A coolant hose leaked in transmission and shorted tcm causing total transmission failure and totaling out vehicle
2008 Nissan Pathfinder transmission problems
155 complaints (47% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 113,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 155
- of this car's complaints
- 47%
- typical mileage
- 113,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Nissan Pathfinder transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Transmission failure 41Jerking 12Harsh shifting 11Slipping 10Shudder 7Hesitation 6Won't shift 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 2008 Nissan Pathfinder owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Crack in defective radiator allowed coolant to mix in with transmission fluid. Coolant caused transmission to fail while driving it. transmission changed gears on its own and would not shift properly and engine just shut down
Bought vehicle I’m second owner it was sold as is from a dealership with airbag lights on after a certain amount miles check engine light came on said I had e -regular voltage to fuel injectors 1 gear started slipping then loss of power when accelerating next revolutionary trans-sensor went and now when I start the vehicle the A/T ECU Fuse keeps blowing out and the radiator coolant has transmission fluid mixing into it.
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle downshifted independently. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the transmission fluid needed to be changed. The contact took the vehicle to a second independent mechanic and was informed that the radiator and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that upon placing her vehicle into reverse, the vehicle shut-off without warning. The vehicle started rolling backwards. The contact and her son exited the vehicle, to manually stop the vehicle from rolling back and hitting a building. The contact then had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, where the mechanic replaced the engine coil block however, the vehicle started to overheat at start-up. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was white smoke coming from the engine while the temperature gauge showed a high engine temperature. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 93,500.
Airbag light had come on indicating an issue, but also light and controls on the steering wheel are failing. Vehicle has never been in an accident and there is no reason for this failure. Abs brakes activate randomly without warning preventing and causing the inability to stop. Abs can not be stopped unless I stop and turn off my vehicle and start again. Very dangerous. Cant stop when I need to. During city driving on a dry surface and approaching a stop light my brakes failed several times with the ABS activating and making it impossible to stop. Random and without warning. Front differential cracked for no apparent reason and didn't provide any warnings, pinion seal leak appeared less than two years. In addition vehicle was in service for evap system 11 times in the first year without resolve. Gad consumptions was horrible and below any suggested mpg. Tire sensors have never worked and failed to alert low pressure in tires. Tire pressure has been unstable no mater what tires are installed or how many sensors are put on. Stability in steering is sloppy when going over any kind of bump in the road. Unstable when driving. Speed can cause problems when driving curves. Rollovers are definitely possible without much speed when on ramps and curves. Use extreme caution.
While driving, from a stop, a loud clunk occurred and the vehicle would not shift out of low gear. Upon arrival at home and inspection, it was noted that the coolant was contaminated with a dark fluid. The vehicle will not engage any gear at this time and is not drivable. Research indicates that suspected cause is cross contamination between coolant and transmission fluid, most likely due to radiator deficiency.
Transmission failure due to coolant being leaked into transmission housing causing failure of transmisson and causing module to blow fuse to keep from harming engine. The engine died at signal light and had to be towed to mechanic. There I was told transmission and radiator had to be replaced.
Just bought and checked the anitfreeze to find a thick sludge in the radiator and overflow. Smells like oil
Transmission overheating, tool to mtn view nissan chattanooga ten & they replaced the fluid & anti freeze fluid. I mentioned that I had read of this type vehicle having these issues with the radiator coolant getting into the transmission fluid & causing this problem. The service rep told me that my vehicle was not designed like that & just the fluid needed changed. I had them do that & the next day driving it overheated again. I took the vehicle to east ridge transmission & they told me that the transmission fluid contained radiator fluid & that the transmission, radiator & fluids all needed replaced. I had them do that & it did repair the problem. Nissan knows of this defect & should reimburse me for it.
Questions about the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder transmission
Does the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 155 complaints about the transmission of the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder, 47% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Pathfinder transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 113,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 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 2008 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Engine 84Fuel system 81Airbags 41Electrical 21Acceleration 10Brakes 9Suspension 7Driver assistance 5Body 4Steering 3Tires 3Visibility 3Lights 2Locks 2Seats 2Seat belts 1
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