Engine Grinding Noise Problems of Nissan Pathfinder

While driving down the road at speeds of 40 mph my car's engine has stalled. My car at times will not turn over but then will crank and the vdc slip light comes on and my engine sputters. The battery is good, the alternator is good. Recently it almost stalled while driving, the battery light came on but then it accelerated just fine. Now it is intermittently making a loud humming/grinding noise.

See all problems of the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.

Nissan power control valve loose fasteners: my concern resonates with consumer safety that involves gross engine failure during operations due to loosening internal fasteners/components. While driving on a city street, I noticed an abrupt and unusual mechanical grinding sound coming from my vehicle (v6 Pathfinder). Eventually the car would not start. After having it towed to the dealer for diagnostics and service, the technician noticed that an internal power control valve was missing from the intake after he had removed the valve cover during his troubleshooting. I purchased this vehicle new (sole owner) and have never had any work/maintenance performed that required the valve cover to be removed. After doing some research on my own, I found multiple complaints about Nissan power control valve screws loosening, falling within the engine and causing severe engine failure while driving and more than $2k in repairs to the consumer. I also noted that Nissan (west coast, California) recently recalled various models/multi-years, including the 2002 Pathfinder, acknowledging the problem with loosening fasteners within the respective engines; however, no recall was enacted for the same models on the east coast USA. Although my vehicle was eventually diagnosed with idle air control valve and electronic control module (engine) problems, the location (within my engine) of the missing power control valve and it's fasteners is not known and I am not convinced that this foreign material (loose screws/valve) would not have been the root cause of these diagnosed failures. Please note that I have been very fortunate in that my vehicle has over 200k miles; however, there are multiple power control valves within my (these) vehicles that may be subject to failure and most importantly if other consumers may be one engine failure away from a potential catastrophic result.

See all problems of the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.

On July 25, 2013 the car made a skipping sound when I turned it on and a few days prior it would make a rolling action when stopped. On July 26, 2013 I was in route and after being on the road for 7 minutes at a stop light the vehicle would not accelerate when I pressed on the gas pedal. After numerous attempts it started driving however it would not go past 15 miles making a grinding sound/noise. I was able to get it to the closest mechanic. The mechanic informed me that the a/c coolant had gone into the transmission requiring it to be flushed however not guaranteeing that it will work. I called Nissan on July 26 2013 and was informed that my warranty had expired and that they would not assist in repairing the transmission. At this time, the problem is trying to be fixed and expected to be significantly costly.

See all problems of the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.

I was driving on the highway at approximately 60 mph when my 2013 Nissan Pathfinder started to act strange. The rpm's would be erratic going from 3000 - 5000 if I touched the accelerator. Then it would stop if I did not touch the accelerator. Then 4000 - 6000 rpms. It seemed very unsafe and obviously something was wrong. I decided to get off the highway and on the exit ramp when I heard a large grinding noise and the car stopped. There was an awful burning smell and the cabin filled with smoke in addition to the smoke coming out of the hood. I turned the car off, turned it back on and it would not start. It also stopped in a very unsafe location and eventually the state police came to push me out of the way. Called my Nissan dealer, they sent a tow truck and I went to the dealership. Later that day I found out that the recommendation was for a new transmission. I could not believe this, I was driving a $40,000 brand new SUV and that was the only option. How could a new transmission help, if there is a design defect in Nissan's Pathfinder transmissions? my new car would never be the same.

See all problems of the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.

While driving I noticed a grinding sound when I reached speeds of 40-45 mph. When I pulled in to park the vehicle there was a loud grind and then the vehicle would not start. After checking the fluid levels I found that the engine coolant and the transmission fluid were mixing.

See all problems of the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to dealer for routine maintenance where the contact was advised of corrosion on the strut housing. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 11v244000 (steering: column). The contact stated that after the repair, there was a grinding noise emitted from the vehicle however the vehicle was not inspected or repaired for the issue. The check engine and electronic control warning lights were also illuminated. The contact stated that the relays needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and no assistance was provided. The current mileage was 132,000. The failure mileage was 130,000.

See all problems of the 2004 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.