RoadVitals

2005 Nissan Pathfinder Transmission Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the transmission system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Transmission reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
138
Latest Oct 30, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
13%
of 1,050 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 138 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming transmission

The 25 most recent of 138, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Oct 30, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATH FINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,565.

NHTSA ID
10651440
Incident
Oct 25, 2014
Mileage
154,565 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Jul 18, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO GEARS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO WATER AND ANTI-FREEZE ENTERING THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,702.

NHTSA ID
10614508
Incident
Apr 15, 2014
Mileage
100,702 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Jul 11, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND THAT THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION LEAK. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITATING AND STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V142000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ID
10609778
Incident
Jul 5, 2014
Mileage
102,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Nov 2, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE RADIATOR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT RADIATOR FLUID MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE HEATHER AND AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE RADIATOR. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,841 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,121. UPDATED 1/7/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, TWICE. THE FIRST TIME, WAS IN JULY 2011, AND NISSAN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR AT A COST OF $ 6,981.86. THE SECOND TIME IT OCCURRED WAS IN SEPTEMBER 2012, AT A COST OF $ 1499.19. NISSAN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH AN AFTER MARKET TRANSMISSION AND FLUSHED THE RADIATOR. UPDATED 01/09/13

NHTSA ID
10483186
Incident
Jul 1, 2011
Mileage
130,841 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Oct 4, 2012

RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED. INTERNAL RADIATOR FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. CAUSING LOSS OF POWER WHEN DRIVING. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE. IT IS A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR AND IT CAN BECOME VERY DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPENS ON A VERY BUSY INTERSTATE. I HAVE CHOSEN TO LET MY VEHICLE SET. I DON'T WANT TO CAUSE A FATALITY TO MYSELF OR MY FAMILY. PLEASE HELP NOT TO LET NISSAN GET BY WITH THIS. *TR UPDATED IVOQ 01/02/13

NHTSA ID
10478625
Incident
Sep 11, 2012
Mileage
112,973 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 20, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATH FINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE MILEAGE WAS OVER 80,000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 10/10/12*CN UPDATED 10/11/12

NHTSA ID
10476530
Incident
Sep 18, 2012
Mileage
120,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 21, 2012

TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING IN TO RADIATOR. *JS

NHTSA ID
10452556
Incident
Mar 1, 2012
EngineTransmission
Filed Nov 30, 2011

2005 PATHFINDER WOULDN'T GO IN GEAR INTERMITTENTLY AND I HAD TO MANEUVER OUT OF TRAFFIC TO THE SIDE ROAD AND THEN WAS UNABLE TO BACKUP NO REVERSE! I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND I WAS THEN ABLE TO TO DRIVE HOME AND PARK THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY WHEN TAKING IT TO OUR MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC HAD ISSUE OF THIS WHILE TEST DRIVING. RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A NISSAN DEALER FOR REPAIR. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO NISSAN ABOUT A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR ISSUE AND OVER TIME LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS REFUSED TO MAKE THIS RIGHT FOR THEIR CONSUMERS. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CONTACT NISSAN TO SEE IF THEY WOULD HELP WITH REPAIR. NISSAN REFUSED TO ASSIST OR REPAIR THE ISSUE THAT STARTED WITH A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART. I AM ASSUMING BY THE RESPONSE RECEIVED FROM NISSAN THAT THEY ARE OK WITH A CONSUMER THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE WITH AN ISSUE THAT IS FROM A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART HAVE TO TAKE THEIR CHANCES IN DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK SAFELY UNTIL THEY CAN MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE. THANK YOU NISSAN. *KB

NHTSA ID
10437826
Incident
Nov 21, 2011
Mileage
91,000 mi
EngineFuel systemSeat belts+1 more
Filed Oct 12, 2011

FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING,RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION DAMAGING TRANSMISSION,FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT GETTING STUCK. *KB

NHTSA ID
10429637
Incident
Oct 9, 2009
Mileage
70,000 mi
EngineFuel systemTransmission
Filed Sep 19, 2011

