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:
$3,980
Average Mileage:
114,550 miles
Total Complaints:
232 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
replace radiator and transmission (152 reports)
not sure (42 reports)
replaced radiator and transmission (17 reports)
replaced radiator (13 reports)
bypassed radiator, added an external tranny cooler (2 reports)
bypass trans cooler/add external cooler/replace pcm (1 reports)
Nissan Settlement - Please visit this website to see if you qualify for reimbursement or for nissan to pay for so much of the damage.
Radiator Assembly Customer Satisfaction Program - Nissan has decided in the interest of customer satisfaction, to further extend the warranty for the Radiator Assembly on all 2005-10 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.
On a small percentage of vehicles, an internal crack on the oil cooler tube may occur leading to internal leakage of engine coolant. While the majority of vehicles will not experience this issue, for customer satisfaction purposes, Nissan has decided to further extend the coverage of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty on the radiator assembly, subject to certain customer co-pays that vary with age/mileage.
The New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage on applied vehicles for the Radiator Assembly (original terms 3 years/36,000 miles) will be extended from the current extension of 8 years/80,000 miles to 10 years/100,000 miles (whichever occurs first), including damage, repairs, replacement, and towing resulting from this issue.
With the additional extension, the following warranty coverage and corresponding customer co-pays will now apply:
Up to 8 years/80,000 miles (whichever comes first): No customer co-pay
After 8 years/80,000 miles (whichever comes first) up to 9 years/90,000 miles (whichever comes first): Customer co-pay is $2,500
After 9 years/90,000 miles (whichever comes first) up to 10 years/100,000 miles (whichever comes first): Customer co-pay is $3,000
As with the prior extension, this extension of warranty on the radiator assembly will cover damage caused to other affected components, including the vehicle transmission, as a result of an internal leakage condition in the radiator assembly. However, existing powertrain coverage applicable to the transmission (5 years/60,000 miles) otherwise remains unchanged.
Nissan Radiator Assembly ATF Contamination 2005-2010 Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder - Have you filed a complaint with the US Dept of Transportation, the number is 888-327-4236 and the website is safercar.gov, according to the representative I spoke to the issue of the ATF fluid contamination is still under investigation but more complaints and data are needed to issue a safety recall involving the radiator assembly and transmission contamination. If you have not done so please file a complaint. Nissan needs to take responsibility for the defect rather than passing the repair cost to the consumer and dodging the issue!!!
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2007 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 6 of 12)
I took the vehicle in for servicing approximately a month before the issue, I was told the vehicle was in good shape after an oil and power steering fluid change. I soon experienced what appears to be the typical symptoms (heater not working, heavy shifting, and rough drive). I was told shortly after taking the vehicle in that the radiator had ruptured and the coolant had leaked into the transmission fluid; both radiator and transmission would have to be rep[laced and I would have to "co-pay" $3,500 to get it fixed.
It was only after my son checked the internet that I learned that this was a common issue with the year and model and was the subject of a Class Action Lawsuit in the US. Though I take the vehicle into the dealership on a regular basis and I am constantly being contacted by Nissan Canada to bring the vehicle in for regular maintenance, I was never informed of the issue and never told to be aware of the symptoms. I was told that this was a rare occurrence, but the first two owners of a similar year and model told me that their vehicles had suffered the same catastrophic failure. One of the owners could only sell his vehicle for parts.
I bought my Pathfinder in 2007, since then I've changed the transmission on it 3 times. It has only 130,000 miles but of course its out of warranty. Its not worth buying. I'm tired of this piece of crap car that I regret buying. Never again will I buy a Nissan.
This is the first Nissan we've ever owed and it could quite possibly be the last! We bought this car because we needed something with a 3rd row and we wanted something reliable. Well, we're 1 for 2! This is such a shame because this car is all we could afford. We do not have the money to put $4,000-$5,000 into a car we paid $12,000 for. My heart really goes out to those who purchased one of these things new because they'll be out far more than we will be but the fact remains that we are now beside ourselves with what to do.
I spoke to 800-NISSAN6 today and they told us to bring it to the dealer to get the problem assessed. I highly doubt they'll do a thing for us but I am hoping as many people as possible call this number and complain. The squeakiest wheel gets the grease and we can use all the help we can get right now.
Next time it will be a Toyota or a Honda unless Nissan really steps it up here!
This vehicle has been sitting since June when the transmission failed. It's $4000 plus to fix and the mechanic can't guarantee it won't happen again. Has anyone had it fixed and used their Pathfinder without problems enough to make the fix worthwhile?
Transmission began to jerk and eventually stick while traveling on Interstate. Repair shop states trans needs to be repaired due to radiator leaking into trans. Estimated repair costs exceed $4K. Most people do not have an extra 4K sitting in wait to repair a factory defect. Selling dealer not willing to discuss help. Car out of warranty, Nissan issued no recall or prior notice of faulty trans.
