Transmission Failure Problems of the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder (2023)

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.

Transmission failure on interstate had to be towed home 50 miles.

8/31/2016 - check engine light came on during normal driving, I brought it to my local mechanic for inspection which showed the transmission has failed. This is due to the radiator and transmission intermix problem is how Nissan notes it and validated by my call to the local Nissan dealer. The car is outside the Nissan extended warranty period for this issue which is 10 years but well under the 100,000 miles as it has 80k miles at time of event. Nissan is unable to offer any financial assistance so the out of pocket cost to repair ($5-$6k) makes it not worth the repair so I'm stuck with a car that to date I have maintained very well. There was not warning signs and I am sure this problem has been going on for some time as it does not happen overnight. Very disappointing that Nissan does not take ownership of the problem that has plagued hundreds of Nissan Pathfinder owners.

Transmission failure.

Purchased a used 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. Had the vehicle about 2 years. Driving home one day the vehicle started to loose power as the rpm's started to spike. We had to pull off the road in a very unsafe spot because the car could no longer move. There were no warning signs of the transmission failing. We had the vehicle towed. With a quick glance into the coolant tank, seems to have a mixture of coolant and transmission fluid. Repair cost are estimated from 2500 - 5,000+. Something needs to be done about this problem.

Tl-the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, a burning odor emitted from the vent. The vehicle was towed to the an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

Transmission failed. Design also caused need for new radiator.

Transmission failure just bought truck for about 3 months for daughter never drove it first putting on the highway truck stop moving in the middle of traffic in the fast lane cause two accident get it pull home then found out its the transmission an alot of people having the same problem once it cools off it will drive till the transmission gets hot then it stops working again.

The radiator leaked into the transmission causing catastrophic transmission failure.

My transmission failed due to a leak in the radiator. I am beyond upset. No way this should have happened. This car is cared for perfectly. My transmission shop estimates the cost will be over $3000. Transmission shop told me this is a very common problem with this make and model.

Transmission failed.

The radiator leaked into the transmission causing a transmission failuar.

Radiator failure allowing transmission fluid to mix with antifreeze causing transmission failure. Radiator failure due to crack in transmission cooler. Is manufacturing defect, should be Nissan 's responsibility to fix not the consumer.

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.

2005 Pathfinder transmission failure due to coolant leaking into transmission. I had to pay a deductible for something that Nissan was aware of for years. I also did not receive a recall letter stating a deductible would be required. My letter stated extended warranty if the above happened 96 months or 80, 000 miles. I have 72,000 miles. Nissan would not pay in full because of the 96 months had expired. Problem is that the time starts from the date when the dealer first purchased for dealership. This was not stated in the letter. Problem with letters received is that none of them are dated and I did not receive the extended warranty letter until 2012. By the time the problem was identified and customers notified, I had less than an additional 8 years. If the first notice went out in 2007, customers should have 8 years from the notification date or 80,000 miles. Nissan put me and my family at risk with car stalling in heavy traffic. This really should have been a recall and not a warranty extension. Also, I never received the notification letter for the deductible. My letter doesn't mention a deductible.

I had transmission failure while driving. I lost all but 1st gear with no warning. I had it towed to a transmission shop whom stated that there was coolant in the transmission fluid. They advised me that the cooler in the radiator had broken and allowed coolant to mix with the transmission fluid. I have not got a bill yet but it will be upwards of $3500. I had gotten two letters from Nissan that extended the warranty but both times I was to high of a mileage. Seems that if they extend a warranty for a problem twice than they know they have a problem and should do a complete recall. I also had the fuel sending unit go out and I repaired that due to Nissan wanting a high dollar amount to fix it. I have had it with Nissan and them not doing anything to help the customers when they know there is a major problem.

Truck started having a hard time changing through gears, however when trying to go to 60mph truck will not change and the rpm just claim. Happy this did not happen on the interstate or when changing lanes. Took the vehicle to local mechanic and was told the coolant seal in the transmission has failed causing coolant to enter the transmission fluid. Repairing the this could cost upwards of $2500. Nissan offering no help on this matter.

Transmission fail. . . Never received any recalls about it. . . Now I noticed was recall for my transmission and Nissan didn't do anything to help.

It appears the radiator failed leaking coolant into the transmission. When I asked the mechanic about it he said that now your transmission will fail soon. I have been reading that this is very common and has happened alot with this year and model which I believe to be totally not acceptable.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and it was determined that the coolant from the radiator leaked into the transmission and caused the transmission to fail. The transmission would need to be replaced. The failure and the current mileages were 90,000.

I have been notified by my mechanic, that there is transmission fluid in both my radiator and coolant system. Thought I'm thankful that no incident has happened yet, in doing research I have heard of many Nissan Pathfinder 2005-2010 owners having the same issues with their vehicles. Some have even reported repair costs in excess of $3000 for transmission failure repairs. I am getting mixed information as to what my options are in regard to a class action suite against Nissan. I need some clarity in this issue before I find myself in an unfavorable situation.

2005 Nissan Pathfinder. Consumer writes in regards to transmission failure. The dealer informed the consumer they would replace the transmission at a cost of $4,000.

