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.
9.2
really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,910
Average Mileage:
102,400 miles
Total Complaints:
425 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
replace transmission & radiator (290 reports)
not sure (55 reports)
replace transmission & flush the radiator (27 reports)
replace radiator (14 reports)
repair transmission and add an external oil cooler (13 reports)
I was once a huge fan of anything Nissan until this purchasing my 2005 Pathfinder. Within the first 3 years we had to have all of the rear AC lines replaced because of a leak that was discovered when we brought it in to the dealer for the issue of it not providing heat unless the car was moving. The dealer (Gerald Nissan) tried to blame that problem on user ignorance despite the problem being demonstrated and witnessed by the repair manager. Needless to say (after several coolant flushes and fills), that issue was never resolved by the dealer. We simply had to add coolant every winter to have heat in our vehicle.
Now, $5k later, I know where all the coolant was going...into the transmission! I had the repair done at a transmission specialist (Bell Transmission) because my dealer couldn't even tell me when they could look at the vehicle. They were fantastic and my Pathfinder is up and going again. The day I picked up my Pathfinder, there was an Armada being towed in with the same symptoms as my Pathfinder.
Regrettably, this will be the last Nissan I will ever purchase.
You pay 15,000 dollars on a used vehicle with 70,000 miles for 7 years and the transmission goes out due to a default in many Nissan models, because coolant is leaking from the radiator to the transmission. We were not notified of the issue. They should pay me the cost of the repairs. Thank goodness since this happened to my vehicle the same thing happened to my husbands truck but we caught it in time.....but now I wonder if this could be the cause of both engines overheating without indication, both 05 Nissan Pathfinder and 05 Nissan Crew Cab. I have had to count my gas mileage from the time I purchased this vehicle due to Gas gauge does not working due to the gas tank, same on both vehicles gas gauge never did work
The transmission went out on the Pathfinder and had to be towed home. Coolant has leaked into transmission and the transmission fluid is in the radiator. Bought this auto new, paid cash for it..way too much..and now Nissan won't do anything about a known problem. I have NEVER received any kind of recall or info bulletin about this problem, yet Nissan seems to have had this problem for years. Will probably never buy another Nissan and will advise everyone else to stay away from them.
Turns out this is a major problem that is well known by Nissan. I am beyond pissed.
Update from Aug 18, 2015: I spoke with a couple people at Nissan and they continuously lied to me several times. It was pathetic. They lied about every issue, said they would return calls, they never did. Said they contacted the place where my car was repaired, they never did. They absolutely do not give a damn that their customers are spending a lot of money on repairs that should not be required at this early stage of the vehicles life. I will never buy another Nissan again.
- brookst45,
Chico, CA, US
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In 2013 I took my Pathfinder to the dealership as per my check engine light had come on. I was told that I needed a transmission. It was replaced under my personal warranty.
I have a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder and I don't know what to do with this situation. The coolant fluid went to the transmission and right now my car doesn't work. The cost is $5,200. How is that possible? I need some help to see what I can do and fix my car. Thanks.
I just bought a Nissan Pathfinder 2005. I paid $10,000 and guess what, 2 weeks later the transmission problems start !!!!!!!!!!!!! The cost to fixed is over $3,800. Please people, do not buy a Nissan. The worse car ever!!!! I'm broke. How can I fix it???
Nissan rates right up there with GM if you ask me. This is going to be a costly repair, and I don't think I should have to pay for all of it. I probably will not buy another Nissan after this. It was a good car in the beginning, but I've had nothing but trouble with it the last year.
Went to get a estimate from Nissan and they told me my coolant leaked in my transmission, so I ordered my re-manufactured transmission from Infinity. When they put it in it wouldn't shift into over-drive, so now they're having to take it back out to send it back to Infinity to swap out another transmission. I have been in a rental for 3 weeks. This has really made me mad as hell.
Every time my car is on but is park (meaning,not moving) the engine lite goes on and the gas gauge drops and mark empty tank until it wants to go back on and it can take days. Got stuck in the road twice thinking that I have enough gas and is just this electrical problem, which the mechanic said is very common in those vehicles. What should I do, pay another $500 to repair from my pocket or dangerously carry a can of gas with me? I do have two Pathfinders the other one is the 2004 version that is much better, but my next vehicle I can tell won't be a Nissan.
AUGUST 27, 2010
FUEL SENDING UNIT REPAIRED SOMEWHERE IN ALL OF THIS MESS.
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)
COULD THESE THINGS BE RELATED OR HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEMS WITH THE OTHER ISSUES?
