Problems with 2006 Nissan Pathfinder ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

i have heard that several people are having problems with their transmission fluid getting radiator fluid in it. the classic signs and symptoms that have started with my 2006 nissan pathfinder are: 1. horrendous shuddering when pressing on the gas to increase my speed, 2. occasional banging when my automatic car shifts into gear, 3. delay in speed when i attempt to pass. since all of this had started right after 100,000 miles a new transmission is not covered. i am a single mom who is a hospice nurse, i drive all day, having a reliable car puts food on the table for my kids. i don't have $3,000 to fix this problem. i could cry, i don't know what i am going to do. right now i just keep driving it knowing it is going to break down any day. i was informed by so many people that nissan was a great company and manufactured a great vehicle when i decided to by this pathfinder. i am soooo disappointed!!! i will never buy another nissan vehicle, i'm sorry, for the amount that i originally paid for this vehicle, it should not start falling apart at 108,000 miles. *tr

Just found out that i have the coolant mixed with the transmission fluid causing transmission failure.... called nissan consumer affairs and was told i had to go get diagnosis at dealer witch i did at a cost 100.00. called nissan back and said i was out of luck and nothing they would do.... how can they get away with selling such a defective part for so long is beyond me and the fact that there is numerous class action law suits on this issue and nothing is being done about it..... this is a major safety issue as a transmission failure will cause the vehicle to stop in traffic.... someone needs to do something about this. *tr

Transmission cooler inside radiator cracked and allowed coolant into transmission fluid, causing complete transmission faliure....cost to repair 5,000 dollars. *tr

On the highway, the transmission started to feel as if the car was going to stall. the coolant light indicator moved rapidly to the high end, which seemed to indicate a radiator or coolant problem. i pulled off the highway and let the car cool down, before proceeding on back roads to get home. the car continued to act as if it was going to stall even at 15-20 miles per hour. shortly thereafter, the service engine light came on. i had the car towed to my nissan dealership and was advised that the radiator caused the transmission to fail. nissan is aware this is a problem but as my car is over 80,000 miles, i will need to pay $2,500 to fix the problem! *tr

During highway speeds noted chattering/chuttering when accelerating at approximately 60-65 mph. later after exiting the interstate, slowing down while approaching intersection, during automatic transmission down shift, vehicle seemed to lunge forward. scary in city traffic. upon return to home, removed radiator cap, coolant fluid was color and consistency of peanut butter. fearing blown head gasket, check engine oil which was fine, check of transmission fluid revealed very runny and more of a peanut butter color on the dip stick. removed transmission drain plug for a better fluid inspection, what drained was very watery, reddish, brownish, peanut butter colored fluid. drained approximately 3 quarts. replaced drained fluid with new, set up appointment and drove vehicle to nissan service center. cursory search of the web identified excessive number of other consumers complaining of same issue. couple hours later, nissan service manager informed me that there was cross contamination between coolant and transmission. because vehicle had greater than 80000 miles, service manager informed me would be a co-pay of $2500.00. repair work completed, money paid, now attempting to have nissan reimburse. *tr

The radiator cracked and the transmission oil mixed with the cooling. this resulted in the damaging of the transmission and we had to replace the radiator. *tr

The car stalled in oncoming traffic more than once. nissan dealership says it needs a new transmission, radiator, catalytic converters, cam sensors and fuel system. it has been nothing but trouble since we purchased it and it dangerous to drive. *tr

The vehicle had some shifting and hesitation issues while driving at highway speeds, especially upon accelerating after decelerating about 5 mph at highway speed. i brought it in to the dealer who said the radiator needed to be replaced due to cross contamination with the transmission. upon the dealer replacing the radiator and flushing the cooling system/transmission, they called and said that the vehicle is now throwing off codes and that the transmission needed replacement. in researching the issue online, i noted there was an open investigation as well as and extended warranty offered by nissan for this defect. the dealer failed to mention this, so i forwarded them the information and visited them to discuss the defect. the dealer stated that there was a lower cost valve body service they could attempt, but if that did not work, i would need the full replacement, so therefore they recommended the replacement. the valve body service was $1300 and a new transmission was $5300, so if the service did not work i would be looking at $6600 plus another $350 for the cooling system and transmission flush they had already performed. the vehicle has 109,000 miles on it, so it is outside of the extended warranty nissan issued for this issue. i did try their customer care line to attempt to have them cover the repair since it is only 9000 miles outside the warranty, but they said there is nothing they can do. based on the cost of the repair versus the value of the vehicle, it's hard to justify the expense and therefore i considered not repairing the transmission. however, the vehicle is used by my wife to drive our kids around, and i can't imagine the consequence of not repairing and then have a complete failure like some owners have experienced while driving. it's evident that this is a major quality and safety issue, and that nissan should be responsible. *tr

