What a psc of Lemon I had my first problem the second week, i was charge the $100 diag fee.they replaced evap vent control valve,three months later the car was chukin kinda like a pull.they change the transmission fluid on Nov. I'm having the same again so I call the NESDA they told me that there was not enough complaints to do a recall. I have the extended warranty im afraid to take my car to the Nissan shop,because two moths ago I took my car for service the car was stalling they told me I need it a new battery, I just bought the battery in june so I went back to where I bought it and they told me there was nothing wrong with the battery the wires where loose and they just tied them and now is working fine.I think every one that has a problem with the transmission should call nissan to file a complaint. or File a complaint with BBB Autoline, fill out the form with the attorney who is investigating.

http://www.lieffcabraser.com/defects/pathfinder.php

https://www.auto.bbb.org/lemon-law-complaint-form/

same prblem as alot of people nissan not wanting to step up and help customers out my vehicle is still in the shop mechanic is still trying to help me save money but dont think it is possible i have a family of 5 paying a damn vehicle that cost to much to fix and still hhave a year left on it im tired of this have alrerady put in 3000 on other problems prior to the transmisison HELP someone please make NISSAN take issue with this problem and help us who truly were hoping to have a decent vechicle instead of a LEMON

When our 2005 Nissan Pathfinder started to make a grinding noise during the automatic shifting of gears at 40 mph and 60 mph, we immediately took it to the Nissan dealership only to be told that a problem with the radiator was causing coolant to leak into the transmission, mixing with the transmission oil and destroying our transmission. This was August 12, 2010. We were told we would have to replace the entire radiator and transmission at a cost of over $4500.00. We could not understand how coolant could be leaking into the transmission, so we immediately contacted Nissan North America and filed a complaint. This kind of damage should not occur due to normal wear and tear. We were informed that not enough complaints had been filed but they would keep a record of our call and we would be contacted if they ever did a recall in the future. Still confused about what was causing the problem, we decided to get a second opinion at another Nissan dealership, less than 15 miles away from the first. This was done on August 30, 2010. We were told the same thing, the coolant was leaking into the transmission, but they wanted over five thousand for the same repair. Two Nissan dealerships had a difference of over $500 for the same repairs! They also both charged us for the initial diagnosis totaling $143.61 ($67.19 at the first dealership; $76.42 at the second dealership). Before making a final decision, we decided to research this issue further. We were amazed to find over a hundred complaints online, all from owners of 2005 Nissan Pathfinders and all complaining about the thousands of dollars they had to pay to repair both radiator and transmission for the same problem we, too, were experiencing. With no help or responsibility from Nissan, we went to an outside mechanic and had the work done at a lower cost.

We will NEVER buy another vehicle by Nissan!

Update from Nov 4, 2010: After I filed a report with the Better Business Bureau, I was contact by Nissan. Their arbitrator just wanted to talk circles, but in the end Nissan took no responsibility and offered no compensation for the repairs. In the mean time, the BBB feels that our vehicle is too old to continue with our file. I am deeply saddened that the life span of vehicle now end at five years old. These vehicles cost way too much to be considered "too old" after five years!!!

Ironically, I received a message to my original complaint on this website. Here it is, quoted:

"This announcement is to inform you that Nissan has decided, for customer satisfaction purposes, to extend the warranty for the Radiator Assembly on all 2005-10 Frontier, Pathfinder and Xterra vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.

The New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage on applied vehicles for the Radiator Assembly will be extended from its original duration of 3 years/36,000 miles to 8 years/80,000 miles (whichever occurs first). This warranty extension applies only to the Radiator Assembly (and its component parts), including damage, repairs, replacement, and related towing resulting from this issue. Customers who may have previously paid for a repair that would have been covered by this extended warranty will be eligible for reimbursement. Coverage of other vehicle components will remain unchanged, and all other terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of Nissan’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty continue to apply.

Additional details regarding this warranty extension and reimbursement eligibility and procedures will be provided to you no later than October 29, 2010."

