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: power train
585 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 10, 2012
THERE IS A NISSAN MANUFACTURER DEFECT OF FAULTY RADIATORS THAT ARE CAUSING RADIATOR COOLANT TO LEAK INTO AND DESTROY THE TRANSMISSION OF THE VEHICLES AND ENDS UP KILLING VALVES, SEALS AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER ON 2005-2010 NISSAN PATHFINDERS, NISSAN XTERRAS, AND NISSAN FRONTIERS. THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE AN OWNERS TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AND LOSE FORWARD PROPULSION ON A HIGHWAY AND CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC LOSS(ES). *TR
Power train, Sep 9, 2012
I TOOK MY PATHFINDER TO THE DEALER COMPLAINING OF SHIFTING PROBLEMS TO ESSERMAN NISSAN IN MIAMI FLORIDA. THE SERVICE MANAGER OPENED THE HOOD AND AFTER WAITING OVER 1/2 HOUR REMOVED THE RADIATOR CAP TO FIND WATER IN THE FORM OF A CREAM ( TOOK PICTURES). HE STATED THAT THE ENGINE COOLANT MOST LIKELY HAD GONE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION AND CREATED DAMAGE, BUT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS 82K MILES THERE WAS NOTHING THE DEALER COULD DO I CALLED NISSAN AND FILED A CASE, BUT IT WAS USELESS. I TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE THEY CHARGED ME $700+TAX TO FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION, CHANGE THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND INSTALL AN EXTERNAL OIL RADIATOR FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THEY STATED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS DONE AND ALTHOUGH THE ROUGH SHIFTING WILL BE A CONSTANT, THAT AT LEAST I WILL BUY SOME TIME BECAUSE A COMPLETE REBUILT WAS 3500USD. FINALLY THE TRANSMISSION GAVE UP ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY WIFE ENTERED THE HIGHWAY BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE PASS SECOND GEAR. SHE FOUND THE NEXT EXIT AND CALLED ME. SHE MADE IT HOME ON SECOND GEAR AND HIGH RPM. I CALLED BACK NISSAN, THEY ASK ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THE CAR WAS AT HOME SO BEFORE TAKING IT I DECIDED TO PASS BY AND TALK TO THE MANAGER. HE STATED THAT IF NISSAN DID NOT HELP ME AT 82K MILES WHAT MADE ME BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HELP ME AT 120K. I LEFT THE CAR AT HOME UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 5, 2012
APPARENTLY NISSAN HAS A FAULTY RADIATOR WHICH IN TURN RUINED MY TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED ONLY AT NISSAN, AND I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO INDICATION THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG UNTIL IT STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS SHIFTING GEARS. I HAD IT TOWED TO NISSAN JUST TO FIND OUT THAT THE RADIATOR RUINED MY TRANSMISSION AND NOW WILL COST CLOSE TO 6,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIR. *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 5, 2012
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS NO MORE SPEED AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON NEUTRAL, THERE WERE CARS BEHIND BUT IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT IT WAS AT A DISTANCE WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO STOP SUDDENLY WITHOUT CRASHING INTO US OR EACH OTHER. THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE IS INTENDED TO TRANSPORT SEVERAL PASSENGERS AND IN MY CASE I HAD MY CHILDREN WITH ME. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AS BEING OUR ONLY FINANCIAL OPTION FOR A FAMILY OF SIX. THIS HAS CREATED HUGE TROUBLE FOR OUR FAMILY SINCE ALL OF OUR SAVINGS WENT TO THE PURCHASE OF THIS SUV LAST YEAR AND WE HAVE NO MONEY TO DO REPAIRS AT TIME WHICH ARE APPROXIMATELY $4,000.00. *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 4, 2012
TRANSMISSION FAILURE, RADIATOR FAILURE. HAD IT FIXED MONTHS AGO AND MY CAR CONTINUES TO SPEW BLUEBERRY YOGURT FROM COOLING SYSTEM. NISSAN DID NOTHING, DEALER DID NOTHING AND NOW MECHANIC IS MAKING ME JUMP THROUGH HOOPS. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS ISSUE, OCCURRING COUNTRYWIDE IN THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES. NISSAN OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT WANT THE BAD PUBLICITY BY OWNING UP TO THE FAULTY PARTS...WHY DO YOU THINK THEY CHANGED THE PARTS IN 08' MODELS AND UP? LUCKILY MY TRANNY BLOWING ON THE INTERSTATE DID NOT CAUSE INJURY, BUT IT VERY WELL COULD HAVE....IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE DYING FOR SOMEONE TO FINALLY DO SOMETHING!!?? THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN FOR THIS ISSUE (SINCE 2010!) DO SOMETHING!! INNOCENT, HARD WORKING PEOPLE ARE BEING PUT IN DANGER BY THESE VEHICLES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 4, 2012