Vehicle started making a whining noise coming from the engine area that increases with rpms and was taken to dealer and said to be faulty timing chain tensioner. was manufactured with plastic parts for this model had price quoted to approx $3000 to repair! *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan pathfinder. the contact stated that while traveling 40 mph, the vehicle made a rumbling noise and stalled without warning. the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the radiator hose had failed and caused coolant to penetrate the transmission and that the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure and current mileage was 85,238.

The coolant was leaking into the transmission fluid. nissan must have known there was an issue to extending the warranty from 60,000 to 80,000. the pathfinder was taken in for service for a few months because something wasn't right and finally found out the issue was coolant leaking into the transmission fluid at 83,000 miles. *tr

Coolant leaking into transmission causing failure and slippage. when coming to abrupt stops transmission "jerks" and "bucks" also, upon accelerating, transmission slips and is unable to accelerate properly. safety issue with proper driving capability. *tr

I was shocked to find out that my transmission and radiator needed replaced after such low mileage. dealer said it was a design defect and it would be covered by nissan who extended the warranties on vehicles with this problem because of a class action lawsuit. what disturbs me is that i was told i could have had a catastrophic failure in my pathfinder. i literally could have pulled out onto a highway and my transmission might have failed. with 3 small children who ride in the backseat, this might have resulted in serious injury or death. how can this admitted defect not result in a recall so all affected vehicles could be inspected for safety??? and my "new" remanufactured transmission has a very limited warranty now , not the 60,000. on my original transmission so i'm afraid of future repair costs. so unfair!!! *tr

As my wife and i with our 5 children were on our way to church, driving at 45mph the car started jerking dropping at 20mph with traffic behind us on a two way highway we had to pull over on a dirt embankment. we took the car to nissan dealership and the service rep estimated the cost of $9,000. problem in radiator crack line inside transmission fluid cooler. antifreeze leak into transmission causing damage. *tr

The transmission failed due to the on going problem with nissan. coolant is leaking into transmission and ruining them. there should be a recall on these now. *tr

radiator coolant leaking in transmission. *tr

We purchased our pathfinder from a dealership june 1, 2012. on july 2, 2013 we were driving back home and the transmission started to slip. upon researching online immediately when we got home, we found that many, many others had the same issue and that it is caused by faulty design of the radiator and transmission. the radiator cracks and leaks directly into the transmission so there is no warning that there is an issue until it's too late. the next morning i immediately drove it to our nearest nissan dealer to have it checked out. they informed me after my description of what was going on that indeed, that is probably what was wrong but they couldn't get me in to check it out for another 6 days (and it would be $109) to diagnose. they also informed me that nissan has issued a conditional warranty of them. up to 80,000 miles, they cover any expense past $2,500. up to 90,00 miles, they cover any expense past $3,000. up to 100,00 they cover any expense past $3,500. there is no coverage past 100,000 miles and the average cost to repair is $7000.00. our transmission failed at 108,000 miles. now we are stuck paying out of pocket for a flawed design that nissan acknowledges is their fault. how is there not a mandatory recall on these models and nissan not required to replace these issues in full on their dime.. for their mistake? the conditional warranty offered is a joke and i am infuriated that nissan is not covering our flawed vehicle also. this failure is in no wise due to any neglect or misuse of the owner/operator's part. where is the responsibility for this product? why must we continue to promote a mindset of neglecting responsibility for what we produce? where is the quality? where is the follow-through? *tr

My transmission failed because the cooling lines that run through the radiator cracked allowing the coolants to mix. i will have to replace the transmission and the radiator. *tr

My nissan pahtfinder 2006 sudden jerking when traveling at highway speeds, the vehicle would hesitate to accelerate while driving. diagnosed as a failed transmission cooler which allows, coolant to mix with the transmission fluid. *tr