FIRST TIME- TRANSMISSION FAILED- NEW ONE INSTALLED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY- HAS GONE BAD AGAIN LAST WEEK- THEY TELL ME THE COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND HAS RUINED IT, THE GAS TANK NEEDS REPLACING, NEW RADIATOR, NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, NEW U-JOINTS FOR THE SECOND TIME. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED- THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I NEED $8000.00 WORTH OF REPAIRS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. THAT IS MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH WITH 155,000 MILES ON IT!!! PLEASE HELP. *KB

NHTSA ID
10426274
Incident
Dec 1, 2009
Mileage
115,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Aug 30, 2011

MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WAS LOSING SPEED ESPECIALLY WHEN PASSING VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY, THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY FOR OVER 3 WEEKS. I TOOK THE PATHFINDER TO A TRANSMISSION EXPERT AND THEY DID DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND THE EXPERT SAID THAT THE RADIATOR HAD A HOLE IN IT AND RADIATOR FLUID WENT INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. HE SHOWED ME THE TRANSMISSION STICK THAT SHOWED ME THAT RADIATOR FLUID MIXED IN WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE TRANSMISSION EXPERT SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF NISSAN PATHFINDERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. A WEEK LATER, I TOOK MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER TO ANOTHER TRANSMISSION EXPERT FOR A SECOND OPINION, THIS EXPERT DID THE DIAGNOSTICS AND CONFIRMED THAT THE RADIATOR HAD A HOLE IN IT THAT ALLOWED FOR RADIATOR FLUID TO GO INTO THE TRANSMISSION. HE ALSO STATED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND HE RECOMMENDED THAT I GO TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT THEY SAY. I WENT SHEEHY NISSAN IN GLEN BURNIE, MD IN WHICH THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND FOUND THAT COOLANT MIXING WITH THE TRANS FLUID CAUSING IMPROPER SHIFTING. THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE TO REPLACE THE TRANS ASSEMBLY, RADIATOR, AND TRANS COOLER. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT NISSAN HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE RADIATOR FOR 80, 000 MILES OR UP TO 2013. I HAD 85,000 MILES ON MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I CALLED NISSAN USA AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM AND FAXED THE DIAGNOSTIC INVOICE TO THEM. TWO WEEKS LATER THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE PARTS AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR. LUCKILY, MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAID FOR THE RADIATOR, TRANS, AND TRANS COOLER. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR AND REFUSES TO DO A RECALL ON THE RADIATOR AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! THIS AFFECTS 2005-2007 NISSAN PATHFINDERS AND THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF THE VEHICLE TRANS STALLS OR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AND ROADS. A RECALL IS NEEDED! *TR

NHTSA ID
10422552
Incident
Jul 28, 2011
Mileage
85,850 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 26, 2011

THE PROBLEM FIRST BEGAN WITH MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON MARCH 27, 2011, WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THERE WAS NO HEAT IN THE CABIN. THEN ON APRIL 29, 2011, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IN EXCESS OF 45 MPH. IT SEEMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. AS THE NISSAN WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE, WE NOTICED FLUID LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. THE FLUID HAD A MILKY WHITE SUBSTANCE IN IT. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, WE REALIZED THAT WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL, THERE WERE KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WE HAD THE PATHFINDER DIAGNOSED ON JUNE 3, 2011 BY BILLINGS NISSAN. WE HAD INFORMED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT NISSAN THAT WE WERE SUSPECTING THE TRANSMISSION WAS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT. NISSAN INFORMED US THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THEY ARE SEPARATE UNITS AND THAT THE MILKY WHITE SUBSTANCE IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS A RESULT OF AIR ENTERING THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER MUCH DISPAIR, WE DECIDED TO TRADE IN OUR VEHICLE AND TOOK A HUGE LOSS ON THE TRADE-IN VALUE. WE FELT THAT IF WE DECIDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, AND THAT THE RADIATOR WAS IN FACT DAMAGED AND ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THAT WE WOULD ONLY BE FACED WITH THE SAME ISSUE DOWN THE ROAD AND WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION A 2ND TIME. ON JUNE 28, 2011, WE RECEIVED A REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT WE TRADED THE PATHFINDER AT STATING THE TRANSMISSION WAS INDEED CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT AND THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION BOTH NEEDED REPLACING. IF ONLY WE HAD RECEIVED PROPER DIAGNOSIS FROM NISSAN INITIALLY, OUR COURSE OF ACTION MAY HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT AND WOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT FIXING THE PATHFINDER VERSUS TRADING IT IN. AS A RESULT, WE HAVE LOST MONEY ON THE TRADE IN VALUE, AND HAVE INCURRED AN UNEXPECTED EXPENSE OF A NEW VEHICLE (PAYMENTS, REGISTRATION, INSURANCE). DEALER LIED TO US. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