WHAT IS IRONIC IS THAT THEIR EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY TO 8 YEARS/80,000 MILES STILL WON'T COVER OUR DAMAGE. OUR RADIATOR PROBLEMS AND REPAIRS DIDN'T OCCUR UNTIL 82,938. ONCE AGAIN, NISSAN CAN AVOID RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE DAMAGE DIDN'T OCCUR UNTIL AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY!!!

UNBELIEVABLE!!

Update from Aug 16, 2012: Very interested in the action now being taken with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Nissan. I will definitely continue any action in the fight. I don't expect to receive compensation, but I would like to see Nissan take responsibility for such a severe problem in their vehicles.

I have joined the ranks I see. My a/c started randomly going in and out; blowing cold air one second and the next hot air. While waiting in line to pick up my kids, my vehicle started to overheat. I turned the engine off and limped it home. It went straight to my local mechanic the next day, who after looking in the radiator, sent me straight to another mechanic. Three weeks later and with no sure diagnosis (other than you have oil in the radiator, let's replace the engine), I took it into the Nissan dealer. They diagnosed it the same day. That 'oil' was transmission fluid. The transmission cooler broke, leaked transmission fluid into the cooling system and also fouled the transmission with coolant.

Lucky me, I am looking at over $5000 in repairs. New transmission, new radiator, complete engine flush. I still owe on this wonderful vehicle and it is the ONLY ONE WE HAVE!!!!! Any one get any help on this issue please please send me a comment. I can't afford this as I'm sure no one else can either!

I bought this car brand new, after researching and thoroughly (or so I thought) comparing and getting all info needed. It has had multiple sensor issues, (costly) however the most concerning issue was the recent inability to put the vehicle into reverse. When the dealer looked at it, I was told about the mixing of the antifreeze and the transmission fluid, however upon checking they said that was not the problem, and that it was just "one of those things" that apparently I could not have seen coming nor prevented. (Their words to me). The dealer wanted 4400 to replace the whole thing. I am 14000 miles and 2 days over my 5 year warrenty. Nissan does not repair, only replace transmissions. They are not trained to do so per the company. I am having it repaired by an independent shop that, unfortunately, has seen this multiple times. I have filed with the BBB and am checking out the lawsuit as well, this should not be a recurring issue. If so, a recall is in order. Nissan needs to check the VIN #s of all these vehicles to see if they are a bad batch.

In June 2009 my air conditioning stopped working and I noticed car would not accelerate well on the highway. I promptly took the car to the dealership and was told the radiator fluid was leaking and mixing into the transmission. I was told it was a very serious matter and fixing would take about 2 days and got a rental loaner from them. They ended up keeping the car for 8 days as they said they had a hard time cleaning it properly. Everything was covered by the warranty. Now in August 2010 I had the same problem but this time not so lucky, transmission/ rad had to be changed at my cost $6400 US. Nissan North America not going to help in any way. Will be adding a new complaint for the most recent issue next.

A few weeks ago I drove to the US from Canada (6 hr drive). In the last 1/2 of the drive started to have trouble accelerating. On the drive back a few hrs later, had so much trouble I had to stop to find out what was happening. I was told by a Firestone mechanic it was probably the transmission. Made it to Erie, Pa and as it was Sunday I stayed overnight and next morning drove it to dealership around the corner, barely made it. They confirmed the radiator fluid was leaking and mixing with transmission again, and tranny & rad needed to be changed, parts would take 4 days to come in and job would take 2 more days. I had to get picked up (4 hrs drive each way) and had to come back a week later to pick up car and pay at my cost a total of $6400+ US for parts and labour. After getting the runaround on the phone was referred to Nissan North America for help, finally spoke to them today (its impossible to actually talk to someone, always have to leave a message and wait for them to call you!). They advised that as I am outside of warranty nothing is covered, basically too bad, so sad but we cant do anything for you. They are aware I am a repeat customer (previously owned at 1998 pathfinder), they know I had this problem already just over a year ago (see previous post, had to get rad changed and tranny flushed but it was all covered under warranty, due to fluids mixing) and yet nothing! I am not happy as you can imagine, and will be pursuing this further...this is obviously a huge issue for this year and model car and Nissan needs to own up to it and cover the cost!!! If anyone has had any better luck getting anything covered outside of warranty for this problem I would love to hear about it...please post or contact me at mfollo@rogers.com

