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2006 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pathfinder years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

742 reports with mileage · 95 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 450 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 185 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 147 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports0 fire reports9 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

14 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2023
Air BagsCrashInjury

I was hit on the drivers side, where the front drivers door stops and the back door begins. The other drivers was estimated at going 50-60 mph. My car spun and rolled over 360 degrees. None of the airbags deployed. The sheriff, ambulance, firefighters all told me to report it. The car was totaled at the scene so unfortunately no…

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I was hit on the drivers side, where the front drivers door stops and the back door begins. The other drivers was estimated at going 50-60 mph. My car spun and rolled over 360 degrees. None of the airbags deployed. The sheriff, ambulance, firefighters all told me to report it. The car was totaled at the scene so unfortunately no inspections were able to be made. There were not warning lights previous to the accident.

NHTSA ODI #11556631

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2019
Air Bags

MY CAR SHOW THE LIGHT ON OF THE AIR BAG PASSENGER WITH OR WITH OUT A PASSENGER EVERY TIME WHEN THE CAR IS ON STREEYS OR FREEWAY OR AT HOME .

NHTSA ODI #11286960

170,000 miles · Mar 15, 2018
Air BagsSeat BeltsSteeringCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING ON HWY AND I WENT TO GO AROUND A CURVE AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP I WENT OFF THE ROAD AND CAME TO A STOP LOOKING UP AT THE BRIDGE. WHEN I WENT OFF THE ROAD MY TRUCK HIT A HILL (IT HIT AROUND BY MY RADIATOR) MY TRUCK THEN FLIPPED AND THEN HIT ANOTHER HILL (HIT BY MY RADIATOR AGAIN) AND CAME TO A STOP. MY AIRBAG…

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I WAS DRIVING ON HWY AND I WENT TO GO AROUND A CURVE AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP I WENT OFF THE ROAD AND CAME TO A STOP LOOKING UP AT THE BRIDGE. WHEN I WENT OFF THE ROAD MY TRUCK HIT A HILL (IT HIT AROUND BY MY RADIATOR) MY TRUCK THEN FLIPPED AND THEN HIT ANOTHER HILL (HIT BY MY RADIATOR AGAIN) AND CAME TO A STOP. MY AIRBAG DIDNT NOT DEPLOY UNTIL MY TRUCK STOP MOVING. AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK ME IN PLACE. I WAS SLUNG AROUND MY FRONT SEAT. I HAD TO TRY TO HOLD MYSELF IN MY SEAT WITH MY LEGS (PUSHING UP ON MY STEERING WHEEL) I HIT MY HEAD ON MY STEERING WHEEL, MY WINDOW AND MY ROOF.I HAVE A CRACKED FEMUR FROM MY STEERING WHEEL. AND 2 COMPRESSED DISKS IN MY BACK.. WHEN I REALIZED MY TRUCK WASNT TURNING INTO THE CURVE I HIT MY BRAKES BUT IT DIDNT DO ANYTHING BC MY TIRES CAME OFF THE GROUND AND WHEN IT STOPPED I WAS ON THE CREEK BANK.

NHTSA ODI #11079522

118,000 miles · Dec 23, 2016
Air BagsInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT'S LEFT ARM, HAND, AND RIB AREA WERE ALL INJURED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE UNIT WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT'S LEFT ARM, HAND, AND RIB AREA WERE ALL INJURED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE UNIT WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #10937197

130,000 miles · Sep 7, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

TIMING CHAIN IS MESSING UP WHICH ITS CLEAR THAT ALL NISSAN PATHFINDERS MADE FROM 2004-2010 HAVE THAT PROBLEM AS WELL AS THE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS NOT WORKING GOING UP OR DOWN WHEN USING AUTOMATIC AS WELL AS PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOING OFF RANDOMLY. OH IF IT HELPS I WORKED AT NISSAN NORTH AMERICA MANUFACTURING AND I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN…

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TIMING CHAIN IS MESSING UP WHICH ITS CLEAR THAT ALL NISSAN PATHFINDERS MADE FROM 2004-2010 HAVE THAT PROBLEM AS WELL AS THE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS NOT WORKING GOING UP OR DOWN WHEN USING AUTOMATIC AS WELL AS PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOING OFF RANDOMLY. OH IF IT HELPS I WORKED AT NISSAN NORTH AMERICA MANUFACTURING AND I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW MANAGERS WOULD SEND DEFECTED PARTS TO THE LINE FOR ASSEMBLY BECAUSE THEY WOULD ALWAYS SAY "QUANTITY OVER QUALITY". ITS A SHAME AND I HOPE THAT THIS WILL HELP PUSH TO HOLD NISSAN RESPONSIBLE TO FIX WHAT THEY ALREADY KNEW WAS BAD.

NHTSA ODI #10904560

80,000 miles · Jul 9, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND DISLOCATED THE CONTACT'S COLLAR BONE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FACE, NECK, AND SHOULDER INJURIES DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT THAT RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND DISLOCATED THE CONTACT'S COLLAR BONE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FACE, NECK, AND SHOULDER INJURIES DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. MA 09/29 UPDATED 11/08/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10732907

65,000 miles · Oct 3, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS SHOWING A FAULT CODE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN RECALL ID: 08V690000, BUT ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, MY VIN IS NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL. SO MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS OTHERS, BUT IT JUST HAPPENS MINE IS NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641170

63,000 miles · Dec 13, 2013
Air Bags

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AGAIN, AND INDICATOR SAYS AIR BAG IS "OFF". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555955

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2013
Air Bags

NOTICED A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT THE LIGHT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS OFF WHEN AN ADULT WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT. I TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE NISSAN DEALER SAID THAT THE FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE. SO THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T REGISTER THAT SOMEONE IS TH…

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NOTICED A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT THE LIGHT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS OFF WHEN AN ADULT WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT. I TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE NISSAN DEALER SAID THAT THE FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE. SO THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T REGISTER THAT SOMEONE IS THERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519357

85,000 miles · Dec 12, 2012
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE FUEL SYSTEM GAUGE DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT FUEL LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. A WARRANTY LETTER WAS RECEIVED FROM NISSAN TO REPAIR THE RADIATOR CRACK ASSEMBLY FAILURE, BUT THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE FUEL SYSTEM GAUGE DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT FUEL LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. A WARRANTY LETTER WAS RECEIVED FROM NISSAN TO REPAIR THE RADIATOR CRACK ASSEMBLY FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY DUE TO THE MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000. UPDATED 3/19/13 *CN UPDATED 3/29/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10488102

Official recalls

3

10V517000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Oct 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.

10V075000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank

Mar 3, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal

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

1

DP12004 · 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.