NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
290 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 29, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
PREMATURE WEAR OF TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDES. IN THE NISSAN PATHFINDER 4.0L V6 ENGINES, THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDES ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. OUR VEHICLE WAS IDENTIFIED BY NISSAN DEALER SERVICE AT 62,000 MILES AND THE REQUIRED FIX ACTION WAS TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN QUIDES OUT OF W…
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PREMATURE WEAR OF TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDES. IN THE NISSAN PATHFINDER 4.0L V6 ENGINES, THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDES ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. OUR VEHICLE WAS IDENTIFIED BY NISSAN DEALER SERVICE AT 62,000 MILES AND THE REQUIRED FIX ACTION WAS TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN QUIDES OUT OF WARRANTY AT A COST OF $1500.00. THESE PARTS DO NOT HAVE A RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVAL AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE HOWEVER NISSAN HAS IDENTIFIED THIS AS A PROBLEM IN THE PATHFINDER AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES THAT USE THE SAME ENGINE AND HAS ISSUED TWO SEPARATE SERVICE BULLETINS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ENGINEERING DEFICIENCY AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10409326
99,000 miles · Jun 28, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
RADIATOR LEAKS INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO MESS UP. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND TOLD ME IT HAPPENS ON HIGHER MILEAGE PATHFINDER BUT THEY ONLY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES. I RESEARCHED THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND FOUND THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT OCCURS WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. I FEEL …
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RADIATOR LEAKS INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO MESS UP. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND TOLD ME IT HAPPENS ON HIGHER MILEAGE PATHFINDER BUT THEY ONLY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES. I RESEARCHED THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND FOUND THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT OCCURS WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10409184
100,000 miles · Jun 15, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT SINCE NISSAN DOES NOT DO ANYTHING WITH THE PROBLEM TO BE FIXED, I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER, WHEN WERE ON THE ROAD OUR CAR IS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING STARTS JERKING, AND WERE SO SCARED THAT WILL NOT MAKE IT HOME BECAUSE THE WAY ITS ACTING WE FINALLY MADE IT HOME AND THE CA WOULD NOT REVERSE WE LOOK…
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I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT SINCE NISSAN DOES NOT DO ANYTHING WITH THE PROBLEM TO BE FIXED, I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER, WHEN WERE ON THE ROAD OUR CAR IS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING STARTS JERKING, AND WERE SO SCARED THAT WILL NOT MAKE IT HOME BECAUSE THE WAY ITS ACTING WE FINALLY MADE IT HOME AND THE CA WOULD NOT REVERSE WE LOOK ONLINE AND SEARCH WHAT' CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND READ A BUNCH OF COMPLAINT WITH THE CONSUMER AT AUTOMOTIVE.COM STATING THAT THE REASON FOR THE PROBLEM IS THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO BURN, CALLED AROUND WITH A BUNCH OF AUTO MECHANIC AND WHEN I MENTION THAT I NEED MY TRANSMISSION REPLACE THE MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY SAID YOU KNOW YOU NEED YOUR RADIATOR REPLACE BECAUSE THAT IS CAUSING YOUR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN AND DENIED THE COMPLAINT THIS SHOULD BE IN THE RECALL BECAUSE THIS IS DANGEROUS IF YOU WEREN'T AWARE OF THE PROBLEM IF YOUR ON THE ROAD HOPE YOU CAN HELP US WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10406926
80,000 miles · Jun 13, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10406110
150,000 miles · Jun 8, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR AND THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR AND THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10405661
99,000 miles · Jun 1, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION, RUINING IT. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS. THE WAY THEY DESIGNED THE RADIATOR ENDS UP RUINING THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS NOT THE OWNERS FAULT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404086
92,000 miles · Jun 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER INTERNAL RADIATOR LEAK CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL STARTED WITH STRONG VIBRATION BETWEEN 40-45 MPH. DEALER INSPECTION STATES INTERNAL RUPTURE OF THE OIL COOLER CONTAMINATING THE OIL IN THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404004
61,000 miles · May 23, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED IT TO BE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED IT TO BE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
NHTSA ODI #10402417
107,000 miles · May 18, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR CRACKED CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO R…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR CRACKED CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
NHTSA ODI #10401516
115,000 miles · May 18, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING, CAUSING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. HESITANT SHIFTING, OR WORSE, NO SHIFTING OR MOVEMENT AT ALL. ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAY (INTERSTATE). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10401445
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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