Check a VIN

2008 Nissan Pathfinder engine complaints

Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 84, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2008 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jun 13, 2016 · Engine · PA

Radiator started leaking and ruined my transmission at 92,000 miles

Filed May 19, 2016 · Engine, Steering · TX

Where do I begin with with problems that I have had with this vehicle? I purchased the vehicle in 2010 with 48,000 miles on it. Looked brand new, now, I think I know what they traded it in. I have had one problem after another. I have spent over $7000 in the past year and a half, outside of normal upkeep like tires and brakes, on repairs for this vehicle. I am a single mother with 2 small children! My husband was killed in 2014. Do you know how hard it's been for me to get all this done?!?! But I had to, it's paid off and I don't want a new car note! Replacing a transmission that the company I feel knows is faulty is really unjust. I initially paid $1800 to get it fixed for it only to continue messing up again. I was told them they probably replaced the transmission but not the computer and radiator which is the major problem with the vehicle. I then paid another $2400 to get it fixed correctly. Then, there was the timing chain issue, why did it break, who knows, but it shouldn't have.. So that was another $2300. I've also had to replace both sides of the catalytic converter which were about $300 each and a ball baring I believe its called was gone. Currently, my horn only works when you turn the steering wheel left and steering is getting harder to turn so I think my pump is going out; checked the fluids and they are fine. I dont have the money to get either of those problems fixed right now. Oh, did I mention my electrical problems? My windows are temperamental and don't always go down when I want them too. I was told that would probably be about $500, maybe more, to get electrical work done. I will likely never by another nissan again after this one! If this vehicle wasn't already paid off, I would have traded it in already!

Filed Apr 9, 2016 · Engine · 96,000 miles · VA

Same as many bought 2008 pathfinder had 65,000 miles one year ago in roanoke va,started missing ,when checking radiator and transmission fluid were were cream like color,paid 104 dollars at maintenance garage to find problem of cracked in radiator part causing to mix.now need new transmission which my compartment is 3000 dollars,which is ridiculous since this is evidently a common failure which I was not informed of.when spoke with nissan stated this is all court ordered them to do ...sorry for your inconvenience..I don't have that kind of money,still owe on this vehicle thought I was buying a dependable car,have extended insurance won't pay cause of nissan extended warranty...think this should have been a recall and consumer notified this is a major car issue and expense....nissan should be ashamed doing there consumers that way..please spread the word..

Filed Feb 16, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 115,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan pathfinder. While driving at various speeds, the fuel gauge displayed an incorrect reading and the service engine soon warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Dec 28, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 101,406 miles · NE

At just over 100k miles (101406) my radiator leaked into the transmission and ruined the transmission. Nissan will not cover the repair at all because I am 1406 out of the class action settlement. Speaking with the local dealer they said there was nothing I could have done from the service side to prevent it.

Filed Sep 21, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 97,000 miles · GA

While driving on the highway in the fast lane at 85 MPH the car lost power completely. Luckily there were no other cars in my vicinity. Coasted over 2 lanes to breakdown lane just barely over the line. Gas gage read 1/4 tank so figured I still had gas. Tried to restart several times but car acted like it was out of gas. Called aaa for a tow truck and asked to bring gas just in case. Car started right up after mechanic put gas in tank. Although this issue is a recall1 nissan will not repair for free. Say my VIN is not included in the recall and it will cost me $450. Recall summary:nissan is recalling certain model year 2006 and model year 2008 frontier, xterra and pathfinder vehicles. The molded fuel tank shells can deform, causing the fuel sender float arm to contact an embossment molded into the tank shell causing the instrument panel fuel gauge to show that the vehicle has approximately one quarter tank when the fuel tank is empty. Hazard:this could cause the vehicle to run out of gas and stall in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.

Filed Jul 16, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 110,000 miles · NJ

Transmission fluid mixed in with radiator fluid. Leaking out of truck. Know issue with nissan trucks.