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?
What can I say! I too have a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. Changed the radiator and flushed the transmission. About $1,500, and now they want between 5 & 6 thousand to change the transmission. I think its time to scrap the piece of crap.
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 purchased my used 2005 Nissan Pathfinder in November, 2013 when it had only 72,500 miles on it. I took it to a Nissan Dealer to have it "checked over" after my purchase and they told me that I needed a transmission flush and that I should have my radiator replaced soon because it was "starting to show signs of leaking". They never mentioned the fact that this is a major design flaw with all 2005 Nissan Pathfinders and it could cause my transmission to fail because the coolant could leak into the transmission or that there was an extended warranty that would cover my repairs if I had under 80,000 miles on it...which at that time I still did! If I had known that, I would have had the work done immediately and had Nissan pay for it!
Instead, I had them do the transmission flush but told them I would wait a little while to have the radiator replaced because of the cost. The next time I needed an oil change, I took the vehicle to another mechanic and asked him to look at the radiator and he said he didn't see any signs of leaking at that time so I wasn't too concerned and still didn't know about the radiator/transmission issue.
Later on, I did some research and found out that the biggest reported problem with this particular vehicle is the radiator cracking and leaking into the transmission and that most people don't even know about it until they are having to replace the transmission and the radiator! I also saw that the "extended warranty" that Nissan provides for this issue is a complete joke because by the time I found out about it my vehicle already had 88,475 miles on it which means that I would be responsible for $2,500 of the repairs which made me really angry because Nissan never told me that when I brought the vehicle into them.
At that point, I decided to bring my vehicle to a local well respected mechanic that had worked for Nissan and he said I definitely had some coolant in the transmission fluid and it seemed to have just started so instead of waiting for complete failure of my transmission, I opted to change out the radiator and have the transmission flushed again which cost me $850.00 in hopes that I caught it soon enough and my transmission won't fail anytime soon. Shame on Nissan for not taking care of this problem all along and they should offer to repair and or replace the affected parts no matter how many miles your vehicle has on it as it is obviously a design defect!
HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. NOW NISSAN DO NOT WANT TO FIX THE RECALL PROBLEM THAT THE COMPANY CREATED. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME? (501)838-2462 Desi Williams or Email me at desi7716@yahoo.com
After that, when the mileage was 115,000, the same happened and we have to repair the transmission, the cost was $ 3250 and nobody cover this except our pocket.
We have to add coolant every month. The authorized Nissan Dealer sold off a LEMON.
Nissan 112 Report (Dated 4/20/15) Customer claims transmission is not shifting correctly at 40 and 60 mph it is chugging and holding back Diagnosis: Car needs a trans and rad. There is coolant inside of the trans and there is trans fluid in the rad. They need to repl. rad and transmission and flush out system - est. on repairs would be about $5500 to $6000
No repair done to-date 4/21/15.
However Nissan 112 called me last night inquiring if I wanted to buy a new car!!!
Add me to the list. 4 Nissan`s in my family, always loved them, like I love my 2005 Pathfinder. This past Saturday my transmission went. Coolant flooded the transmission. I rolled into a shop and now I am screwed, only 97000k miles. Truck is in excellent condition. No choice but to fix it out of pocket $4400. I am so pissed. I can't just leave it, can't sell it, but I will fix it and trade it in.
Nissan knows about the issue and won't pay NOTHING!!! horrible. I even considered buying another Pathfinder. I know I'm so dumb but it's a sin they won't back up their truck yet they know it's their problem.
Bad business Nissan, bad, you should offer some type of help to us hard working Americans. You know, the ones who make you RICH.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I was once a huge fan of anything Nissan until this purchasing my 2005 Pathfinder. Within the first 3 years we had to have all of the rear AC lines replaced because of a leak that was discovered when we brought it in to the dealer for the issue of it not providing heat unless the car was moving. The dealer (Gerald Nissan) tried to blame that problem on user ignorance despite the problem being demonstrated and witnessed by the repair manager. Needless to say (after several coolant flushes and fills), that issue was never resolved by the dealer. We simply had to add coolant every winter to have heat in our vehicle.
Now, $5k later, I know where all the coolant was going...into the transmission! I had the repair done at a transmission specialist (Bell Transmission) because my dealer couldn't even tell me when they could look at the vehicle. They were fantastic and my Pathfinder is up and going again. The day I picked up my Pathfinder, there was an Armada being towed in with the same symptoms as my Pathfinder.
Regrettably, this will be the last Nissan I will ever purchase.
- Justin B., Aurora, IL, US