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
1,050 reports, newest first.
Power train, Oct 1, 2012
THE TRANSMISSION FELT KIND OF JERKY ONE DAY, AND THEN THE VERY NEXT DAY IT FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING OR NOT WANTING TO SHIFT BEFORE IT WOULD SLAM INTO GEAR. IT WAS AT THIS POINT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY LET GO. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 30, 2012
THE CAR STARTS PULLING BACK AFTER IS DRIVEN 50 MILES AT A SPEED OF 60MPH SPECIALLY IF YOU START CLIMBING UP THE HILL. NISSAN DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGE. THOUGH WHILE THE CAR IS DRIVEN IN THE CITY, THERE IS NO PROBLEM, UNLESS YOU GO ON THE HIGHWAY AND GO FOR A LONG DRIVE. THANK YOU.. *TR
Power train, Sep 28, 2012
THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUDDER BADLY AND LOSE POWER. THOUGHT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY VEHICLE, BUT IT WAS SPRAYING TRANSMISSION FLUID. PULLED OFF OF THE INTERSTATE AND CALLED A TOWTRUCK. HAD MY FIVE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT. SCARED US BOTH. NO ONE INJURED BUT COULD HAVE BEEN IN HEAVIER TRAFFIC. FOUND OUT TODAY THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 27, 2012
I BOUGHT MY 2005 PATHFINDER IN NOVEMBER OF 2010 WITH 76K MILES. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT IVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSON THAT HAVE SLOWLY GOTTEN WORSE. I WENT AND GOT MY TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AT 98K MILES AND NOW IT HAS LEFT ME SIT. STILL OWING OVER 19K ON THE VEHICLE AND PAYING OVER 400 DOLLARS A MONTH ON A PAYMENT AND NOW NISSAN WANTS ME TO PAY FOR THE PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE KNOWN THEY HAD ON A VEHICLE. NOT CHEAP EAITHER, APPLE NISSAN OF YORK PA ESTIMATED OVER 6K TO FIX THE PROBLEM. COMPLETE BS. THIS NEEDS TO STOP NOW AND THESE PROBLEMS NEED TO BE FREE OF CHARGE AND RECALLED ASAP!! I WILL GO AS FAR AS GOING TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE IF NEED BE. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 26, 2012
I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER FROM MY HOME IN SANFORD, FL TO CLERMONT, FL TO VISIT MY MOM AT THE NURSING HOME. WHILE I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY 408 THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL AND BOG DOWN CAUSING THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME TO SLOWED DOWN ABRUPTLY ALMOST CAUSING A CHAIN REACTION ACCIDENT. I WAS TERRIFIED. I SLOWLY MADE MY WAY OFF THE EXPRESSWAY ONTO STATE ROAD 50 THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO AT ALL. I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND HE TOLD ME TO PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN TRY AGAIN. THIS WORKED BUT I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GO 20 MPH, HOWEVER THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 50 MPH. AT ONE POINT I WAS ON A HILL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS ALMOST CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE NURSING HOME WHERE I PARKED THE VEHICLE THEN MY HUSBAND CAME AND TOWED IT BACK HOME WHERE IT NOW SITS, WE HAVE TO HOLD NISSAN RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FLAWS. IT'S NOT FAIR THAT MY LIFE, MY CHILD'S LIFE AND THE LIFE OF OTHER DRIVERS WERE IN DANGER BECAUSE OF NISSAN'S IRRESPONSIBILITY. I WANT THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER REPLACED WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Sep 25, 2012
I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK ON MAIN ROAD AT RUSH HOUR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK FOLLOWED BY HESITATION AND LIGHTS ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL GOING ON. I WAS HAVING TROUBLE GOING EVEN 20 MPH AND MOTORISTS BEHIND ME FELT I WAS GOING UNREASONABLY SLOW, THINKING I WAS DOING THIS ON PURPOSE AND EVEN TRYING TO PASS ME. I LIMPED ALONG TO THE NEXT STREET WHERE I COULD GET OFF SAFELY AND CALLED FOR HELP. BROUGHT THE CAR TO CLOSEST DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT CONTAMINATION. MY CAR WHICH WAS FINALLY PAID OFF NOW FACED CERTAIN DOOM. NISSAN HAS FAILED TO FIX ANY OF THIS SO NOW THE CAR MUST SIT IN MY DRIVEWAY UNTIL YOU ISSUE A RECALL. NISSAN KNEW OF THIS ISSUE LONG AGO AND ISN'T TAKING MEASURES TO WARN ANY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THESE RADIATORS NEED TO BE CHANGED IN ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES AND THOSE WHICH SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE PUT BACK ON THE ROAD AT THEIR EXPENSE.HOW MANY MORE DRIVERS NEED TO GO THROUGH THIS PAINFUL AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING FAILURE? *TR