NHTSA ID
10421561
Incident
Mar 27, 2011
Mileage
81,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Aug 17, 2011

CRACK IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY OCCURRED LEADING TO INTERNAL LEAKAGE OF THE ENGINE COOLANT. 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN HARD SHIFTING IN THE FALL OF 2010. THIS WAS A CONSTANT DAILY OCCURRENCE IF THE DRIVER FORGOT TO TAKE THE PATHFINDER OUT OF OVERDRIVE. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE OLD 1970S FORD UNIVERSAL JOINT AS IT SHIFTED INTO GEAR. AT TIMES THE CAR FELT LIKE THE BACK-END WAS BEING PULLED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. AT CRUISING SPEED, THE BACK WHEELS WOULD SOUND LIKE THEY WERE RUNNING OVER THE CORRUGATED CONCRETE NEAR A TOLL BOOTH OR LANE DIVIDERS ON A HIGHWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO SHUDDER. IT WOULD SEEM TO FALL OUT OF GEAR WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING AT SPEED. GOING UPHILL, THE PATHFINDER WOULD HARD SHIFT AND HESITATE TO ENGAGE INTO GEAR. ACCELERATING ON TO THE FREEWAY WAS NEVER AN ISSUE, BUT IT WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY SHIFT INTO THE APPROPRIATE GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, IT WOULD STAY IN NEUTRAL WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOM WAS THE SHUDDERING NOISES AT 30 MPH. IF THE OVERDRIVE WAS TURNED OFF, ALL SYMPTOMS WOULD DIMINISH OR DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN DECEMBER AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN MAY AND THEY COULD DUPLICATE, BUT NOT CONSISTENTLY AND SAW NO MIXING OF COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. TOWED IT IN TO THE DEALER IN AUGUST, THE DAMAGE IS DONE, THE FLUIDS HAVE MIXED AND THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER HAS SHORTED OUT. REPAIR RECOMMENDED IS TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION (INCLUDING COMPUTER) AND RADIATOR AND HOSES. CUSTOMER CANNOT AFFORD THE $6,000 PRICE TAG ON THE REPAIR. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT ASSIST AS PATHFINDER IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *KB

NHTSA ID
10419898
Incident
Aug 1, 2011
Mileage
99,480 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 4, 2011

STARTED EXPERIENCING SHUDDER WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MOVED BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT AT DEALER TO INVESTIGATE AND MINIMIZED DRIVING IN THE MEANTIME. SYMPTOM DID NOT OCCUR OVER TWO DAY PERIOD UNTIL DRIVING ON THIRD DAY WHERE THE ISSUE WORSENED RAPIDLY UNTIL TRANSMISSION BECAME INOPERABLE ABOVE 10 MPH. I INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE AND LEARNED THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE PATHFINDER WHERE THE RADIATOR FLUID FAILS INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. I INSPECTED THE ANTIFREEZE TO OBSERVE TRACES OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. CHECKING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE FLUID WAS DARKEN AND ABOVE THE HIGH-LEVEL MARK FOR THE FLUID LEVEL. I HAD DEALER INVESTIGATE AND THIS IS IN FACT WHAT HAD FAILED. NISSAN HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 80K MILES SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 89K MILES AND I AM LOOKING AT A $6000 REPAIR BILL THAT I REFUSE TO REPAIR. NISSAN IS OFFERING ZERO ASSISTANCE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN PATHFINDERS. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE ISSUE WITH NISSAN AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACTIONS OTHER THAN RAISING THE WARRANTY TO 80K MILES. THIS IS GROSS ERROR IN THE DESIGN OF THE PRODUCT AND CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT INJURY DEPENDING ON THE TIMING OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE TO GET NISSAN TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR POOR DESIGN? I AM DONE WITH NISSAN AS A BRAND AND SUGGEST THAT THE FED INVESTIGATE THEIR INACTION IN ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10417006
Incident
Jul 28, 2011
Mileage
89,200 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 2, 2011