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH IN THE FREEWAY. AFTER A FEW SIMILAR INCIDENTS I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL THAT DESCRIBED A SIMILAR ISSUE, A RELAY WAS CHANGED.. THE VEHICLE CONTINUE EXPERIENCING THE JERKING UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT IT LOOK LIKE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST SHOP FOR A CHECK UP. APPARENTLY COOLANT WAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN WE THE HOPED THAT THEY WOULD HONOR A WARRANTY EXTENSION, THEY ASKED AS TO PAY FOR A TEST TO CONFIRM WHAT WE ALREADY NEW. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE NEEDED TO CONTACT NISSAN'S 800 NUMBER CORPORATE OFFICE CAUSE THERE WAS A CHANCE THAT THEY MIGHT WANT TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY. I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY EXTENDED THE TRANSMISSION WARRANTY TO 80K DUE TO THIS COMMON ISSUE. THEY TOTALLY DENIED THE EXTENSION CAUSE MY VEHICLE HAD 107,000 MILES. THANKS GOD THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE. NOW WE HAVE TO INCUR THE EXPENSIVE COST OF REPLACING THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THIS FACTORY DEFECT SHOULD BE PAID BY NISSAN AND WE NEED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS COMMON ISSUE. PLEASE LET'S NOT WAIT UNTIL A FATALITY OCCURS FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION TO INITIATE IT. *TR
Power train, Sep 3, 2012
I PURCHASED THIS CAR AS A "NISSAN CERTIFIED" VEHICLE IT HAD 35000 MILES. THANK GOD I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE WHEEL BEARINGS,FUEL SENSOR, U JOINT, FUEL GAUGE, TIMING CHAIN, AND MANY OTHER SMALL EXPENSIVE ANNOYANCES HAD TO BE REPLACED AND WERE COVERED ON THE WARRANTY I BOUGHT, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED WHEN I ONLY HAD 100 MILES LEFT ON MY WARRANTY. I THOUGHT I HAD REPLACED EVERYTHING. BUT THEN THIS PAST JUNE I WAS SITTING IN A DRIVE THRU AND NOTICED A STRONG "WET" SMELL AND NOTICED THAT MY THERMOSTAT WAS BURIED INTO THE RED. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND THIS PINK OOZE STARTED POURING OUT ONTO THE PARKING LOT RUINING THE PAVEMENT.(THE POOR OWNER OF THE RESTAURANT HAD TO HAVE IT RE-COATED) AFTER HAVING IT TOWED I WAS TOLD THAT THE COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED 3 TIMES TO GET OUT ANY OOZE. NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT IT NEEDS REPLACED. I STILL OWE 9500 ON THIS CAR AND THEY WANT 5000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE STARTED RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND AM FINDING HUNDREDS OF CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO SOLUTION FROM NISSAN. I PURCHASED THIS CAR TO GO ON VACATIONS WITH MY KIDS THIS CAR HAS SPACE TO MOVE AND A DVD TO WATCH. UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO TRUST THIS CAR AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD TO RENT CARS TO GO ON LONG DISTANCES. IF I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR THIS SUMMER ON VACATION MY FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK 800 MILES FROM HOME AND NO CAR TO GET BACK. NISSAN NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT! *TR
Power train, Sep 2, 2012
MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE WAS RUNNING GREAT UNTIL FAIRLY SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION STARTED RUMBLING LOUDLY. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR STILL WAS RUNNING I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INVESTIGATE. I COULD FIND NO EXTERNAL PROBLEMS. I CONTINUED DRIVING EVENTUALLY TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT MY PATHFINDERS RADIATOR HAD FAILED ALLOWING ENGINE COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS RESULTED IN A MAJOR REPAIR EVENT TO INCLUDE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THIS COULD HAVE MAJOR CONSEQUENCES AS THE TRANSMISSION VIOLENTLY SHAKES AND SHUTTERS. IN MY CASE THE SUV DID NOT BECOME DISABLED BUT YOU COULD EASILY SEE THAT HAPPEN. *TR
Power train, Aug 28, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
Power train, Aug 28, 2012
RECENTLY MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED ON MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. AFTER READING UP ON IT ON THE INTERNET FORUMS, I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM DUE TO A COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING TRANSMISSION DAMAGE AND FAILURE. I FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD STAND BY THIS BECAUSE IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 27, 2012
COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. WELL-KNOWN NISSAN ISSUE. VEHICLE STARTED RUMBLING INTERMITTENTLY GOING BETWEEN 4TH AND 5TH GEAR AROUND 40 AND 60 MPH. THE RUMBLING WILL LAST BETWEEN 2 AND 5 SECONDS UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED HARD ENOUGH TO FORCE THE VEHICLE TO DOWNSHIFT WHICH RESULTS IN A LOUD BANGING NOISE AND A JERK. ALSO NOTICED WHAT LOOKS LIKE CURDLED MILK ALL AROUND THE RADIATOR CAP. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP, NISSAN OF SACO, ON 08/28/2012 AND AM ALMOST CERTAIN THEY WILL TRY AND GET OUT OF COVERING THIS UNDER THE "LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY". *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 27, 2012
RADIATOR FAILED AND COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Aug 25, 2012
WE WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH IN TOWN AND HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THE NISSAN WOULD'NT MOVE AND THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID RUNNING OUT OF UNDER IT. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. WHERE IT STILL SITS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 21, 2012, fire
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON AUGUST 11TH, 2012 WITH MY ENTIRE FAMILY INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WE WERE ROLLING IN TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 40 TO45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED ACCELERATING. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON, A PASSERBY TOLD ME HE SAW A FIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY GOT MY FAMILY OUT AND CALLED 911 TO HAVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COME OUT AND LOOK AT IT. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT ON SCENE, THE FIRE HAD DIED OUT. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP BECAUSE A FIREMAN SUGGESTED IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH MY TRANSMISSION. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME A COOLER UNDER THE RADIATOR BUSTED CAUSING COOLANT TO GET INSIDE MY TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO GET ON MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH STARTED THE FIRE. THEY QUOTED ME $4900 IN REPAIRS, TELLING ME I NEEDED TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET BECAUSE FOR ONE, MY ENTIRE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED INCLUDING MYSELF, MY WIFE, AND 3 SONS AGES 3 9 & 13. SECONDLY, I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 5 AND HALF MONTHS AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON IT. IN FACT, I OWE JUST ABOUT $1000 MORE ON THE LOAN FOR THE VEHICLE VERSES THE COST OF REPAIRS. SO NOW I AM LEFT WITH NO VEHICLE, NO WAY TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL, AND THE UGLY FACT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH VIA THE INTERNET, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MODEL. IN CLOSING, I AM JUST LOOKING FOR ANY SORT OF HELP I CAN GET TO HELP GIVE ME AND MY FAMILY SOME RELIEF OF THIS TRAGIC AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. THINGS COULD HAVE ENDED UP MUCH WORSE AND I REALLY FEEL THIS VEHICLE PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD TO OUR ROADWAYS. *TR
Power train, Engine, Aug 16, 2012
WHILE DRIVING ON THE WAY TO PICK UP MY KIDS, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHTED ON. THEN AT A TRAFFIC STOP LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHTS TURN GREEN FOR GO, I DID RELEASE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT NO MOVEMENT ON THE CAR. I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR BUT HESITANT AND JERKING. AFTER A WHILE IT MOVES GRADUALLY. I STRAIGHT AWAY WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECK. THEY DID PUT A SMALL INSTRUMENT TO CHECK AND I HEARD HIM ASK ANOTHER GUY WHAT 1754 IS. AFTER A WHILE HE CAME TO ME AND SAID THAT HE HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTED OFF AND IF IT LIGHTS ON AGAIN, IT MIGHT BE A COSTLY REPAIR. I ASKED HIM WHAT MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM. HE SAID MOST PROBABLY THE TRANSMISSION. THEN A WEEK LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON AGAIN, AND I TRIED A SECOND OPINION, SO I WENT TO A NON DEALER TRANSMISSION SHOP. HE ASKED ME WHAT'S WRONG. I TOLD HIM I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND THERE IS HESITATION ON THE VEHICLE AFTER A STOP. HE ASKED FOR THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MOMENT I SAID 2005, HE KNOWS ALREADY THE PROBLEM. HE HAD PREVIOUS CASES OF THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF MY CAR. HE STILL DID SOME CHECKING AND HE WAS NOT WRONG. HE TOLD ME ITS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. HE SAID COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR IS LEAKING TO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS CAUSING DAMAGED TO THE TRANSMISSION. HE SAID HE HAD TO REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION TO THE TUNE OF 4500. ITS A HUGE AMOUNT FOR REPAIR. ITS THE ONLY VEHICLE WE USE FOR WORK AND FOR KIDS GOING TO SCHOOL. WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE LIKE THIS, YOU ARE PUTTING YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY IN GRAVE DANGER. *TR