Radiator cracked allowing coolant to contaminate transmission fluid. Transmission suddenly failed on highway. No warning signs. Vehicle was revving but not moving. Dealer says internal transmission problem and not eligible for repair under extended warranty. Specialty shop says radiator is cracked. Photos and parts available.

The transmission failed while driving 60mph up a hill. The car most ability to climb hill and speed dropped dramatically. I was concerned of being hit from behind as traffic was going faster and had to go around me. There was not a place to pull over. I made it (barely) over the hill and pulled over. The issue is a failure of the internal radiator coolant hose leaking into the transmission and destroying the transmission. This has been admitted and previously noted and diagnosed by Nissan, but they have offered no assistance if your vehicle is out of warranty. It should be a recall for all affected vehicles. Pretty scary when the car fails at speed and you are in the middle of traffic.

Transmission failure due to radiator leaking into fliud my transmission which has been ruined. I have 140 k miles on my 2005 Pathfinder and was never notified by Nissan about the falty radiator and therefore this damaged occured. Estimate to fix is $5600. 00.

Radiator fluid and water were found in the transmission box. Mechanic said this is very common with this year make and model and can lead to transmission failure and loss of driving ability at any time. Google searches indicate as such, and that Nissan knows about this issue but isn't doing anything about it.

Coolant leaked into transmission causing transmission to fail.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the transmission failed. The contact stated that she tried to accelerate but the speed dropped to zero. The contact pulled the vehicle over and allowed the vehicle sit for a day. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection where they stated that radiator and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 110,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Tl- the contact owns a 2005 Nissan path finder. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the vehicle lunged forward and the transmission failed. The check engine warning light was illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where they advised the contact that the transmission and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that they were aware of the failure but provided no assistance because the mileage was over 80,000. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000. Kmj.

I was coming home from work on main road at rush hour when I heard a loud clunk followed by hesitation and lights on my instrument panel going on. I was having trouble going even 20 mph and motorists behind me felt I was going unreasonably slow, thinking I was doing this on purpose and even trying to pass me. I limped along to the next street where I could get off safely and called for help. Brought the car to closest dealer the following day and was diagnosed with transmission failure due to coolant contamination. My car which was finally paid off now faced certain doom. Nissan has failed to fix any of this so now the car must sit in my driveway until you issue a recall. Nissan knew of this issue long ago and isn't taking measures to warn any of their customers about this problem. These radiators need to be changed in all affected vehicles and those which suffered catastrophic damage put back on the road at their expense. How many more drivers need to go through this painful and potentially life threatening failure?.

On 11/15/11 Nissan flushed the radiator. On 7/11/12 the transmission went out due to the coolant leaking into the transmission. Nissan should have 100% responsibility of this issue. Nissan has know about this issue for years and they extend the warranties to the max of 100,000 miles. Most of these issues occur after 100,000 miles. Nissan needs to reimburse and or recall all 2005-2010 Pathfinder's, xterra's and frontier's as this can be a safety issue when you are driving at high speeds and the transmission fails. My wife almost got rearended because this issue. I want to be reimbursed of the repairs that were done on my vehicle.

Transmission failed. Sent to Nissan dealership and put me to another transmission place. The transmission was redone again. After that transmission failed again and the mech. Noticed the mixing of radiator fluid in the transmission fluid. Then I contacted Nissan and Nissan corp. They both pushed me aside saying that they could do anything do to the mileage. I increased the urgency to Nissan corp. I am in the military with no car for my wife. I have expended over 5 k already and now needing to do more.

I was traveling on interstate I-95-n near exit 7 at a high rate of speed, my transmission failed due to a crack(fault )in the radiator assembly unit. As I attempted to exit the interstate while losing speed, I was almost rear ended by a tractor trailer and hit by another car. Eventually, after coasting down hill to an intersection of center of new england/ new london turnpike, had to get out and push the vehicle with help from other persons to nearest service station. Nissan extended warranty on radiator assembly unit to 8yr/80,000. I have 6yrs+/92000, took extremely good care of this vehicle and am now being told I need to pay $6,500. 00 to fix vehicle (while I still owe $12,000. 00). Should have been a recall before someone gets killed (if not already) and /or the warranty should be offered for at least 120,000 miles. What a poor attempt to cover up an obvious design flaw, while trying to hide from their obvious liabilities for this situation.

Transmission failed at intersection leaving vehicle unable to move. Problem was caused by radiator fluid mixing with transmission fluid. I contacted Nissan about the issue and they denied any claim for repairs. Nissan has known about the issue and settled the claims for a small number of people. They made it basically impossible to recover any damages because they require a deductible of $3000 before they pay anything. They also will not cover anything above 100,000 miles.

While driving a normal hwy speeds, the car suddenly lost all forward speed and began to slow. Engine continued to run, although, there was no propulsion to the rear wheels. Had Pathfinder towed to Nissan dealer ( bankston lewisville, TX) where is was determined that this was a radiator/transmission contamination failure. Opened case number with Nissan requesting assistance with repair. Awaiting a response, however, was told that "it did not look good" as we do not have a lot of service history with the dealership. I've owned 8 Nissans over the past 20 years and obviously loyal to the brand. This is a dangerous failure, occurs without warning and could potentially be deadly.