Coolant leaked in to transmission causing damage to both radiator and transmission. *tr

Driving at a substantial speed of 40mph car just stopped even though car was still running. radiator and transmission went all of a sudden. was almost rear ended. had towed to nissan dealer in turnersville nj. they stated that it was 12,000 of extended warranty that was issued a year or so ago. i was never notified of a class action suit and that this problem would occur all of a sudden as i was driving. apparently a faulty radiator caused fluid to go into transmission and destroy it making car just stop running in the middle of a highway. the regional office told me i did not get a notice because i was the second owner. i was willing to pay a $3,000.00 copay but they would not even approve that. now they want 5,900 to replace the transmission and radiator. the car is only worth 8 or 9 thousand. i am 67 years old and do not have that kind of money. i am in a hopeless situation. please assist. *tr

There was a jerk in my car and the check engine light came on. i pressed the gas and it wouldn't go anywhere. the radiator fluid leaked into the transmission and caused the my car to stop. *tr

I was preparing to merge onto the highway, i slowed down to yield to oncoming traffic. when the gap between oncoming cars was large enough i accelerated and proceeded to merge. instead of accelerating my car began to rumble and move slowly. instead of properly merging onto the highway it just slowly rolled into oncoming traffic. i became horrified and i was afraid to drive on the highway, and i had to reverse to back out. i took back roads to nissan dealer. the car would rumble and vibrate and drive slowly as if it was stuck in 1st gear. dealer determined that "transmission oil mixed with antifreeze" due to "cooler hose cracked and ready to break" rendering transmission incapable of proper operation. nissan dealer replaced transmission, radiator, and flushed cooling system.

My wife reported her pathfinder hesitating, noticeable lack in power, and a decrease in mpg. before our family was about to travel to another state (new mexico to colorado) i decided to do my own little pre trip inspection. i pulled the air filter and blew it out with air, checked the oil dipstick and it read in operating range, when i pulled the transmission dipstick it was covered with contaminated oil. the engine coolant is mixing with the transmission fluid in the heat exchanger cooler. if this vehicle is driven any longer transmission failure is imminent. *tr

My nissan came to a stop while driving home. i was going no more than 30 mph and my car started to shake and then it stopped and would not move anymore. i took it to a shop and they said it was the transmission and would have to rebuilt it. the shop kept my car for a month and was unable to fix it, even after rebuilding the transmission. i finally took it to a nissan dealership and they stated that the problem was the radiator and transmission. they would fix it, but it would cost me $6,700. because my car is over mileage in the extended warranty that nissan had offered, i would get no financial assistance to fix my car--even though this is a manufacturing defect. this is just outrageous and irresponsible that nissan will not recall the transmission and radiator problem. luckily i was not traveling on the expressway at the time the transmission failed or there would have been fatalities. i will never purchase a nissan ever again!! *tr

Radiator failed allowing coolant to contaminate transmission causing it to fail as well. i really like this vehicle and i feel nissan should pay to fix all of these affected since it is a known equipment failure and has happened at such a wide range of mileage. i had this one checked at 60,000 miles and had no problem with neither part and i have been watching it regularly but didn't catch it in time when it finally went. i am an ase certified mechanic for the last 20+ years and once a transmission is contaminated with coolant there is only on fix and that is to replace or rebuild.....not just a flush and send on your way! *tr

My car has coolant in transmission and starting to give me problem i told nissan 2 year ago when my car had 78,000 miles but they said no now it has 103,000 and my transmission is bad and they don't want to fix issue. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan pathfinder. the contact stated that the radiator fractured and as a result, the radiator fluid leaked into the transmission causing the vehicle to decelerate. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 130,000.

