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
Power train, Engine, Apr 2, 2015
THE RADIATOR ON MY PATHFINDER HAS CRACKED AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO GET INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS HAS RUINED NOT ONLY MY RADIATOR BUT ALSO MY TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Engine, Mar 26, 2015
NISSAN NEEDS TO FORMALLY RECALL SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH RADIATOR/ TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IN MY CASE WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 55 MPH. MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND I TRIED TO TURN ON LUCKILY IT TURNED ON AND BEGAN TO RUN AGAIN. I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR IT DID NOT RUN MORE THAN 20 MPH. I DECIDED TO TOW MY VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED SINCE I WAS TERRIFIED OF IT SHUTTING DOWN ONCE AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED MY VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT FLUID FROM THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. NONETHELESS, HE EXPRESSED TO ME THAT THIS WAS NOTHING NEW HE HAD SEEN WITH THESE VEHICLES. HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD FIXED A COUPLE IN JUST THIS LAST YEAR. ACCORDING TO HIS PAST CLIENTS NISSAN FAILED TO DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM REGARDLESS OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARD. I VISITED THE DEALER IN WHICH I HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND EXPLAIN THE SERVICE MAN MY CONCERN. HE CLEARLY TOLD ME THAT MY WARRANTY WAS OVER AND THAT THE LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN TO BE REIMBURSED HAD ENDED IN 2013. I TOLD HIM THAT MY VEHICLE FREQUENTLY COMES TO THEIR SERVICE CENTER FOR MAINTENANCE AND IF THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE IN THESES VEHICLES ONCE THEY REACH THEIR 100,000 MILES WHY DID THEY FAIL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT OCCURRED. IT SURPRISES ME THAT NISSAN FAILED TO INFORM ANY OF ITS CONSUMERS OF THE PROBLEM WHEN IT WAS GOING THROUGH A LAWSUIT. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT HE COULD NOT HELP ME AND REFERRED ME TO CORPORATE OFFICE. I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CALLED WITHIN TWO DAYS. I RECEIVED THE CALL BACK FROM NISSAN SIMPLY TELLING ME MY CASE WAS REVIEWED AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY WARRANTY IS OVER. NISSAN IS PUTTING THE LIVES OF THEIR CONSUMERS IN DANGER AND IS HIDING BEHIND THEIR WARRANTY GUIDELINES TO AVOID CORRECTING THEIR ENGINEERING ERRORS. *TR
Power train, Mar 25, 2015
RE: TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED WITH RADIATOR FLUID CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. HAD TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION. I RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT RE: NISSAN TRANSMISSION/ RADIATOR LEAK ISSUES. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014 MY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL. I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY TWO DIFFERENT SHOPS AND THEY ADVISED A RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THIS COST ME: $5400 OUT OF POCKET. I NOW READ THAT NISSAN HAD A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND WOULD COVER SOME CARS. MY CAR HOWEVER, IS OVER 100,000 MILES AND NISSAN IS NOT OFFERING ANY COMPENSATION. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND I AM BEYOND FRUSTRATED WITH NISSAN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Air bags, Mar 23, 2015
WHILE DRIVING DOWN TO THE TITLE DEPARTMENT THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED MY NEWEST VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED I WAS HIT WITH THE SAD REALITY OF AN UNTRUE MAN SELLING ME HIS PROBLEM MY TRANSMISSION HAS ANTIFREEZE IN THE FLUID IT WILL DRIVE FINE UNTIL IT HEATS UP AND THE FLUID GETS TO THE TRANSMISSION IT IS NOT SAFE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL THEY NO IT'S A PROBLEM AND ALSO MY SEATBELT LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SEAT EVEN WHEN SOMEONE SIT IN THAT SEAT THE SENSOR DOES NOT WORK. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 19, 2015
