IllustrationNISSAN STALLED WHILE AT STOP SIGN AND AGAIN AT GAS STATION. LEFT US STRANDED AGAIN. HAVE HAD THE ECM REPLACED THREE TIMES, FUEL PUMP THREE TIMES, ALL TO FIND THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN RECALLED ECM AND THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES ONCE UNDER RECALL. THE RECALL DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pathfinder years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
210–25K
5525–50K
11950–75K
22575–100K
256100–150K
66150K+
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
Electrical System complaints
34 reportsI WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED SHAKING EXTREMELY AND MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, ALSO THE SUSPENSION SHAKES CONSISTENTLY CAUSING ME TO SWERVE. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE, NOT READING PROPERLY. *JS
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,599.
TRANSMISSION STARTED VIBRATING BADLY AT 55 OR MORE MPH CAUSING US TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IN A VERY UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT IN THE FREEWAY. WE WAITED FOR 3 HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS WHEN CHANGING GEARS. *TR
I WANT TO FILE A COMPLAINT BASED ON MY RECENT EXPERIENCES WITH NISSAN. I OWN A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN DECEMBER OF 2005. A FEW YEARS AGO, NISSAN ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT ON A NUMBER OF THEIR VEHICLES INCLUDING THE 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. HOWEVER, THE CAMPAIGN ONLY REC…
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I WANT TO FILE A COMPLAINT BASED ON MY RECENT EXPERIENCES WITH NISSAN. I OWN A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN DECEMBER OF 2005. A FEW YEARS AGO, NISSAN ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT ON A NUMBER OF THEIR VEHICLES INCLUDING THE 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. HOWEVER, THE CAMPAIGN ONLY RECALLED FUEL SENDING UNITS ON 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDERS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JAN AND MARCH OF 2006. NISSAN THEN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR OTHER 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDERS THAT INCLUDING MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY EXTENSION ONLY LASTED ABOUT A YEAR AFTER IT CAME OUT. DURING THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY TIME, MY NISSAN PATHFINDER'S FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS ACTING UP (THIS IS THE DEVICE THAT TELLS YOUR FUEL GAUGE AND TRIP COMPUTER HOW CLOSE YOU ARE TO EMPTY). HOWEVER THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAULT SO I WAS OUT OF LUCK AS THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD WORK OFF AND ON. OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE FUEL GAUGE HAS CONTINUED TO ACT UP AND READ THE WRONG AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. LAST WEEK, THE ISSUE PERSISTED LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO GET IT TO A DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. HOWEVER, BY THIS TIME, THE WARRANTY HAD LAPSED AND NISSAN HAS BEEN ADAMANT THAT THEY WILL NOT PAY TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT BECAUSE ITS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. MY WIFE AND I BOTH SHARE THE VEHICLE AND TAKE OUR TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I AM BECOMING WARY OF THE VEHICLE'S GAUGE MALFUNCTIONING AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER THE GAUGE COULD READ FULL AND THE CAR RUNS OUT OF GAS ON THE FREEWAY AND WE GET HIT BY A SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER AND COULD BE FATALLY INJURED- THE EXACT REASON WHY NISSAN RECALLED THE SENDING UNITS ON OTHER NISSANS. HOWEVER, NISSAN CORPORATE IS ADAMANT THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WILL NOT CAUSE ANY SAFETY CONCERNS- EVEN THEIR WEBSITE SAYS SO-HTTP://WWW.NISSANASSIST.COM/WEB/FUEL-SENDING-UNIT/INDEX.PHP?MENU=2. *TR
BOTH OF MY VEHICLE FOBS DON'T WORK WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD FOR INSTANCE EARLY MORNING AND WINTER MONTHS. ONCE I USE MY KEY MANUALLY THEY WILL WORK. ALSO IN BELOW FREEZING WEATHER MY DOOR LOCK WILL FREEZE ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE AND I WILL EITHER BE UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR OR WILL GET THE DOOR OPEN AND WON'T BE ABLE TO GET THE D…
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BOTH OF MY VEHICLE FOBS DON'T WORK WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD FOR INSTANCE EARLY MORNING AND WINTER MONTHS. ONCE I USE MY KEY MANUALLY THEY WILL WORK. ALSO IN BELOW FREEZING WEATHER MY DOOR LOCK WILL FREEZE ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE AND I WILL EITHER BE UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR OR WILL GET THE DOOR OPEN AND WON'T BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR TO LATCH SHUT. I CAN SPRAY SOME LOCK DE-ICER AND LUBE IN THE LOCK AND DOOR LATCH IF I CAN GET THE DOOR OPEN BUT IT ONLY SEEMS TO BE A TEMPORARY FIX. *TR
CAR HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE JERKING AND VIBRATION. THE CAR HEATER STOPPED WORKING ONLY BLOWING OUT COLD AIR AND THE CAR BEGAN OVERHEATING. I TOOK IT INTO NISSAN ONLY TO FIND THEY HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION TO ONLY 80,000 MILES, WHICH THE CAR DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES AT THAT TIME. I HAD TO REPLACE THE…
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CAR HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE JERKING AND VIBRATION. THE CAR HEATER STOPPED WORKING ONLY BLOWING OUT COLD AIR AND THE CAR BEGAN OVERHEATING. I TOOK IT INTO NISSAN ONLY TO FIND THEY HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION TO ONLY 80,000 MILES, WHICH THE CAR DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES AT THAT TIME. I HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, AND U-JOINT. BILL TO FIX CAR WAS ALMOST $3000.00 FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD AND UNDER 100,000 MILES. *TR
I, ALONG WITH MY DAUGHTER AND FRIEND WAS TRAVELING BACK FROM FLORIDA, MY NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED TO JERK AND WOULDN'T PULL, WE BY THE GRACE OF GOD MADE IT HOME AND WHEN I GOT HERE I TURNED MY TRUCK OFF. MY HUSBAND ASKED ME TO PULL THE HOOD AND HE CHECK ALL THE FLUIDS IN THE VEHICLE. I SWITCH THE CAR ON AND IT WOULD SAY ANYTH…
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I, ALONG WITH MY DAUGHTER AND FRIEND WAS TRAVELING BACK FROM FLORIDA, MY NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED TO JERK AND WOULDN'T PULL, WE BY THE GRACE OF GOD MADE IT HOME AND WHEN I GOT HERE I TURNED MY TRUCK OFF. MY HUSBAND ASKED ME TO PULL THE HOOD AND HE CHECK ALL THE FLUIDS IN THE VEHICLE. I SWITCH THE CAR ON AND IT WOULD SAY ANYTHING. WE CHECK EVERYTHING AND NOTHING HELP. I DID GOT MY VEHICLE TOWED TO FIVESTAR NISSAN AFTER FINDING OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ECM RELAY,. THEY REPLACE IT AND AFTER THEN FOUND OUT THAT IT STILL DID NOT WORK. THE DEALER CALLED AND STATED THAT IT WAS THE RADIATOR AND THE COOLANT. THEY SAID WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 2 1/2 YEARS AGO AND STILL GOT TO PAY FOR IT. THIS IS NOT GOOD BUSINESS. I NEED HELP. I NEED JUSTICE FOR ALL THE ONES LIKE MYSELF WHO GO TO WORK, MAKE A LIVING, AND EXPECT THAT WHEN I MAKE A PURCHASE THAT PEOPLE WILL STAND BEHIND WHAT IS RIGHT. *TR
Official recalls
310V517000 · 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
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.