NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,050 reports80,000 miles · Mar 28, 2011
Power Train
FLAT UNRESPONSIVE GAS PEDAL RESPONSE EXCESSIVE DRIVELINE VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEEL AND TIRE SHAKE DEALERSHIP STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. OCCURRED ON A REGULAR BASIS UNTIL FAILURE OCCURRED. SECOND SERVICING DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED FAILED TRANSMISSION RADIATOR AND COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT/REPAI…
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FLAT UNRESPONSIVE GAS PEDAL RESPONSE EXCESSIVE DRIVELINE VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEEL AND TIRE SHAKE DEALERSHIP STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. OCCURRED ON A REGULAR BASIS UNTIL FAILURE OCCURRED. SECOND SERVICING DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED FAILED TRANSMISSION RADIATOR AND COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT/REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10393108
86,600 miles · Mar 24, 2011
Power Train
MY 2005 PATHFINDER'S TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. FOUND OUT THAT MY RADIATOR HAD FAILED AND MIXED RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. NISSAN KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM AND INSTEAD OF RECALLING, THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY UNTIL 80,000 OR FEB, 2013 BUT DID NOT NOTIFY ANYONE OF THE POSSIBLE PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS 86,600 MILE ON IT. NISSAN WILL NOT…
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MY 2005 PATHFINDER'S TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. FOUND OUT THAT MY RADIATOR HAD FAILED AND MIXED RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. NISSAN KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM AND INSTEAD OF RECALLING, THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY UNTIL 80,000 OR FEB, 2013 BUT DID NOT NOTIFY ANYONE OF THE POSSIBLE PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS 86,600 MILE ON IT. NISSAN WILL NOT COVER OR PAY ANY PART OF THE REPAIR. IT IS ALL OVER WEB DISCUSSION BOARDS AND ON CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM AND EDMONDS.COM FROM OTHER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND RESULT WITH NISSAN CORPORATE. WHEN WILL NISSAN END UP OWNING UP TO THIS DEFECT AND PAY FOR FIXES. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT MANY ARE HAVING TO PAY. I WILL BE SENDING A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO NISSAN AND TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS BOARDS BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP UP AND GET NISSAN TO OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10392799
78,000 miles · Mar 19, 2011
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HISTORICAL COOLANT LINE ISSUES. REQUIRES REBUILD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10392227
53,180 miles · Mar 8, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS VEHICLE IS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE, 4.0 LITER V6 WITH 53,000 MILES. 60 MONTH WARRANTY EXPIRED 7-2010. THE TIMING CHAIN AND GEARS BROKE APART CAUSING ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING. NORMALLY TIMING CHAINS AND GEARS SHOULD NOT DISINTEGRATE FOR CONSIDERABLY LONGER THAN 53,000 MILES. FILED COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA 3-…
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THIS VEHICLE IS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE, 4.0 LITER V6 WITH 53,000 MILES. 60 MONTH WARRANTY EXPIRED 7-2010. THE TIMING CHAIN AND GEARS BROKE APART CAUSING ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING. NORMALLY TIMING CHAINS AND GEARS SHOULD NOT DISINTEGRATE FOR CONSIDERABLY LONGER THAN 53,000 MILES. FILED COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA 3-28-11 WITH NO SATISFACTION. THEY WERE UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING SINCE THE VEHICLE IS PAST 60 MONTH PERIOD AND SINCE WE NEVER SERVICED THE VEHICLE AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. HAVING RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON COMPLAINT WITH 2005 AND 2006 4.0 LITER V6 MOTORS. DEALER IS ASKING IN EXCESS OF $2000.00 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386915
90,586 miles · Mar 7, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS WHEN THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER FILED A COMPLAINT AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,692 AND TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS WHEN THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER FILED A COMPLAINT AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,692 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,586.
