2005 Nissan Pathfinder
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 1,050 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 14 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 12 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine coolingOct 28, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.
THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 10V517000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, lower armMay 20, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.
IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 10E019000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalDec 29, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.
THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 08V690000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentJul 3, 2007
CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE. THE INTERNAL PART NUMBERS WITHIN HOPKINS ARE: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035, AND 1290376035. A WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN AN INCORRECT POSITION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING. THIS RESULTS IN AN INCORRECT ROUTING OF WIRES BETWEEN THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND THE TOWING VEHICLE WIRING SYSTEM.
THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE TOWING VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS BEING ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE TRAILER BRAKE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED ABILITY TO STOP AND CONTRIBUTE TO A POSSIBLE CRASH.
HOPKINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL HARNESS WITH A REVISED HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT HOPKINS AT 800-835-0129.
Campaign 07E046000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
433 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 5, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND SWITCHING THE GEAR BACK INTO DRIVE THE FAILURE DID NOT CONTINUE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE AND LOSE POWER. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AT THE DEALER AND WAS INSTEAD TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION TECHNICIAN. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND LEAKED WATER INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,500. UPDATED 2/22/12 *CN
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 20, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION ON THE VEHICLE FAILED TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FUNCTION WITH SOME RESISTANCE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 124,128. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DESIGN OF THE COOLING SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE ALLOWED FOR CROSS-CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT. THE VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE, AND ULTIMATELY FAILED.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 19, 2011
TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR COOLANT CROSS CONTAMINATION CAUSING THE PATHFINDER TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. MY 2 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE CHILD SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 29, 2011
PREMATURE WEAR OF TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDES. IN THE NISSAN PATHFINDER 4.0L V6 ENGINES, THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDES ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. OUR VEHICLE WAS IDENTIFIED BY NISSAN DEALER SERVICE AT 62,000 MILES AND THE REQUIRED FIX ACTION WAS TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN QUIDES OUT OF WARRANTY AT A COST OF $1500.00. THESE PARTS DO NOT HAVE A RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVAL AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE HOWEVER NISSAN HAS IDENTIFIED THIS AS A PROBLEM IN THE PATHFINDER AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES THAT USE THE SAME ENGINE AND HAS ISSUED TWO SEPARATE SERVICE BULLETINS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ENGINEERING DEFICIENCY AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 28, 2011
RADIATOR LEAKS INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO MESS UP. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND TOLD ME IT HAPPENS ON HIGHER MILEAGE PATHFINDER BUT THEY ONLY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES. I RESEARCHED THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND FOUND THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT OCCURS WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Equipment, Jun 15, 2011
