I was experiencing a shutter in the transmission while driving. This is a safety hazard because the transmission could bind while riding causing the vehicle to stall. Nissan did not have any recalls at the time and the transmission shop recommended that we have the radiator flushed because he noticed transmission fluid in it, so we did. It ran smoothly for about 7 more months and we drove it until it finally died on us. We had to replace the radiator and transmission. Nissan later issued a recall on radiators up to 80,000 miles. When we first experienced problems, the mileage was about 68,000 miles which would have been within the warranty mileage, but since the recall wasn't issued yet, we didn't know this was a common problem with Nissan. We were reimbursed the cost of the radiator but they deny responsibility for the transmission.

Dear, Al Castigentti

This letter is in reference to the survey I received from Nissan Division. This pertains to the problems we facing on our 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. We purchase our vehicle in November 2008 and with 48000 miles and warranty. When we bought this vehicle it was in excellent condition and in July 2010 the vehicle started to develop a noise and it was constantly keeping the noise and we took it to sheeny Nissan and they said we everything is okay and there is no problem.

Date7/18/10 – observe noise coming from the engine. Date 7/26/10- vehicle was taken to MONRO MUFFLER AND SERVICE for noise sound like an exhaust system. They found nothing wrong or leaks coming from exhaust system, they recommend to take vehicle to a Nissan dealer for an analysis to see if the problem is coming from the engine.

Date 7/26/10- walk in- Spoke to Jon Picon service manager, about the noise- he was very nice, he did the paper work to have the vehicle analyzed. He also mention to me the fee is $120.00 for the analysis and that the fee would be wavered if the recommended work was done by Sheehy Nissan, the inspection work was done by Sheehy Nissan, the inspection was done by the tech, I was given a print out of the result where they found nothing was wrong everything was okay. I question the tech why I am getting the noise which was not there before, he told me it is normal on the path finder model 2005-SE. The service manager or tech did not mention anything on the recall or to analyze the radiator, transmission situation which I think they knew about. In the past I had recall on 2 of my vehicle one by G.M and the other by FORD- both manufacture sent us notice to our mailing address regarding the problem and we had it taken care of at the dealer. Date 9/12/11- I went to pick up my wife up from work which is about 20 miles from home. On returning home the vehicle made some loud noise and smoke heavily, the vehicle stop in the intersection unable to go forward or reverse. It was pushed out of the intersection into BEST BUY PARKING LOT because it was 9 pm. The next morning I went to Monro where I had it analyzed result damage line in the radiator causing cooling fluid to mix with transmission oil. Recommendation change radiator and transmission. I then call a mechanic friend of mine and I explain the situation to him and he told me about the recall and advises me to take the vehicle to a Nissan dealer. I had to buy a new radiation cap because the rubber seal was broken up by the mix fluid. Date9/20/11- took the vehicle to Sheehy Nissan spoke to Jon Picon (service manager). I explained to him the situation he told me that my warranty had expired and give me an estimate cost to have it fix for a total estimate of $8000. I took the vehicle back home. I then contacted Nissan Consumers Affair and spoke to several people including Beverly who told us Nissan is going to fix the vehicle through a good will gesture, then a few days later we called and spoke Beverly, that’s when she said Nissan has refused. We called and spoke to Geri a few times who indeed says there was a recall on the radiator transmission and he ask us towed the vehicles to a Nissan dealer which we did and have it analyzed, which we did, we paid $123.00 and he asked for the analysis report to be fax to him plus Nissan is going to pay for the towing costs. We did all of the above, we spoke to Geri he confirmed he received the fax’s from us to give him a few hours he will contact us. We did call several numerous times, never heard from Geri again do not know if he still works there. Our vehicle is still at Sheehy Nissan, we are still paying insurance and property tax for it and not even the dealership is concerned, we haven’t heard anything from the dealership, but only receiving surveys. They day before this problem took place we were on I-95 coming home from New York, we thank god we did not encounter this situation then. That could have been fatal or a more serious problem.

Date 11/09/11- TOYOTA ANNOUNCED OPEN RECALL for a steering problem TOYOTA DID NOT ASK FOR WARRANTY OR MILEAGE WHEN THEY ARE AWARE OF THERE PROBLEM seeing what Toyota went through , they are still taking care of their clients, why can’t Nissan do likewise (AS NISSAN SAYS THEY VALUED THEIR CUSTOMER’S)

I hope we are not waiting for something serious to occur before we can address this matter seriously. Sincerely A true Nissan valued customer.