I TOOK MY PATHFINDER INTO A LOCAL SHOP BECAUSE I STARTED HEARING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AT AROUND 45 MPH. I WAS INFORMED ANTIFREEZE GOT INTO MY TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO A RADIATOR FAILURE. THE SHOP REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND FLUSHED THE TRANNY. OVER A $600 BILL. THE SHOP HOPED IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM WITHOUT REBUILDING OR REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. NO LUCK!! NOW I AM LOOKING AT ANOTHER $4000 PLUS ON SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD BY MANY SHOPS INCLUDING THE LOCAL DEALER THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. IF PROACTIVE BY THE MANUFACTURE COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE RADIATOR. INSTEAD, NISSAN DECIDED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY. NEVER INFORMING CUSTOMERS TO HAVE INSPECTED FOR PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR OR TRANNY. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Mar 12, 2015
ME AND MY 6 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER WERE GOING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WAS LIKE IT HAD BEEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. MY BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING PROPERLY BUT I GOT US OFF THE ROAD AND HAD THE CAR TOWED. AFTER OUR REPAIR GUY CHECKED ALL THE WIRING AND RAN TEST AND PULLED THE TRANSMISSION PAN OFF THE RADIATOR COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FULL RESULTING IN THE GEARS MESSING UP AND THE ENTIRE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. WE KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAD CONTACTED NISSAN 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO CHECK THE RECALL AND WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN FIXED....OBVIOUSLY NOT. IF IT HAD BEEN FIXED IT WASN'T FIXED PROPERLY OR IT WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AGAIN MANY TRIPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN SINCE THEN AND NOW WE ARE OVER 100,000 MILES AND IT'S A $3800 FIX BECAUSE NISSAN EITHER LIED AND IT WAS NEVER FIXED TO START WITH OR DIDN'T CORRECTLY FIX IT THE FIRST TIME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 12, 2015
THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 2, 2015
RADIATOR COOLANT GETTING INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE SHORT CIRCUIT, TRANSMISSION COMPUTER IS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION WHICH DESTROYS THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING REPLACEMENT, RADIATOR REPLACEMENT, THERMOSTAT AND COMPUTER SENSORS REPLACEMENT. COST FOR REPLACEMENT IN THIS PATHFINDER APPROX. $5,500 - $6,000 AND THE REMAINING LOAN ON THE PATHFINDER IS ALMOST THE SAME AMOUNT! ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP THIS IS A MAJOR DEFAULT OF NISSAN AND A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MORE COMPLAINTS THAN THEY THEMSELVES CAN COUNT. THIS PATHFINDER BELONGS TO AN 83 YEAR OLD MAN WHO USES THIS TRANSPORTATION TO TRAVEL WITH HIS 80 YEAR OLD WIFE TO AND FROM 90% MEDICAL USE, NOW HE CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE REPAIRS AND TO NO FAULT OF HIS AND DUE TO NISSAN'S DEFAULT AND WILL NOT AGREE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE PATHFINDER CAN NO LONGER BE USED AND THE LOAN PAYMENTS ARE STILL COMING IN. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 14, 2015
I BEGAN TO HEAR A NOISE AND HESITATION IN GEAR CHANGE. TOLD TIRES BUT CONTINUE TO HEAR. HAD A OIL CHANGE AT TWIN CITY NISSAN. REP ADVICE COOLANT IN TRANSMISSION WOULD CHARGE $3000 TO REPAIR AND WARRANTY ON RADIATOR EXPIRES SOON. RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION AND FLUIDS FLUSHED FOR $3000 COST TO ME. CONTACT 1800 NISSAN 1 AND TOLD OVER 368 COMPLAINTS ITS MANUFACTURING DEFECT HE ADVICE CAN'T. HELP. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT FLUID FROM THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,400.