I'm experiencing the same symptoms as many previous Pathfinder owners has posted about, my transmission is shaking violently when I'm driving about 60-70mph. It was not that noticeable at first but the problem is getting worse and I'm afraid that the transmission will give out any day now.

I've tried flushing the transmission and adding some Lucas transmission additives but it quieted the transmission for a day or two and then went back to the shaking right away. I've contacted the Nissan Consumer Affairs and was contacted by their regional specialist but they told me that I had to get the dealerships diagnosis before they can even consider any type of assistance and also pretty much told me that due to me "not being a good customer" since I didn't spend enough money at the dealership for servicing and due to the high mileage on my vehicle, any type of assistance would be highly unlikely. I complained to them about 3 common Pathfinder problems: Transmission, Engine whinning noise (secondary timiing chain) and the fuel level sensor and the dealership told me I would have to pay $107 for each diagnosis to just get an esimate of how much it would cost to fix these problems. Without a guarantee from Nissan Consumer Affairs that they would assist me in fixing these issues, there was no way I was going to pay $320+ to find out what the problem is when I already know from my independent service technician which Nissan Consumer Affairs won't take as a real diagnosis.

These are dangerous problems that are common to many 2005 Pathfinder models that Nissan is simply refusing to take responsibility to do a recall and repair the defective parts. We as owners really need to step up and orgnaize a class action suit against Nissan to make them pay for their lemons. I've posted my complaint to the lawyer (link) who is already investigating this issue as well as bbb and other public consumer protection sites. This was a horrible experience and I would never buy another Nissan product.

http://www.lieffcabraser.com/contact/thankyou.htm

Vehicle started behaving really funny when you stop and take off, almost like the engine was ready to go while the transmission was not then it would slam in. After week the vehicle was rattling during normal driving and tranny seemed to disengage when you back the car. I took it to the nearest Nissan dealer and they called me to tell me that it seems that my radiator had leaked the Coolant into the transmission. As it stand they are going to replace the radiator, flush the transmission several times, replace the seal and drive it then determine the extend of my damage. I am looking at the cost of $1,300 and I am not a happy camper. From all the posts I have read, my beloved truck may not be our chosen family vehicle anymore. I cant believe that Nissan would choose to overlook it's customers. I am just getting started and not about to take this laying down.

no warning,no reasons to cause concern,just i day vehicle started to jump gears,engine light came on,and thats it no transmission.I bring it in to nissan dealer has 70000 mile first thing mechanic says is oh no warranty left.That a $100 to look at problem.Then proceed to call me two hours later to inform me that vehicle is out of warranty by 10.000miles,and it is 5700 for parts,thats not even labor are you #@!@#!#! kidding me i had this truck 1yr still have a ridicules loan on this piece of #@#! truck.To top it off mechanic says oh it happens. I HAD A FEW THINGS TO SAY TO AT THAT POINT.THE KICKER IS A BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY IS VERY AWHARE OF THIS PROBLEM.YOU CAN ONLY CONTACT THEM FROM 8a.m TO 6 p.m HELLO!!!!!!!WE NEED TO GO WORK TO PAY FOR THE PIECE OF @!@! THAT THEY SOLD US.WELL I WILL NOT TAKE THIS QUIETLY I WILL BE CALLING THE MEDIA AND EVERYONE WHO WILL LISTEN TO US .WE ARE THE CONSUMERS IF WE ALL TAKE A STAND THEY WILL AT SOME POINT HAVE TO STEP UP AND RECALL THE PIECE OF@@!! THAT THEY KNOW THEY ARE SELLING US..THIS WILL NOT BE THE LAST YOU HEAR FROM ME ON THIS MATTER I AM JUST BEGING

