FaultScore

2005 Nissan Pathfinder transmission problems

591 of the 1,560 complaints about the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder are about the transmission — 38% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,000 miles.

F

591

Complaints

5

Crashes

5

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Power Train 450 76.1%
Automatic Transmission 138 23.4%
Driveshaft 1 0.2%
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 1 0.2%
Transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive) 1 0.2%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Nissan Pathfinder year

1990 13 0.5%
1991 15 0.6%
1992 10 0.4%
1994 10 0.4%
1995 21 0.9%
1996 13 0.5%
1997 20 0.8%
1998 23 1.0%
2002 11 0.5%
2005 591 24.4%
2006 451 18.7%
2007 337 13.9%
2008 155 6.4%
2010 11 0.5%
2013 371 15.3%
2014 215 8.9%
2015 76 3.1%
2017 34 1.4%
2018 12 0.5%
2022 17 0.7%
2023 12 0.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 170,000 miles Lake Placid, FL

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to immediately restart. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The dynamic control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Voluntary Recall Campaign: PC068. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.

NHTSA complaint #11568803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VA Richmond, VA

POWER TRAIN

While driving on US 95 in DC, MD and NJ, when the traffic became stop and go, my SUV could not get into 1st gear to go. The engine revved, the car shook and made noises. Several times I came close to being rear-ended. This problem also occurs when starting after a red light, when accelerating on a highway (usually 3rd or 4th gear), and when turning left on a green arrow. Not only has it caused many close calls with being rear-ended, but it has also incited road rage in people who are driving behind me. Now I'm told I need a new transmission and also a new coolant system which leaks due to a fault in the system known by Nissan, and pollutes the transmission. This is a terrible safety threat and Nissan should own up to it and pay for the repairs.

NHTSA complaint #11426303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Allen, TX

POWER TRAIN

Transmission began to fail suddenly, resulting in a situation where the car would not accelerate in busy traffic.

NHTSA complaint #11417518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,000 miles Stratford, CT

POWER TRAIN

IN THE LAST 4 YEARS I'VE REPLACED EMISSIONS SYSTEM BRAKES ROTORS AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM EXHAUST SYSTEM RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. CAR WAS VIBRATING SHAKING CUTTING OUT LEAKING EXHAUST FUMES AND EMISSIONS SYSTEM FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #11414577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,800 miles Newark, NJ

POWER TRAIN

AL ENCENDER EL CARRO Y CALENTAR PARA SALIR EL VEHCULO ENCIENDE UNA LUZ Y EN MARCHA EL SOLO SE APAGA EN MEDIO DE LAS CALLES O CARRETERAS. LOS MECANISMOS LO CHEQUEO Y JUNTO AL SERVICIO DE SEGURO ELLOS SACARON LA CONCLUSIN LA TRANSMISIN CALIENTA LOS CABLES QUE VAN AL MOTOR QUE ESTO ES UN PROBLEMA DE FBRICA Y POR ESTO YO TUVE QUE REBELDA LA TRANSMISIN POR $4.000.00 Y EL SEGURO ME AUMENTO DE $1000S A $ 4000S. NO PUEDO USA MI CARRO QUE PAGUE $20.000. FUI AL DILER DE LA NISSAN Y ELLOS ME DIJERON TENGO QUE PAGAR $165.00 PARA EMPEZAR Y DESPUS ME DIRN E CUANTO ME CUENTA EL TOTAL DEL ARREGLO. NO OBSTANTE CON EL DIAGNSTICO DEL INGENIERO DE MECNICA DEL SEGURO STATE FARM Y LOS 3 MECANISMOS QUE ESTUVIERON EN ARREGLO 1 DE MOTOR Y ELCTRICO Y TRANSMISIN. HE GASTADO MUCHO DINERO Y NO PUEDEN HACER NADA NI USAR MI VEHICULO. EN QUE USTEDES ME PUEDEN AYUDAR POR AMOR A DIOS?

NHTSA complaint #11388135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pace, FL

POWER TRAIN

OVER HEATS, COOLENT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT

NHTSA complaint #11385330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Kearny, AZ

POWER TRAIN

STARTED UP DROVE FINE THEN WHEN I STOPPED IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. TURNED OFF WENT THROUGH GEARS COUPLE TIMES AND HAD TO DO THAT 3 TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD ACCELERATE AND SHIFT. I DROVE 50 MILES HOME NEXT DAY IT DID SAME THING AFTER DRIVING 1/2 MILE. GOES INTO REVERSE BUT WILL NOT GO OVER 5 MILES PER HOUR MOVING FORWARD.

NHTSA complaint #11377874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 131,000 miles High Point, NC

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP SIGN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC AND SUDDENLY STOPPED. THE MAINTENANCE, 4WD, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE GEAR SHIFTER SYMBOLS WERE BLANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD A BURNING ODOR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS LATER. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

NHTSA complaint #11290040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Henderson, NV

POWER TRAIN

RADIATOR INTERNALLY FAILED CAUSING FLUIDS TO MIX. COOLANT WAS RUN THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL.

NHTSA complaint #11252586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Fayetteville, AR

POWER TRAIN

I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE HAVING NO IDEA OF THIS ISSUE, I DIDN'T INVESTIGATE BECAUSE THIS IS OUR 7TH NISSAN AND THEY HAVE BEEN GOOD CARS. I WAS DRIVING 75 MPH TO WORK AT RUSH HOUR AND THE TRANS STARTED LETTING LOOSE AND SHUDDERING SO BAD I HAD TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULD AND THAT'S JUST AS SAFE AS DRIVING THIS THING. PAID A LOT OF MONEY TO HAVE IT SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. BUT EVERYONE THAT ASKS WHY I TELL THEM BECAUSE NISSAN DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS. WE INTENDED FOR OUR 14 Y/O TO DRIVE IT BUT NO WAY IN THE WORLD WOULD I LET THAT HAPPEN

NHTSA complaint #11208144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Mcdonough, GA

POWER TRAIN

COMPLETE LOSS POWER AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SHOP, THE DIAGNOSE WAS A FAILED TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER INTEGRATED INTO THE RADIATOR THAT ALLOWED ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE DID NOT REPORT ANY WARNING SIGNS BEFORE THE FAILURES OTHER THAN A SUDDEN LOSS OF ABILITY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. MY PATHFINDER IS 2005 WITH ONLY 81000 BECAUSE I AM IN THE MILITARY AND I DID NOT DRIVE IT, AND I HAVE NO REPORT OF A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11189952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 81,957 miles Alberquerque, NM

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (MELLOY NISSAN, 7707 LOMAS BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87110, (505) 545-6420) FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND INQUIRED ABOUT FAILURES WITH THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE DEALER FOUND NO FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND THE FLUID SEEPED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE REPAIR COST WOULD EXCEED $5,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,957.

NHTSA complaint #11121669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 199,924 miles Boqueron, PR

POWER TRAIN

COOLANT DAMAGE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR LOST POWER IN MOTION

NHTSA complaint #11119915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mill Valley, CA

POWER TRAIN

KNOWN TO NISSAN CORP, A DESIGN DEFECT MAKES THE ENGINE RADIATOR RUST AND LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND I JUS TOOK IT TO PERFORM THE 90,000 MILES SERVICE. COOLANT FLUID WAS FOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION OIL AND DEALER QUOTED ME $6,884.59. AFTER A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT I JUST LEARNED ABOUT, NISSAN HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY WITH PARTIAL COPAY UP TO 10YEARS/100,000 MILES WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. MY VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS SOMETHING UNACCEPTABLE AND NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND FIX IT FOR FREE FOR LIFE.

NHTSA complaint #11115187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,000 miles Milwaukee, WI

POWER TRAIN

WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT ON THE WAY TO WORK. LIGHT TURNS GREEN TRIES TO ACCELERATE AND HARDLY ANYTHING HAPPENS BESIDES A WHINING NOISE. RADIATOR FLUID HAS LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING A MILKSHAKE LIKE FLUID MIX. NOW NISSAN DEALER WANTS ME TO REPLACE RADIATOR, AND TRANSMISSION ON MY ON DIME. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORUMS WHERE THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE. NOW NISSAN HAS NOT RECALLED THIS VEHICLE FOR ANY SAFETY FIXES OF THE NATURE.

NHTSA complaint #11102152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,825 miles SAN Jose, CA

POWER TRAIN

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 2005. IN 2017 TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WITH PROBLEM OF LOSS OF POWER TO TRANSMISSION ON FREEWAY WHILE MY DAUGHTER NEEDED TO PULL OVER DUE TO PROBLEM. PROBLEM OF NOISE IN ENGINE TIMING BELT WAS ALSO TOLD OF AT DEALERSHIP. WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 10YRS./100,000MI. THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT LIABLE & NEEDED $6971.28 TO REPAIR. VEHICLE HAD 80,825 MILES ON IT BUT WAS TWO YEARS OUT OF COVERAGE. AFTER FINDING OUT IN 2013 A LAWSUIT WAS FILED BY MENDELSOHN AND MAZIE SLATER KATZ & FREEMAN FOR KNOWN DEFECT TO NISSAN, PROBLEM WAS NEVER CONTACTED TO ME FOR SOME REASON? WAS JUST INFORMED BY FALCO V. NISSAN NOTICE ADMINISTRATOR TO FILE PAPERWORK ON KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ENGINE TIMING BELT FOR POSSIBLE 20% RETURN OF PAYMENT MADE TO REPAIR OF DEFECTIVE TENSIONER ASSEMBLY. WHY FOUR YEARS AGO WAS I NOT INFORMED OF RADIATOR LEAK CAUSING POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE & POSSIBLE INJURY TO DRIVER?

NHTSA complaint #11084201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Shelbyville, IN

POWER TRAIN

MY VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED STATING THAT THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD COST $6,200 TO REPAIR. MY VEHICLE HAS 85,000 MILES. I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I COULD HAVE HAD IT CHECKED (THE DEALERSHIP DID REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ONCE SO THE ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF THEN WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY). THERE IS A VIBRATION WHEN THE RPMS SETTLE AROUND 1000-1500 AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP. IT IS INTERMITTENT, BUT WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE NISSAN DEALER MECHANIC AS THE ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11083293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,000 miles Pell City, AL

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO REPLACE NOT ONLY THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE RADIATOR, HOSES, ETC.

NHTSA complaint #11080155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,000 miles Lodi, CA

POWER TRAIN

RADIATOR FLUID HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, COMPROMISING THE INTEGRITY OF THE TRANSMISSION. I FEEL A SHUDDER WHEN THE TRANSMISSION HITS 40 MPH - 60 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #11079596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 133,657 miles ST. Albans, WV

POWER TRAIN

THE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE BEGAN AT 133834 MILES. WHEN DRIVING, AT TIMES IT WOULD VIBRATE OUT OF NOWHERE. AFTER A STOP, IT WOULD SHIFT UP HARD OR FAIL TO DOWNSHIFT AND THEN HIT HARD WHEN IT FINALLY WOULD GO IN TO GEAR. ONCE I TOOK IT IN TO A MECHANIC, THE FOLLOWING CODES CAME UP: P1731 - 1ST GEAR LOGIC ERROR, P0430- CAT EFFICIENCY BANK 2, P0455- EVAP SYSTEM LEAK LARGE. THE RECOMMENDATION WAS "TEAR DOWN". IN THE END, I HAD TO REPLACE MY: TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, TORQUE CONVERTER, VALVE BODY, VALVE BODY SOLENOIDS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER BANK 2, EXHAUST GASKETS, OIL PRESSURE SENSOR, AND OXYGEN SENSOR. WITH A TOTAL COST OF $4,824.65. I WILL UPLOAD THE SERVICES MY NISSAN PATHFINDER HAD TO HAVE.

NHTSA complaint #11078404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,400 miles Whiting, IN

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE SUV. I HAD ONLY HAD THE SUV FOR 4-6 MONTHS. TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT . SHORTLY AFTER THE RADIATOR NEEDED REPAIR. IT WAS REPAIRED, AND NISSAN HELPED WITH PARTIAL COST. RECENTLY (02/19/2018)TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN WHILE YIELDING IN A BUSY INTERSECTION TO GO ON THE HIGHWAY. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT A SECOND TIME ON 02/22/2018 AGAIN. I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I BEGAN TO PUSH ON THE GAS TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION AND ONCE AGAIN, THE SUV ONLY COASTED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT, PAID 110.00 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WAS INFORMED ONCE AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. A 6,000.00$ JOB. THE TRANSMISSION HAS ONLY BEEN ABOUT 4-5 YEARS OLD PRESENTLY. I AM OUT OF A VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11074560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,556 miles Green BAY, WI

POWER TRAIN

TRAQNSMITTION OIL IN COOLANT HAD TO HAVE SHOP FLUSH OUT RAIADIATOR AND COOLANT SYSTEM AND REPLACE OIL COOLER TRANSMITION SEEMS TO BE SLIPING

NHTSA complaint #11035832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 127,000 miles Rothsay, MN

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS REPEATEDLY WHILE PICKING UP SPEED. IT IS INCREASINGLY GETTING WORSE. NOW, ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVING AWHILE- THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND DOESN'T WANT TO GO PAST 20 MPH ONCE YOU STOP AND THEN GO AGAIN. IT SOUNDS LIKE I AM IN NEUTRAL WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. ONCE IT COOLS, THE PROCESS STARTS OVER.

NHTSA complaint #11014775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,975 miles Spokane, WA

POWER TRAIN

CAR HAS EXPERIENCED LEAKAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION COOLER RADIATOR TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. WE WILL NEED TO HAVE IT REBUILT, WHICH WILL COST US $4,500+. WE MAY ALSO NEED TO HAVE THE RADIATOR REPLACED. NISSAN KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM YEARS AGO. THEY DIDN'T DO A RECALL OR ISSUE A SERVICE BULLETIN TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES, WHICH IS UNCONSCIONABLE BEHAVIOR.

NHTSA complaint #11011172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Albuquerque, NM

POWER TRAIN

THE RADIATOR CRACKED WHERE THE TRANSMISSION LINE RUNS THROUGH IT. THIS CAUSED THE TRANNY FLUID AND COOLANT TO MIX AND RUIN THE TRANSMISSION. I NOTICED A SEVERE VIBRATION AT 40-60 MPH WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THESE ARE VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THIS ISSUE AND MAY LEAD TO SEVERE ACCIDENTS. THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10958707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Houlka, MS

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLOW TO ENGAGE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OVER 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10956567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,000 miles Bristol, VA

POWER TRAIN

COOLANT MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE,THERE ARE THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING WHICH COULD POSSIBLY BE LIFE THREATENING IN CERTAIN INSTANCES...THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE FIRST TIME 3 YEARS AGO. AND HAS NOW HAPPENED AGAIN THIS MORNING GETTING ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10956408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles Garden Grove, CA

POWER TRAIN

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA complaint #10954367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 179,000 miles Lola, KS

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE RPMS ACCELERATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT, BUT THE GEARS FAILED TO SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLOODED WITH WATER AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.

NHTSA complaint #10938586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Lakewood, NJ

POWER TRAIN

RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION RENDERING USELESS. CORRODED AND DESTROYED WHOLE INTERIOR OF TRANSMISSION .

NHTSA complaint #10928819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2005 Nissan Pathfinder problems

← Full 2005 Nissan Pathfinder report