NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
290 reportsClear category filter88,000 miles · Jun 11, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER'S TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND ENGINE SPEED WOULD DIP AND VEHICLE WOULD FEEL AS THOUGH IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO A NON EXISTENT GEAR AT SPEED. SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN A NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED IN THE MAIL PERTAINING TO THE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION OIL. AFTE…
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THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER'S TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND ENGINE SPEED WOULD DIP AND VEHICLE WOULD FEEL AS THOUGH IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO A NON EXISTENT GEAR AT SPEED. SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN A NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED IN THE MAIL PERTAINING TO THE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION OIL. AFTER HAVING REPLACING THE RADIATOR AND FLUSHING THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACING TRANSMISSION OIL, THE TRANSMISSION IS CONTINUING TO SLIP. AWAITING WORD FROM NISSAN NORTH AMERICA TO REPLACE OR FIX THIS KNOWN ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10516206
119,072 miles · Jun 7, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A COMBINATION OF BOTH THE TRANSMISSION F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A COMBINATION OF BOTH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT LEAKING TOGETHER, WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ASSOCIATED WITH A MANUFACTURER'S VOLUNTARY RECALL RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE MILEAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,072. ...UPDATED 07-10-13 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10515659
124,900 miles · Jun 6, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AND VEHICLE STARTED SLIPPING WOULDN'T TAKE GEAR HAD TO COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED INTO STATION SERVICEMAN SAID THAT RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO HAVE BOTH TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED THE MAN AT THE STATION SAID THAT WAS THE S…
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DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AND VEHICLE STARTED SLIPPING WOULDN'T TAKE GEAR HAD TO COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED INTO STATION SERVICEMAN SAID THAT RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO HAVE BOTH TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED THE MAN AT THE STATION SAID THAT WAS THE SIXTH VEHICLE THAT HE HAD TO DO THE SAME REPAIRS TOO SAME MAKE AND MODEL SAID THAT NISSAN HAD A RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL FOR A DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515552
111,000 miles · Jun 6, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I FELT A GRINDING NOSE WHILE SHIFTED AND I STOP AND TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER NISSAN AND THE FIND OUT A PROBLEM FROM TRANSMISSION/ RADIATOR. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A FAULTY RADIATOR WHO LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSE THE PROBLEM AND I SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR ON MY OWN. I FIND OUT THAT NISSAN KNOWS THAT PROBLEM…
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I FELT A GRINDING NOSE WHILE SHIFTED AND I STOP AND TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER NISSAN AND THE FIND OUT A PROBLEM FROM TRANSMISSION/ RADIATOR. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A FAULTY RADIATOR WHO LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSE THE PROBLEM AND I SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR ON MY OWN. I FIND OUT THAT NISSAN KNOWS THAT PROBLEM NEVER SENT ME A RECALL FOR THAT AND I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW I SERVICED IT AND ALL THE MAINTENANCE AT A DEALERSHIP NO WORD I SHOULD CHANGE THE RADIATOR . THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO ME WITH MY 2002 ALTIMA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515414
132,000 miles · May 29, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A YEAR. I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SPUTTERING WHEN I GOT TO ABOUT 40 OR 50 MPH. I HAD IT TAKEN IN TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THEY TOLD ME THE RADIATOR FAILED AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE ROAD WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WHEN T…
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I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A YEAR. I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SPUTTERING WHEN I GOT TO ABOUT 40 OR 50 MPH. I HAD IT TAKEN IN TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THEY TOLD ME THE RADIATOR FAILED AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON THE ROAD WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WHEN THIS THING DECIDED TO FAIL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514060
170,650 miles · May 23, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RADIATOR FLUIDS HAVE MIXED AND THAT I NEED TO REPLACE BOTH OF THEM. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK SINCE AROUND 2007. I CALLED NISSAN AND ASKED THEM WHAT DO THEY PLAN TO DO TO HELP ME GE…
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I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RADIATOR FLUIDS HAVE MIXED AND THAT I NEED TO REPLACE BOTH OF THEM. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK SINCE AROUND 2007. I CALLED NISSAN AND ASKED THEM WHAT DO THEY PLAN TO DO TO HELP ME GET MY TRUCK FIXED AND THEY TOLD DUE TO THE MILES THAT THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. I *TR
NHTSA ODI #10513255
90,000 miles · May 21, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RADIATOR, THE CONTACT WAS PARKED WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RADIATOR, THE CONTACT WAS PARKED WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10512946
140,000 miles · May 11, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION STARTED CHUGGING TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE NEXT DAY AND THEY SHOWED ME I HAVE ENGINE COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT WOULD BE 5000 TO REPAIR. TOLD ME I WAS THE 6TH NISSAN THAT HAS BEEN IN HIS SHOP IN THE LAST MONTH WITH THE SAME PROBLEM!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511510
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY MY MECHANIC, THAT THERE IS TRANSMISSION FLUID IN BOTH MY RADIATOR AND COOLANT SYSTEM. THOUGHT I'M THANKFUL THAT NO INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED YET, IN DOING RESEARCH I HAVE HEARD OF MANY NISSAN PATHFINDER 2005-2010 OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLES. SOME HAVE EVEN REPORTED REPAIR COSTS IN EXCESS…
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I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY MY MECHANIC, THAT THERE IS TRANSMISSION FLUID IN BOTH MY RADIATOR AND COOLANT SYSTEM. THOUGHT I'M THANKFUL THAT NO INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED YET, IN DOING RESEARCH I HAVE HEARD OF MANY NISSAN PATHFINDER 2005-2010 OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLES. SOME HAVE EVEN REPORTED REPAIR COSTS IN EXCESS OF $3000 FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE REPAIRS. I AM GETTING MIXED INFORMATION AS TO WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE IN REGARD TO A CLASS ACTION SUITE AGAINST NISSAN. I NEED SOME CLARITY IN THIS ISSUE BEFORE I FIND MYSELF IN AN UNFAVORABLE SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510822
70,000 miles · May 3, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO EXHIBIT A LOUD NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO EXHIBIT A LOUD NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510494
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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