The radiator broke where it let coolant go into transmission and it ruin the transmission i purchase the car new in 2006 no one told me anything about this will happened and the nissan corporation knew about this problem it will cost more than $7,000 in repair. *tr

We did not have an accident, but wanted it known that we were not sure we were going to make it to the dealership for repair. this is in reference to the nissan radiator/transmission problems. the car was vibrating and felt like it was not going to make the 40 mile trip. while there was not an accident we certainly felt like we could have caused one or been in one if the vehicle failed on the highway. we were on our way to the dealership for the transmission repair. *tr

Check engine light came on. went to nissan dealership had it checked out. dealership said radiator let fluid leak into transmission. they said i need a new radiator and new transmission at a cost of $5300. they advised me to call nissan corporate which i did and they said i had too many miles for warranty to cover any expenses. can't do without my suv. american transmission quoted me a price of $4900 to replace radiator,transmission and new computer. i first bought a quest then a xterra and now the pathfinder all purchased new from nissan dealerships. it will be the last!!!!!!! *tr

Contamination of radiator and transmission fluids. should have been a nissan recall to fix the problem. now 10,000 to repair and i put the bill and tell me to take home and park it. transmission could go out anytime. why no recall and where is justice here. i trade cars when my finances allow me to, not when i have to, so this is my complaint will nissan be held accountable? i know there's many more people out there with the same problem and nissan should be accountable because it could have been corrected. *js

Our 2006 nissan pathfinder began to occasionally rumble when it was changing gears. we were advised by our mechanic that this was related to a failure in the vehicle's transmission/radiator cooler system. we contacted a nissan dealership, and were advised that our vehicle's transmission and radiator would have to be replaced. he further advised that nissan knew of this failing, and had extended their warranties on these vehicles to 10 years or 100,000 miles. however, this warranty includes up to a $3000 deductible. the deductible is determined by year and milage of the vehicle. our nissan has 87,000 miles, so we will have to pay a $2500 deductible for the repair work. *tr

My coolant leak fluid into my transmission , nissan honored the extended warranty and is replacing the radiator and the transmission. my whole exhaust system needs to be replaced also and my cost for that is 1200. *tr

Catastrophic failure while on the road occured and car began to shake, causing other drivers to sway off the road to avoid collision. car driveable after, but deteriorating due to coolant leaking into transmission case. this is a well-known problem throughout the nissan organization, but remains unaddressed sufficiently. this places a major cost on 2006 nissan pathfinder owners and action needs to be taken so this negligence cannot persist. i am willing to pay for some of the damage caused by this and for some of the replacement cost, but nissan motor corporation should fulfill its obligation per the class action lawsuit in 2012. *tr

Started as a vibration on 5ft gear at around 45mph. during a routine check, it was found transmission oil into the cooling system. hence, the transmission fluid was contaminated with coolant, causing transmission malfunction as a result of a defective radiator. *tr

Complete loss of power and need to be towed to a dealership, then dealer diagnose, the problem as a failed transmission fluid, cooler located in de radiator assembly that allowed coolant to mix with and contaminate the automatic transmission fluid,resulting in damaged internal transmission components and a damaged internal transmission computer. *tr

Radiator failed causing transmission fluid to leak into radiator and vice versa (antifreeze into transmission). car rumbles really bad and shifts hard. had to replace radiator and flush transmission so about $600 for a problem that nissan should fix. *tr

I was driving on the highway about 55 to 60 miles per hour and felt an intense vibration causing my car to start shaking as if i were on the rumble strips in the median. i drove the car to a mechanic and was told my radiator had leaked into my transmission destroying the torque converter. nissan has refused to help me as well as i have been denied by an aftermarket warranty that nissan persuaded me to purchase. *tr

Started shuttering and not shifting right, found tran fluid in radiator, what's sad is im writing this in vain cause nothing will come of it, its sad that if they're had been more known before hand my wife wouldn't have bought it, instead she has 3.5 more years to pay for something that was intended to last atleast til she got it paid for, but now she is going to have to go to the bank and make another loan, and try to make two payments instead of one, to say the least im not happy with nissan trying to keep this under the rug with the rest of the dirt. *tr

At higher speeds the car started shuddering / jerking when it was trying to up or downshift. at first it was not too noticeable however that changed relatively fast and he jerking was more apparent. after taking it to the dealer it was found to be a known problem with the car. the problem was a crack within the transmission oil cooler in the radiator causing intermixing between the transmission and the coolant. the dealer replaced the radiator and the transmission assembly. since my vehicle had between 80000 and 90000 miles i was in the $2500 copay range. *tr

Driving car starts hard shifting up and down.i don't think i would have made it home if i wasn't so close. after a little online research i check radiator and see that transmission fluid is intermixing with radiator fluid. the worse part is nissan new this was a problem and hasn't done a recall. i bought this car from a nissan dealers preowned with 86,000 in 2009. to me they new it was a problem and still sold me a car in which i have little recourse, but to fix myself. *tr