SINCE APRIL 2011 MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED TO RATTLING AND VIBRATION UNDER THE VEHICLE. AFTER HAVING IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC IN MAY 2011 HE STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND COOLANT IS MISSING TOGETHER. THE FLUID WAS CHANGED ON JUNE 26, 2011, THAT CAME OUT LOOKING LIKE CHOCOLATE MILK AND IT IS STILL VIBRATING AT 45 AND 64 MILES PER HOUR. I UNDER STAND THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM FOR THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE CAR DEALERS AND NOT THE CONSUMER. THE SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS OFFLINE AND ONCE THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON IT RESETS AND THE VIBRATION CONTINUE AS YOU DRIVE. THE CHANGING OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM. *KB

NHTSA ID
10416760
Incident
Apr 10, 2011
Mileage
133,210 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 2, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNG FORWARD AT ANY TIME. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ASSISTED THE CONTACT WITH THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ID
10416654
Incident
Jul 20, 2011
Mileage
92,900 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 25, 2011

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

NHTSA ID
10415028
Incident
Jan 12, 2011
Mileage
110,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 22, 2011

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE 4X4. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. DURING THE LIFE OF THE CAR I OFTEN NOTICED THE CAR DOWNSHIFTING FOR NO APPARENT REASON BUT IT WOULD GO AWAY AND I FORGOT ABOUT IT. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND ABOUT 113000 MILES IT GOT WORSE AND STARTED MAKING NOISES AND OFTEN IT SOUNDED LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE. MY MECHANIC INSPECTED THE CAR AND THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE TRANSMISSION SO HE REFERRED ME TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO INFORMED ME AFTER AN INSPECTION THAT WATER WAS IN THE TRANS AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. HE SAID THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY PART OR SOMETHING THAT ALLOWED WATER TO GET INTO THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE RADIATOR AND THAT THERE MIGHT BE TRANS FLUID IN THE RADIATOR OR WORSE, IN THE ENGINE. HE SEEMED TO THINK THAT IF LEFT THIS WAY THE TRANS COULD SEIZE UP CAUSING A GREAT AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND POSSIBLY THE CAR GOING OUT OF CONTROL DUE TO THIS POTENTIAL SEIZING UP CONDITION. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO TRANS FLUID IN THE RADIATOR. I HAD IT FLUSHED AND EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE OKAY. CHECKING ON LINE I HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF NISSAN REGARDING THIS EXACT ISSUE. ALMOST $4000 LATER HOPEFULLY MY PROBLEM HAS BEEN SOLVED. NISSAN NEEDS TO STEP UP AND MAKE RESTITUTION. *TT

NHTSA ID
10414786
Incident
Mar 15, 2011
Mileage
113,895 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 22, 2011

2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER - NOTICED SHUDDER AROUND 60 MPH INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK THEN PROBLEM BECAME MORE FREQUENT OCCURRING AROUND 40-45 MPH. WHILE TRYING TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP, TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT RADIATOR HAD FAILED, LEAKING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION WHICH REQUIRED BOTH TO BE REPLACED. SINCE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 90,000 MILES, WARRANTY ON RADIATOR THAT HAS A KNOWN MANUFACTURER DEFECT IS VOID AND THUS PREVIOUSLY COVERED TRANSMISSION WARRANTY IS ALSO VOID. NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND RECALL THE PART, LEAVING THEIR CUSTOMERS STRANDED BOTH ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IN THEIR WALLETS. TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR MANY REASONS. THE LOOPHOLE APPEARS TO BE THAT SINCE THE FAILURE IS DUE TO THE RADIATOR, ANYTHING RELATING TO THE TRANSMISSION IS NULL AND VOID. *TT

NHTSA ID
10414724
Incident
Jul 7, 2011
Mileage
90,700 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 21, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND A SENSOR WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A FULL DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE TRANSMISSION WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID
10413945
Incident
Jun 15, 2011
Mileage
135,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Jul 20, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION ON THE VEHICLE FAILED TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FUNCTION WITH SOME RESISTANCE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 124,128. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DESIGN OF THE COOLING SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE ALLOWED FOR CROSS-CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT. THE VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE, AND ULTIMATELY FAILED.

