2005 Nissan Pathfinder: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Mar 20, 2023 · Engine · 180,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. The check engine warning light was illuminated along with other several unknown warning lights. Additionally, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed May 16, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 120,000 miles · AR

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

Filed Mar 15, 2018 · Transmission · 82,000 miles · CA

Radiator fluid has leaked into the transmission, compromising the integrity of the transmission. I feel a shudder when the transmission hits 40 MPH - 60 MPH.

Filed Oct 9, 2014 · Transmission · 72,000 miles · HI

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!

Filed Sep 28, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 95,300 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Sep 16, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 91,200 miles · CO

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.

Filed Aug 4, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 55,630 miles · PA

Engine coolant leaked into transmission causing irreparable damage; requires both the radiator and transmission be replaced. This problem was noticed while driving. The car shudders and there is a heavy vibration while accelerating/shifting. This is a concern as the transmission failure may result in unsafe operation of this vehicle.

Filed Jul 16, 2014 · Transmission · 82,700 miles · VA

Vehicle began to shudder and shift hard. Then it lost almost all power. Limped home in the dark not knowing if I could get home. Very scary situation. I was lucky that the weather was not severe (excessive heat or cold) as this could have been very dangerous. With children in the car, in a remote area and from what I now understand , the transmission could have actually caught fire, this has the potential to be a real disaster! Please review this situation, nissan needs to be held accountable before someone gets killed!

Filed Jul 8, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 90,851 miles · MD

My 2005 pathfinder started to have this heavy vibration sound while accelerating and a shuddering sound so on june 30th I took it to the dealer who said they didn't hear the sound so he took is and run a check on it and told me that the coolant is leaking into the transmission he then gave me back the truck and said he was going to get in touch with the warranty and called me I as still waiting for that call until my husband research it on the internet and told me to stop driving the vehicle I then took it back to the dealer on july 8th and was told the cost will be $6000 but nissan was giving me a goodwill program of $3000 so I would have to come up with that other $3000 which I don't have right now so am out of a vehicle they know of the problem since 2012 and did not recall the vehicle , that is a rip off to consumers.

Filed Feb 28, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 144,000 miles · MT

My pathfinder began to shudder and make a deep rumbling noise while trying to maintain a constant speed anywhere between 40-55pmh. I took it to the dealership this morning and was told this afternoon that there was a crack in the intercooler inside the radiator and it had leaked coolant into the transmission fluid. It has caused major damage to the transmission. The radiator and the transmission has to be replaced. The tech said the estimated cost will be $5300.

Filed Nov 12, 2012 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · MA

The problem began some time in sept 2012. When slightly accelerating at about 40 to 45 MPH the transmission "shudders". Recently it has been happening at higher speeds (60 to 65).

Filed Sep 28, 2012 · Transmission · 130,283 miles · MS

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.