2008 Nissan Pathfinder: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Apr 11, 2017 · Transmission · 108,000 miles · PA

Vehicle began lurching and shuddering driving a low speeds ~40 MPH in town, until gear shift occurred then sporadically at highway speeds. At first the shuddering/jerking was periodic and started to occur more often at random at that speed. The mileage on the vehicle was about 108,000 miles in fall of 2014. This occurred over a period of 6-8 months and then progressed to issues with cabin heater blowing cooler air when thermostat set to 90 degrees. Took to dealership to address issue with heater and upon test drive dealership determined that the issue was due to the radiator fluid leaking into the transmission causing the fluids to mix. Replaced both radiator and transmission to the tune of $5000.

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 Sep 4, 2015 · Transmission · 109,000 miles · WV

I noticed a shudder when the car shifted from 2nd to 3rd gear but seem to drive normal otherwise. I contacted nissan service department and scheduled the first available appointment, which took exactly 1 week from date first symptom. On the morning of my appointment, my car would not shift gears at all once I got on the highway, causing very dangerous situation for both myself and other drivers. I was able to coast my car to the dealership where I was later informed from the service department that a faulty radiator leaked fluid and contaminated the transmission fluid, resulting in a failed transmission. Repair costs would be $5230, but the manager would agree to do it for $4165. I was told at the dealership they were aware of faulty radiator in the 2005-06 models but were unaware other models had the same issue. I had already researched the problem, to find that numerous complaints had been filed regarding 2005-2010 pathfinder, xterras, and frontier and nissan had settled a class action law suit by offering an extended warranty for the radiator assembly. Since I was barely outside of the extended warranty, I contacted nissan consumer affairs to inquire about assistance with goodwill repair since the transmission failure was the result of a manufacturing defect. I was informed by the regional specialist she would need a week to review the case. One week to the date, she returned my call inquiring if I would be willing to pay the copay listed in the extended warranty and I informed her yes. She then inquired if I would be interested in a possible vpp discount on a 2015 nissan automobile. I informed her I was interested in all options in order to make the best choice for my situation. She asked for two more days to review case and returned my call two days later to tell me nissan was unable to provide any type of assistance to me in my repairs.

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 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 Oct 23, 2013 · Transmission · 94,000 miles · TN

My 2008 nissan pathfinder began shuddering whenever I would coast to 40 MPH and then accelerate. I took it into the local nissan dealership to have the issue checked out. They informed me there was an issue with the torque converter in my transmission that was caused by leakage from the radiator. They said this was evidenced by rust that had formed on my transmission fluid dipstick. They quoted me a repair price of over $4,500 but informed me I would only be responsible for $3,000 due to a class action lawsuit settlement. After researching the issue, I realized that this is a very common problem with nissans. Further, I'm convinced there was evidence of this issue existing in my vehicle long before I took it in for service. I get my vehicle regularly serviced at the nissan dealership and had my last oil change there about four months ago. It takes a long time for rust to form - so if there is rust on my transmission fluid dipstick today, then there was probably evidence of the issue just four months ago. It was in nissan's best interest to not mention the issue to me since they needed me to be over the 90,000 mile mark so that I'm responsible for more of the repair. This is a huge safety issue - imagine what would happen if the transmission fails during my drive to work on the interstate one day. And it's infuriating that nissan won't correct the issue. I love my pathfinder and would have been a lifelong nissan customer, but you better believe I'll never spend another dollar there.

Filed Aug 30, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · 60,000 miles · FL

Our nissan problems started years ago. In 2010 I started noticing noise and shuddering coming from the transmission. I brought it in to the dealer and they said it was nothing more than it needed a flush of the transmission fluid. So I paid the $150, had it done and went on my way. In 2011 is started doing it again, had it checked and they said nothing was wrong with it I must have been hearing things. They test drove it numerous times and 'never heard anything'. Eventually they had a specialist come and look at my car. He determined that my A/C unit needed to be reset. Everything seemed to be fine and we went on our merry way. Flash forward to july 2013. On the way home from a road trip, about 3 hours from our house we started noticing it was getting hot in the car. Sure enough the air just started blowing out hot air. Everything still worked on the A/C, just blowing hot air. So we drove home sweating our a$$ off in mid-summer in fl. A day or 2 later we are driving down the road and the service engine light came on (1st time ever in this car). Husband thought he should shut the car off...well, that was the last time my car ever worked. We had it towed to a mechanic where it sat there for 2 weeks. First he determined it was a blown fuse - great, $10! - went to pick it up and it blew again. He then determined it was a broken computer told us to tow it to nissan. We did. It has been there for a week and we were just told that the trans & radiator fluids mixed and caused trans to seize causing A/C and electrical issues as well. They claim they've never heard of this before...yea, right! Nissan won't do anything but has told us to call the class action lawsuit # and file a complaint...oh and they'll give me $500 for a car that's worth $6,000+. They knew about this issue and never told me about it in the years that I brought up the issue. Beware of nissan!