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 16, 2012
PER NISSAN DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS: TECHNICIAN FOUND ANTI-FREEZE/TRANSMISSION FLUID MIX IN BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION (FAILURE IN RADIATOR COOLER) TRANS (TCM); NO COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER VEHICLE ECMS CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DEALER RECOMMENDATION: REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. FULL TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RADIATOR FLUSH OF SYSTEMS. *TR
Power train, Aug 13, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS CONTAMINATED WITH ENGINE COOLANT AND AS A RESULT, THE RADIATOR AND THE THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Power train, Engine, Aug 10, 2012
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING/NOT RESPONDING/HESITATION/CAR 'SHAKING' WHEN SHIFTING, ETC SO WE TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALER TO ASK WHAT HAPPENED. THEY SAID THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND PRETTY MUCH DESTROYED IT. I ASKED IF THEY HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE OR IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR IT AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NOT SEEN IT NOR WAS THERE A RECALL. I THEN CALLED ANOTHER NON-DEALER TRANSMISSION CENTER AND THEY KNEW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS BEFORE I EVEN FINISHED EXPLAINING. THEY SAID THEY GET 2005 PATHFINDERS ABOUT 1 PER WEEK AND CURRENTLY HAD TWO ON THE LOT -- ALL WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK WITH THIS INFO AND THEY TRIED TO ACT SURPRISED BUT I COULD TELL THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS GOING ON HERE. HERE IS A FULL (AND BETTER) DESCRIPTION FROM A PENDING LAWSUIT ON THIS PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLES LIKE WE (AND SO MANY OTHERS) EXPERIENCED: "TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSED BY CRACKED RADIATORS - FAULTY RADIATORS ARE CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO AND DESTROY THE TRANSMISSION. AN ALARMING NUMBER OF NISSAN XTERRA, PATHFINDER AND FRONTIER OWNERS ARE STEPPING FORWARD WITH STORIES ABOUT THEIR CRACKED RADIATORS WHICH ARE CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. ONCE MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THIS LETHAL COMBINATION KILLS THE VALVES, SEALS AND TORQUE CONVERTER -- RENDERING YOUR ENTIRE TRANSMISSION USELESS. THIS ISSUE IS CURRENTLY CONTAINED TO THE 2005 MODEL YEAR, BUT WE'RE KEEPING OUR EYES OPEN FOR REPORTS FROM OTHER YEARS. WHAT'S EVEN MORE TROUBLING IS OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD THEIR TRANSMISSIONS "REPAIRED" BY AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER ARE STILL REPORTING CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, NISSAN OWNERS WHO ARE OUT OF WARRANTY ARE LEFT TO COVER THE HEFTY REPAIR BILL, WHICH CAN BE OVER $4,500 WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE." *TR
Power train, Engine, Aug 7, 2012
EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, THE CHECK LIGHT WAS ON AND THE GEARS SEEMED TO BE SHIFTING HARD AND ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH AS IT WAS IN SECOND GEAR. THE RECOMMENDATION WAS TO FIRST FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION AND APPLY AN EXTERIOR COOLANT ON TO THE RADIATOR BECAUSE OF KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS A TEMPORARY BAND AID BECAUSE THE NEXT TIME I WAS GOING ON A LONG TRIP, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED HARD WHILE DRIVING, JERKED AND WHEN INTO 4WD AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT ME TOUCHING ANYTHING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER 60 MILES AN HOUR THE RPMS TACK UP SUPER HIGH AND THE ENGINE RUNS WITH A ROAR. HAD THE TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSED AGAIN AND THE FAULT CODES SHOW A P1754, P1759, P1764,01731, P0102....BASICALLY THEY ARE TELLING ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION OR A REBUILT ONE TO THE TUNE OF 4-5000 DOLLARS, THE SOURCE OF THE ISSUE IS THE FAULTY RADIATOR WHICH LEAKED WATER INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A CATASTROPHIC ISSUE TO ME BOTH SAFETY WISE AND FINANCIALLY WISE AND I'M NOT ALONE--THERE ARE PAGES AND PAGES OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM YOU CAN FIND ALL OVER THE INTERNET. I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN BEFORE BUYING THE VEHICLE BUT THAT'S WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE. NISSAN EXTENDING A WARRANTY UPTO 80,000 MILES IS A MUTE POINT WHEN MOST OF THESE ISSUES HAPPENS AFTER THAT MILEAGE, TO ME IT'S JUST RIDICULOUS TO HAVE SUCH A HUGE DESIGN/COMPONENT FLAW THAT CAN CAUSE SUCH A HIGH DOLLAR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND NOT HAVE IT RECOGNIZED BY NISSAN AS A RECALL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 7, 2012