I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT SINCE NISSAN DOES NOT DO ANYTHING WITH THE PROBLEM TO BE FIXED, I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER, WHEN WERE ON THE ROAD OUR CAR IS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING STARTS JERKING, AND WERE SO SCARED THAT WILL NOT MAKE IT HOME BECAUSE THE WAY ITS ACTING WE FINALLY MADE IT HOME AND THE CA WOULD NOT REVERSE WE LOOK ONLINE AND SEARCH WHAT' CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND READ A BUNCH OF COMPLAINT WITH THE CONSUMER AT AUTOMOTIVE.COM STATING THAT THE REASON FOR THE PROBLEM IS THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO BURN, CALLED AROUND WITH A BUNCH OF AUTO MECHANIC AND WHEN I MENTION THAT I NEED MY TRANSMISSION REPLACE THE MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY SAID YOU KNOW YOU NEED YOUR RADIATOR REPLACE BECAUSE THAT IS CAUSING YOUR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN AND DENIED THE COMPLAINT THIS SHOULD BE IN THE RECALL BECAUSE THIS IS DANGEROUS IF YOU WEREN'T AWARE OF THE PROBLEM IF YOUR ON THE ROAD HOPE YOU CAN HELP US WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 13, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR AND THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 1, 2011
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION, RUINING IT. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS. THE WAY THEY DESIGNED THE RADIATOR ENDS UP RUINING THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS NOT THE OWNERS FAULT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 1, 2011
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER INTERNAL RADIATOR LEAK CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL STARTED WITH STRONG VIBRATION BETWEEN 40-45 MPH. DEALER INSPECTION STATES INTERNAL RUPTURE OF THE OIL COOLER CONTAMINATING THE OIL IN THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 23, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED IT TO BE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 18, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR CRACKED CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 18, 2011
RADIATOR COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING, CAUSING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. HESITANT SHIFTING, OR WORSE, NO SHIFTING OR MOVEMENT AT ALL. ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAY (INTERSTATE). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 13, 2011
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. NISSAN EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTIES ON THE 2005 PATHFINDERS TO 80,000. THE REASON THEY DID THIS IS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEIR DEFECTIVE RADIATORS HAVE BEEN CAUSING TRANSMISSIONS TO GO OUT DUE TO CONTAMINATION FROM THE RADIATOR FLUID. SINCE I WAS DEPLOYED, I WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXTENSION OR THE PROBLEM UNTIL MY TRANSMISSION STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS IN MAY OF 2011. THE OTHER DAY, I TRIED TO PULL OUT OF A GAS STATION AND I LOST ALL ACCELERATION DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE A NISSAN COMPLAINT TICKET BUT UNLESS IT IS FORCED INTO RECALL, I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR MY NEW TRANSMISSION ON A CAR I JUST RECENTLY PAID OFF. AS A CONSUMER, I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S DESIGN DEFECT THAT CAUSES MAJOR MECHANICAL COST AND SAFETY ISSUES. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, MOST CUSTOMERS ARE BEING TOLD TO COME AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED FOR APPROX. 500$ TO BE TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THIS DEFECT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE DIES AS A RESULT OF NISSANS NEGLIGENCE IN STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 5, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS WERE MIXING TOGETHER ABNORMALLY AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WILL GIVE HER A RETURN CALL WITHIN A FEW DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 4, 2011
MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER BUCKS AS I ACCELERATE. I TOOK MY CAR TO LITHIA NISSAN AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR, AND THAT THEY SAW MILKY FLUID IN MY CAR WHICH INDICATED TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUID MIXING TOGETHER. THE COST WOULD BE $5000 TO FIX BOTH. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC, AND HE CHECKED THE FLUID WHICH WAS CLEAR. THE BUCKING PROBLEM STILL EXISTS IN MY CAR, WHAT ELSE WOULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID I WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY STAGE SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, I DON'T TRUST THEM NOW BECAUSE THEY TOLD ME FALSE INFORMATION REGARDING THE COLOR OF THE FLUID. WHAT SHOULD I DO ? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 19, 2011