NHTSA ODI #10386772
37,000 miles · Mar 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
I RECEIVED, IN THE MAIL, A WARRANTY NOTIFICATION FROM NISSAN NORTH AMERICA HEADQUARTERS, CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, FRANKLIN, TN. BASICALLY, IT READS: NISSAN HAS EXTENDED YOUR VEHICLE'S NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY AS IT APPLIES TO THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY TO 96 MONTHS/80,000 MILES (WHICHEVER COMES FIRST)...NISSAN NORTH AMERICA …
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I RECEIVED, IN THE MAIL, A WARRANTY NOTIFICATION FROM NISSAN NORTH AMERICA HEADQUARTERS, CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, FRANKLIN, TN. BASICALLY, IT READS: NISSAN HAS EXTENDED YOUR VEHICLE'S NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY AS IT APPLIES TO THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY TO 96 MONTHS/80,000 MILES (WHICHEVER COMES FIRST)...NISSAN NORTH AMERICA WBI/10-029. WHEN MY HUSBAND, SCOTT, CONTACTED OUR LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPONENT WOULD HAVE TO FAIL BEFORE THEY COULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ACCORDING TO OTHER NHTSA COMPLAINTS FROM NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE COMPONENT FAIL, IT SOMETIMES CAUSES TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL (LACK OF ENGINE POWER THROUGHPUT TO PROVIDE MOBILITY). IF THE COMPONENT WERE TO FAIL IT SEEMS THAT IT WOULD CREATE A SAFETY ISSUE UNDER SOME CONDITIONS (ON HIGHWAYS WHERE IT IS NOT CONVENIENT TO PULL OVER). SOME PATHFINDER OWNERS HAVE CLAIMED THAT IT CAN COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, AND THAT NISSAN SOMETIMES DOES NOT COVER REPAIRS BEYOND THE RADIATOR, DESPITE THAT PROBLEM CAN LEAK COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, SOMETIMES CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND OFFER OWNERS OF POSSIBLY EFFECTED VEHICLES A FREE TEST TO DETERMINE IF THEIR VEHICLE DOES, INDEED HAVE A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY. IF A TEST IS NOT AVAILABLE, THEN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLIES ON THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE REPAIRED OF REPLACES AS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THEY WILL NOT FAIL UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND MILEAGE. FURTHERMORE, IF A RADIATOR ASSEMBLER WERE TO CAUSE A TRANSMISSION TO NEED REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, NISSAN SHOULD COVER ASSOCIATED TRANSMISSION CORRECTION COSTS. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, WE (MY HUSBAND AND I) NO LONGER DRIVER OUR PATHFINDER ON LONG TRIPS, AND HAVE LOST FAITH IN OUR VEHICLE AND NISSAN.
NHTSA ODI #10387030
88,000 miles · Feb 25, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION WHICH LEAD TO TRANSMISION FAILURE
NHTSA ODI #10384553
88,200 miles · Feb 25, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS WAS A SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10384489
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A ECM RELAY, SENSOR AND FUEL STANDING UNIT. CONSUMER STATES THERE SHOULD NOT BE A CHARGE FOR REPLACEMENT OF A DEFECTIVE OR MALFUNCTIONING UNIT *TGW
NHTSA ODI #10383530
49,977 miles · Feb 15, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND HAVE BEEN DOING ALL THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ON IT IN A VERY TIMELY MANNER. IT IS A VERY WELL MAINTAINED SUV AND HAD ONLY 49,997 MILES ON IT. I GOT A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE ON IT FOR THE ECM RELAY ISSUED AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. I WAS ALSO EXPERIENCING SOME WHINING NOISES. THE SERVICE DEALER AD…
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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND HAVE BEEN DOING ALL THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ON IT IN A VERY TIMELY MANNER. IT IS A VERY WELL MAINTAINED SUV AND HAD ONLY 49,997 MILES ON IT. I GOT A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE ON IT FOR THE ECM RELAY ISSUED AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. I WAS ALSO EXPERIENCING SOME WHINING NOISES. THE SERVICE DEALER ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT MY TIMING CHAINS HAD A PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE SAID THIS WAS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND COULD LEAD TO ENGINE DAMAGE AND IS A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD. HE ALSO SAID IT NEEDED TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY, AS THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, THAT HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED BY A NUMBER OF OTHER CUSTOMERS AND THAT NISSAN MOTOR CO. HAD ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN NTB09-128 REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. I AM REALLY SURPRISED THAT NISSAN DID NOT THINK IT WAS NECESSARY TO COMMUNICATE THIS PIECE OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO ALL ITS CUSTOMERS. MY SON WHO IS 21 YEARS OLD DRIVES THIS SUV ON SKI TRIPS AND I AM REALLY ALARMED THAT THIS DEFECT WHICH WAS KNOWN TO NISSAN COULD HAVE LEAD TO SOME SERIOUS ROAD HAZARDS. NISSAN HAS ACTED IN A VERY CALLOUS MANNER BECAUSE THEY DID NOT INFORM THEIR CUSTOMERS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH A SERIOUS ISSUE WHICH CAN LEAD TO ROAD HAZARDS. THEY DID NOT ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL TO FIX THE ISSUE. I REQUEST YOU TO KINDLY INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND ENSURE THAT NISSAN COMMUNICATES THIS SERIOUS FLAW TO ALL OWNERS OF 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDERS AND ANY OTHER MODEL WHICH HAS THE SAME ISSUE. UPDATED 03/07/11 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10383668
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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