Problems with 2005 Nissan Pathfinder POWER TRAIN

2005 nissan pathfinder 4wd suv suddenly down shifted out of 2wd driving mode with a sudden deceleration into 4wd mode. 4wd warning light and service engine lights came on. diagnostic test found transmission cooler in radiator failed and leaked fluid into transmission damaging transmission control module.. *tr

Several months ago, the pathfinder started to pulsate while gaining speed...dealer performed trans service, fixed problem for a few days. pathfinder started pulsating again, even worse. dealer advised torque converter was bad..second opinion mechanic advised radiator leaked into trans, and trans fluid leaked into coolant. coolant destroyed transmission. learned this has been a ongoing problem with pathfinders for years, there is a weld inside the radiator that fails and the two liquids transfers. why would the company design a radiator that has two liquids inside that can contaminate each other. *tr

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

Service engine lamp lit. transmission fluid's radiator cooler failed allowing coolant to enter into transmission ruining transmission. *tr

I bought my 2005 nissan pathfinder new from the dealer. at about 60,000 miles i started having transmission problems and was told that nissan had a severe problem with the radiator leaking into the transmission and ruining it. i had to replace the radiator at a cost of about $600.00. i believe that nissan should have had a recall since this problem is so widely documented. i have also had to replace fuel pump which cost me $500. needless to say, i won't be looking for a nissan product when i shop for my next car. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

Fuel gauge not working,radiator fluid leaking into transmission damaging transmission,front passenger seatbelt getting stuck. *kb

I have a 2005 nissan pathfinder and i have had to pay 5000 to have a new transmission for my car, now i have to have a new radiator. through research on the internet, nissan was purchasing faulty radiators for 2005 pathfinders, and the coolant leaks into the transmission and destroys it. this has happened to my vehicle and nissan has refused to pay for it. this has happened to tons of other people on the internet and they should be responsible for correcting their mistake. *tr

I have a 2005 nissan pathfinder se. i have had an issue with it and it could of been a safety issue. in june '09 the radiator had a cooling line that broke which has become a transmission problem. and anytime that a drivetrain is in issue it could cause a safety issue. i replaced the radiator for $600 and the transmission went out with violent stuttering and engaging in and out while in heavy traffic which could of caused a major accident especially at highway speeds. i have replaced the transmission with no help from nissan. this is a major problem that has been documented by several hundred consumers all with the same problem. the total i spent was $3197.09 which should be reimbursed by nissan corp for this problem is well known by the yet no recall has been issued. *tr

I have a 2005 nissan pathfinder that my transmission has gone out in. i have been told by the transmission repairman that it is caused by fluid getting into the transmission. there is obvious signs of antifreeze being in the transmission and through their research it is from the radiator leaking into the transmission. they have received several things at their shop concerning these problems. now i have a 3000 bill or more to have this transmission repaired. there are numerous complaints on this in the internet. all talking about the same exact thing. *tr

Coolant leaking into transmission. on multiple occasions my family of 4 and i start from a stop and our 2005 nissan pathfinder will begin to move into the intersection and the transmission will disengage or slip due to contamination while other vehicles are heading for us. i have been trying to get nissan of middletown ny to replace it since i put my children in the vehicle and feel it is a safety issue but instead they keep replacing the transmission fluid and sending me on my way. it was not until i was on a test drive with the mechanic (i got to know them being there all the time) that he told me in confidence that it was a known issue with the nissans that the transmission has a flaw and it will cost about $7,000 to replace. i feel if it is a flaw and it proves to be a safety issue it should be replaced by nissan at no cost to the consumer since families cannot afford to replace them forcing us to drive unsafe vehicles. please help us pathfinder owners hold nissan accountable for flaw in the transmissions. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan pathfinder le. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate over 20 mph despite the accelerator pedal being depressed. the vehicle was taken to a dealer. the dealer stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 96,769 and the current mileage was 148,113.

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 nissan pathfinder. the contact stated the transmission fluid and coolant mixed together which cause the transmission to malfunction and jump gears while driving 25 mph. at times the vehicle would shut off without warning. the contact took the vehicle to a dealer and noticed the transmission fluid and coolant mixing together. they stated the transmission and the engine needed to be replaced. the failure mileage was 95,000. updated 11/15/10

Radiator leaked into transmission causing failure when my family was driving down the highway. although no one was injured in this case, nissan refuses to acknowledge this widespread problem with the pathfinder and someone could be hurt in the future. *tr

2005 nissan pathfinder my radiator leaks fluid into the tranny cooling lines. its been to nissan 2-3 times. finally there putting in a new tranny and radiator. fortunately its still under warranty. *tr

Transmission failure suv bucks will not drive going down highway unsafe in traffic. *tr

Noticed rough shifts in transmission, eventually failed to engage 5th gear. took to dealer, transmission lines inside radiator had ruptured. replaced transmission, radiator and lines at a cost of over $8000 and 4 weeks time. this occurred at 67k miles. at 87k miles, radiator fluid is milky and shows symptoms of another rupture of coolant lines inside transmission. dealer and nissan usa do not recognize this as a safety issue or inherent defect in engineering. however, a simple search will show an extremely large number of people with similar issues caused by faulty cooling lines in the radiator rupturing causing transmission abrupt behavior and the danger for loss of vehicle control due to the failure. *tr

Transmission gave out on me while traveling with family on highway. the problem was due to faulty parts nissan has placed on the pathfinder. my finding to the problems not only included transmissions problems not covered under warranty but also other defects in which they are unwilling to pay for. i hope it doesn't take for someone to die for them to get this is a serious problem. americans are in danger due to this company and it's cars! *tr

Driving down 4 lane highway and stopped at a red light in a small town. when light turned green, i tried to proceed but vehicle would not move. when i would press the accelerator, the rpms would go up but vehicle would not move. there were many vehicles coming up behind me at a high rate of speed and there i was with my wife and three children stuck in the middle of a four lane highway, unable to move. i had to risk getting out of the vehicle and run to the rear of the vehicle and try to flag down vehicles coming at me at over 60 mph and try to flag them around my stranded vehicle with my family inside. finally able to get some assistance and get vehicle pushed to shoulder of the road. my vehicle has been to the same nissan dealership five times for this same problem!!!!! each time the repair lasts approximately 12 to 18 thousand miles and then i start having the same problem. in jan.of 2012 ,i paid the same dealership five thousand dollars for a new transmission and in august ; i once again have the same problem. i decided to file a complaint after becoming aware that this is a very common issue with these vehicles. *tr

I have a 2005 nissan pathfinder that the oil cooler leaked radiator fluid into the transmission. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan pathfinder. while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal vibrated when it was depressed. the contact heard an abnormal noise that came from the transmission. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the suspension needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

On 9/5/2008 i took my pathfinder to giles nissan in lafayette, la because i experienced several occasions where the vehicle would accelerate by itself. there were also occasions where the vehicle would not accelerate at all when the gas petal was pushed, essentially the engine would "rev" up but the car wouldn't move. giles nissan kept the vehicle for six days and i was told they could not find anything wrong with it. at the time, mileage was at 51,425, which would have still been covered under the 60,000 mile warranty. nissan was aware of the radiator coolant leaking into the transmission problem at this point, and if it would have been fixed when i first noticed the problem all of this could have been resolved right then. however, it was not and several months later, in april of 2009, the problems continued, and i no longer felt it was safe to drive the vehicle, as it would stop accelerating altogether, sometimes while driving on the interstate. i took the car to leblanc nissan in baton rouge, where they informed me i would need to replace the transmission & radiator, and by this time i was over the 60,000/5 year warranty. the estimate was approximately $7,000, and we were told by the service manager that nissan would not be paying for any of the repairs. there was no way i could afford to pay this much money, so i took my pathfinder to an independent mechanic specializing in transmission work. he suggested that he could rebuild the transmission and flush the radiator although he warned i may still have problems in the future (which was true). the mechanic also advised that i would need to get a complete radiator flush two or three months later to make sure there was no more leakage. since then, i have had transmission work done two more times, and to this day the transmission continues to sip. nissan refuses to reimburse any money whatsoever. *tr

Courtesy copy of a letter from consumers written to nissan north america re problems with their 2005 nissan pathfinder. *nj the consumer stated the vehicle was defective. there were numerous problems with the vehicle. the radiator was replaced, the transmission had a whistle up shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, the tires were feathered and an alignment was needed, the door panels creaked, the brakes made a clicking noise, the drive belts were replaced twice because of a noise the consumer heard, the plastic finisher on the running boards kept popping off, the strut on the rear hatch leaked due to a poor seal, the transfer case leaked, there was hesitation when accelerating from a stop, the 4-wheel drive light illuminated on the dashboard, the dealer stated it failed due to internal failure. the rear shocks leaked, the front pinion seal and oil pinion seal were replaced and the rear hatch window leaked. *jb updated 04/06/10.*jb

The dealer pointed out that there was a buzzing / whining noise coming from one or both secondary timing chains and camshaft sprocket areas. i had to replace both secondary timing chains and both secondary timing chain tensioners at 61,000 miles. cost: $2,148.00. please see nissan technical service bulletin: classification: em07-001 ntb07-042. reference: date: july 17, 2007. i believe this item should be a recall. this is obviously a mistake on nissan's behalf when they used inappropriate and unsafe parts. i asked nissan to cover this item under warranty, which they quickly refused. i was 1,000 miles past my drive train warranty but this had begun way before that point. i find it both amusing and convenient that nissan never mentioned this problem to its customers, and me specifically until i was out of warranty; the service report is dated july 17, 2007, exactly one year prior to my vehicle needing repair. i believe this is a clear admittance of guilt on behalf of nissan. *tr

I have a 2005 nissan pathfinder le. 52,000 miles. with transmission trouble. it vibrates at speeds of 45-50 mph. water in the transmission due to a leaking radiator which leaks into the transmission and ruins it. gas gauge that doesn't work properly. *tr

I own a 2005 nissan pathfinder and at 81,500 miles began experiencing transmission vibration while traveling between 40-45 mph. during this vibration, my acceleration abilities were limited. the transmission vibration was the result of defective radiator which caused radiator fluid and transmission fluid to mix. i received a letter from nissan informing me that the warranty on the radiator assembly of my 2005 pathfinder is being extended because 'a crack in the radiator assembly might occur at higher mileages leading to internal leakage of engine coolant.' the radiator and transmission have since been repaired and nissan is unwilling to reimburse the cost of the repairs. as the radiator failure and affected transmission is a well know issue by nissan and the nissan consumer community, nissan should be responsible for all costs to repair the radiator and affected components. nissan being responsible is ever more evident by the fact that the transmission is affected, which causes intermittent acceleration issues. *tr

The transmission in the 2005 nissan pathfinder slips and jerks while driving at highway speeds. the slippage can cause the vehicle to rapidly decelerate in traffic increasing the likelihood of an accident. the rapid jerking of the vehicle can cause the vehicle to loose control on its own or frighten or disorient the driver causing the driver to loose control of the vehicle.

I started feeling weird shaking and jerking movements whenever i went on the freeway going around 65 mph about a year after i bought the vehicle. i took it to the nissan dealership (dirito brothers, walnut creek, ca -- the place from where i bought the car) to check it out, and they told me the car was fine but i was still feeling this same shaking. i took it back to the shop for the same thing about two more times, and i got the same answer. the car only got worse and worse. at the last visit, when the transmission was almost broken, they told me about a cooler system crack and they recommended i replace my transmission with a new one. i told them i had no money for it, so what they did was fix the crack, flush the transmission, and clean it as much as possible inside. after a while, my transmission broke down completely and after my car was over 100,000 miles, that's when i received a letter from the dealer telling me about a factory failure -- i didn't qualify because they only fixed cars with less than 100,000 miles on them. this isn't fair because i've been complaining about this issue since long before the car had 100,000 miles on it. i was wondering if you could help me with this issue. i would appreciate the help. sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan path finder. the contact stated while driving at unknown speeds, there was an unusual rumbling. the dealer determined that the radiator was leaking coolant into the transmission, causing the transmission to foul. the dealer advised the transmission and radiator would need to be replaced. the manufacturer advised that the contact was out of warranty and would not provide any assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 74,000.