Power train, Dec 22, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
Power train, Oct 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATH FINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,565.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 27, 2014
THE VEHICLE LAGGED SHIFTING AND SHIFTED ABRUPTLY. ALSO THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. WHEN I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO SHOP (NOT A NISSAN SHOP) THEY INDICATED THE RADIATOR HAD A CRACK IN IT AND FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN SHOP AND THEY SAID THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE 2005 PATHFINDER AND THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM BUT IT WOULD COST ME $3000 AND THERE WOULD BE NO WARRANTY ON THE FIX. SEEMS UNFAIR IF, AS THEY ADMITTED AT MY LOCAL NISSAN SHOP, THIS WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR
Power train, Oct 27, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
Power train, Oct 10, 2014
TRANSMISSION FAILURE MAKING A LEFT TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO WARNING, NO PRIOR, NOISE OR VIBRATION, JUST A SUDDEN TOTAL FAILURE. THE CAUSE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE LEAKING COOLANT FROM THE TRANSMISSION RADIATOR. THE CURRENT NISSAN 'EXTENDED WARRANTY' IS NOT SUFFICIENT GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH A TRANSMISSION FAILURE DURING DRIVING. *TR
Power train, Oct 9, 2014
AS I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A BUSY STREET THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND MY TWO SMALL SONS AND I NEARLY GOT NAILED BY ANGRY ONCOMING TRAFFIC THAT HONKED, YELLED, AND INAPPROPRIATELY GESTURED AT US TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED AS WELL AS OTHERS. THIS HAPPENED MORE TIMES THAN I CAN EVEN REMEMBER. IT ALSO SHUDDERS AND SLIPS WHILE DRIVING AT 40-50 MPH. IT IS DANGEROUS! WHY DOESN'T ANYONE DO SOMETHING! I HAD BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM SINCE 65,000 MILES AND AT 80,300 MILES WE FOUND TRANI FLUID IN THE RADIATOR. AFTER GOOGLING THE ISSUE AND LEARNING THAT IT WAS A PART A OF A CLASSACTION SUIT I WAS PISSED THAT I HADN'T BEEN NOTIFIED. I AM A STRUGGLING MOTHER OF TWO AND I AM STILL PAYING FOR A CAR THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE FOR THE LAST YEAR BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT! I FEEL THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL IN PLACE!!!! LIVES ARE BEING ENDANGERED! *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 28, 2014
I HAD THE VEHICLE'S TIRES REPLACED AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS THERE WAS A SHUDDER LIKE RUMBLE STRIPS. I TOOK THE PATHFINDER BACK TO HAVE THE TIRES LOOKED AT. REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS. THE SHUDDER STILL PERSISTED. I TALKED TO A FRIEND WHO OWNS A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND HE TOLD ME ABOUT THE RADIATOR LEAK/TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. HE SAID TO CHECK THE ENGINE COOLANT FOR MILKINESS AND SEARCH ONLINE. THE COOLANT IS MILKY AND AFTER READING ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, MY FAMILY IS SCARED TO USE THE PATHFINDER. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING BECAUSE OF FAILURE OF THE COOLING SYSTEM NOT WEAR AND TEAR. A FAILING TRANSMISSION IS MORE LIKELY TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THAN A FAILING COOLING SYSTEM. ALSO, NISSAN'S EXTENDED WARRANTY SEEMS TO END TO EARLY TO BE EFFECTIVE. *TR
Power train, Sep 24, 2014
TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF LOW GEAR, FORCING MY WIFE TO GET HOME ON ROAD SHOULDERS WITH EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON. THANKFULLY VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC ON A WEEKDAY AFTERNOON. RESEARCHING ONLINE, FOUND THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PATHFINDER, RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING AND CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NEVER NOTIFIED REGARDING ANY RECALLS OR SUCH. *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 16, 2014
THE VEHICLE BEGAN A SLIGHT SHUDDER WHEN SHIFTING AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS WHILE PASSING A TRUCK ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH IT SHIFTED VERY HARD AND RESPONDED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. ANY APPLICATION OF THE ACCELERATOR CAUSED HIGH RPM BUT GAVE NO ADDITIONAL POWER. I WAS FORCED TO PUT ON MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND MANEUVER THROUGH THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AS I HAD LOST ALL POWER AND COULD NOT WAS JUST COASTING ALONG THE FREEWAY. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT FORTUNATELY ENDED SAFELY NO THANKS TO THE CAR. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID HAD MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS TO FAIL. AFTER SPENDING $1000.00 ON THE FIRST REPAIRS TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES IT RAN FOR A WEEK AND BEGAN SHIFTING VERY HARD AGAIN. IT IS NOW IN THE SHOP BEING CONSIDERED FOR A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. HEARING ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION AND SIMILAR EXPERIENCES BY OTHERS IT IS A WONDER WHY THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY DEEMED A SAFETY RECALL SEEING AS HOW MY SAFETY WAS DEFINITELY IN JEOPARDY AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. *TR
