2008 Nissan Pathfinder: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Nov 30, 2020 · Transmission · 146,000 miles · KS

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.

Filed Dec 2, 2019 · Transmission · FL

Vehicle rough shifting and all of the sudden went to a safety mode and wont start anymore. Apparently is a transmission problem caused from the radiator oil cooler. Mechanic identified the situation as a safety recall.

Filed Jan 16, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 148,000 miles · NC

Experiencing jerking at or above 40 MPH, changed transmission fluid, fluid was contaminated appeared pink and milky at draining,hard shifting.

Filed Jul 26, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 110,000 miles · MI

Car begin having issues while shifting, made clunking sounds while driving, not shifting correctly both on highway and city driving. We took it to a repair shop where they discovered coolant from the radiator had leaked into the transmission and caused it to fail. Repair shop quoted us for radiator replacement and transmission service but warned if the transmission was too contaminated it could need a whole replacement of that as well. Upon searching online for this issue we found it is a known problem for nissan pathfinders of this age and with this radiator type. It can cause the transmission to seize up while driving and render the car unable to be controlled.

Filed Mar 25, 2017 · Transmission · GA

Low power when going uphill. Difficulty and "hard clunking" when changing gears such as going from drive to / from reverse, decreased power when driving. When gears are shifting, transition is not smooth and car is sluggish with each shift. In addition clunking with deceleration. When stationary and shifting into reverse heavy clunking.

Filed Aug 25, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 177,000 miles · IN

In the middle of a heavy storm from the wake of an f3 tornado that swepted through, my wife and I were stuck in heavy wind and rain in an open area unable to start our 2008 pathfinder after pulling over. Just prior, our transmission started shifting hard and slamming into gear. I got out in the wind and rain and after looking over the vehicle after it cooled down, thats when I noticed oil and water were mixed in the radiator.the pathfinder now sits because the vehicle will not start. It went from parked and running to dead on thie side of the road.

Filed Jul 25, 2016 · Transmission · 131,000 miles · MA

The SUV began shuddering when shifting into gear, and hard shifting in low gears. Brought to dealership, and they said coolant had contaminated the transmission case by leaking from the radiator. Repair needed: replace radiator and transmission. Suv has 131,000 miles, and was other wise in good condition. Repair center said to replace both, cost would be $5800.00

Filed Jul 7, 2016 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 92,600 miles · NY

While driving my 2008 nissan pathfinder there was a hard shift when I put it in reverse, then noticed the check engine light was lit and steady, I then switched gears into drive which had a violent jerking motion & slight hesitation to accelerate. As I proceeded to drive on the county road the check engine light began flashing constantly & the vehicle had little power to accelerate & constantly hesitating causing me to immediately pull over. I believe the problem was created due to the entermix coolant in transmission as stated by the techician in the report I provided. This was a safety risk because at the time of incident I was driving across the road.

Filed Aug 10, 2015 · Transmission · CA

Transmition failure hard shifting due to coolant contaminates the transmition, radiator and transmition needs to be replace

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 Jun 21, 2013 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · MA

I am the one owner of this vehicle which I purchased new in quincy, massachusetts in 2008. I began to sense a clunk or slippage in my transmission about two weeks before the incident. I immediately took the car to an oil change place and had my transmission and differential fluids replaced. Cost $150. Attendant noted magnetic plug had metal shavings and some discoloration in transmission fluid but nothing conclusive to work on. Approx two weeks later while driving up a grade, I experienced a serious "clunk" and immediately pulled into the next service station I could find. I was 100 miles from home. After leaving the car for diagnostic work, I went online to find other similar complaints concerning radiator coolant leaking into the transmission and causing catastrophic failure with no warning. I called the mechanic to report what I had found and asked him to check this condition first. He reported back that this is exactly what happened and I may have caught the defect in time to save the transmission. The mechanic worked on the car for two days to fix the problem. Cost $1100. I have put about 300 miles on the car as of this writing and I now have only an occasional/minor "clunk." I believe this is clearly a defective nissan part and note that other people are finding nissan uncooperative in taking responsibility for this defect. I have receipts for my work done and will provide them if needed. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).