MY 2005 NISSAN/PATHFINDER WAS LEASED FROM RAY BRANDT NISSAN IN JULY 2005. IN APRIL 2009 I PURCHASED THE LEASE. IN JANUARY 2011 I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ISSUES WERE RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THE TECHNICIAN [XXX]AT [XXX] REFERRED ME TO THE NATIONAL CONSUMERS DEPT. OF NISSAN BECAUSE THIS WAS AN ISSUE THEY WERE AWARE OF BUT, HAD NOT NOTIFIED THE CONSUMER. THE REPRESENTATIVE [XXX] ( 800-647-7261 EXT 47116) AT THE NATIONAL DIVISION / NISSAN USA., ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEFAULT AND THEREFORE THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THIS THEY CONSIDERED WAS A "GOOD WILL' MEASURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 200 MILES. I DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR 5 DAYS AND THE SAME ISSUES AROSE AGAIN. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO RAY BRANDT.THIS TIME THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE ISSUES WERE RELATED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. APPARENTLY IT HAD COME APART AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP, RAY BRANDT AGAIN INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS ALSO A DEFECT BY NISSAN AND REFERRED ME BACK TO THE NATIONAL CONSUMERS' DIVISION, NISSAN USA. I CONTACTED [XXX] AGAIN. THIS TIME SHE INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS NISSAN' POLICY TO EXTENDED ONLY 1 GOOD WILL MEASURE. THEY REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE. WHILE AWAITING FOR HER RESPONSE AND THE VEHICLE STILL IN THE SHOP AT RAY BRANDT, A RE-CALL WAS ISSUED ON THE ENGINE. [XXX] AND NISSAN STILL CONTEND THAT THEY ONLY EXTEND 1 "GOOD-WILL" MEASURE. BOTH NISSAN USA AND RAY BRANDT NISSAN ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFAULTS AND FAULTY PARTS HOWEVER, NEITHER ARE WILLING TO ASSIST. IN ADDITION I HAVE CONSIDERED PURCHASING ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM RAY BRANDT BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED TO OFFER A APPRAISAL VALUE FOR A TRADE-IN. PRIOR TO THESE ISSUES I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY PATHFINDER UNTIL NISSANS' DEFECTIVE PARTS MALFUNCTIONED.I AM APPEALING TO YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN RECTIFYING THESE ISSUES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 18, 2011
NISSAN MANUFACTURED THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH A FAULTY RADIATOR THAT LEAKS RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR EXPERIENCES VIBRATION (WHICH HAS LOOSENED BOLTS & OTHER PARTS ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE) ALONG WITH SHIFTING PROBLEMS & HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING. NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 8 YEARS, 80,000 MILES BUT THE PROBLEM USUAL OCCURS AT HIGH MILEAGE. MY CAR HAS 104,000 MILES & THEY WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE RADIATOR (OR TRANSMISSION). I ONLY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM NISSAN A FEW MONTHS AGO STATING THERE MAY BE A RADIATOR LEAKAGE PROBLEM BUT DID NOT ADVISE OF THE PROBLEM WITH LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION NOR DID IT STATE SYMPTOMS TO WATCH FOR. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS BUT DID NOT KNOW IT WAS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE UNTIL I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS BY OTHER PATHFINDER OWNERS. I BOUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS A DIFFERENT ISSUE AND THEN AN HOUR LATER THEY ADVISED IT WAS THE RADIATOR ISSUE. SINCE I AM OVER THE 80,000 MILES, THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR REPLACEMENT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CORPORATE OFFICE AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HEAR FROM THEM IN APPROXIMATELY 24-36 HOURS BUT THAT WAS 5 DAYS AGO. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V517000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS PROBABLY AFFECTED BY AN ECM FAILURE BUT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, ONLY THE COMPONENT LISTED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THEY WERE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 11, 2011
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE, 4.0 LITER V6 WITH 53,000 MILES. I JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAINS, TIMING CHAIN GUIDES, AND TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AND HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED HOME. THE DEALER WANTED IN EXCESS OF $2,500.00, I HAD THE WORK COMPLETED FOR $1,800.00 WITH ANOTHER SOURCE. I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND NISSAN REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THAT WHILE MY CAR HAS UNDER THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY LIMIT, I WAS OVER THE 5 YEAR LIMIT BY 7 MONTHS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 10, 2011
