NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
290 reportsClear category filter116,000 miles · Mar 4, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND FAILED TO ENGAGE IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO TO THE TRANSMISSION AND AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION SOL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND FAILED TO ENGAGE IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO TO THE TRANSMISSION AND AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501288
127,000 miles · Mar 4, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO SHIFT INCORRECTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR THAT WAS ALLOWING COOLANT TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE ALSO CRACKS IN THE HOSES THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO SHIFT INCORRECTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR THAT WAS ALLOWING COOLANT TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE ALSO CRACKS IN THE HOSES THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 127,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501149
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE RADIATOR IN VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE SENT NISSAN A LETTER REGARDING HIS CONCERNS ABOUT RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN RESPONDED BY SAYING THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY REPAIRS UNTIL THE LEAKED DEVELOPED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10498682
86,670 miles · Feb 6, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE DRIVING THE PATHFINDER AT 45MHP IT STARTED TO SHAKE AND SLOWED DOWN EVEN WHILE PRESSING GAS PEDAL DOWN... FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE ON.. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE HOME I DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF... IF WE WERE ON THE INTERSTATE AT HI…
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WHILE DRIVING THE PATHFINDER AT 45MHP IT STARTED TO SHAKE AND SLOWED DOWN EVEN WHILE PRESSING GAS PEDAL DOWN... FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE ON.. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE HOME I DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF... IF WE WERE ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGH SPEEDS IT COULD OF BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10496634
111,849 miles · Jan 13, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ON 11/15/11 NISSAN FLUSHED THE RADIATOR. ON 7/11/12 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT DUE TO THE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE 100% RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS ISSUE. NISSAN HAS KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR YEARS AND THEY EXTEND THE WARRANTIES TO THE MAX OF 100,000 MILES. MOST OF THESE ISSUES OCCUR AFTER 100,000…
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ON 11/15/11 NISSAN FLUSHED THE RADIATOR. ON 7/11/12 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT DUE TO THE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE 100% RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS ISSUE. NISSAN HAS KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR YEARS AND THEY EXTEND THE WARRANTIES TO THE MAX OF 100,000 MILES. MOST OF THESE ISSUES OCCUR AFTER 100,000 MILES. NISSAN NEEDS TO REIMBURSE AND OR RECALL ALL 2005-2010 PATHFINDER'S, XTERRA'S AND FRONTIER'S AS THIS CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILS. MY WIFE ALMOST GOT REARENDED BECAUSE THIS ISSUE. I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED OF THE REPAIRS THAT WERE DONE ON MY VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10492380
104,000 miles · Dec 21, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHEN ACCELERATING AT ALL SPEEDS. COOLANT WAS FOUND IN THE TRANS FLUID. THE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE HAD TO ALSO ADD A OIL COOLER AS A PRECAUTION. NOW 8K MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR. BEST CASE SCENARIO IS A NEW TRANS VALVE ASSEMBL…
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THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHEN ACCELERATING AT ALL SPEEDS. COOLANT WAS FOUND IN THE TRANS FLUID. THE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE HAD TO ALSO ADD A OIL COOLER AS A PRECAUTION. NOW 8K MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR. BEST CASE SCENARIO IS A NEW TRANS VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR $1500 OR WORST CASE NEW TRANS FOR $6500. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10489460
80,000 miles · Dec 14, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WATER IN TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION/ RADIATOR ISSUES NOW. $2500 CO-PAY TO HAVE REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10488764
116,000 miles · Dec 12, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED. SENT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND PUT ME TO ANOTHER TRANSMISSION PLACE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REDONE AGAIN. AFTER THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AND THE MECH. NOTICED THE MIXING OF RADIATOR FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEN I CONTACTED NISSAN AND NISSAN CORP. THEY BOTH PUSHED ME ASIDE SAYING THAT THEY CO…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED. SENT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND PUT ME TO ANOTHER TRANSMISSION PLACE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REDONE AGAIN. AFTER THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AND THE MECH. NOTICED THE MIXING OF RADIATOR FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEN I CONTACTED NISSAN AND NISSAN CORP. THEY BOTH PUSHED ME ASIDE SAYING THAT THEY COULD DO ANYTHING DO TO THE MILEAGE. I INCREASED THE URGENCY TO NISSAN CORP. I AM IN THE MILITARY WITH NO CAR FOR MY WIFE. I HAVE EXPENDED OVER 5 K ALREADY AND NOW NEEDING TO DO MORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10488620
10,000 miles · Nov 21, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I WAS GOING TO WORK A USUAL SO I HAVE TO TAKE THE HIGHWAY. EVERYTHING WAS PRETTY NORMAL THEN AS I WAS DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES I FELT LIKE HESITATION FROM THE SUV. I WAS IN FIRST LAME SO AS I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL A LITTLE FURTHER IN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS DECELERATING. IT WAS LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER. IT RETURNED TO NOR…
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I WAS GOING TO WORK A USUAL SO I HAVE TO TAKE THE HIGHWAY. EVERYTHING WAS PRETTY NORMAL THEN AS I WAS DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES I FELT LIKE HESITATION FROM THE SUV. I WAS IN FIRST LAME SO AS I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL A LITTLE FURTHER IN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS DECELERATING. IT WAS LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER. IT RETURNED TO NORMAL THEN 5 MINUTES LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED ONLY THE CAR STARTED JERKING AS WELL. I TURNED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND POPPED THE HOOD IT SMELLED LIKE COOLANT LEAKING AND THE SUV DIDN'T SAY THAT IT WAS OVERHEATED.I TRIED TO TURN IT ON IT DIDN'T LET ME AND THE DASHBOARD WASN'T DISPLAYING THE N,D,R...ETC. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND SAID THE SUV HAD INTERNAL LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR AND IT MESSED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS TYPE AND YEAR OF SUV HAD FAULTY RADIATOR THAT CAME LIKE THAT. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR 8 MONTHS AGO AND THAT IT CAME WITH A WARRANTY FOR THESE TYPE OF CAR FOR LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. WELL I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE DEALER WITH MORE THAN 100,000 MILES .NOW AT THIS POINT TO FIX THE CAR RANGES FROM 3,000-6,000 DOLLARS. SHAME ON NISSAN DEALERS FOR SELLING THESE TYPE OF CARS THAT ARE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10485418
950,000 miles · Nov 16, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
AROUND 95000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN VERY ABRUPT JERKING WHEN ACCELERATING. AROUND MAY 2011 TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING, I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM DUE TO RADIATOR CRACKED. I LOOKED INTO MY RADIATOR AND DISCOVERED STRAWBERRY LOOKING FLUID . REPLACED MY RADIATOR , AN FLUSHED IT A F…
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AROUND 95000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN VERY ABRUPT JERKING WHEN ACCELERATING. AROUND MAY 2011 TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING, I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM DUE TO RADIATOR CRACKED. I LOOKED INTO MY RADIATOR AND DISCOVERED STRAWBERRY LOOKING FLUID . REPLACED MY RADIATOR , AN FLUSHED IT A FEW TIMES AND THEN FLUSHED MY TRANSMISSION WHICH HAD THE SAME COLOR FLUIDS, I BELIEVE NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THESE FAULTY RADIATORS AND TRANSMISSION AND DRAG IT OUT THROUGH COURT SO PEOPLE WOULD LOOSE THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO USE THEIR WARRANTY. I AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET NISSAN TO REPLACE MY FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND I AM WILLING TO PAY A $3000.00 FEE BUT SO FAR THEY ARE RELUCTANT. ANY SUGGESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10484978
Official recalls
2Oct 28, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Dec 29, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP12004 · Transmission Failures
Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
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