Filed May 23, 2015 · Engine · 145,000 miles · NC

Transmission and radiator are broken causing mixture of fluid cause vehicle to go into limp mode while driving on the interstate. A known defect of nissan pathfinder 08, the vehicle was over 140k mile, there was no recall on this but a class action lawsuit pertain to this issue.

Filed May 6, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 89,000 miles · PA

My radiator was replaced in 8/14 due to a hose coming loose and causing fluids to comingle. 5/2/15 while driving my children home from soccer my check engine light came on, the car could barely accelerate. I drove to a garage, and was told that the radiator needed to be replaced. Towed car to the garage that replaced radiator 8/11/14, after two and a half days am being told my 08 pathfinder must be towed to a dealer to have the transmission control module replaced and reprogrammed. The car has 89,000 miles.

Filed May 3, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 125,000 miles · TX

The radiator failed causing engine coolant to mix with the transmission fluid. This caused damage to all of the engine coolant parts and caused a complete transmission failure.

Filed Apr 24, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 139,000 miles · MA

Radiator fluid leaked into transmission fluid and now transmission is polluted and will need to be changed.

Filed Apr 8, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 146,000 miles · NY

2008 pathfinder - radiator cracked causing fluid to leak into and destroy the transmission. This is a known problem to nissan. Problem has occurred to thousands of vehicles. Issue originally occurred in december, 2013. Issue was fixed at butler nissan. Issue repaired with substandard and used parts, which resulted in same issue occurring - radiator cracking, which caused catastrophic failure to the transmission. Issue occurred while we were driving the vehicle. Fluid leaked into engine, caused the engine to smoke and obstruct our view of the road. We were able to pull car into business without a collision. Concerned that nissan was willing to allow an unsafe vehicle back out on the road after knowingly repairing an issue with substandard parts.

Filed Feb 28, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 145,000 miles · MA

Catastrophic cooling/transmission failure. Traveling east on a heavily traveled single lane highway with no breakdown lane. Sudden noise from the engine compartment, sounding like liquids being expelled. Check engine light comes on. Engine temperature gauge pegs to high. Limped along the highway until I could reach a safe point to pull the overheating vehicle off road. Arranged for a tow and had the vehicle inspected. The inspection revealed failure of the radiator. After further inspection and with some research, it was discovered that nissan has a known design flaw that contributes to the eventual failure, in a catastrophic event, of the cooling and transmission components. My vehicle was mixing engine coolant and transmission fluid together. The sudden failure of the radiator, expelled engine cooling and transmission fluid in a sudden and rapid event. This is a known and documented event that nissan is fully aware of. A sudden failure of these components poses a safety risk for the owner, occupant, public and environment.

Filed Jan 30, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 138,000 miles · OK

Car would not accelerate from a stop it was as if it was not shifting to first gear from a stop. Also while driving the car would begin to shudder violently and would not stop until the vehicle came to a complete stop. As it turns out, a line inside radiator coming from the transmission broke and caused contamination. Coolant mixed with transmission fluid created a sludge that contaminated both coolant system and transmission. Radiator was replaced and coolant system flushed as well as transmission flushed. A week later the car was parked and would not start. As it turns out the transmission blew a fuse and was not registering that the vehicle was in park. This is all related to the same problem the transmission control module (TCM) was burned out from the sludge created by coolant and transmission fluid. So now, either the transmission needs to be replaced because the clutch and gears are potentially burned up or the TCM. With just a TCM there is no guarantee that the transmission will not fail due to no way of knowing the condition of the clutch and transmission gears. Vehicle is still in the shop for over a month now and we have been forced to purchase a new car to meet our transportation needs.

Filed Jan 20, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 71,015 miles · CA

I was driving on ca highway 80 west bound in the fast lane ,the vehicle stalled and I was unable to restart the vehicle it left me in immediate danger I couldn't even put it in gear the highway patrol was able to unlock the transmission and safely push me to the shoulder after sitting in the fast lane for over 20 minutes. The dealer after paying for diagnostic was informed that both crank cam sensors had failed and wanted to charge me 1100.00.

