Four problems related to coolant leaking have been reported for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder based on all problems reported for the 2005 Pathfinder.
All of my experience with my transmission failure took place on the road while in heavy traffic which was unsafe and scary July 2014 - present. First, the truck developed a “bucking” movement whenever it was driven. The bucking movement is similar to a car that is trying to shift gears like a manual car, but the transition between gears was not smooth. Gradually and unexpectedly, while driving, the car started making reving noises like a race car, while the speed is only 20mph. The speed dropped and would not accelearte regardless of how hard you are pressing on the gas. To decrease the reving noise you cannot drive above 40mph. As always I rely on the dealership to service my car, and at first the diagnostic test did not show the coolant leaking into the transmission. With more and more test by the Nissan mechanic, there was still no indication by the diagnostic test that shows the increase defect of the transmission. 3 weeks later, after handing over the car for a complete day, the dealership strip the car and ran further diagnostic test which indicated that the transmission failure due to leak from the engine coolant liquid mixing with the transmission fluid leading to an automatic transmission damage. The recommendation by the dealership is to replace the transmission, which would cost $5,000. Remaining payment balance for the car is $1700. Total mileage on the car is 100,200.
I had the same issue as many others. Coolant leaked into the transmission causing hard shifts, and shuttering while accelerating.
While driving in middle of the street, suddenly car stopped driving. Had the car towed to repair shop. It seems there is a coolant leak into transmission that caused the issue. However Nissan's extended warranty only allows up to 100000 miles or 10 years whichever comes first. Since my mileage is over that, Nissan will not cover any repairs.
The car was being driven on a busy street during morning rush hour, at approximately 40 mph. The car immediately stopped running and went to a crawling speed (around 1-2 mph). Cars behind needed to move quickly to avoid collision, and because there was no shoulder, the car blocked traffic. The car was taken to a Nissan dealership. Their first diagnosis was that it was a failure of the automatic transmission valve body, and they wanted to charge around $2400 for the repair. Three days later, after looking at it, the dealership diagnosed the problem as coolant leaking into the transmission, with a cost of repair of $7400.