For a large auto maker to hide and/or not make this right is unlawful.
- Louis S.,
Daphne, AL, US
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Having my radiator crack...yes that's no fun...then a week later my transmission starts to go...crazy considering the car is not close to paid off..finding out this same issue happened to my friends exact car and that Nissan is totally aware of it and has done nothing..basically is criminal. Why they are not held accountable makes me sick.
Nissan has a track record of poor service customer service and deceptive practices going on at the dealerships. The only thing they didn't mess up was taking my payments every month till I finished paying my vehicle off. It started from the first scheduled service which the finance guy Picaso at Trophy Nissan in Dallas had told me would be completely free. Well, I had to speak to the dealer manager after the guy cursed me and another young guy who were there. But as for the vehicle manufacturing, it has many issues.
1. Nissan also is recalling 419,000 vehicles in the U.S. because gas gauges can show fuel left in the tank when it's actually empty. The recall affects 2005 through 2008 Nissan Titan, Armada and Infiniti QX56s as well as Nissan Frontier pickups and Pathfinder and Xterra SUVs produced between January and March 2006 and between October 2007 and January 2008. Due to a problem with a sensor inside the fuel tank, the gauges can show gas tanks a quarter full when they are in fact empty.
So when I called Nissan service center and they told me they wouldn't replace it. That it didn't cover my vehicle. The guy hung up on me.
Now this Coolant leak is the straw that broke my wallets back. I spent so much replacing everything tuning it up and now we come to find out about this. Looks like its gonna cost thousands. I might as well buy a Toyota instead.
I have just googled the problem I am having, sounds like it is a fairly common with the radiator leaking into the transmission. I have several of the signs that I need both replaced. Have owned Nissan SUV's for last 20 years. extremely disappointing that Nissan isn't doing much to fix obvious flaw. This is the last Nissan I will ever own.
This will be my last Nissan product. I bought a 2007 Pathfinder used from a Nissan dealership with about 85k on the vehicle. After 125k the transmission started acting up. I check the web for issues and found many complaints for a transmission coolant leak issue. I was praying that I didn't have the same issue but unfortunately that wasn't the case. I took my radiator cap off and I was in shock at the amount of creamy goop i had inside my radiator.
I've been going to the Nissan dealer religiously to change my oil and I was just there a month ago and this issue was never brought up to my attention. I called the dealer and informed them of my Pathfinder and they told me that they can't do anything for me because I was over the 100k extended warranty that Nissan issued because of this problem. The dealer did give me a Nissan customer support number to call (1800Nissan6) stating that maybe they could do something me. Unfortunately, the Nissan customer support gave me the same response as the Nissan dealer.
However, the customer support did asked me to bring the Pathfinder to a dealer for an official diagnosis and report back to Nissan. I have an appointment scheduled for next Monday and will report back. From what I see online costs for the repair range from $3k-$4k. This is very upsetting if Nissan had a known about the flaw and did not issue a recall from this. And apparently looking at the avg mileage for when this issue occurs is around 119k, well over the 100k extend warranty. This is the last time that I'll buy a Nissan.
In 2/2007, after driving my 2007 Pathfinder SE Off Road for only 3 miles, it started to slip while shifting and making loud clunking sounds. I pulled off to the side of the road and saw an odd colored liquid leaking from the coolant overflow tank. I left the car and called for a ride home.
A few hours later, I went back to the car with some coolant and water, expecting that there was some sort of coolant leak. Upon opening the radiator cap and the overflow tank, I found a sludge like pudding consistency liquid.
The car was towed to the local repair shop and I was told that there was a leak and the coolant system and the transmission fluid had combined. They said they see this with many Nissan trucks.
I had the radiator replaced and the the transmission flushed several times until there were no remains of the sludge in the transmission. ----Cost $1,300.00
I drove the car for about a month without a problem at all until, while driving up my street, the car lost all acceleration and had no forward or reverse gears.
This time it went to a transmission shop. A complete rebuild was required. And, it was also suggested that we add an external transmission cooler. However, I was told the transmission computer was still OK. ----Cost $3,350.00
After receiving the car back, I drove it approx 75 miles and experienced the same loss of acceleration and no forward or reverse. Back the the transmission shop it goes.
The transmission shop takes the entire transmission apart to learn the the transmission computer is bad now, which is located in the transmission. ----Cost $1,200.00
Nissan is aware of the problem - It's a design flaw. The same design is used in other trucks they make.
I'm aware of the "Class action law suit" however, it doesn't help anyone who has a truck with over 100,000 miles, and considering that is when the problem develops, I find Nissan's fix ridiculous.