Filed Oct 21, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 105,400 miles · PA

My wife was driving her pathfinder and it stopped in the middle of an intersection. My wife is disabled and has had many back surgery. The radiator is leaking into the transmission causing it to stall at anytime loosing power to the power steering and brakes. I believe this is a life threatening issue losing power down the highway with a truck behind you can cause a serious accident. 2 gentlemen got out of there vehicles to push my wife to safety.

Filed Oct 19, 2014 · Engine · 51,700 miles · PA

Oem radiator leaking.

Filed Oct 2, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 114,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan pathfinder. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The vehicle was able to restart, but the gear was stuck in the park position. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the valve body needed to be repaired. In addition, radiator fluid leaked into the transmission fluid and caused the vehicle to need a new transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

Filed Sep 12, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 101,500 miles · NY

Noticed a shutter during acceleration. Service dept suggested replacing the radiator due to faulty radiator that leaked fluid into tranny so I did.I felt the shutter on my way home from the dealer! I did research and found the class action suit regarding this problem. I placed a claim with consumer affairs and was told I was 1500 miles out of warranty sorry. Will eventually need a transmission.

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 200,000 miles · AL

I own a nissan pathfinder 2008. The problem was noticed when the vehicle's radiator began to run hot. We took it to a repair shop and was told that the coolant was mixing with the transmission fluid. We replaced the radiator in hopes that the damage had not extended to the transmission. While out of town on a trip, the transmission went out in the pathfinder. The truck was transported to the local dealer who advised that the transmission was gone, and it would require replacing. I have previously called nissan and was advised that there was some type of recall, but my vehicle had too many miles. The defect is a manufacturer's defect, not one of my own doing. Nissan will not stand behind their vehicles. Please investigate this matter. There are alot of people dealing with the same thing.

Filed Aug 1, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 136,326 miles · TN

I, a female, purchased a 2008 nissan pathfinder from integrity chevrolet in chattanooga, tn. A day later the pathfinder is skipping, vibrating and rattling, rear end clunking at 40 MPH. Shifts hard at 4 and 5. Got 4 mechanics and the nissan dealership to check all this out and they all concluded the coolant overflow tank was filthy, stinks- not the sweet smell- smelled burnt and rusty. The valves were bloated and radiator cap seal was loose. Low on coolant, high in water. Transmission and radiator needs to be flushed and checked for 'sludge'! The dealership's associate, [xxx] , assured me the 2008 pathfinder had been serviced and all fluids checked and filled. The nissan dealership and the 4 mechanics all stated that 'no service or fluids were checked!' if it had been, the dealership would have known of this transmission issue! The coolant from the radiator is mixing with the transmission fluid in the transmission, causing a milky- sludge. No one can convince me that this dealership, integrity chevrolet, in chatt, tn, did not know of this issue- it is a very common issue with the nissan pathfinders, xterras and frontiers years 2006-2010. Any good associate would have known this issue- in order to sell this automobile honestly! [xxx] , to whom I have known for over 20 years, screwed me over and saw an unknowing, innocent woman coming his way! I had to be a good joke that day. This dealership knew they had to get rid of this pathfinder quickly b/c it is a 'lemon'! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 31, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 103,000 miles · NJ

I started feeling my car slip gears when it reached certain speeds, as well as the vdc, slip and engine lights came on. Within the next few days, as I was driving, my car overheated and the antifreeze poured out of it. The radiator was cracked and had leaked into the transmission. When my husband called nissan and told them our issue, and that our mileage was 103,000, they said we were no longer under warranty and it would cost approximately $6,000 (obviously knowing what the issue was from all the other transmissions that were ruined from their error). My husband's friend, who is mechanic, replaced the radiator and flushed the transmission fluid. It seemed to run fine for the next few months, with the occasional flush of the transmission fluid. Within the last week, the car began slipping again. By yesterday, it would not come out of second gear. My transmission is shot and needs to be replaced. I am extremely disappointed with nissan, as we have been loyal customers for the last 14 years. I loved my pathfinder, and would think that after spending $36,000 on a car, it would hold up longer than 6 years. It is absolutely unacceptable that nissan will not take responsibility for their manufacturing error and that they do not stand behind their product. I am so disappointed and disgusted, I will never buy another nissan.