Power train, Sep 25, 2012
MY PATHFINDER STARTED HAVING A VIBRATION EVERY TIME I DROVE IT AND AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY WERE HAVING WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS AND THAT IT WAS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO HAD A POP AND IT LURCHES FORWARD. *TR
Power train, Sep 21, 2012
DUE TO UNEXPECTED TRANSMISSION SLIP, I HAD A NEAR MISS AT A 4-WAY STOP INTERSECTION WHEN MY VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED. TWO OTHER CARS ENTERED THE INTERSECTION FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS AND BOTH HAD TO STOP WHEN MY VEHICLE FAILED TO EXIT THE INTERSECTION AS THEY MIGHT HAVE EXPECTED. MY PATHFINDER VERY SLOWLY ACCELERATED AND EVENTUALLY CLEARED THE INTERSECTION. I CALLED THE DEALER AND AFTER INITIAL INVESTIGATION, THEY ADVISED ME THAT COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION RADIATOR, IRREPARABLY DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AS DID THE RADIATOR. ASIDE FROM THE HIGH COSTS OF REPAIRS WHICH I CONSIDER TO BE UNACCEPTABLE FOR A VEHICLE AT ITS STAGE OF SERVICE LIFE, I CONSIDER THE FAILURE MODE TO PRESENT AN UNACCEPTABLE SAFETY RISK. *TR
Power train, Sep 20, 2012, crash
I WAS PARKING THE CAR IN A CARPORT A LOW SPEED WHEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT A METAL POLE AND DENTED MY FRONT BUMPER. SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THE INCIDENT I NOTICED THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD (A FEW TIMES) AS I ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES UNTIL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE. I TOOK THE CAR TO UNIVERSAL NISSAN (WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND HAVE EXCELLENT SERVICE RECORD ON MY VEHICLE) ON 08-21-12 AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE RADIATOR WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD COST ANYWHERE BETWEEN $4-5K TO BE REPAIRED. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR PATHFINDER, XTERRA AND FRONTIER DUE TO DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. I CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP ME WITH THE PROBLEM. I WAITED FOR A 2 WEEKS FOR THEM TO RESPOND BUT THEY DID NOT HELP ME, A LOYAL COSTUMER WHO HAVE PURCHASED 3 NISSAN VEHICLES IN THE PAST. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NISSAN CHOOSES TO IGNORE. SINCE NISSAN DOES NOT WANT TO FIX THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT PLEASE MAKE THEM DO SOMETHING BEFORE THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM TAKES A LIFE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Sep 20, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATH FINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE MILEAGE WAS OVER 80,000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 10/10/12*CN UPDATED 10/11/12
Power train, Engine, Sep 19, 2012
WE HAD STARTED TO NOTICE SOME ROUGH SHIFTING AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS PAST WEEKEND MY WIFE WAS TRYING TO DRIVE WITH OUR KIDS IN ATLANTA FREEWAY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. AT SPEEDS AROUND 15 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO BUCK AND LURCH AND IT WOULD KILL THE ENGINE. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC BUT WAS BEHAVING LIKE A MANUAL IF SOMEONE DIDN'T PUSH IN THE CLUTCH WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THIS WAS VERY HAZARDOUS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON A 10+ LANE FREEWAY. THE MECHANIC SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING BECAUSE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT HE HAD SEEN A NUMBER OF NISSANS WITH THIS PROBLEM. WE ARE HAVING TO REPLACE BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR AT $4,000. THAT IS BETTER THAN HAVING THE TRANSMISSION LOCK UP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IF YOU REMEMBER LAST YEAR, MONTOYA'S NASCAR TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP SENDING HIM INTO ONE OF THE JET DRIERS AT THE TRACK CAUSING A FIERY COLLISION. HE HAD NO CONTROL AT THAT TIME AND HE IS A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER. NISSAN KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM. I NOW KNOW THAT I AM NOT ALONE AND THAT TOO MANY NISSAN OWNERS HAVE MADE THIS COMPLAINT AND NISSAN WILL NOT VOLUNTARILY PROTECT THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