Driving on the highway last evening my transmission just blew out. the rpm's went high and i was thrown into first or second gear in an automatic vehicle. i had to weave to get off to the side of the road and out of traffic. it was a huge safety concern for me and my children. there was no warning. i have called nissan this morning and i am being told there is nothing they can do. there are reports, class action law suits, and other complaints all over the internet on the exact issue (radiator fluid is leaking into transmission and causing it failure) and nothing is being addressed by nissan. does someone have to die before this is handled?? horrible business on their part. i know have a truck that should be worth $10,000-12,000 that has a $6,000 fix because of a factory defect and it is my problem?? this is unbelievable.... *tr

The radiator coolant has leaked into the transmission which has destroyed the transmission. *tr

My radiator failed and possibly leaked radiator fluid into my transmission, via an internal radiator cooler. this is a widely known problem with this model and year. involving a class action lawsuit. my mechanic caught this problem early enough that my transmission wasn't completely destroyed. the resulting repair was $900 plus $200 for a transmission flush as a safeguard to possible radiator fluid that may have gotten into the transmission. i was outside of the mileage extension for warranty and since my transmission wasn't destroyed i didn't qualify for any help from the class action lawsuit. the repairs on this vehicle are staggering i currently have a fuel sending unit issue that is the subject of a recall but my vehicle is outside of the warranty extension. this is a poorly made vehicle that has cost me thousands in repairs. nissan needs to be held accountable. nissan will not take responsibility and keeps telling me to go to a dealer to get my vehicle repaired. so frustrating. *tr

2006 nissan pathfinder started having a violent vibration at around 50mph. researched online and found numerous articles regarding this issue. all information i found indicated that the radiator fluid was leaking into the transmission through the coolent line. when i checked my radiator level, the coolent was low, which was one of the indicators that his was my problem. i took my vehicle to the dealership that i bought it from, less than a year ago with 75,000 miles, they tell me that the warrenty only covers vehicles with less that 80,000 miles. when i purchased the vehicle, there was no mention of the issue, only that the pathfinder was a solid, certified pre-owned vihicle. now i will have to pay $3,000 co-pay. everything i have read, indicates that these issues rarely ever start before 80,000 miles. the fact that the industry is letting them get away with this is disgusting to me. i have a wife and two children riding around in a faulty vehicle with a well known issue i can't aford to fix. *tr

Coolant in the transmission sudden lose of speed difficult to drive manage to get it home haven't ran it since afraid of losing the transmission completely did not no of this issue till it was too late i have 2 cars between me and my 3 sons and now down to one car till this issue can be resolve, can not afford to pay for the repairs out of pocket im hoping nissan will be taking some responsibility i've own 5 nissans a stanza, sentra, a pathfinder, maxima, and now 06 pathfinder im having issues with. *tr

Recently i noticed that the vehicle vibrates/shutters at certain speeds causing difficulty with acceleration. i took it to my mechanic and the mechanic told me that after some research he discovered there is a known defect with the radiator/transmission and that i should take it to the dealer. i brought it to the dealer and they informed me that i was 2000 miles over the 100,000 mile extended power train warranty and that i was not eligible for the replacements under warranty (which would have cost me $3,000?). instead if i want the radiator and transmission replaced i would have to pay $7,000-$8,000 which i find very unethical because as a pregnant mother driving around 2 small children this vehicle is unsafe for my family to drive in it's current condition. nissan should recall the defective parts and replace at no cost to the customers, considering the part was defective when built and the consumers were never notified of the potential issues. *tr

In june 2012 we took our car to be seen for stalling and shaking. nissan stated "we can't replicate the problem" instead they replaced the radiator. nissan stated that the radiator was leaking, but never told us there was a recall. now dec we almost had an accident due to the shaking of the car. took it back to nissan and once again the said they couldn't find the problem with the car. i mentioned that i had read about transmission possibly being affected by radiator leaks on other pathfinders. nissan said i can't always believe what i read on the internet. nissan does not want to look at the transmission for us. i believe that they are just waiting for my car's warranty to be up. i feel helpless and scared that one day i will be in an accident and nissan never helped my family out. *tr

Transmission coolant line in bottom of radiator ruptured leaking coolant into transmission and trans fluid into cooling system. *tr