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:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
103,465 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 radiator leaks fluids into the transmission, intermixing the fluids. This is ruining the radiator and transmission, causing the vehicle to overheat and leak. This makes the vehicle not safe to drive.
Radiator leaked into transmission, causing both to go out. Repeatedly took my car to the dealer to diagnose problem but they had no knowledge of the radiator-transmission issue. Once my car finally died I was forced to repair on my own with no help from Nissan. I was too far over miles to be included in their "customer satisfaction program" which only covered cost over $3,000 and under 100,000 miles. I spent $4,360 out of pocket to replace transmission and bypass radiator.
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the radiator had a crack and leaked fluid into the transmission. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator was leaking into the transmission and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The consumer stated the vehicle stalled. Updated 08/19/15 updated 10/07/15 updated 10/11/2017
I was driving back home from my daughters doctors appointment. It was during rush hour traffic time. As I was trying to accelerate I felt a jerk on the card and the O/D light start flashing. I was almost home so I kept driving to make it home. Did not want to B stranded in the road with my daughter. As I pushed on the gas it did not want to accelerate an more, all the lights started flashing and we pretty much strolled into the nearest gas station. I put it in park and waited a moment and tried to see if it would cut back on, but it didn't. I had my vehicle towed to the mechanic shop and he said it smelled like radiator fluid. After doing diagnostic he said problem was to due to a crack that leaked radiator fluid into transmission. So now I have to replace my transmission and radiator and computer. Cost would be over $5,000.
- Channelview, TX, USA
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Radiator failure (known Nissan defect) caused coolant to mix with transmission fluid and destroyed the transmission. This was a $4,600 repair. Nissan covered $0.
Nissan new about this problem for years and done nothing about it. Their defective radiator is leaking into the transmission and causing my transmission to fail, and they have the balls to ask me to pay for it. I have had nothing but Nissan vehicles for the last 20 years and was about to trade in for a new maxima. Oh well maybe it is time to change to a different brand.
I just bought this SUV from a used car lot back on Feb 16th 2015 I started to notice a problem with the transmission shifting funny so I had a 3 month warranty from the used car lot I purchased it from. I took it to a Nissan dealership to have a dyno test, to figure out exactly what was going on. I get a call from them 2 hrs later saying the radiator bleed into the transmission and was not lubing the gears properly switched caused the transmission to sleep and as a result of this I need a new transmission for $6050 for both +labor ext. I call the lot I purchased this from and he stays there is nothing he can do for me the 3 month power train warranty I have was void because the radiator caused the problem I've done my research on this problem over 600+ complaints and problems from this very same thing I will never buy another Nissan in my life.
We purchased the vehicle 31 days ago under the assumption there were no major problems as it came from a small dealer lot. Two weeks after driving it, we noticed it has shifting problems between 3rd and 4th and at 40mph it vibrates. We took the vehicle to Nissan and had a diagnostics run on it which revealed the radiator coolant is leaking into the transmission, therefore causing the transmission to go bad. We contacted our warranty company, as we have a 90 day powertrain warranty and it is not covered at all. We contacted the dealer lot we purchased it from and so far, nothing is being done. I have done quite a bit of research on this issue and noticed several people have filed complaints about the same exact issue with these vehicles. Curious to know why a recall hasn't been issued yet?
Purchased 2007 Nissan Pathfinder brand new. Brought to Nissan dealer due to check engine light on dashboard. Diagnosis performed and determined radiator/transmission fluid/coolant leaking into transmission. Estimated repair $6000 to replace radiator/thermostat/transmission. At 140000 miles, Nissan states no longer under powertrain warranty. Declined service.
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 60 mph, the vehicle started to jerk violently and the vehicle reduced speed on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer more than five times and they were not able to replicate or diagnose the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer, who provided a transmission tune up and the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the authorized dealer who diagnosed that there was a radiator leak into the transmission coolant and the dealer did not indicate where the fracture was coming from which was causing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure several times. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
My 2007 Pathfinder has been shifting rough and sounds like I am driving across "rumble strips" used on the road to keep drivers awake. I went to the dealer to get an oil change and explained the issue. After they checked the car out they told me I had power steering fluid in my radiator and coolant in my power steering assembly. When I asked how that could possibly happen, the tech tried to assure me that this is what happens when radiator lines fail. I told them I had never heard of that and wanted to know how this could happen. They told me it would cost $5,250 to replace the radiator. The service tech and service manager acted like they knew nothing and suggested I call Nissan North America...I did. They told me that since I had reported my issue to the better business bureau my case was sent to the arbitration department. The arbitration guy called and told me my vehicle was out of warranty and there was nothing they could do. I did some research online and found that Nissan has known of this problem since 2005. Nissan lost a class action suit for this problem but the remedy was to extend the warranty for 100,000 miles. I'm confused because I do not understand how a manufacturer can warranty away a defect. From my research the average mileage for this problem is 112,000 miles. My car is slowly becoming non drivable. I accelerated out of a parking lot but the car moved out into traffic and started rumbling but would not accelerate any further. I almost got hit by another car. Why is the consumer responsible for a known defect" isn't a warranty for parts that are manufactured correctly"
I noticed my 2007 Pathfinder's heater would only work when the car was moving but, figured it was something insignificant and would get it fixed soon. I then started to notice my transmission slipping and stalling out around 40 mph. I decided I better get it into the shop before I was stranded somewhere. Before taking my car into the shop, I figured I'd check the internet and make sure there weren't any recalls on the heating system. I typed in "2007 Nissan Pathfinder" on google and it auto-filled "transmission problems" - not a good sign. Apparently, Nissan was aware of the faulty radiators in these vehicles which leak antifreeze in to the transmission and destroy the drive train, yet did nothing about it.. post after post described the exact same issues I was having with my car - people were describing how their cars were getting stuck in high or low gears going down the highway and it scared me to death! I immediately called two local Nissan dealerships and gave them my VIN and mileage. I was informed, due to some worthless settlement with Nissan, my portion of the cost would be $3,000. Here is what most infuriates me about this situation: 1. Nissan was obviously aware of this issue many years ago so why didn't they recall the radiator and save us this trouble and expense" does someone have to die before something is done? I'm sure it's only a matter of time with vehicles getting stuck in high gear or stalling out on the interstate! 2. who did this class action suit help exactly? sounds like Nissan definitely got the bigger end of the stick. When it all boils down, I'm guessing they are out very little, if any, money at all. 3. what happened to customer service" this isn't just bad service - it's bad business. It's absurd that car companies are allowed to sell faulty vehicles without repercussion.
Bought a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder from sun Toyota npr. Paid 15000.within the 1st year 4 tires,4 brakes, battery, radiator, and now the transmission locks up...still owe 13000 what do I do....pay for a boat anchor or ruin my credit and let them repo it.....
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the radiator had an internal crack that leaked fluid into the transmission, causing damage to the components. As a result, the transmission and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000. Updated 2/25/15 updated 9/11/2017
Radiator transmission coolant leak. Radiator fluid leaked into the transmission and transmission fluid leak into the radiator due to a faulty radiator coolant line. Transmission is now slipping at third gear. Nissan dealer quote to replace both radiator and transmission $6,600 change.
I noticed my vehicles transmission slipping when I was driving it around 3rd to 4th gear. Further review found that my vehicles radiator coolant is leaking into my transmission. The radiator fluid is leaking into transmission and transmission fluid is leaking and mixing in my radiator.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lebanon, OH, USA