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I have been a subscriber to Consumer Reports for many years & use it prior to any major purchases. I need to ask for your expertise.

I purchased a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder SE with automatic transmission in November 2009 from a Nissan dealership. I noticed a slight vibration coming from the rear that I thought was probably the tires being unbalanced. That was not the problem.

A month ago on a long trip, I noticed that the transmission was vibrating and dragging down the speed whenever I let up on the gas pedal.

When I returned home I did a quick internet search for answers.

The search revealed case after case of the same vibrating problem from other Pathfinder owners. It was determined that water from the radiator was somehow seeping into the transmission, ruining its function, and worse, voiding the drive-train warranty as a result.

I have three questions:

1) How would water from the radiator enter the transmission?

2) Is there any way to correct this problem before it ruins the transmission & radiator, requiring expensive repairs and/or replacement?

3) Why hasn't there been a recall for this problem by Nissan?

Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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Guest

I have issue with 2014 Nissan CVT Nissan Pathfinder SV fwd has nothing but issues only 40k miles and 3'transmissions blown and it is out of warranty so I traded it it do not buy Nissan ever by a Toyota or ford or even a VW or bmw

Guest

TRANSMISSIOM LINE GOES THRU THE RADITOR. REPLACE RADITOR QUICKLY. I DID ON A 2005 PATHFINDER AT 85,000 MILES AND SAVED A BUNCH OF MONEY

Guest

Nissan will not pay for their faulty radiator design. You will be replacing the transmission if you don't replace the radiator.

Replace the radiator NOW. By the time the engine light comes on , it is to late.

Guest

I did the research before buying my 07 Nissan Pathfinder and when I bought it I went straight home and disconnected the transmission cooler in radiator and hooked up a Derale 8000 after market cooler and did complete tranny flush n fill and so far no problems and I will not have to worry about the dreaded transmission failure.2 hours of work and $150 dollars is well worth it to keep my pathy running trouble free.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-803866

Now all u have to worry about is the $2000 timing chain problem, the $3500 oil consumption problem, and a plethora of other gremlins that infect these Renault influenced Nissans.

Guest

ย I WAS DRIVING OVER THE PORT MANN BRIDGE, WHEN MY VEHICLE STARTED STUDDERING. I LOST POWER BUT WITH SOME QUICK THINKING I WAS ABLE TO PUT MY VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND SURF MOST OF THE WAY AND THEN SWITCH BACK INTO GEAR.

WORKED FOR A BIT BUT ENDED UP STRANDED. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE DROVE IT OFF THE FLAT BED. SHORTLY AFTER, ADVISED ME MY TRANSMISSION NO LONGER WORKS. HE MENTIONED THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND HE WAS CERTAIN THE PREVIOUS OWNERS KNEW ABOUT IT.

THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED BUT THE DAMAGE WAS ALREADY DONE. Basically, the previous owners withheld that info and lied. Now having read the articles this has been an ongoing issue that Nissan has failed to recall.

However, there is a pending class action lawsuit and hopefully the recall will go through. Many owners are disappointed with Nissan and I am also upset with the seller not being honest, THEY BOTH PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER.

Guest

Same problem. 2006 Pathfinder with 103,000 miles.

The lawyer from the class action lawsuit says if it would've happened before flipping over 100K, he could help me. I talked to a few mechanics. A couple of them told me I had to rebuild the tranny and replace the radiator, while a couple of others said to replace the radiator and flush the tranny out. I'm sure it would be better with the first option, but I don't have that kind of money.

So, I'm gonna have to try the 2nd option. I will NEVER purchase a Nissan again.

Guest

Same problem. We have already replaced the radiator and flushed the trans.

Seems the trans is still messed up because the truck is still acting up.

We might end up having to fix the trans. 2 questions: do I have to place a new one or can it be rebuilt?

After these repairs, will it happen again or will it be a permanent fix?

Guest

same problem with the trans. I have a pathfinder 2005 .130k miles.

this june.anti-freeze leaked into the transmission. I replaced the radiator and all hose assembly, change twice the trans. oil and filter.$950 cost.

now I still have the trans. problem that it will cost from $3500 to $5000.I called the dealer they charge twice as much.

