9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,980
Average Mileage:
114,550 miles
Total Complaints:
232 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace radiator and transmission (152 reports)
  2. not sure (42 reports)
  3. replaced radiator and transmission (17 reports)
  4. replaced radiator (13 reports)
  5. bypassed radiator, added an external tranny cooler (2 reports)
  6. bypass trans cooler/add external cooler/replace pcm (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Nissan dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #152

Apr 302015

Pathfinder LE 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Nissan knew of this problem. Civil lawsuit should include ALL Nissan owners. They are responsible for this engineering defect!!!!!!

- suear, Norfork, AR, US

problem #151

Mar 032014

Pathfinder SE Hp28

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

I bought this car in 2009 when it was 2 yrs. old. It had 52,000 miles on it. I have had several things go wrong which cost me a fortune to fix. The gas tank dial broke so did not know how much gas was in the car. I cannot remember how much that cost. The radiator leaked and cost me $500 to replace. Then a year later the radiator leaked this time into the transmission and caused it to miss and jerk and bang into gear. This repair was $4,000.00 just for a rebuilt one.

Now the engine light has been on for couple months. I have zero dollars to get anything fixed. My husband is handicapped and all our money goes for medical and medicine. This car in my opinion has been a lemon. I now have 150,000 miles on it and cannot buy another car. My last Nissan Altima was a lemon also. I should have know, better than to chance another Nissan. The transmission should have been a recall and the radiator should have been a recall, and not just a warning from a letter in the mail.

I made several phone calls to the dealer and now I know Nissan does not stand behind their product.

- Violet D., Fenton, MO, US

problem #150

Apr 012015

Pathfinder S V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,918 miles

I bought this piece of junk brand new in 2007. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN EVER AGAIN!

- nobile5, Milltown, US

problem #149

Dec 112014

Pathfinder LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,696 miles

I purchase the 2007 Nissan in July of 2007. I replaced the Timing chain like the dealership advised me to do, $1,400.00, oil change every 3000 miles. I'm doing everything right, so I thought until a few months ago, the transmission started vibrating around 40-45 mph. So I take it to Nissan dealership. My coolant was leaking into my transmission, come to find out there has been a class action lawsuit. I called Nissan corporate, they said sorry, you have 122,696 miles, there is nothing we can do for you....I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN NEVER!!!

- aaronmelvin23, Douglasville, US

problem #148

Apr 222015

Pathfinder SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,000 miles

I realize this vehicle is a 2007 vehicle. However, as much as a new car costs, they should not have to be replaced that soon after getting it paid for, and for Nissan to KNOW that this is a problem yet NOT offer to repair it is really bad business. I REALLY loved that Pathfinder, it drove good, handled well, had power, but after finding out that this was a KNOWN ISSUE and Nissan basically says too bad for you, I will probably never buy another Nissan and will not recommend them either. -- Oh, this is my 5th Nissan purchase. (and probably my last)

- Brandie T., Southaven, US

problem #147

Nov 182014

Pathfinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

Nissan Pathfinder 2007. Coolant leaked into transmission. Looks like no one out of warranty is getting any help.

Update from May 24, 2016: The corporate Nissan review my case, In the end they refused to pay a $3500 repair bill. I had to borrow funds to pay Childre Nissan in Milledgeville, Ga for the repair work. No assistance at all after sharing previous complaints.

- buttsgeorgia, Sparta, GA, US

problem #146

Feb 022015

Pathfinder LE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

My Nissan starting having problems at 100,000 miles (noises, missing/rough shifting). I was not aware of the issue with coolant mixing with the transmission fluid. Why did I not know, you may ask? Wait for it, I'll get there in a minute. I tried to ignore the issue, but finally took my car in a few weeks later. My auto repair shop said it most likely was this 'known' Nissan issue. Sure enough, that is exactly what it was...Tada! I had a $4,600 bill to pay. I called the dealership, who said..."ohhhhh, 101,000 miles? Nissan will do, well, nothing for you" and quoted me $5,000 (and it would have to be towed to the dealership).

Now, any logical person would think...I might as well go with the less expensive repair since this is coming out of my pocket...yes? Yes. This is exactly what I did, as I have children, need my car repaired sooner rather than later and am not independently wealthy. The car was repaired accordingly. Now to the most frustrating part. I contacted Nissan last week. They called me back and admitted they had the wrong address in their system and had NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THE PROBLEM. End of story? Of course not. Since I didn't go to the dealership for the more expensive repair, they are now going to reimburse me (add sound of fingers on a 10-key for dramatic effect)...zero dollars and zero cents.

It turns out there was a class action lawsuit over this whole 'defective radiator causing the transmission to ultimately fail' thing. Rather than issuing a recall Nissan extended the warranty to 100k miles. If your car failed around (but under) 100k, it would only cost the consumer $3,000.00. Wow Nissan! Thank you! Let's recap...known Nissan issue, no recall, Nissan customers left high and dry.

Nissan, please send me all the brochures for your new models, can't wait to buy another crappy car from you and receive no support when it fails and leaves my family stranded! You lost a customer. Shame on you for not doing the right thing.

- gator bait, Boise, ID, US

problem #145

Apr 092013

Pathfinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,067 miles

So, I had my transmission replaced by Surf City Nissan, in Huntington Beach, CA, on 4/9/2013. They covered the cost of the radiator and transmission; however, they completely lied to me about why Nissan covered it. They gave me some story about how I "was a loyal customer and lived in the area" so they were covering it. It made no sense, so I went home and Googled Nissan Pathfinder and came across the issue with the radiator fluid leaking into the transmission.

NOW, 17,000 miles and exactly 2 years later my transmission has FAILED AGAIN!!! I am currently at 83,000 miles so they are claiming that I have a co-pay of $2500. Seriously! 17,000 miles on this transmission and it's gone! I actually took my car in at 77,389 miles because I could feel transmission issues and they told me there was nothing wrong with my transmission but they came up with all kinds of other issues and then proceeded to tell my husband the reason my Pathfinder was having so many issues was because the primary driver for it is a female! They have to be the most dishonest, deceitful dealership!

I am currently fighting with regional offices and my Pathfinder has been sitting at the dealer for a week with no decision made by Nissan yet.

- Tara S., Huntington Beach, CA, US

problem #144

Apr 012015

Pathfinder V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,000 miles

Nissan is a piece of crap, I will never again buy anything made by Nissan. I will advise people who own a Nissan to get rid of it, and by some other brand of car. Nissan sold the people short , the problem starts way over 100,000 miles, by then it's too late.

- Mark D., Durham, NC, US

problem #143

Mar 262015

Pathfinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,000 miles

Do not buy a car from Nissan! I have a Nissan Pathfinder 2007 with 136K miles. I bought this car brand new and really took care of this car, kept up the service from Nissan only. Loyal customer who only gets her maintenance and oil changes at Nissan.Any recommendations made by Nissan were completed. Brought the car in 3/26/15 to learn of a cracked radiator that has been leaking fluid into the transmission. Since I am now over 100K miles - Nissan is saying that that are not able to help with the cost of $5310. This is horrible! Is anyone out there opening up a new class action suit for over 100K mileage??? I really needed this car to last a few more years! Please let me know if you have any attorney willing to fight this! I am seeking on my own as well.

- chrystalga, Snellville, GA, US

problem #142

Mar 252015

Pathfinder ES 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

Nissan new about this problem for years and done nothing about it. Their defective radiator is causing my transmission to fail, and they have the balls to ask me to pay for it.

I have had nothing but Nissan vehicles for the last 20 years and was about to trade in for a new Maxima.

Oh well maybe it is time to change to a different brand.

- Mustafa K., Irmo, SC, US

problem #141

Feb 162015

Pathfinder S V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

We purchased this vehicle exactly 31 days ago. We have a 3 month powertrain warranty so we decided to take it to a Nissan dealership to have it looked over. A couple of weeks after we bought this car, and we are still financing it, we noticed when you get to 40mph it starts to vibrate. It's having shifting problems between 3 and 4th gear as well.

Nissan did a diagnostics and it revealed the radiator has been leaking into the transmission causing the transmission to go bad. Nissan is saying $6,050 to fix the problem and the warranty company is not covering any of it. I have read several complaints about the same issue. Why has their not been a recall issued?!

- vmb22, Amelia, OH, US

problem #140

Mar 172015

Pathfinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

I read on line that there was a class action law suit that took place due to this problem.. The only problem with that is its over now.. So all of us that have this problem are out of luck... I just bought this truck less the a year ago and Nissan will not do anything about it.. They recall cars for ignition switches but not for transmissions..

- Carol V., Brooklyn, NY, US

problem #139

Mar 142015

Pathfinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

PURCHASED 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER BRAND NEW. BROUGHT TO NISSAN DEALER DUE TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DASHBOARD. DIAGNOSIS PERFORMED AND DETERMINED RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION FLUID/COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. ESTIMATED REPAIR $6000 TO REPLACE RADIATOR/THERMOSTAT/TRANSMISSION. AT 140000 MILES, NISSAN STATES NO LONGER UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. DECLINED SERVICE.

- giopinoy, Lutherville-Timonium, MD, US

problem #138

Feb 102015

Pathfinder LE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,641 miles

This is a manufacturing defect that I was unaware of. They told me it would cost $3000-$5000 to fix a defect they have been aware of and did nothing about. I took my car in for an oil change and mentioned the car was not driving well like it was getting stuck when it shifted. They took a look and told me the transmission fluid and coolant mixed together. It happened because there is defect with the radiator.

- lisaindiana, Indianapolis, IN, US

problem #137

Jan 072015

Pathfinder LE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

I noticed my 2007 Pathfinder's heater would only work when the car was moving but, figured it was something insignificant and would get it fixed soon. I then started to notice my transmission slipping and stalling out around 40 mph. I decided I better get it into the shop before I was stranded somewhere.

Before taking my car into the shop, I figured I'd check the internet and make sure there weren't any recalls on the heating system. I typed in "2007 Nissan Pathfinder" on Google and it auto-filled "transmission problems" - not a good sign. It didn't take a lot of digging to figure out I was not alone in this mess. Post after post described the exact same issues I was having with my car. I immediately called two local Nissan dealerships and gave them my VIN and mileage. I was informed my portion of the cost would be $3,000.

Not satisfied with this information, I called Nissan Customer Service and was told it was under warranty and would not cost me anything. Really? I asked the man on the other end of the phone to please email me that promise in writing to which he replied, 'We don't have email here." Hmmmm... Nissan doesn't have email? Right. Anyway, I called the dealership to relay what I was told by Nissan Customer Service and they were very surprised and said they would check it out when I bring my car in Thursday. I'm pretty sure I will be told the guy at Customer Service was confused and I will indeed be charged $3000.

Here is what most infuriates me about this situation: 1. Nissan was obviously aware of this issue many years ago so why didn't they recall the radiator and save us this trouble and expense? 2. Who did this class action suit help exactly? Sounds like Nissan definitely got the bigger end of the stick. When it all boils down, I'm guessing they are out very little, if any, money at all. 3. What happened to Customer Service? This isn't just bad service - it's BAD BUSINESS. I'm pretty sure none of us will ever buy a Nissan again.

- duffyok, Oklahoma City, OK, US

problem #136

May 052014

Pathfinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,598 miles

An apparent design flaw in Nissan's SUV line led to me having to pay for a new transmission at just 111,000 miles. I have contacted Nissan and there is nothing that could be done because, apparently, a class action law suite had prompted them to offer an extended warranty to 90,000 or 10 yrs (whichever comes first) when the majority of the failures seem to occur around 95,000.

- Dennis P., Timnath, CO, US

problem #135

Jan 122015

Pathfinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

In September 2014, mys husband and I were looking for a used SUV so we could pull a camper. We first test drove a Nissan Exterra, but during the test drive it felt as if we were driving over rumble strips. But we were interested in the vehicle. We informed dealership we may want to purchase the Exterra. The next trip to the dealer we were shown a 2007 Pathfinder and informed the Exterra had been pulled off the lot, they were not going to sell it. The Pathfinder had 80,000 miles and was a great ride.. We got the price down to where we were comfortable and just as with the Exterra! The dealer pushed us to purchase the extended warranty, which thank God, we did!

All of a sudden, 4 months after buying the pathfinder, it started to sound as if I was driving over rumble strips. Brought it to the dealership where we bought it, they looked it over and told us we had to go to a Nissan Dealership. We did. at this time, our 18 year old son went onto Google and started searching issues regarding 2007 Nissan Pathfinder.

Had we known all of the issues with the '05, '06, '07 Nissan Pathfinder, Exterra, Frontier, we never would have purchased this vehicle. I just picked up my Pathfinder after being at a Nissan Dealership for 9 days. At least they gave me a loaner car. We had to pay $2,500.00 towards the repair that was partially covered by the extended power train warranty. New radiator and transmission was needed. The radiator was not covered under the power train warranty. I had also had the dealership check out my headlights, as now they don't work. The high beams do, but low beams don't. Our son said this has to do with IPDM, as he discovered this issue on Google as well. The dealer said they would have to check out the wiring and they would have to charge me.

Anybody else have these issues? I would love to hear from you!

- Kelly J., Tewksbury, MA, US

problem #134

Aug 122014

Pathfinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,000 miles

Really annoying that they didnt fix or give solutions to fix the problem so this wouldn't occur

- Becky J., Attica, IN, US

problem #133

Nov 122014

Pathfinder LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

NEVER buy a 2006 or 2007 nissan.......bought from sun toyota paid 15000 bucks..within the first year 4 tires, 4 brakes, a battery, radiator, and now the transmission locks up...what a piece of sh-t....still owe 13000 and cant afford to get a new trany...what do i do..pay payments for a boat anchor or ruin my credit and let them repo it....why does this happen to a family that is barely surviving....

Update from May 8, 2015: filing lemon law

- Jeff L., Spring Hill, FL, US

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