CarComplaints.com Notes: There are no warning signs of the same "radiator leaked and killed my transmission" complaints that have plagued previous model years.

For earlier Pathfinder model years (2005-2008), a defect in the radiator allows engine coolant to leak into the transmission. However this defect doesn't appear to affect Pathfinders from 2009 & later. Nissan did include the 2009-2010 models when they extended their radiator warranty on 2005-2010 Pathfinders to 8 years/80,000 miles in response to the transmission defect.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,912 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.

2009 Nissan Pathfinder drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2009 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments

problem #8

Dec 192020

Pathfinder

  • 87,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle just stop. Had tow to the mechanic diagnosed with coolent in that damaged the transmission

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #7

Nov 242020

Pathfinder

  • 107,000 miles
I was driving to work when my transmission failed. There was no warning. I was driving about 60mph, and had to merge to the side of the road. I had to get it towed, and it was determined the radiator failed, causing radiator fluid to get into the transmission. This ruined the transmission. Cost is about $4,000 to replace, and third party warranty is refusing to cover any of it.

- Portsmouth, NH, USA

problem #6

Jul 152020

Pathfinder

  • 92,000 miles
My 2009 Nissan Pathfinder (after the warranty ran out), started having issues with the transmission and overheating. Lo and behold we have an issue where the radiator and transmission fluid is mixing. This appears to be the same problem others have reported as a failed transmission fluid cooler integrated in the radiator that allowed engine coolant to mix with and contaminate the automatic transmission fluid. There were no warning signs leading up to the failures other than a sudden jolt of the vehicle like the transmission was slipping. This always happens while the vehicle is moving at slow and high speeds.

- Kaneohe, HI, USA

problem #5

Jun 152020

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 11,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle was at stand still at a parking lot, when entering the vehicle, it began to move forward while the gear was in park. The contact stated she depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact stated she injured her leg while entering the vehicle. The contact did not seek any medical attention. The contact stated that she was unable to start the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic however, he advised the contact he could not do anything with the vehicle. The contact called local dealer bayou Nissan (13050 I-10 service rd, new orleans, la 70128, (504) 245-5900) and scheduled a diagnostic appointment. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,300. Vehicle repaired

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #4

Feb 012019

Pathfinder

  • 100,000 miles
When driving uphill on long mountain roads and shifting the automatic transmission down to 2, 3 or 4, the car won't stay in gear. After a few minutes of driving it will shift by itself into 5 without allowing you to shift down again. You can only go into D or stop and shut down the engine. The transmission shop already replaced the shifting assembly, inspected the entire transmission & wires from the computer. No problem could be identified but the issue remains. The car will stay in lower gears when driving downhill. It's a mystery and very expensive to diagnose further. Do you have any ideas" the local Nissan dealer is unable to help. They worked on the computer and main circuit boards about 5 yrs ago ' could the have possibly caused this problem" any help would be appreciated.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #3

May 312019

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • miles
2009 Nissan Pathfinder. Consumer writes in regards to transmission slipping. The consumer stated the vehicle also experienced radiator failure. Anti-freeze has to be added to the vehicle almost daily and the water temperature would rise above normal levels.

- Harlingen, TX, USA

problem #2

Feb 212014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 108,000 miles
The defect in the radiator caused the antifreeze and oil to mix. It then mixed with the transmission fluid. That was fixed by a repair shop. Now the transmission has slipped out because of the mixture of the three fluids.

- Bridgeton, NJ, USA

problem #1

Nov 152013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
Was on my way home and truck lights came on transmission started jumping and all lights came on... parked car would not crank the next day, ,, called and had towed. Was told by Nissan that transmission and radiator was not any good and it would cost me $4800 to fix... no one offered to help.. I was told that I could contact Nissan so I did, was told by Nissan that it was to bad that I was past the extention of the warenty of the truck. And they could not help at all.... and hung up. It cost me $3800 to repair my car.. I feel ripped off, and will most likley never buy another Nissan again even though I have owned 3.

- Adamsville, AL, USA

Not what you are looking for?