Am I the only one having a bad experience with an 05 Pathfinder?

[kram613]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and hate to start off with a bad note but I have had several problems with my 05 Pathfinder and need to know if I just got a lemon of it this is common place?

After 6 months my Pathfinder starting making more rattling, squeaks, and squeals than my 1987 plow truck. It took two different dealerships to figure out my emergency brake cable brackets are rattling and can't be tightened anymore.

I then had noise when driving up hill - I needed a U joint.

Both running board plastic covers fell off, one on the highway that was destroyed by a truck.

Now I have a really bad whining sounds under the hood, it runs rough / vibrates when I take my foot off the gas while going over 65 and when its in a high gear on a flat road.

I also currently have a cracking sound from the drive train when I back up an incline.

I'm not sure if this is because I have 54,000 miles on it and others have not driven theirs enough to get to this point?

I had a 94 Altima that was bullet proof and bought another Nissan to avoid problems like this, did I make a mistake?

All feed back is greatly appreciated.

[fueler]

Unfortunately your 4.0 VQ series engine in your new Pathfinder will probably not live the long and healthy life that the 4 cyl KA series engine did in your Altima. Nissan engines were better in the past, and i've just seen a slew of problems from VQ engines even as low as 20k miles. As far as your problems, it sounds like you have a bunch of them. I can't answer those for you. You been offroading?? I hope you're still under warranty.

[kram613]

although it was not what I wanted to hear, thanks for the info!

I have not been off-roading at all instead I baby it, in fact, I originally planned on buying an Xterra, wanted one for years, but then the all new Pathfinder came out with supposedly the same off road ruggedness of the Xterra.

Instead my wife bought an 05 Xterra which has 44,000 miles on it and has never had a problem. Driving side by side they are like night and day; she has no rattles or engine noise and much more throttle response.

[fueler]

Did you do all teh miles or did you b uy it used? I didn't mean to make it sound like its a bad engine - it's not a bad engine. It's just not as reliable as the Nissan engines of the 90's

[nissandoms47]

Trade it in for an 08 V8 Pathfinder.

[pathfinder_se_black]

Trade it in for an 08 V8 Pathfinder.

those are effin sweet

[kram613]

since I'm bringing my pathfinder in for service this wednesday I'll get some info on them. Is this the engine they use in the armarda or titan? Any info on it?

[Buzzman]

I should know this, but...... is the '05 Pathy the new one with 3 rows of seats, or is it the last of the previous generation, like my '02?I've read in magazines (like Consumers Reports) that the new Pathfinder has reliability issues, while the previous generation has been good.Personally, I've never liked the new one. I do like the new Xterra's though. They remind me of the older Pathfinders.Good luck.

[nissandoms47]

yeah same engine.

[kram613]

so I guess Nissan should have listen to the old saying "dont fix it unless its broken" before redesigning the Pathfinder. It seems I am lucky enough to have multiple issues with mine; with gas prices the way they are I'm sure I'll lose my shirt in a trade.

Is it just me or does it seem the more cars are redesigned the less reliable they get?

[kram613]

Just got off the phone with service, they've found one of the problems - I need a new rear drive shaft! Seeing that I am 4,000 miles away from being out of warranty I'm psyched it reared its ugly face now but afraid of what additional problems are to come!

I can't stress enough how babied my Pathfinder is and that all of its 56K miles are highway. If you are reading this and own a new model pathfinder I would seriously consider avoiding the storm of problems on the horizon and get rid of it; just my advice!

[KoukiS14]

Just got off the phone with service, they've found one of the problems - I need a new rear drive shaft! Seeing that I am 4,000 miles away from being out of warranty I'm psyched it reared its ugly face now but afraid of what additional problems are to come!

I can't stress enough how babied my Pathfinder is and that all of its 56K miles are highway. If you are reading this and own a new model pathfinder I would seriously consider avoiding the storm of problems on the horizon and get rid of it; just my advice!

This is a rough thing for me to say. . but. . Nissan sure has taken a dump in quality over the years I became accustomed to flawless vehicles that needed nothing more than fuel and oil, and MAYBE a little maintenance to keep them running.