Nissan Pathfinder Transmission Cost [Labor & Parts]
The Nissan Pathfinder is one of the most popular SUVs in the country and for good reason. The Nissan Pathfinder features an affordable price and solid reliability.
However, the Pathfinder is known to have transmission problems. If you run into transmission problems with your Nissan Pathfinder, then you will need to get it replaced.
Overall, you can expect to pay about $3,000 on average to replace the transmission in a Nissan Pathfinder. The typical price range for transmission replacement is between $2,000 on the low end and $4,000 on the high end.
There are several factors that go into the cost of replacing the transmission on the Nissan Pathfinder. So we put together this comprehensive article on the costs of replacing the transmission in a Nissan Pathfinder. We will talk about the costs of professional repairs and compare Pathfinder transmission replacement costs to other similar cars.
What Does a Transmission Do?
The transmission is an extremely important part of your car’s drivetrain that works to adjust gear ratios so the car can speed up and slow down.
The transmission disconnects the engine from the drive train when the car is stationary and switches gears so the car can accelerate and decelerate. In most cars, the transmission is located near the front by the chassis of the vehicle.
In other words, without a transmission, you wouldn’t be able to change speeds with your car. That is one reason why when the transmission is broken, cars have trouble speeding up and slowing down.
How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Nissan Pathfinder Transmission?
Overall, you can expect to pay about $3,000 on average to replace the transmission for a Nissan Pathfinder. The typical price range is between $2,000 on the low end and $4,000+ on the higher end.
Depending on your specific year model and the extent of the damage, a complete transmission rebuild could cost over $5,000. Alternatively, if you need to replace only a single part of the transmission, it will cost a few hundred dollars, depending on what is broken.
Most of the time, though, you will want to replace the entire transmission rather than just a single part.
Nissan Pathfinder Compared to Other Cars
Below is a table showing the average cost of transmission repair for a Nissan Pathfinder compared to similar models of car. Keep in mind that these figures are averages and actual costs will depend on your car’s age and your mechanic’s location.
| Model | Avg. Transmission Replacement Cost |
| Nissan Pathfinder | $3,000 |
| Kia Telluride | $2,500 |
| Toyota Highlander | $3,500 |
| Subaru Ascent | $4,500 |
| Buick Enclave | $2,800 |
| Dodge Durango | $3,500 |
| Honda Pilot | $4,000 |
| Chevy Traverse | $3,000 |
| Mazda CX-9 | $4,800 |
| Ford Explorer | $3,800 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | $4,900 |
As you can see, transmission replacement costs for the Nissan Pathfinder are slightly on the lower end of the spectrum. The closest comparison is the Chevy Traverse and Toyota Highlander.
The Nissan is slightly less reliable than the Highlander and slightly more reliable than the Traverse, making these two cars a good point of comparison.
Additionally, the Nissan Pathfinder has lower average annual maintenance costs compared to competitors at $750. The average annual maintenance cost for all cars in the US is about $1,000, meaning the Pathfinder is both more reliable and less expensive to maintain than average.
Factors that Affect Transmission Replacement Costs
Type of transmission
One of the most significant factors affecting cost is the type of transmission. Modern cars use either automatic or manual transmission.
The Pathfinder comes in models with both automatic and manual transmission. All other things being equal, manual transmissions are cheaper to replace than automatic transmissions because they are mostly mechanical.
Related damage
Transmissions rarely manifest on their own. If your transmission is broken, then you will likely have to make related repairs, such as your clutch, transmission belt, or sensors. Your mechanic will probably recommend every piece if you are rebuilding your transmission.
Age of your car
As is always the case, the age of your car will also affect transmission replacement costs. Generally, older cars are less expensive to repair, unless your car is discontinued. In that case, it may be harder to find parts for an older model.
Signs of a Bad Transmission
Weird Sounds
The most obvious sign of a broken transmission is a loud, grinding sound when you try to shift gears. If the transmission pins, bearing, switch, or gears are broken, the pieces may grind against one another and make a grating or scraping sound.