Power train, Sep 15, 2014
THE CAR BEEN GREAT UNTIL ON DECEMBER 2013. I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME FROM WORK AND I NOTICE THE CAR AT THE TIME OF SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND HAS HAVING A HARD SHIFTING, THEN LATER I SPEND AROUND 450 FOR THE TRANSMISSION SERVICE, THE CAR WAS SHIFTING BETTER BUT NOT PERFECT, THEN ON JULY THIS YEAR. AFTER HAVING A SHORT TRIP AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND THEN ON AGAIN TO GO TO THE NEXT DESTINATION, THE CAR AT THE TIME OF FINISHING THE STARTING THE TRANSMISSION KICK A BAD NOISE AND EVEN THE CAR JUMPS, TODAY I WENT TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAIN MY PROBLEMS AND SHOW THE KICKING THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME I HAVE THE CHOICE TO PAY 3000 TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR, THEY KNOW WE HAVE THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSIONS AND THEY DIDN'T CALL FOR A RECALL THAT'S BAD. I HAVE ONLY 96350 MILES AND STILL 4900 TO PAY FOR IT. NISSAN IS NOT MAKING GOOD BUSINESS IN AMERICA, PLEASE HELP US. *TR
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 10, 2014
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS FAILED. MY SON WAS IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON A BUSY STREET AND THIS PROBLEM JEOPARDIZED HIS LIFE.THE VEHICLE BASICALLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN ONTO A BUSY STREET. THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR BREAKDOWN IS A SERIOUS SITUATION AND A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. MY RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND FAILED. THE AMOUNT TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE AND MAKE THIS A SAFE VEHICLE IS MORE THAN WE CAN AFFORD....APPROXIMATELY $5300 BECAUSE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT ALSO FAILED!! I FEEL THIS FAULTY PRODUCT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND NECESSARY REPAIRS MADE OR A REIMBURSEMENT MADE BY NISSAN. *TR
Power train, Sep 5, 2014
APRIL 2013 (96K) - TRANSMISSION FAILED AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE. TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WERE REPLACED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFERED BY NISSAN AT A CO-PAY OF $3000. FEBRUARY 2014 (105K) - TRANSMISSION HOSE RUPTURED AS I WAS DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ON AN EXIT AND PARK IN A LOT UNTIL A TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. MARCH 2014 (105K) - RPMS SPIKING, SLUGGISH ACCELERATION AS I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. TRANSMISSION WAS AGAIN REPLACED. AUGUST 2014 (109K) - MECHANIC NOTICED LEAKING FROM TRANSMISSION HOSE WHILE REPLACING BRAKES. DROVE TO THE DEALER AND HAD HOSE FIXED AGAIN. SEPTEMBER 2014 (109K) - TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AS I WAS PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM A SIDE STREET. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 25, 2014
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND AFTER BRINGING VEHICLE TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP, THEY INFORMED ME THAT DUE TO AN INTERNAL RADIATOR CRACK, THAT ENGINE COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION COOLING COILS AND AS A RESULT TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS IMMINENT AND THAT BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEN THEY INDICATE THAT THEY HAD EXTENDED THE ORIGINAL VEHICLE WARRANTY DUE TO THE VOLUME OF SUCH FAILURES, AND THAT THEY WOULD MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS FOR A MEAGER $3,000 "COPAY". I LAUGHED BECAUSE I THOUGHT HE WAS MERELY MAKING A JOKE, BUT THEN FOUND OUT THAT THE JOKE WAS ON THE NISSAN CUSTOMERS. APPARENTLY AS A RESULT OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT, NISSAN HAD AGREED TO THE WARRANTY EXTENSION. WHAT A SLAP IN THE FACE, TO SAY THAT IN LIEU OF RECALLING THE DEFECTIVE RADIATOR, AND MAKING A $500 REPAIR, THEY DECIDED TO ROLL THE DICE WITH THEIR REPUTATION AND THEIR CUSTOMER'S WALLET ON A POTENTIAL $3,500 TO $4,000 REPAIR. WHAT A MORON BUSINESS DECISION. THE SECOND JOKE CAME, WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT THE WARRANTY ON THE REPAIR, AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS ONLY 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. WHAT A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THEIR $3,000 REPAIR (COPAY ??). SO FOR A FEW BUCKS MORE, I CAN HAVE AN INDEPENDENT SHOP DO THE REPAIR, AND GET A BETTER WARRANTY. INSULT # 3 CAME WHEN THEY OFFERED UP, THAT ALTERNATIVELY, THEY WOULD DISCUSS BUYER ASSISTANCE ON A NEW NISSAN VEHICLE. THEY PROBABLY HEARD ME LAUGHING IN JAPAN. *TR
Power train, Engine, Aug 20, 2014
NISSAN DEALERSHIP JUST DIAGNOSED THAT MY RADIATOR WAS LEAKING INTO MY TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE THE RADIATOR COOLANT HAS DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. IN APRIL OF 2014, I HAD MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY HAD FLUSHED AND REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR