light came back on I actually took it to a Nissan dealership & after it was placed on a diagnostic computer, it was determined that the catalytic converter was faulty & would soon be nonfunctional. Now I am without a operable vehicle & I want to know what, if any; recourse do I have. I see that there are many complaints concerning this problem & since that is the case, why hasn't there been a recall & replacement for the catalytic converters? How do we go about getting this problem on a recall list?? I am tired of having to come out of pocket to replace or repair what is the problem of the manufacturer.
Went in with check engine light and a problem with stalling. diagnosed as a faulty ECM. Had it replaced, fixing the stall, but light stayed on. New diagnosis is BOTH right and left upstream catalytic converters are bad.
both of my catalytic converter (right and left) are bad. most cars wont have this problem over its lifetime but my 05 pathfinder did at 87k miles. is this a manufacturers defect? i think nissan should recall or reimburse people who have this problem.
i have owned 6 nissans already (280z, 200sx, 95 pathfiner, 96 altima, 05 pathfinder and 09 altima) and i think nissan should listen to us who are loyal to the nissan brand or we will all go to another car company.
We have had both the right and left catalytic converters go at different times. Nissan has covered everything until the U-joints today which should have been covered as per the other people with the same issue.
Both catalytic converters have failed but at different times. We have had every major failure that this model has listed this is definitely a lemon of a vehicle.
Service Engine Light came on and one of the codes said catalytic converter needed replaced. I am told though that at 70000 miles, that is uncommon. Someone said it could be oxygen sensor instead. But I have not had the money or time to have it repaired. Also, there are two catalytic converters on this vehicle. This just so happens to show the more expensive one needing replaced at 650.00 just for parts.
My 2005 Pathfinder has been diagnosed with bad catalytic converters. I've asked around and there are two other acquaintances of mine or my wife with Pathfinders with same issue fairly early in the car's life. What do you have to do to get a frequent problem classified as frequent enough to push for a recall? I'm pissed I will have to spend over $2000 on this!
THIS ISSUE WAS BACK IN NOV,2010. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH ALL THIS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS .I RECEIVED A EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MY RADIATOR ASSEMBLY. BUT MY WARRANTY MILES ARE OVER, NOW I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE ECM RELAY. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL THEY CHECK MY TRANSMISSION OIL AND TOLD ME MY TRANSMISSION WAS NO GOOD. WHY? WELL BECAUSE YOUR RADIATOR IS LEAKING COOLANT INTO YOUR TRANSMISSION NOW, WE RECENTLY CHANGE THE SHAFT.THINKING THAT WOULD STOP THE NOISE ON THE WHEELS BUT IT ALL SEEMS ITS THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE NOISE.NOW ITS GOING TO COST ME ANOTHER $5500 DOLLARS ,I DONT THING IS WORTH IT FIXING IT. ONLY ON THE CATALYIC EXHAUST WAS $1500 AND SHAFT $500 .
I would love to know how catalytic converters are gone after 5 years only 170000kms. Thats ridiculous i have had many cars and never had to change converters till at least 300.000kms this truck is not even fit for a dry road its a piece of junk
This Nissan Pathfinder has turned into a curse. On one dreadful Friday, the check engine light comes on and the vehicle starts to drive funny, according to my wife. I proceed to drive it to see what I can figure out and I realize the transmission is slipping and the engine is making a high pitched whining sound. I had it towed to the dealership and get hammered with a faulty catalytic converter $1650 and simultaneously, the radiator failed and sent fluids into the automatic transmission, ruining it as well. The dealer quote is around $6,650, from one breakdown. Wow!!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have found the Nissan dealership in Kamloops, BC to be the worst dealership of any car manufacturer I have ever dealt with. As they overcharge and make up fictitious work that you don't need, and lie to you also as shown on my dash cam, I've been doing 95% the work myself so far. They did a factory recall for a relay that was supposed to be free but made up sh*t to cost $100.
I see the Pathfinder has failures of the four catalytic converters years ahead of other manufacturers. Never, ever have had to replace these on other vehicles - some over 300,000 km. This repair is an expensive one and will prove to be a long annoyance to diagnose the cause before replacing. This could have been avoided with good engineering and design, which is lacking with this vehicle (xterra and frontier are the same base as the pathfinder).
I've also ordered a new radiator off E-bay before this one fails due to the documented poor Nissan quality. If left to inevitably fail, it will destroy the transmission. It's due to fail any time per history on the internet.
I didn't provide my VIN as all of these problems are well known by Nissan - they do nothing about them after the sale is made, unless there is a class action law suit, which has happened for the radiator-transmission failure. You're out of luck if you live in Canada.
We vow to never by another Nissan - only vehicle manufacturer we've ever stated this.
Update from Jun 13, 2016: Forgot another PITA job - had to replace the EVAP canister purge volume control valve. Nearly broke the new one trying to fit it in.
- Johnny N., Kamloops, BC, Canada