2005 Nissan Pathfinder transmission complaints

Filed Feb 1, 2010 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · IL

I just recently purchased a 2005 nissan pathfinder. Just a couple of short weeks after owning the vehicle, I began to notice a strange vibration noise (like you are driving over a grooved surface) coming from the vehicle around 2000-2500 rpms or 45-65 MPH. After doing some research online (http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f177b6c/8#msg8) I have found out that there are a ton of people having this same exact problem on the '05 nissan pathfinders. Apparently, there is a hose that runs from the radiator to the transmission and there is a chronic problem with antifreeze leaking from the radiator into the transmission, thus causing the transmission to begin to malfunction and then ultimately shut down. As you can see from the post on edmunds.com, this is a chronic issue impacting all 2005 nissan pathfinder owners. I do not have the money to get the radiator/transmission replaced on this vehicle. Yet, I must have transportation to get to/fro work. This is obviously defective engineering on nissans part and they need to take ownership of this issue and address the faulty engineering here before someone's transmission shuts down at 60mph causing a crash on one of our highways/interstates.

Filed Jan 27, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · 100,000 miles · OR

While driving our 2005 pathfinder on the hwy I noticed smoke ( a lot)coming from the back of the vehicle. The car was also losing rpms (like the tranny was slipping) the shop said the radiator leaked into the transmission and fried the transmission ($7000).nissan here locally stated they have seen this problem before in the model. The engine stopped smoking after 20 minutes, had to evacuate four children on the hwy. This is second posted complaint about this problem. The shop states this is a design flaw.

Filed May 2, 2009 · Engine, Transmission · 59,000 miles · NC

I have a 2005 nissan pathfinder that the oil cooler leaked radiator fluid into the transmission.

Filed Sep 23, 2008 · Body, Brakes · NJ

Courtesy copy of a letter from consumers written to nissan north america re problems with their 2005 nissan pathfinder. *nj the consumer stated the vehicle was defective. There were numerous problems with the vehicle. The radiator was replaced, the transmission had a whistle up shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, the tires were feathered and an alignment was needed, the door panels creaked, the brakes made a clicking noise, the drive belts were replaced twice because of a noise the consumer heard, the plastic finisher on the running boards kept popping off, the strut on the rear hatch leaked due to a poor seal, the transfer case leaked, there was hesitation when accelerating from a stop, the 4-wheel drive light illuminated on the dashboard, the dealer stated it failed due to internal failure. The rear shocks leaked, the front pinion seal and oil pinion seal were replaced and the rear hatch window leaked. *jb updated 04/06/10.

Filed Jul 22, 2008 · Transmission · 61,000 miles · CA

The dealer pointed out that there was a buzzing / whining noise coming from one or both secondary timing chains and camshaft sprocket areas. I had to replace both secondary timing chains and both secondary timing chain tensioners at 61,000 miles. Cost: $2,148.00. Please see nissan technical service bulletin: classification: em07-001 ntb07-042. Reference: date: july 17, 2007. I believe this item should be a recall. This is obviously a mistake on nissan's behalf when they used inappropriate and unsafe parts. I asked nissan to cover this item under warranty, which they quickly refused. I was 1,000 miles past my drive train warranty but this had begun way before that point. I find it both amusing and convenient that nissan never mentioned this problem to its customers, and me specifically until I was out of warranty; the service report is dated july 17, 2007, exactly one year prior to my vehicle needing repair. I believe this is a clear admittance of guilt on behalf of nissan.