Guest

I have a 2006 pathfinder the transmission fluid mixed with the anti-freeze because of a faulty radiator and the dealership said my pathfinder had over 100,000 mile so they are not responsible. So now my pathfinder sits in my driveway because it will take 2500 to 3500 dollars to fix.

I have had 6 Nissan in the past BUT since no one will help me I will NEVER buy another one and I hope they go out of business.

Guest

Hi i have a nissan pathfinder 2008 LE V6 they star vibrate on i think its transmission it feel like the bump on the side of the road they doet sometimes at any speed please i nees help :eek

Guest

I HAVE A NISSAN PATHFINDER DIESEL 2006 MODEL with automatic transmision ,it is an ELECTRONIC automatic four wheel drive , THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT, MOST OF THE TIME WHEN I STOP MOVING THE CAR IN TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THE 4X4 LIGHT SHOWS UP ON THE DASH BOARD AND THEN THE CAR WOULD NOW MOVE SLOWLY , HOWEVER WHEN YOU TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND ON AGAIN THE CAR NOW DRIVES WELL.PLEASE HELP RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-649845

Good day ,its Jaco .I have exactly the same problem on my Pathfinder 2005 model ,did you find the couse of the problem ,I am still struggeling.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-649845

Hi Kowusu its Jaco again my friend found the problem ,on the Pathfinders. Diesel pump is selenoid fuel regulator , he replaced it and Pathfinder 4x4 light does not come on anymor and the. Safe mode is something of the past ,its even more fuel efficiant.

Guest

Same issue as everyone else listed. 2005 Nissan Pathfinder with 138,000 miles.

Transmission began to hard shift about 2 months ago. Now it will shift out of gear into neutral while going down the highway/road.

I had spoken to a mechanic at the dealership who said to bypass the radiator system to the transmission because the radiator fluid is mixing with transmission fluid.

Local mechanic will probably set me back $2K.

Nissan won't address the issue because it's a $$$ game to them and not pride in the product they deliver.

Guest

My 2008 Nissan Pathfinder with 97,000 miles just had the radiator fail causing coolant to get into my trans fluid and seize up my transmission. It is going to cost me $3,000 to fix.

It is a shame that Nissan is letting a faulty designed $250 radiator completely kill the transmission on so many Pathfinders, Exterras and Frontiers. The radiator on the 2005-**** trucks must be recalled. If you own a Nissan truck REPLACE THE RADIATOR BEFORE A FAILED TRANSMISSION HAPPENS TO YOU.

AND IT WILL. This is too common of a problem for it to be ignored.

Guest

My 2005 Pathfinder has been parked at Lake Nissan for over 4 weeks. the dealership excuse is they are not getting a return call on the repair from consumer affairs.

they say they are calling them everyday and they will not return a phone call.I even got a case #971**** same as everyone else transmission contamination failure.

our bussines has over 12,900 facebook freinds and has over 40,000 readers checking on specials and upcoming event. you would think they would have the common business sense to reply

Guest

P.S. My vehicle was under 70k miles when I took it in. 2007 Pathfinder SE

Guest

I've been having the same problem since 2010. I took my truck to have the problem checked and to get it serviced.

The service and diagnosis-overpriced of course, almost $700. I was told that the timing belt was failing. After talking with other mechanics and reviewing the web, I've found out otherwise.

Liars and thieves. Needless to say, I will never patronize that Nissan service center again, nor will I purchase another foreign car.

Guest

I have a 2005 Nissan same thing. I am ***.

my Pathfinder is shifting hard and going out of gear while coming from a trip 3 miles from home. went to the Nissan Dealer that I purchase the truck was told the same thing. that the radiator is leaking into the transmission. Why is that okay that should not happen.

And I am still paying on this car. Per the dealer it will cost $5264.80.I am going to contact the news an attorney the manufacture my insurance . This is absolutely crazy.

I cannot afford to fix this. I am in tears trying to figure out how am I going to get to work.

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