HORRIBLE RESPONSE TO THIS DEFECT. NISSAN IS UNBELIEVABLE. CAR WAS SHUDDERING WHEN ACCELERATING ON WHEN BRAKING. 4 NEW TIRES. HEAD GASKET CRACKED AND BROWN FLUID LEAKING FROM CAR THEN FOUND OUT RADIATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM WHEN THEY SOLD IT TO US- THEY KEPT QUIET WANTED 5K TO FIX. HAD HEAD GASKET AND RADIATOR REPLACED BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC - LASTED 1 WEEK AND TRANSMISSION BLEW - WHAT A NIGHTMARE. CONSUMER AFFAIR NO HELP BECAUSE OF MILEAGE BUT THEY KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN AFTER 86K. EVERYONE WITH THIS PROBLEM SHOULD JOIN CLASS ACTION AGAINST - NO MORE NISSAN BYE BYE

I traded in a brand new car in 2008 for the 2005 Pathfinder so my car payments and insurance would cost less. SMART MOVE?! NOT!! The engine light has been going off since I bought the car (have documentation), Nissan didn't fix. They replaced the fuel level sensor instead in Sept 2009 instead. I brought it in 1/7/2011 and my boyfriend came with me, drove with the mechanic and insisted that something was wrong with the transmission, please check it out!! They found NOTHING wrong with the transmission and again CUSTOMER STATES ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON so after $1158.79 in repairs, I got a new drive shaft and new brakes but NOTHING as far as the trans.

I was happily driving to work on Halloween 2011 and my Pathfinder wouldn't shift. AT ALL. I called Nissan and drove right to the dealership. After about an hour and a half, I was told that "Repair Boy" found coolant and transmission fluid mixed causing internal damage to trans. Cost of repair $5882.00. Now someone please tell me, where do they come up with the extra $2.00?!?! OH when "Repair Boy" told me about the cost of repairs, he was LAUGHING and told me "I'd go inside and talk to SALES at this point." OK I don't know about YOU, REPAIR BOY, but I don't have $5882.00 just hanging around to get my car repaired and I don't want a higher car payment or higher insurance!! I was also told that I "live outside of the zip code area so we can't drive you home."

OH and when the service adviser at the desk gave me my keys she told me as I was CRYING about my car, "We can't guarantee you going 1 mile, or 15 miles." GEE, THANKS!!!!!!

I have to say, I owned a Ford F150 for OVER 15 YEARS and all I EVER had to do was to have the engine checked and have my oil changed. It NEVER failed me or had any problems and it had MAJOR mileage, 150,000 miles.

I called Consumer Affairs at Nissan and told them about my vehicle. I rented a car that cost me $450.00 for ONE WEEK. I'm not renting another vehicle to get to work or anywhere for that matter. It's Friday night,11/11/2011. I called the dealership back and spoke with a sales manager, and also left a message with the manager at the service department.

I have documentation from Nissan about my complaints since I bought this LEMON and it includes the continual "Customer states engine light goes on." GEE I WONDER WHY!!

It is unfortunate to see so many of us 2005 Pathfinder owners with the same complaint. Fortunately mine has been covered under the extended warranty. If you check with Nissan they have extended the warranty on the radiator to 96 months 80,000 miles. Because of the radiator causing the issue, they are also replacing the transmission on my Pathfinder under warranty as well as giving me a loaner car, also covered under warranty. I was also told that the new radiator is built so that this problem won't occur again. I sure hope so.

I have no idea how the VP of total customer satisfaction at Nissan sleeps at night. The only way Nissan will respond, is to have a National ad posted on cable networks displaying the complaints and exposing Nissan for selling a product to the public with the knowledge of a failed coolant system. Further warning the public "Those that own Nissan auto's of what they can expect" Perhaps a warning is required , like that they put on cigerates

"owning a Nissan pathfinder will be hazardous to your health or a least your financial health." NHTS will not do anything until someone is killed dispite the numerous complaints filed on their site.

I have fallen victim of a design flaw that causes catastrophic failure to a $4,700 tranny via the cooling line INSIDE the $800 radiator that also needs to be replaced. It caused the Pathy to almost stall while I was pulling out onto a 65MPH highway and I nearly got blasted. This is a serious safety issue and until someone loses their life, I am afraid no one will pay attention. This should be a re-call item since the external cooler can be added for a small fraction of the repair cost of the tranny and radiator! I have contacted Nissan to start a case, I will certainly re-post with an update. I sincerely hope they do the right thing and back up their product.

One owner 2005 Nissan Pathfinder transmission slipping from the faulty radiator problem. Nissan took the complaint and told me that the dealer could ask to extend the warranty. The dealer told me they dont do that but of course they could fix it at acost of 4700+. Just made last payment so needless to say pretty upset that Nissan does not stand behind thier product. I have owned three Nissans and looks like if they are not going to stand behind their defective systems, it will be my last. Before I parked it, I tried to cross a busy intersection and almost got hit because the transmission would not engage and I could not accelerate. This is an unsafe vehicle and sooner or later, someone is going to have a serious accident. Is NISSAN really going to leave all of these customers holding the bag?

My Pathfinder developed a slight hesitation around August 2010. It did not worsen for many months, until wintertime. I decided I would bring it in when I received a tax refund in the spring. The problem progressively got worse throughout the winter, as I used the heat quiet often. I discovered I was burning (I thought) anti-freeze, having to replace it every couple of weeks. Around the same time, I received Nissan's letter informing me of the internal leak (you know the letter that never uses the words "factory defect" "transmission" or "destroy"). I took my vehicle to the local Nissan dealer. They informed me that this factory defect caused my transmission to fail. I need a replacement of my transmission and radiator; but Nissan won't cover it. Customer service told me the primary reason for not paying for my repairs (outside of the mileage warranty THEY chose) was that I did not have a history of servicing my Pathfinder at Nissan dealers. (Never mind the dealer I bought it from closed down).

Same complaint as everyone else. My problem started with having no heat at stop signs or while idling. When I drove i had heat. I thought it was a thermostat, so i put it off for about a week till i had time to replace the thermostat. During that week the truck started to shake bad when it went into overdrive. Taking it out of overdrive helped but not much. The next weekend I started to work on the truck. I was going to do a tranny service and thermostat, but appon looking at the coolant being milky brown i decided that i would take it in and have everything done with a coolant flush. To my dismay the tranny intercooling line in the radiator cracked and leaked tranny fluid into my radiator and vice versa into my transmission. I got lucky compared to most. I only had to replace the radiator, flush the coolant system and flush my transmission 3 times to remove all the water in it for 850 dollars. All I have to say is way to go nissan. Step up to the plate and claim responsibility like everyone else does when they provide a product not up to par. They should have to pay but I did because of a part they new was bad.

2005 Nissan Pathfinder after 85.000 miles.

Replaced both front cat. converters on 03/15/10 to pass inspection, =$800.00 any local muffler shop.

Replaced ECM Relay on 4/10/10 due to truck stalling at any given moment when driving below 40 mph, got the relay online for less than $40.00 before recall was posted. Read a lot of people replacing the trucks computer ($1500) and relay box ($400.00) per dealer advise. Not the solution.

Got a Transmission overhaul and new radiator on 01/07/11 =$4800.00 to fix transmission/ coolant mix including "Bosch" computer board and torque converter, all from Nissan parts! Got this at a known repair shop.

Now, 10/15/11 got the code P0744 and looks like I got to have the torque converter looked at again and it just happens to be out of warranty over 6 months later, so that's $800.00 plus $400.00 labor at the cheapest shop I could find out of 5 that I talked to.

My advise to any person who is barely starting this process is to TRADE it in ASAP! I was given this advise 2 years ago but I loved my Nissan back then, now I pray everytime I get on it, pray for my family to be safe, ask for a normal day. My wife's 2001 KIA had a better life than this, sure do regret selling it last year. Overall money paid for the Pathfinder could've gotten me a nice Cadillac or another high end car without the pain!

Nissan knew it had a defective cooler, and did nothing to fix or inform people, there consumer affairs dept said they offered 30,000 more on the warranty, which didnt help anyone because the average failure is at 85000 miles, so basically they did nothing to help. my beef is that they knew they had a defective part, if they would have informed the public with a recall, none of this would have happened or very minimal anyway. Nissan will be affected by this in the future negatively for not standing behind their product and even worse not being concerned about the consumer. i didnt fix mine, it is sitting right now, i am not going to sink 8000 dollars in a 6 year old vehicle. a vehicle is an investment and now my friends, family, and coworkers will forever stay away from Nissan products because of a cooler that could have easily been fixed, thanks NISSAN

I was experiencing the same problems as the rest of the Nissan owners whom purchased 2005 Nissan Pathfinders. After reading and reviewing this site I was shocked. The fact that this was happening to so many people who purchased the Pathfinder truck, and Nissan is not addressing their problem, was unbelievable. Good customer service would merit that this matter be attended to immediately. It seems quite obvious that a "recall for the 2005 Pathfinders” was in order. After speaking to a transmission specialist I was told that it would not have mattered if I had the transmission checked at the same intervals as oil changes because this problem can happen inside of driving 50 miles. This is a real SERIOUS ENGINEERING PROBLEM and Nissan should be stepping up to the plate to make this right for their customers. Expecting the consumer to pay the dealerships quote of $4,200.00 to correct THEIR PROBLEM is asinine, Nissan should be held accountable for producing defective vehicles.

Shame! Shame! Shame! Nissan dealership needs to own up to this problem and repair all the 2005 Pathfinders that have this defective radiator problem. Their reputation is severely damaged, as far as I am concerned, I will definitely steer clear of any Nissan dealership when considering a new car purchase. Needless to say this topic will be brought up to anyone that asks me about my experience with Nissan cars.