2004 Nissan Pathfinder Transmission Problems
8 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (8)
Your gear shift gets stuck in Park and won't move to other gears. Even after replacing the shifter solenoid, the problem came back within a week. This suggests the issue may be deeper than just the solenoid—the transmission control system or shift mechanism itself may need diagnosis.
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After buying your truck in January, you noticed the transmission fluid was below the minimum level on the dipstick. You added 6 ounces in mid-February, but the transmission began slipping the next day or two. Even after having the transmission flushed for $500, the problem persisted. You believe this may be related to a faulty radiator, as the transmission fluid loss suggests a cooling system issue affecting transmission performance.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND DRIVE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SPILLED INTO THE RADIATOR AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO DESIGN DEFECT KNOWN TO THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 PATHFINDER WITH 75,000 MILES. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AROUND MARCH 15 WHEN MY ENGINE BEGAN TO PRODUCE A LOUD KNOCK. SHE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER. THE KNOCK WAS STILL THERE. THEY INVESTIGATED AND STATED THE WE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH WILL FIND NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING ON ALTIMAS, SENTRAS, AND PATHFINDERS BECAUSE THE SCREWS WERE NOT PROPERLY LOCKED AT THE FACTORY, MAKING THIS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH BY ISSUING A MANDATORY SERVICE. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDRIVABLE FOR FEAR OF FURTHER DAMAGE, AS WE AWAIT A RESPONSE FROM NISSAN NORTH AMERICA ON WHAT ACTION, IF ANY, THEY WILL DO TO INVESTIGATE. *RT *TR
MY 2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER WAS STUCK IN "PARK" I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER. I'M TOLD THE WHOLE SHIFT MECHANISM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ($900). I SEARCHED FOR RECALL ON THIS BUT FOUND NONE. THIS VEHICLE HAS 62,000 MILES, I FEEL SUCH A DEFECT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. AS IF THIS WEREN'T TROUBLE ENOUGH, IT TOOK THE DEALER TWO DAYS TO GET THE PART AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE, LEAVING ME TO RENT A CAR AT MY EXPENSE. *TR
THE SHIFTER ON MY PATHFINDER WAS STUCK IN PARK, THEY REPLACED THE SHIFTER SOLENOID WHICH NOW THE SHIFTER IS DOING FINE. I FEEL LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED SO SOON. I'M NOT SURE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS BUT THINK THERE SHOULD BE. I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED THAT I WAS HAVING THIS TROUBLE SO SOON. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DID WITH THE OLD PART. I KNOW I HAVE WAITED A WHILE TO REPORT THIS BUT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS. PLEASE RESPOND BACK ASAP. THANK YOU. *TR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK