The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to immediately restart. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The dynamic control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Voluntary Recall Campaign: PC068. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.
2005 Nissan Pathfinder transmission problems
585 complaints (56% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 100,000. 5 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 585
- of this car's complaints
- 56%
- typical mileage
- 100,000
- crashes
- 5
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission138
- Transfer case (4-wheel drive)1
- Driveline: driveshaft1
- Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Nissan Pathfinder transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Transmission failure 144Slipping 69Jerking 43Hesitation 33Won't shift 21Shudder 19Harsh shifting 11Whining noise 6
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Transmission Failures
On February 29, 2012 the federal safety agency received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.the federal safety agency conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
DP12004
What 2005 Nissan Pathfinder owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While driving on US 95 in DC, MD and NJ, when the traffic became stop and go, my SUV could not get into 1st gear to go. The engine revved, the car shook and made noises. Several times I came close to being rear-ended. This problem also occurs when starting after a red light, when accelerating on a highway (usually 3rd or 4th gear), and when turning left on a green arrow. Not only has it caused many close calls with being rear-ended, but it has also incited road rage in people who are driving behind me. Now I'm told I need a new transmission and also a new coolant system which leaks due to a fault in the system known by Nissan, and pollutes the transmission. This is a terrible safety threat and Nissan should own up to it and pay for the repairs.
Transmission began to fail suddenly, resulting in a situation where the car would not accelerate in busy traffic.
In the last 4 years I've replaced emissions system brakes rotors air conditioning system exhaust system radiator and transmission. Car was vibrating shaking cutting out leaking exhaust fumes and emissions system failed.
Al encender el carro y calentar para salir el vehculo enciende una luz y en marcha el solo se apaga en medio de las calles o carreteras. Los mecanismos lo chequeo y junto al servicio de seguro ellos sacaron la conclusin la transmisin calienta los cables que van al motor que esto es un problema de fbrica y por esto yo tuve que rebelda la transmisin por $4.000.00 y el seguro me aumento de $1000s a $ 4000s. No puedo USA mi carro que pague $20.000. Fui al diler de la nissan y ellos me dijeron tengo que pagar $165.00 para empezar y despus me dirn e cuanto me cuenta el total del arreglo. No obstante con el diagnstico del ingeniero de mecnica del seguro state farm y los 3 mecanismos que estuvieron en arreglo 1 de motor y elctrico y transmisin. He gastado mucho dinero y no pueden hacer nada ni usar mi vehiculo. En que ustedes me pueden ayudar por amor a dios?
Over heats, coolent leaked into transmission causing transmission to go out
Started up drove fine then when I stopped it would not accelerate. Turned off went through gears couple times and had to do that 3 times before it would accelerate and shift. I drove 50 miles home next day it did same thing after driving 1/2 mile. Goes into reverse but will not go over 5 miles per hour moving forward.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan pathfinder. While the vehicle was at a stop sign with the brake pedal depressed, the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated forward into traffic and suddenly stopped. The maintenance, 4wd, and check engine warning indicators illuminated. Also, the gear shifter symbols were blank. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the transmission fluid had a burning odor. The transmission was replaced, but the failure recurred two days later. Additionally, while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle became stuck in first gear. The vehicle was towed to the same independent mechanic. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 131,000.
Radiator internally failed causing fluids to mix. Coolant was run through the transmission causing it to fail.
I bought the vehicle having no idea of this issue, I didn't investigate because this is our 7th nissan and they have been good cars. I was driving 75 MPH to work at rush hour and the trans started letting loose and shuddering so bad I had to pull over onto the should and that's just as safe as driving this thing. Paid a lot of money to have it sitting in the driveway. But everyone that asks why I tell them because nissan doesn't care about their loyal customers. We intended for our 14 y/o to drive it but no way in the world would I let that happen
Questions about the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder transmission
Does the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 585 complaints about the transmission of the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder, 56% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Pathfinder transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 100,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder transmission?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Nissan Pathfinder have bad transmission?
The Nissan Pathfinder model years with the most transmission complaints are 2005 (585 complaints), 2006 (450 complaints) and 2013 (371 complaints).
Other 2005 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Engine 433Fuel system 276Electrical 66Acceleration 31Airbags 22Brakes 18Body 14Steering 9Suspension 9Visibility 7Driver assistance 4Locks 3Tires 3Seat belts 2Seats 2Wheels 2
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