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER...RADIATOR CRACKED LEAKED COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION. COMMON PROBLEM NISSAN WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 6, 2012
MY 2005 PATHFINDER WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL IT STARTED DEVELOPING A CASE OF THERMOSTAT FLUCTUATION; IT WOULD ALMOST GO INTO THE RED AND THEN DROP ALL THE WAY BACK DOWN TO THE NORMAL LEVEL. I TOOK IT TO PRECISION TUNE AND THEY REPLACED THE RADIATOR HOSE ASSEMBLY. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THAT, THE TRANNY STARTED SLIPPING. AS I HAD ALREADY READ FROM OTHER CONSUMERS, I KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO MY TRUCK, AND BECAUSE THE TRUCK ALREADY HAD 120K + MILES ON IT, I KNEW WHAT NISSAN WOULD LIKELY SAY. SURE ENOUGH, ONE AFTERNOON, I GOT IN THE TRUCK AND IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE FORWARD. I IMMEDIATELY HAD IT TOWED TO NISSAN IN APRIL AND BEGAN THE FIGHT TO GET IT FIXED; THEY QUOTED ME $5100 TO REPLACE THE TRANNY AND RADIATOR DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR. I CONTACTED THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, AND NOT ONLY DID THEY TELL ME THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT, BUT REFERRED ME TO THE BBB (A VERY BRAZEN MOVE IN MY MIND, TO HAVE A COMPANY REFER YOU TO THEM ABOUT THEM). THEY ALREADY KNEW THE BBB WOULDN'T HELP BECAUSE IT WAS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY. NEARLY FOUR MONTHS LATER, IT STILL SITS AT THE DEALER, BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE REPAIR COST (I STILL OWE FOR TWO YEARS ON THE VEHICLE), AND NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX IT, ALTHOUGH THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS. SOMEONE HAS TO DIE, I GUESS, BEFORE THEY PULL THEIR VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Engine, Aug 5, 2012
COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT (NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD FROM MY MECHANIC AND HAVE SEEN ONLINE AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM). *TR
Power train, Aug 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS JERKING AND HESITATING WHEN ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS TO MIX TOGETHER ERRONEOUSLY, DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,151.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 2, 2012
I NOTICED A CONSISTENT VIBRATION WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED AROUND 40 MPH. AN INITIAL FLUSH OF THE FLUID TEMPORARILY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, BUT IT REAPPEARED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER AND PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW ERRATIC AT ALMOST EVERY SHIFTING JUNCTURE AND IS PRONOUNCED AT HIGH SPEEDS. AN INSPECTION AT A NISSAN SERVICE CENTER CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED NISSAN DESIGN FLAW THAT NISSAN WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. THE VEHICLE IS TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Power train, Aug 2, 2012
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ALONG ONE DAY AND OUR NISSAN PATHFINDER TRANSMISSION BROKE DOWN. THIS HAPPENED IN FAST TRAFFIC AND WITH MY BABY IN THE BACK, NOT EXACTLY THE SAFEST SITUATION. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, SEEMINGLY A CRACK HAPPENS IN THE RADIATOR THAT SPILLS INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID RENDERING THE TRANSMISSION USELESS. SO NISSAN EXTENDED THE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES, PROBLEM IS MY PATHFINDER HAS 90,000 MILES. CALL ME CRAZY BUT WHY DOES A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW BECOME MY PROBLEM EVER? WEAR AND TEAR IS ONE THING, DESIGN FLAWS ARE ANOTHER. I'M GOING FROM ONE OF NISSAN'S BIGGEST FANS TO NEVER WANTING TO BUY A NISSAN AGAIN. NISSAN IS FAILING TO RECALL THIS KNOWN PROBLEM OR AT THE VERY LEAST HELP ME NOT BECOME A HATER. WHAT A LOST OPPORTUNITY. NISSAN FAILED. HERE'S THE KICKER, I WAS ABOUT TO BUY A SECOND NISSAN, OBVIOUSLY THEIR REACTION WON'T ALLOW ME TO DO THAT NOW. I CALLED NISSAN TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO AND I HAVE RECEIVED NOTHING BUT JUNIORS WHO ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DEVIATE FROM A SCRIPT. THE SUPERVISOR IS NOT INTERESTED IN CONNECTING WITH ME, IT'S SO OBVIOUS THEY ARE TAKING A HEAD IN THE SAND APPROACH. IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE TOYOTA PEDAL RECALL IMPLICATIONS. *TR