If you do hear scraping or grinding from the front of your vehicle, you should take your car to a mechanic immediately.
Leaking Transmission Fluid
Another common sign of a broken transmission is leaking transmission fluid. The transmission contains several mechanical parts moving against one another, so manufacturers use fluid to lubricate the gears.
If the transmission seal breaks, this fluid can leak into your engine and out of your car. Transmission fluid typically has a dark red color and has a sweet scent. Transmission fluid will leak near the front of your car, under the engine block.
Shaking or Vibrating
Another common sign of transmission problems is shaking or vibrating while driving, especially when shifting gears. For example, cars with an automatic transmission might start to shake or vibrate violently when gears shift.
With a manual transmission, you may feel shaking and vibrating in the gear shifter handle. This skating or vibrating can make it hard to drive.
Car Won’t Shift Gears
If your transmission is completely shot, then your car might not even go into gear and so won’t start. This can be extremely dangerous if your transmission blows while you are driving on the highway or interstate.
Typically, you will notice transmission problems before it fails completely, so make sure to see a mechanic if you notice any shaking, grinding, or leaking.
Burning Smell or White Smoke
The last major sign of a broken transmission is a burning smell or white smoke coming from your hood. When the transmission breaks, the ensuing friction can cause transmission fluid to burn, producing thick white smoke from your car.
If you notice smoking coming from your car and loud, grinding sounds, take it to a mechanic as quickly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to replace the transmission on the Nissan Pathfinder?
Overall, you can expect to spend about $3,000 to replace the transmission on the Nissan Pathfinder. The typical price range is between $2,000 on the low end up to $4,000 on the higher end.
If your transmission has sustained severe damage and damaged other parts of your car, repairs could cost over $5,000. Compared to other similar brands, it costs less to replace the Pathfinder transmission. Also, the Pathfinder has relatively low maintenance costs for a mid-size SUV.
How often do I need to replace my transmission?
Your transmission takes a lot of damage while on the road, so it’s one of the most important components to service. Generally speaking, a transmission will last anywhere between 80,000 to 150,000 miles, possibly more if you take great care of your car.
Manual transmissions tend to fail sooner and may last up to 100,000 miles.
Can I drive with a bad transmission?
Technically yes, you can still drive if your transmission is slightly damaged. However, we would not recommend driving with a damaged transmission, no matter how slight the damage is.
If your transmission goes out, it can completely destroy your car’s engine. Even leaking transmission fluid can lead to irreparable car damages.
Can I replace a transmission on my own?
Most people will not be able to replace a transmission on their own as it is complex and requires disassembling a large part of your car’s engine and gearbox.
You may be able to replace it on your own if you have experience with cars, but otherwise, you should take your car to a mechanic to fix any transmission problems.
Does the Nissan Pathfinder have transmission problems?
Yes, the Nissan Pathfinder is known to have transmission problems. The 2005-2007 models are most likely to break down, though later models are known to have transmission problems as well. Specifically, the Pathfinder is susceptible to transmission leaks and gear slippage.
Is replacing the transmission on a Nissan Pathfinder worth it?
It depends on the age and current market value of your car. Transmission rebuilds are very expensive and can have related maintenance problems.
Based on our estimations, if the cost of rebuilding your Pathfinder’s transmission is greater than 50% of the current market value of the car, we would recommend buying a new car instead of repairs.
Related Guides
Final Words
The Nissan Pathfinder is a very popular SUV and for very good reason. The Pathfinder has a great combination of solid materials, reliable design, and an affordable price. The one major drawback is the transmission problems.
Fortunately, you can repair a broken Pathfinder transmission and extend the length of your SUV’s life. If your car is over ten years old, then we would recommend buying a new car instead of rebuilding the transmission as the cost most likely outweighs the benefits.
As always, make sure you get quotes from several mechanics so you can get the best possible price.
