NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,050 reports105,000 miles · Aug 26, 2013
EnginePower Train
DURING THE TIME I WAS DRIVING THE PATHFINDER I NOTICE THAT THE TRANSMISSION STARTED PULLING. I GOT INTO THE TURNING LANE TO PULL OVER TO CHECK IT OUT BUT WHEN I STOPPED AND THEN TRY TO TURN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE MORE THEN 3 FEET THAT LEFT ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. LUCKY NO ONE WAS HURT BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN A BAD SITUA…
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DURING THE TIME I WAS DRIVING THE PATHFINDER I NOTICE THAT THE TRANSMISSION STARTED PULLING. I GOT INTO THE TURNING LANE TO PULL OVER TO CHECK IT OUT BUT WHEN I STOPPED AND THEN TRY TO TURN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE MORE THEN 3 FEET THAT LEFT ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. LUCKY NO ONE WAS HURT BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN A BAD SITUATION IF I WAS ON A BUSY STREET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10537240
109,000 miles · Aug 25, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. NISSAN DEALER SHOP RECOMMENDS TO REPLACED TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10537153
124,000 miles · Aug 21, 2013
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS FAILING, JUST AS IT HAS BEEN STATED ALL OVER THE INTERNET. OF COURSE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM OCTOBER OF 2012 DOES NOT ASSIST ME. MY TRUCK WAS FINE AT THAT TIME, AND NOW, I AM OVER $124,000 MILES. NISSAN IS STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR FAILING TO INFORM ITS CONSUMERS ABOUT THE ON-GO…
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THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS FAILING, JUST AS IT HAS BEEN STATED ALL OVER THE INTERNET. OF COURSE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM OCTOBER OF 2012 DOES NOT ASSIST ME. MY TRUCK WAS FINE AT THAT TIME, AND NOW, I AM OVER $124,000 MILES. NISSAN IS STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR FAILING TO INFORM ITS CONSUMERS ABOUT THE ON-GOING FAILING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. NISSAN NEEDS TO PAY FOR MY TRANSMISSION. I EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536545
142,000 miles · Aug 20, 2013
EnginePower Train
IT'S THE TYPICAL NISSAN PATHFINDER (2005-2011) TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR FAILURE DUE TO FLUIDS FROM BOTH DEVICES MIXING AND CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF BOTH. NISSAN INFORMS ME THAT THEY CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND MY PROBLEM, WHICH IS COMFORTING, BUT WILL NOT PAY A DIME. NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536381
100,000 miles · Aug 17, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline
MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, JUST STOPPED RUNNING AND TURNED OFF. IT DOES THIS WHILE SITTING IDLE, SAY IN LINE. IT DOES THIS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. IT JUST TURNS OFF! NOW I'M HAVING TROUBLE RE-STARTING IT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535837
139,000 miles · Aug 15, 2013
EnginePower Train
THERE IS PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE RADIATOR HAS A LEAK IN IT CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION OIL TO MIX WITH THE RADIATOR COOLANT CREATING A MIXTURE OF GRAVY TYPE SUBSTANCE. THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR ARE FILLED UP WITH THIS SUBSTANCE. THE ENGINE IS NOT BEING COOLED DO…
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THERE IS PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE RADIATOR HAS A LEAK IN IT CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION OIL TO MIX WITH THE RADIATOR COOLANT CREATING A MIXTURE OF GRAVY TYPE SUBSTANCE. THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR ARE FILLED UP WITH THIS SUBSTANCE. THE ENGINE IS NOT BEING COOLED DOWN. THE VEHICLE STARTS TO VIBRATE AFTER A CERTAIN SPEED. WHEN YOU POP UP THE HOOD IT SMELLS LIKE PLASTIC BURNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535537
101,000 miles · Aug 13, 2013
Power Train
NISSAN HAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION ONLY UP TO 100,000 MILES. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT 98,000 BUT DID NOT KNOW ABOUT RECALL. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND SINCE IT IS OVER 100,000 THEY WILL NOT FIX THEIR MISTAKE ON ENGINEERING THIS VEHICLE. SO I NOW HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS SETTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WILL NOT RUN! THE TRANSMISSION …
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NISSAN HAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION ONLY UP TO 100,000 MILES. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT 98,000 BUT DID NOT KNOW ABOUT RECALL. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND SINCE IT IS OVER 100,000 THEY WILL NOT FIX THEIR MISTAKE ON ENGINEERING THIS VEHICLE. SO I NOW HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS SETTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WILL NOT RUN! THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY USELESS AND I DO NOT HAVE $6000 TO FIX IT!! I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE FAULTY VEHICLES NO MATTER WHAT MILEAGE CONSIDERING IT ONLY HAPPENS IN HIGHER MILEAGE. NISSAN HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT AND IT IS NOW MY RESPONSIBILITY TO DO SO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535071
105,000 miles · Aug 12, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
DRIVING IN TOWN ROUGHLY 25 MILES, THE TRUCK SLOWED DOWN, YOU HIT THE GAS TO EXCEL AND IT STOPS EVENTUALLY. THE MECHANIC SAYS THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LEAKED, MIXED AND NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND TRAINED AND LEANED THE RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535022
102,000 miles · Aug 7, 2013
EnginePower Train
MY PATHFINDER LOCKED IN 4WD WHILE SWITCH WAS STILL IN 2WD AND WOULD NOT START BACK AFTER TOWING TO DEALERSHIP I FIND OUT IT IS THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BOTH WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT $4900.00. IF MY WIFE WOULD OF BEEN ON A ROAD WITH MORE TRAFFIC IT WOULD OF BEEN BAD FOR HER AND MY TWO YEAR OLD. WE HAVE ON…
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MY PATHFINDER LOCKED IN 4WD WHILE SWITCH WAS STILL IN 2WD AND WOULD NOT START BACK AFTER TOWING TO DEALERSHIP I FIND OUT IT IS THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BOTH WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT $4900.00. IF MY WIFE WOULD OF BEEN ON A ROAD WITH MORE TRAFFIC IT WOULD OF BEEN BAD FOR HER AND MY TWO YEAR OLD. WE HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR A YEAR AND NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS OUT OF IT AND OUR ALTIMA. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN NISSAN OWNERS BUT WILL NEVER BUY AGAIN THIS IS EVIDENTLY A REALLY COMMON PROBLEM AND NISSAN'S CUSTOMER APPRECIATION IS AWFUL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534089
99,000 miles · Aug 5, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AND DIFFICULTY PICKING UP SPEED TO MERGE INTO 65MPH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THESE NISSAN PATHFINDERS ARE KNOWN FOR HAVING BAD RADIATORS CAUSING WATER TO ENTE…
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TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AND DIFFICULTY PICKING UP SPEED TO MERGE INTO 65MPH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THESE NISSAN PATHFINDERS ARE KNOWN FOR HAVING BAD RADIATORS CAUSING WATER TO ENTER TRANSMISSIONS MAKING THE TRANSMISSION TO SUDDENLY GO OUT. ..I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO A SECOND SHOP AND THEY CONFIRMED RADIATOR WENT BAD. RADIATOR WAS REPLACED BUT TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY OUT DUE TO THE RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533742
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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