Power train, Sep 17, 2012
VIBRATES VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING, ON9/15/12 I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND IT STARTED JERKING AND SHAKING BACK AND FORTH AND I HAD TO LET OF THE GAS TO GET IT TO SHIFT AND GOING AGAIN. SINCE THEN IT HAS GOT WORSE. TOOK IT TOO A TRANSMISSION PLACE AND THEY LOOKED AT THE FLUID AND COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. $4200.00 IS THE ESTIMATE. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY AND WILL NOW HAVE TO GET A LOAN TO GET IT FIXED. NISSAN WARRANTY IS EXPIRED AT 80K MILES. I HAVE A WARRANTY IN PLACE WITH NAVISS WHICH THEY HAVE DENIED THE CLAIM STATING THE RADIATOR IS NOT A COVERED PART AND THE FACT THAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM SO IT IS NOT COVERED. I HAVE A WIFE AND TWO KIDS AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. MY WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I CAN'T BELIEVE NISSAN KNOWS THAT THIS AN ISSUE YET THEY WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION PLACE SAID THEY FIX 3-4 A MONTH, AND HAVE YET TO SEE NISSAN COVER ANY. I HOPE THAT THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT GOES THROUGH SO WE CAN GET OUR MONEY BACK. *TR *JS
Power train, Sep 17, 2012
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GAIN SPEED AS IT WOULD NORMALLY. AT HIGHER SPEEDS IT SEEMS TO PERFORM NORMALLY. WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THERE IS A NOTICEABLE JUMP/BUMP. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE RADIATOR IS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. HE SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY RUSTY. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE VEHICLES. AT THIS POINT HE IS ESTIMATING BETWEEN $2,500 AND $3,000 TO REPAIR. VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 108,000 MILES. I WOULD LOVE ANY INFORMATION ON HOW TO BE REIMBURSED FROM NISSAN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 17, 2012
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, I CANNOT REMEMBER THE DATE OF THE FIRST INCIDENT. MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER STALLED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. MY FAMILY WAS IN THE VEHICLE AND WE WERE LEAVING A PLACE OF BUSINESS, WHICH WAS KIND OF ON A HILL AND WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, BUT STARTED TO GO BACKWARD. I CUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND TRIED AGAIN AND WE WERE OFF AND GOING, UNTIL WE WERE ON THE ROAD AND IN TRAFFIC GOING ABOUT 45MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL, AND WE HAD TO GET OURSELVES OUT OF TRAFFIC. I GT THE VEHICLE GOING AGAIN AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO GO FINE FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS, THEN ON SEPT 15 I WOKE EARLY TO TAKE A FAMILY MEMBER TO A WEEKEND CLASS, AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY STREET I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE 2005 PATHFINDER I ROLLED MY WINDOW DOWN TO HEAR THE SOUND AS I WAS LISTENING THE SOUND WENT AWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS APPROACHING THE TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL, I WAS PUSHING ON THE GAS AND IT WOULD NOT GO, THE LIGHT WAS GREEN AND I HAD CARS BEHIND ME. I HAD TO TURN MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND TRY TO GET MYSELF OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TO SAFETY, ONCE I DID I HAD TO PARK MY VEHICLE IN A BUSINESS PARKING LOT AT A SHOPPING CENTER THAT IS CLOSE TO MY HOME. AT THIS POINT MY VEHICLE IS PARKED DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN PUT IN DRIVE. I HAVE TALKED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE ADVISED THAT THEY HAVE HEARD OF THE RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION FLUID MIX AND THIS SEEMS TO BE THE CASE WITH MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER, AND THAT IT IS COSTLY TO GET IT REPAIRED. THE COST IS ULTIMATELY LEFT UP TO ME, AND I FEEL AS IF THIS IS A NISSAN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR QUITE SOME TIME FOR SOME OTHER NISSAN CUSTOMERS THAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED A RECALL AND NISSAN SHOULD BE FIXING THIS MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 13, 2012