I have now spent $5,850 to fix a problem that Nissan should have issued a full recall for. I will never ever buy another Nissan again. I've made it a point to let everyone I know to never buy a Nissan product.
It's truly amazing how my local Nissan dealer wanted no part of helping me.
I have had a bad experience dealing with this issue. A lot back and forth with the dealership and they never told me this is a major problem with this model. After getting my car away from Nissan dealership I found out this awful news. I'm left to fix the problem........
I just recently bought a 2007 Pathfinder LE and it is beautiful. Just had it inspected at our local Nissan dealership and everything is perfect. This problem of the coolant leaking into the tranny definitely did freak me out though. So after having it inspected and making sure there was no problems, I had a mechanic bypass the radiator and add an external transmission cooler to the already existing set up. It was a $250.00 job in Canadian dollars. So if your vehicle is still in good shape just do it already, don't wait for it to happen. It is a very easy fix. There are much worse problems on vehicles out there.
Like what appears to be thousands of others, we began hearing a noise back late spring time and it sounded like we were driving over rough patch of road. It always happened in same stretches of the road which by coincidence was more to do with the fact the vehicle was traveling around 40mph then. My wife and kids are primary occupants so when I (husband) drove the vehicle I noticed it right away and asked how long this had been happening? She said at least 6 months. We finally took the vehicle in after searching the internet and to my surprise there are hundreds of articles written. The dealership acknowledged the repair was needed immediately but said Nissan Corporate would not waive the $2,500 (plus tax) deductible. Had I taken the vehicle in when we first noticed we would have been in the 80,000 mile range.
Not sure if calling Nissan Corporate will help here, but really this is ridiculous! They know about the problem, and I am sure if more people were killed from it there would be more pressure to respond appropriately with a recall. This is the same car (bought new and well maintained) that had a timing belt replaced (under warranty at 45,000 miles). This is my fourth Nissan and given what I have been reading will likely be my last. Had planned to upgrade to an Infinity, but same ownership, so will give my business to Toyota.
We took our Nissan in last year after hearing of the defect to have it checked out. The manager said there was nothing wrong. We could have had it fixed for less than $3000 but they chose to do nothing. Now the problem arises and we have to pay $3000. I don't think that is right. We were being proactive in taking it in and they did nothing.
I'm left stranded .. Had my kids inside when it just came to a stop almost causing an accident. I'm not able to get to work and it's just costing us too. This needs to be addressed.
Not sure yet if this is related to the coolant leak issue. My mechanic has only begun his diagnosis. But, like the rest of you, I cannot believe that Nissan washed its hands of the issue after 100,000. This is not normal wear and tear, obviously a design defect. Bye bye Nissan. I was a fan.
Nissan really did a crappy job when they built this 2007 Nissan pathfinder and even though is their fault for this engine problem I have to pay to fix it out of my pocket and still continue to pay the car even if is not working .
It started with a clicking noise, then problems with shifting & now a cloudy mixture in fluids & can't drive my car! Very upset! After I got online to look up reviews & saw that this is defect in factory & Nissan is not doing anything to fix it. For what I paid for my Pathfinder they should take care of the problem.
My question is what are they doing to fix it other than, they offered a warranty up to 80,000 or 90,000. This don't even help when it occurs after that! I feel Nissan should back up its name & fix their problems with these vehicles! If they don't help me with this I will never own another Nissan & I will let everyone know the trouble I have had with them. It's sorry that Nissan wants to be so selfish & not help these people in need since it's not our fault! I never got a notice or nothing in mail about this problem. Out of all the models I'm sure they are not all having trouble but looks like Nissan would have enough respect & back bone along with some morals for their company name that they would fix what they done wrong! Just remember Nissan, karma is a bitch ,,what goes around comes back around & most of time its worse!!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I took the vehicle in for servicing approximately a month before the issue, I was told the vehicle was in good shape after an oil and power steering fluid change. I soon experienced what appears to be the typical symptoms (heater not working, heavy shifting, and rough drive). I was told shortly after taking the vehicle in that the radiator had ruptured and the coolant had leaked into the transmission fluid; both radiator and transmission would have to be rep[laced and I would have to "co-pay" $3,500 to get it fixed.
It was only after my son checked the internet that I learned that this was a common issue with the year and model and was the subject of a Class Action Lawsuit in the US. Though I take the vehicle into the dealership on a regular basis and I am constantly being contacted by Nissan Canada to bring the vehicle in for regular maintenance, I was never informed of the issue and never told to be aware of the symptoms. I was told that this was a rare occurrence, but the first two owners of a similar year and model told me that their vehicles had suffered the same catastrophic failure. One of the owners could only sell his vehicle for parts.
- Ron E., Delta, British Columbia, canada