Filed Jul 25, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 102,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the radiator fluid leaked into the transmission. The mechanic informed the contact that the way the radiator was built allowed the fluids to leak into the transmission as a result the radiator and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 9/12/14*cn the consumer stated there was a class action suit for the radiator/transmission defect. The consumer would like the vehicle repaired free of charge. Updated 02/05/2015

Filed Jul 17, 2014 · Driver assistance, Engine · 124,000 miles · FL

I was traveling at highway speeds going about 60mph and the car suddenly jerked nearly giving me whiplash. I then looked down at the gauge cluster and no lights were on and everything seemed normal, and in about 5 seconds it did it again... I slowed down as fast as I could to merge over and get out of traffic and as I went to pull off the car shut down and I could not get it restarted. I had to have it towed to my house and parked it for a few days. The battery went dead from trying to start it so much so I took it to a o'reily and found the battery to be bad so it was replaced. The car then started up and I drove slowly around my nieghborhood and it seemed ok. The next day my wife took it back to o'reliy to have the alternator tested and it was fine. I thought maybe it was something wrong to cause it to shut down like that and as she was driving home it did the same thing again. After much research it seems that this is a known issue with nissan pathfinders and that they did not let the owners know about the issue with the radiator fluid mixing with the tranny fluid and rendering the vehicle useless. I called nissan today and was told that I am out of luck since the vehicle is out of warranty.

Filed Jul 17, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 120,000 miles · CA

Radiator crack caused the coolant and transmission fluid to mix causing the transmission to fail.

Filed Jul 9, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 99,693 miles · MD

2008 nissan pathfinder stopped shifting into reverse. Went to dealer. They claim that the transmission and coolant fluid are mixing and said it needs a new transmission and radiator. Cost: $3000 until it reaches 100, 000 miles; then it will be $9785.88. I have taken this vehicle to the dealer for all service appointments and no mention of this defect was made. Car is now unusable until I can get the 3000.00.

Filed May 15, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 112,000 miles · NY

Upon driving at 25mph the RPM's increased without any power. No matter how much gas I gave it o would only crawl and could barely exit the intersection. I was able to pull over and shut the car off. I tried to turn it back on and it would not. I brought it back to the dealer and was informed the radiator and transmission are bad. I then learned that this is a problem with many nissan SUV's.

Filed Apr 6, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 115,675 miles · GA

Car suddenly stalls and will not drive in "reverse". Per mechanic, there is a crack in the radiator which is allowing coolant from the radiator to enter into the transmission. Apparently, there has been a previous lawsuit against nissan for this same issue. A recall on these "cracked radiators" must be issued immediately.

Filed Mar 2, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 118,000 miles · MA

I was pulling out into oncoming traffic when my car lost power and wouldn't move . The transmission bucked and kicked back in and I was able to drive . I brought vehicle to my mechanic the next day and he found the radiator coolant was in my transmission . After further look he found coolant line was were leaking into transmission which had caused failure . My vehicle is past the nissan warranty because of miles but this is a continuing problem on all nissan SUV's made in these time frames . This isn't a warranty issue, it is a recall issue . Nissan needs to stand up for their mistake and submit a recall.

Filed Feb 17, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 118,500 miles · PA

There was a leak in the radiator that contaminated the transmission fluid. The radiator and the transmission both need to be replaced or rebuilt. Nissan will not cover warranty since the vehicle is over 90k miles.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2008 Nissan Pathfinder?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history