They report in all instances that the dealer diagnosed the problem as a failed transmission fluid cooler located in the radiator assembly that allowed coolant to mix with and contaminate the automatic transmission fluid, resulting in damaged internal transmission components and a damaged internal transmission computer. The complainants report no warning signs leading up to or just prior to the failures.
2005 Nissan Pathfinder engine complaints
Page 6 of 16: complaints 131 to 160 of 433, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Due to a design defect, I have radiator fluid leaking into and ruining my transmission. I learned that nissan has recognized the problem and has extended the warranty. However, because the vehicle has above 80,000 miles I have a co-pay of $2,500. I find this unfair. This problem is not due to miles driven or operator error. This is a design defect and to require customers to pay thousands to fix nissan's engineering problem is wrong. I feel I have been taken advantage of. Nissan should cover the full cost of the repair regardless of mileage because the problem results from a design flaw.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 30 MPH independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they informed the contact that the radiator and transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was currently being inspected by the dealer for a second opinion. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
I experienced transmission shifting problems between 50-60 MPH. Local service center diagnosed it as a defective radiator which allowed radiator fluid to get into the transmission fluid. After talking to other pathfinder owners and checking the internet apparently nissan was aware of their defect and tried to keep it hidden resulting in a class action lawsuit which was settled. Unfortunately I am out $1,500 for repairs and there is no guarantee I won't be replacing my transmission soon! Can you help?
I reported a complete loss of motive power. The auto repair diagnosed the problem as a failed transmission fluid cooler located in the radiator assembly that allowed coolant to mix with and contaminate the automatic transmission fluid, resulting in damaged internal transmission components and a damaged internal transmission computer.
As I was driving on a motor way, the car just start shaking and stopped in the middle of the road without prior warning from the dashboard. A message "service soon" started display on the dashboard. This seems like a transmission failure. I couldn't move the car from that spot on the motor way. I had the car towed to the mechanic and he diagnose the car and couldn't find any fault on the car. I am scare to drive the car and the car is still at the auto mechanic shop not know what the problem.
Spent $1067.22 on radiator and transmission repair on what later was recalled. Now they state I am not eligible because of mileage but logic would dictate that the high mileage cars would exhibit the problem first as mine did. Nissan admitted a problem with the recall and I experienced it and paid to have it repaired. Why would it not be covered? I submitted directly to nissan with case number [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Failed transmission fluid cooler located in the radiator assembly that allowed coolant to mix with and contaminate the automatic transmission fluid. The radiator had to be replaced, possible damage to transmission.
I took my car to a nissan dealership complaining about issues with the transmission slipping. I was told they found nothing wrong- however the nissan technician was fully aware of the issues with the transmission radiator coolant and failed to inform me of the possible issue. Why not just replace the radiator before it causes the transmission to go bad. Finally the transmission failed at 130k miles and of course I am told that I am out of luck and $4200. I think it is really sad that nissan offered extended warranties for customers under certain miles and left others out in the cold. If there was enough evidence to prove they were aware of the defect all along then customers should be able to have this repaired at no cost to them regardless of the number of miles on the vehicle.
Sudden jerking in the vehicle when traveling at highway speeds. The problem has been diagnosed as a failed transmission cooler which allows coolant to mix with the transmission fluid, causing internal damage to the components. Nothing happened before, but the transmission started slipping 5th gear and no going into it, now 4 and third finally just stopped moving... Repair cost is going to be 6500$ at the nissan dealership and they will not admit a known issue....
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration power. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the radiator and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 62,880.
My car would not start one morning so I had to call a tow truck to take it to my mechanic, he called me to tell me that the radiator was allowing moisture or water to go into the electrical part of the transmission and the transmission has completely fried. I got a quote of $4000 to $6000 to fix or rebuild it. He then told me there are thousands of articles online about the problem and that since my car was at 109,000 miles there was nothing nissan would do about fixing it even though there was nothing I did to cause the problem!!! I still owe $8500, as I have only had the car for 2 years, and I sure can't go buy another car. I have 3 small children so now I have no car, can't afford another and nissan will do nothing to help.
I was driving .it did a click sound when changing shifts from 1 to second. I took the mechanic and I was told the transmission had leak some fluid damage because the radiator had a leakage. I changed the radiator and heater assembly hose that it was damage, too. To replace a re-build trans. I was told that I need 5k that I don't have it right now. But, sooner of later I have to replace it. I called my dealer and I was told that I'm in my own.because my car has 137k miles. I found out that there are more than a few owners with the same problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated and jerked while driving at any speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer test drove the vehicle and was unable to duplicate the failure. The jerking and deceleration increased with greater force and the dealer re-inspected the vehicle, advising that the radiator fluid had penetrated the transmission. As a result, both the transmission and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 57,800.
I was driving towards reno, nv and every time there is an uphill roadway the engine would rev up and the transmission shifts to another gear,I would feel a thumping sound and on every 3 to 6 miles of driving the vehicle would feel like it is running on an unpaved road. I took the vehicle to the dealership and that is when they informed me that my transmission fluid and engine coolant are mixing. Not to mention that my fsr is no longer functioning properly. It turned out that the fsr (fuel sensor relay) is not on the recall list unless it is a 2006 and up. I don't mind the fsr, because I can work on this but the coolant and tranny fluid mixture should be a recall since a lot of people are experiencing this issue.