COOLANT MIXING IN THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. SOME ISSUES WITH SLIPPING AT FIRST, MECHANICS COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE APART THE TRANSMISSION TO FIGURE IT OUT SINCE THERE WERE NO CODES BEING TRIPPED. THEN THE SLIP GOT WORSE AND THEY HAPPENED TO DISCOVER HOW BAD THE FLUID LOOKED BY THE U-JOINT UNDERNEATH THE CAR. IT WAS ONLY THEN THAT THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAK. THEY PROCEEDED TO FIX THE RADIATOR AND RELATED COMPONENTS AND FLUSHED THE SYSTEM SEVERAL TIMES ($726.81) ONLY 2 MONTHS LATER THE TRANSMISSION WAS ACTING UP AGAIN AND ALMOST FAILED ON THE FREEWAY, STUTTERING THE ENGINE AND SMOKING A BIT. FORTUNATELY, WE WHERE ABLE TO LIMP THE VEHICLE HOME AND GET IT TO THE MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY. VEHICLE WAS AT THE SHOP FOR 3 WEEKS, THEN THE MECHANIC THOUGHT HE HAD IT FIXED. WE DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STUTTER AND SLIP AGAIN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP, THEY CHECKED THE CODES AND DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS...... WHEN YOU PAY THIS MUCH MONEY FOR A VEHICLE, THERE IS NO REASON WHY A TRANSMISSION SHOULD FAIL IN 94,000 MILES. I CAN'T BELIEVE ALL THE HORROR STORIES I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET RELATED TO THIS NISSAN TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I FEEL A SICK TO MY STOMACH RIGHT NOW JUST THINKING ABOUT THE FINANCIAL IMPACT THAT THIS HAS AND WILL CAUSE TO MY FAMILY. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON THAT NISSAN SHOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS CATASTROPHE. ESPECIALLY AFTER THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Sep 12, 2012
MY PATHFINDER HAS 150,000 MILES ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE PATHFINDER IS A 2005. THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS MALFUNCTIONING. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I HAD TROUBLE WITH THE POWER IN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS SLIPPING AND NOT GOING INTO GEAR ALL THE TIME. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT NISSAN ALREADY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM BUT DID NOT DO A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, IT ALSO LUNGED FORWARD WHILE DRIVING IT. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. AT THIS POINT, NISSAN IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT DISCUSS THE PROBLEM UNLESS IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY A NISSAN DEALER AT A COST OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. *TR
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 11, 2012
IT STARTED WITH THE HEAT IN MY 2005 PATHFINDER NOT WANTING TO HEAT UP UNLESS GOING OVER 55 MPH. THEN SUDDEN JERKING WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN GOING OVER SPEEDS OF 40. HAD TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND WORKED FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. THEN AS MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD IT BEGAN TO LOSE ACCELERATION AND CAME TO A STOP. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED AND IT HASN'T STARTED SINCE? THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY OUT. THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. REPAIRS ARE GOING TO BE $5100. THE CAR HAS 92,000 MILES! STILL WAITING TO HEAR IF NISSAN MANUFACTURERS ARE GOING TO FIX THE DAMAGE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS VEHICLE TO DRIVE BECAUSE WHEN IT GOES OUT IT WILL COMPLETELY GO OUT AND IF YOU ARE ON THE HIGHWAY THIS IS VERY SCARY!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 10, 2012
WHILE DRIVING UP TO SPEED AT 55 MPH THE TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING A RUMBLING NOISE LIKE IF DRIVING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO IT OVER DRIVE GEAR IT STARTS RUMBLING. RADIATOR FLUID IS CONTAMINATING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 10, 2012
RADIATOR CRACKED CAUSING COOLANT FLUIDS TO LEAK INTO TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION TO SLIP AND NOT DRIVE. *TR
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 8, 2012
FILLED FUEL TANK, DROVE 3 MILES WHEN GAS GAUGE FELL TO 1/2 FULL. TURNED VEHICLE OFF ,RESTARTED FUEL STILL AT 1/2 FULL. THEN SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. *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