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE WITH 86,000 MILES STARTING HAVING OPERATIONAL ISSUES WHEN RUNNING AT 2000 RPM'S. WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR NUMEROUS SERVICES AND WAS MENTIONED TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING AND THAT IT WASN'T ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. AFTER SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES THE ROUGH ENGINE RUNNING AT 2000 RPM'S WAS BECOMING MORE EVIDENT. SERVICE MANAGER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AS THEY HAD MANY OTHER PATHFINDERS IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR SEAL WAS LEAKING FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS A TRANSMISSION FLUSH TO THE TUNE OF $850.00. NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE APPEARED AT DEALERSHIP AND WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM HOWEVER REFUSED TO COVER THE PROBLEM SAYING THAT IT WAS OUR PROBLEM BECAUSE IT EXCEEDED THE 80000 MILE EXTENSION ON THE RADIATOR. NISSAN NEVER NOTIFIED US ABOUT AND EXTENSION ON THE RADIATOR IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO INDICATED THAT HE COULD NOT PUT A WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION THAT RECEIVED THE RADIATOR FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO OWN IT. THEY HAVE LOST A VERY GOOD CUSTOMER WHO WAS ABOUT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN VEHICLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 7, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHEN DRIVING 35 MPH AND ABOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE ECM RELAY SWITCH WAS FAILING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ECM WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD RETURN HER CALL WITHIN THE NEXT TWENTY FOUR HOURS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 8, 2011
THIS VEHICLE IS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE, 4.0 LITER V6 WITH 53,000 MILES. 60 MONTH WARRANTY EXPIRED 7-2010. THE TIMING CHAIN AND GEARS BROKE APART CAUSING ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING. NORMALLY TIMING CHAINS AND GEARS SHOULD NOT DISINTEGRATE FOR CONSIDERABLY LONGER THAN 53,000 MILES. FILED COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA 3-28-11 WITH NO SATISFACTION. THEY WERE UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING SINCE THE VEHICLE IS PAST 60 MONTH PERIOD AND SINCE WE NEVER SERVICED THE VEHICLE AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. HAVING RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON COMPLAINT WITH 2005 AND 2006 4.0 LITER V6 MOTORS. DEALER IS ASKING IN EXCESS OF $2000.00 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 7, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS WHEN THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER FILED A COMPLAINT AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,692 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,586.
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2011
I RECEIVED, IN THE MAIL, A WARRANTY NOTIFICATION FROM NISSAN NORTH AMERICA HEADQUARTERS, CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, FRANKLIN, TN. BASICALLY, IT READS: NISSAN HAS EXTENDED YOUR VEHICLE'S NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY AS IT APPLIES TO THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY TO 96 MONTHS/80,000 MILES (WHICHEVER COMES FIRST)...NISSAN NORTH AMERICA WBI/10-029. WHEN MY HUSBAND, SCOTT, CONTACTED OUR LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPONENT WOULD HAVE TO FAIL BEFORE THEY COULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ACCORDING TO OTHER NHTSA COMPLAINTS FROM NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE COMPONENT FAIL, IT SOMETIMES CAUSES TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL (LACK OF ENGINE POWER THROUGHPUT TO PROVIDE MOBILITY). IF THE COMPONENT WERE TO FAIL IT SEEMS THAT IT WOULD CREATE A SAFETY ISSUE UNDER SOME CONDITIONS (ON HIGHWAYS WHERE IT IS NOT CONVENIENT TO PULL OVER). SOME PATHFINDER OWNERS HAVE CLAIMED THAT IT CAN COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, AND THAT NISSAN SOMETIMES DOES NOT COVER REPAIRS BEYOND THE RADIATOR, DESPITE THAT PROBLEM CAN LEAK COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, SOMETIMES CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND OFFER OWNERS OF POSSIBLY EFFECTED VEHICLES A FREE TEST TO DETERMINE IF THEIR VEHICLE DOES, INDEED HAVE A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY. IF A TEST IS NOT AVAILABLE, THEN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLIES ON THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE REPAIRED OF REPLACES AS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THEY WILL NOT FAIL UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND MILEAGE. FURTHERMORE, IF A RADIATOR ASSEMBLER WERE TO CAUSE A TRANSMISSION TO NEED REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, NISSAN SHOULD COVER ASSOCIATED TRANSMISSION CORRECTION COSTS. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, WE (MY HUSBAND AND I) NO LONGER DRIVER OUR PATHFINDER ON LONG TRIPS, AND HAVE LOST FAITH IN OUR VEHICLE AND NISSAN.