NHTSA ID
10413820
Incident
Jul 18, 2011
Mileage
124,128 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Jul 19, 2011

TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR COOLANT CROSS CONTAMINATION CAUSING THE PATHFINDER TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. MY 2 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE CHILD SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. *KB

NHTSA ID
10413661
Incident
Jul 5, 2011
Mileage
89,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 15, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO VIBRATE WHEN DRIVING 55 MPH OR MORE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR REPAIRS YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SECOND DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT FLUID WAS BACKED UP IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WOULD BOTH NEED REPLACING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID
10413081
Incident
Jan 17, 2010
Mileage
120,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 2011
Fire reported

2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 93,000 MILES. HAD ORIGINAL ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION IN 2009 A SLIGHT SHIMMY AND ONCE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, AS SOON AS IT SLIPPED I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE: RADIATOR, AND TRANSMISSION AT ~$6,500. I ASKED FOR OPTIONS THE DEALER SAID I COULD TRY REPLACING RADIATOR, FLUSH TRANSMISSION AND ADD NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR ~2,500, HE SAID IT MAY MAKE IT 5 MORE MILES OR 500K MILES, BUT EXPECTED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD AT SOME POINT FAIL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL TRUSTED REPAIR SHOP AND HAD RADIATOR REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION FLUSHED WITH NISSAN TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILLED WITH NISSAN TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR LESS THAN $1K. HAD NO ISSUES SINCE. ON JUNE 6TH OUT OF THE BLUE AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE LAKE, I FELT THE SHIMMY AGAIN, IMMEDIATELY BACKED OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THEN SLOWLY GOT BACK INTO THE GAS, AS I DID I FELT THE TRANSMISSION SLIP A LITTLE. LESS THAN 1,000 FEET DOWN THE ROAD I NOTICED SMOKE IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHIN 1,000' AS I CAME TO A STOP THICK BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND I REALIZED THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. I OPENED THE DOOR TO GET OUT AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE RUNNING BOARDS. WITHIN 3 MINUTES THE CAR AND ALL IT'S CONTENTS WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. IT WAS OBVIOUS FROM MY VANTAGE POINT AND THE PICTURES I TOOK DURING THE FIRE THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING AND THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE RESULTING IN A THERMAL EVENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED, THANK GOD I WAS ALONE.AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD CARE LESS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10411630
Incident
Jun 5, 2011
Mileage
93,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Jun 15, 2011

I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT SINCE NISSAN DOES NOT DO ANYTHING WITH THE PROBLEM TO BE FIXED, I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER, WHEN WERE ON THE ROAD OUR CAR IS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING STARTS JERKING, AND WERE SO SCARED THAT WILL NOT MAKE IT HOME BECAUSE THE WAY ITS ACTING WE FINALLY MADE IT HOME AND THE CA WOULD NOT REVERSE WE LOOK ONLINE AND SEARCH WHAT' CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND READ A BUNCH OF COMPLAINT WITH THE CONSUMER AT AUTOMOTIVE.COM STATING THAT THE REASON FOR THE PROBLEM IS THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO BURN, CALLED AROUND WITH A BUNCH OF AUTO MECHANIC AND WHEN I MENTION THAT I NEED MY TRANSMISSION REPLACE THE MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY SAID YOU KNOW YOU NEED YOUR RADIATOR REPLACE BECAUSE THAT IS CAUSING YOUR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN AND DENIED THE COMPLAINT THIS SHOULD BE IN THE RECALL BECAUSE THIS IS DANGEROUS IF YOU WEREN'T AWARE OF THE PROBLEM IF YOUR ON THE ROAD HOPE YOU CAN HELP US WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10406926
Incident
Jun 11, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi

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