2005 Pathfinder Tranny Problem

jeproks · Jun 13th, 2007, 12:51 PM

I have a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder with 57K miles and Nissan denied my warranty claim. I have the extended warranty from Nissan. It all started when I brought it in because it was getting weird vibrations and the dealer told me that my tires needs to be replaced. I ordered the tires and before the tires were able to be installed, the truck won't accelerate at all so I brought it back to the dealer. At first, they told me that they ordered a part. 2 days later, I get a call and they told me that it looks like somebody already worked on the tranny before and need to call Nissan corporate to get the warranty claim approve. Nissan sent someone and upon further inspection, found the tranny fluid looks brownish and they said it has been contaminated. Denied my claim and now they want $5300 for the repair.

I never had anyone replaced the tranny fluid since it only have 57K miles and always brings it to the dealer for maintenance. What is my recourse? TIA

dvdswanson · Jun 13th, 2007, 01:47 PM

call Nissan customer service, if you've had the vehicle since new and have always taken it to the dealer for service, they are the ones at fault for not telling you that you needed a trany service. the dealer should have records on file, talk to the service manager as well and ask him WTF as well. some one dropped the ball and it wasnt you.

jeproks · Jun 13th, 2007, 01:52 PM

Yes, the dealer serviced the vehicle since new. Called Nissan CS and they were the ones who sent a rep to look at the vehicle. Nissan corp denied the warranty bacause of the contaminated fluid and the service manager said he cannot do anything since Nissan won't pay them for the work. I took a sample of the tranny fluid and sending it out for analysis.

Calimoxo2 · Jun 13th, 2007, 02:27 PM

Please read this and see if it applies to your situation...

A Businessperson's Guide to Federal Warranty Law

dvdswanson · Jun 14th, 2007, 08:43 AM

I would start raising a stick, they are the ones who serviced it and probably the ones who contaminated it. called Nissan CS back and talk to a manager there, call the BBB, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. you may even have to get a lawyer, if you've done nothing wrong then keep pressing the issue.

jeproks · Jun 15th, 2007, 12:02 PM

I just got a sample of the oil and it looks like coffee with cream and have the same consistency. Is the stock tranny oil Nissan use still redand have the "J" rating?

**88pathoffroad** · Jun 16th, 2007, 12:46 PM

If it's creamy you had water get into it. You never had it changed at 30,000 miles like it says to in your owner's manual? Oh boy...neglecting routine maintenance is probably a good way to be denied warranty work. Not to be mean about it, but if you never changed the oil cause nobody told you it needed it and the engine blew up, do you think they'd get you a new engine for free?

R3DN1CK · Jun 16th, 2007, 01:00 PM

We service transmissions usually every 30k with regular MaticD,MTF, and MaticK. MaticJ is suggested by our service dept every 30k, but most people wait till required at 60k and do it then.

jeproks · Jun 16th, 2007, 02:53 PM

The dealer does all the oil changes and routine maintenance on it. The patty was factory filled with MaticJ fluid, it's 24 mos/ 60k miles since I don't do any towing, car top carrier, drive on rough or muddy road according to the manual and the dealer. I did not neglect any routine maintenance since I followed the dealer's recommendation. Initially, they were telling me that it looks like someone else worked on it since the tranny fluid filler cap bolt's head was rounded but when I came in to take a look, it looks the way it was installed from the factory and it was not rounded and now they changed their story that the tranny fluid was contaminated with non nissan J fluid. If I'm paying for these services and the manual states what's needed to be checked, why am I the one liable? They should have seen it.

R3DN1CK · Jun 16th, 2007, 02:59 PM

1.800.NISSAN1

jeproks · Jun 16th, 2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R3DN1CK

1.800.NISSAN1

Yup, called Nissan corp already and they sent a rep to look at the issue, found contaminated tranny fluid and declined warranty coverage.

R3DN1CK · Jun 16th, 2007, 03:45 PM

File a complaint with the BAR, I cant spell so bear with me... the bureau of automotive repair, or the BBB Better business bureau?

**88pathoffroad** · Jun 17th, 2007, 01:43 PM

Ahhh. Good man, I wasn't trying to be accusatory. That really does suck, I hope you get a free transmission out of the deal.

dirtdog · Jun 17th, 2007, 04:13 PM

Next time buy a Toyota

Xeno · Jun 17th, 2007, 08:28 PM

Gather all you service records & whatnot. Go to the dealer and talk to the manager (get his name) and ask him how to spell it. Tell him you are taking him to small claims court & this is the final attempt to solve this out of court. Then follow through. It's only like $50 to serve papers and court cost..

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