Update from Nov 21, 2010: contacted nissan no help,just washed there hands again.contacted bbb they also no help say vehicle out of warranty no kidding so what do we need them,if truck was under warranty WHY WOULD I NEED THERE HELP.someone from this site contacted me and told me to contact NHTSA only way we are going to get help.will keep you updated i have not rested on this matter if it takes years and i dont have vehicle i will still fight for my money back and to solve this issue

Bought used 2005 Nissan Pathfinder SE at around 81k miles. At the time I was hesitant but eventually talked into purchasing the 36k mile extended warranty for $1800. Less than 1 month and 1k miles later while returning home on the expressway the trans started to slip, engine light came on, and promptly failed entirely. The transmission basically seized up entirely and the transmission fluid entirely drained out the bottom.

After about a 6 week nightmare of working with the dealership and warranty company to get this fixed it was finally done.

Anyways... all in all, the total repairs (including a new U-Joint which was causing the car to vibrate around 70mph) was 5900 base, something about 800 "core charge" that was still being disputed, and a $500 bill on the rental. Total: $7200 dollar problem (more than half of what I purchased the vehicle for)

Out of pocket cost? $112.50 for the deductible on the warranty (not sure where the extra $12.50 came in since it was a $100 deductible, but I didn't even want to try and push it lol) . Still unknown whether or not the rental charge will come back to me or the dealership ultimately agreed to pay it (they didn't confirm one way or the other).

It looks like I got off relatively light myself since the extended warranty company came through, but its worth noting that the same exact transmission problem happened to me, at the same exact average mileage as everyone else. There really should be a recall on this thing, lives are at stake here. I was on the expressway when this thing bombed, who knows what could have happened.

My plan for now? Take it to about 110k miles and try to get an extension on the warranty. If not I'm trading it in for something else. Sorry to pawn the problem on someone else at that point but what can you do, this thing is a lemon and a half and can't be trusted.

It's sad because I really do love the vehicle (when it's running lol). Nissan at this point however has lost all credibility, can't trust them.

I'll keep this short and not so sweet. Pathfinder would shake between 40 - 45 mph. Took it in and they said I need a new transmission. Had the transmission replaced and the truck had the same symptoms 2 months later. Took it in again and Nissan said it was the radiator leaking into the transmission? Just had the radiator replaced and will be picking it up this afternoon. As I see mentioned before I thought it was the road before it got really bad. By that time the 60,000 drive train warranty expired. A recall would be nice! At least Toyota admits their faults and takes care of the problems. Last Nissan I will ever buy!

It all started with the radiator and the only reason I even knew something was wrong was that my gears were switching weird. I took the car into the dealership, they told me that I needed to get a new radiator and transmission b/c my radiator fluid was leaking into my transmission. They quoted me at $6000. I then took my car to get a new radiator and transmission flush, it helped a little. With me not having $6000 just laying around, that would mean that I need to wait.

My car finally gave out 2 weeks ago. I got it towed to a transmission shop, they told me that my radiator fluid is leaking into my transmission. They took my transmission apart to look at parts and apparently everything is rusted together, not to mention the "computer" in the transmission is fried. You would think that Nissan would recognize an issue when they see that that same part is on backorder b/c I am waiting on a part.

I contacted Nissan North America to file a complaint and a week later, I get that they will not cover the cost of repairs b/c I didn't get my car serviced enough at the dealership. Asked to speak to whomever is in the next level and was denied. I then went to file a complaint with the BBB Autoline, filled out a form with an attorney that is already looking into this matter from several others, and contacted the news.

Nissan is very foul for blowing this off. I guess they figure that most people will not go to the extreme and keep fighting. Whatever you guys do, please do not stop pushing this to the top. File a complaint with BBB Autoline, fill out the form with the attorney who is investigating.

http://www.lieffcabraser.com/defects/pathfinder.php

https://www.auto.bbb.org/lemon-law-complaint-form/