Transmission oil in radiator, cause car to over heat. Most likely need new transmission and radiator. Just over nissan 100,000 mile warranty and they won't cover the replacement. And if the would want me to pay 3,000 out of my pocket for a know defective part. I feel this needs to be recall and nissan expense and fix my car.
My problem started with my 2005 pathfinder over a year ago,I went to the nissan dealer they told me that I need to drop off my vehicle for them to fix it I asked if nissan covering it they said no I have to pay $2,500. This is not my fault it's their problem. Why do I have to pay for them to correct their problem with a radiator leaking and messing up the transmission?
2005 nissan pathfinder was locking up & stalling at low speeds june 2013. I took it to nissan & paid $400 for supposedly a bad camshaft & bad crankshaft. Not more than a month later the vehicle is stalling yet again. Furious I took my vehicle to a non nissan dealer. The other mechanic felt ECM recall & faulty ECM was the cause. He took it back to nissan & insisted the do the recalled part & the bad ECM. Service was upset that he went in there telling them the problem. They free of charge got my car going again. Supposedly my key had "reset" itself. Which "could be caused by a battery being dead for too long or being jump started". Our battery was new & only maybe 6 months old. Nissan service manager claimed she checked the ground & it was all ok. Just the catalytic converters needed replacement for about $2000 but were not the cause of stalling or the key resetting itself. She insisted the ECM was good & the recalled part had nothing to do with it. A week later & here I am again with a car that wont start. This time the nissan tech came to the store where I was stranded at. His machine couldn't even read the codes & he said maybe it was ground wires in my dash or the ECM but hard to say unless I paid to have it looked at again! Of course I have no choice but for them to look at it. I wouldn't mind as most for minor repairs/maitenance but it seems this year/model is pure crap. After reading other complaints I realize that my car shaking at 60+ miles when I do hit the freeway is a huge problem as well! We live in a small town where we don't usually drive those high speeds so I never really thought much of it until now. Nissan knows very well these are huge problem cars yet doesn't care! These vehicles are not safe. The stalling has happened at intersections or driving!!
During the time I was driving the pathfinder I notice that the transmission started pulling. I got into the turning lane to pull over to check it out but when I stopped and then try to turn the vehicle would not move more then 3 feet that left me in the middle of the road. Lucky no one was hurt but it could have been a bad situation if I was on a busy street.
Engine light is on. Nissan dealer shop recommends to replaced transmission and radiator.
It's the typical nissan pathfinder (2005-2011) transmission/radiator failure due to fluids from both devices mixing and causing catastrophic failure of both. Nissan informs me that they certainly understand my problem, which is comforting, but will not pay a dime. Never buy another one.
My 2005 nissan pathfinder has on numerous occasions, just stopped running and turned off. It does this while sitting idle, say in line. It does this while driving down the street. It just turns off! Now I'm having trouble re-starting it!
There is problem with this model vehicle. Thousands of people are having the same problem. The radiator has a leak in it causing the transmission oil to mix with the radiator coolant creating a mixture of gravy type substance. The transmission and the radiator are filled up with this substance. The engine is not being cooled down. The vehicle starts to vibrate after a certain speed. When you pop up the hood it smells like plastic burning.
Driving in town roughly 25 miles, the truck slowed down, you hit the gas to excel and it stops eventually. The mechanic says the transmission coolant leaked, mixed and need to replace the transmission and trained and leaned the radiator.
My pathfinder locked in 4wd while switch was still in 2wd and would not start back after towing to dealership I find out it is the radiator leaking into the transmission and both will have to be replaced at $4900.00. If my wife would of been on a road with more traffic it would of been bad for her and my two year old. We have only owned the car for a year and nothing but problems out of it and our altima. We have always been nissan owners but will never buy again this is evidently a really common problem and nissan's customer appreciation is awful.
Transmission went out on vehicle while it was in motion causing vehicle to stall and difficulty picking up speed to merge into 65mph highway traffic almost resulting in a collision. When vehicle was towed to transmission shop, they informed me that these nissan pathfinders are known for having bad radiators causing water to enter transmissions making the transmission to suddenly go out. ..I then had it towed to a second shop and they confirmed radiator went bad. Radiator was replaced but transmission is completely out due to the radiator.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine service when the contact was told that the radiator was leaking fluid into the transmission. The contact stated that the transmission had been hesitant. The dealer stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 102,500.
On july 25, 2013 the car made a skipping sound when I turned it on and a few days prior it would make a rolling action when stopped. On july 26, 2013 I was in route and after being on the road for 7 minutes at a stop light the vehicle would not accelerate when I pressed on the gas pedal. After numerous attempts it started driving however it would not go past 15 miles making a grinding sound/noise. I was able to get it to the closest mechanic. The mechanic informed me that the A/C coolant had gone into the transmission requiring it to be flushed however not guaranteeing that it will work. I called nissan on july 26 2013 and was informed that my warranty had expired and that they would not assist in repairing the transmission. At this time, the problem is trying to be fixed and expected to be significantly costly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had to wait an hour before the vehicle would restart with the illumination of the check engine light. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was determined that the cam shaft position sensor failed. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 148,000.
It appears the radiator failed leaking coolant into the transmission. When I asked the mechanic about it he said that now your transmission will fail soon. I have been reading that this is very common and has happened alot with this year and model which I believe to be totally not acceptable.
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