NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
585 reportsClear category filter80,000 miles · Jul 9, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH. THE FAILURES WERE A RECURRING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH. THE FAILURES WERE A RECURRING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,200.
NHTSA ODI #10342279
89,500 miles · Jul 8, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER S/N [XXX] . ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION DUE TO FAILURE OF OIL COOLER CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE READ OVER 100 COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE AND NISSAN WILL NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAIRS. I WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $5,149.00 BEFORE TAXES TO GET THIS VEHICLE REPAIRED. NISSAN KNOWS THIS I…
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER S/N [XXX] . ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION DUE TO FAILURE OF OIL COOLER CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE READ OVER 100 COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE AND NISSAN WILL NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAIRS. I WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $5,149.00 BEFORE TAXES TO GET THIS VEHICLE REPAIRED. NISSAN KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO SHOOK HIS HEAD AND SAID HE CURRENTLY HAS ONE IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME REASON, BUT THEY WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. TO MAKE MATTERS EVEN WORSE, THEY ARE REPLACING THE FAULTY PART WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. ISN'T THERE ANY WAY WE CAN GET THIS PUSHED THROUGH SO NISSAN WOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MISTAKES? PLEASE CALL ME @ [XXX] . I WOULOD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP THE MANY PEOPLE IN MY SAME SITUATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10342004
104,000 miles · Jul 2, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE KIDS IN THE CAR. MY HUSBAND FOUND COOLANT IN THE TRANNY OIL AND THEN DID RESEARCH AND FOUND ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE. OUR CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANNY COOLANT BUILT INSIDE THE RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341266
68,900 miles · Jul 2, 2010
Power Train
I WAS INFORMED ON MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2010 THAT MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH ONLY 68,900 MILES IS IN NEED OF A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. I WAS TOLD BY A CERTIFIED NISSAN TECHNICIAN THAT AN INTERNAL FAILURE IN THE RADIATOR CAUSED COOLANT FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION IS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO BREAKDOWN. APPROX 1 …
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I WAS INFORMED ON MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2010 THAT MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH ONLY 68,900 MILES IS IN NEED OF A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. I WAS TOLD BY A CERTIFIED NISSAN TECHNICIAN THAT AN INTERNAL FAILURE IN THE RADIATOR CAUSED COOLANT FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION IS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO BREAKDOWN. APPROX 1 MONTH AGO I NOTICED MY NISSAN PATHFINDER VIBRATING BETWEEN 40-60 MPH. IT TOOK THREE TIMES TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ISOLATED TO MY VEHICLE ALONE. I GOOGLED THE "2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM" AND DISCOVERED 100 PLUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NOT TAKING OWNERSHIP TO THIS PROBLEM. THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE. MY FEAR IS PATHFINDER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES WILL DRIVE THESE VEHICLES UNBEKNOWNST TO THEM THERE IS AN ISSUE AND THE TRANSMISSION MAY SEIZE CAUSING AN MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341265
105,000 miles · Jun 30, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, HE ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED DID NOT INCREASE. HE STATED THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER FROM THE RADIATOR WAS GOING TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, HE ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED DID NOT INCREASE. HE STATED THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER FROM THE RADIATOR WAS GOING TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,704.
NHTSA ODI #10340835
99,000 miles · Jun 26, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION FLUID MIX THE TRANS STARTED SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF O/D AT JUST OVER 40MPH (VIBRATING) AT ABOUT 99,000 MILES. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND FOUND THE RADIATOR BUSTED AND MIXED WITH TRANS FLUID. HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED TWICE. AT A COST OF $1,058.00 IT WORKED FINE UNTIL 103,0…
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RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION FLUID MIX THE TRANS STARTED SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF O/D AT JUST OVER 40MPH (VIBRATING) AT ABOUT 99,000 MILES. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND FOUND THE RADIATOR BUSTED AND MIXED WITH TRANS FLUID. HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED TWICE. AT A COST OF $1,058.00 IT WORKED FINE UNTIL 103,000 MILES. IT JUST MADE A THUMP NOISE AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING SO BAD IT BARELY GOT ME HOME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10340245
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2010
Power Train
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER LEAKS COOLANT FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSE GEAR SHIFTING PROBLEMS. REPAIR IS $6000 FOR RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10340016
158,000 miles · Jun 25, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT CONTAMINATION. RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE TRANSMISSION . MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH CAR. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, AIR CONDITIONING/HEATER FAN, DRIVE SHFTS/UNIVERSAL JOINTS, BRAKES. JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING HAS FAILED AND COST ME MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF CASH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10339950
67,000 miles · Jun 18, 2010
Power Train
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WE FELT A VIBRATION ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. AT 40 MPH IT FELT LIKE WE WERE GOING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. TOOK TO THE MECHANIC. HE SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BACK. BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS THEY WERE RUINED. CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. REPAIR WILL C…
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WE FELT A VIBRATION ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. AT 40 MPH IT FELT LIKE WE WERE GOING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. TOOK TO THE MECHANIC. HE SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BACK. BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS THEY WERE RUINED. CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. REPAIR WILL COST $5,000. NISSAN WILL NOT COVER ANY OR ALL OF THE REPAIR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10339057
70,000 miles · Jun 18, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, OtherPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTING SHAKING AS IF SHE WAS DRIVING OVER A GROOVED PAVEMENT. SHE DROVE HOME A PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED REPLACING BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING FLUIDS.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTING SHAKING AS IF SHE WAS DRIVING OVER A GROOVED PAVEMENT. SHE DROVE HOME A PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED REPLACING BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING FLUIDS. THE COST FOR THE REPAIRS WAS $5,900. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE GAS GAUGE HAD PREVIOUSLY STOPPED WORKING AND SHE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10336935
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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