IllustrationRADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION, CAUSE A REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR.
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
Engine complaints
147 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE RADIATOR FLUID ACID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE RADIATOR FLUID ACID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
THE TIMING CHAIN IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN USA. MY TIMING CHAIN HAS TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST DUE TO ITS FAULTY DESIGN. ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING, LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED. THIS ITEM NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY NISSAN AS THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE JUST AFTER WARRANTY EXP…
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THE TIMING CHAIN IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN USA. MY TIMING CHAIN HAS TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST DUE TO ITS FAULTY DESIGN. ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING, LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED. THIS ITEM NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY NISSAN AS THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE JUST AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRES.
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.
VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BADLY WHILE DRIVING AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC TO FIX ISSUE, WE FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD TURNED PINK. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT AT FLUID AND COOLANT HAD MIXED TOGETHER. WE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR REPLACED.
I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 91,450 MILES. I NOTICE A SLIGHT SLIP IN THE TRANSMISSION ON THE WAY TO WORK. I WORK AT A AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND FOUND NOTHING. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER, IT REALLY STARTED TO SLIP TO THE POINT I HAD TO PULL OVER, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY. WHE…
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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 91,450 MILES. I NOTICE A SLIGHT SLIP IN THE TRANSMISSION ON THE WAY TO WORK. I WORK AT A AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND FOUND NOTHING. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER, IT REALLY STARTED TO SLIP TO THE POINT I HAD TO PULL OVER, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY. WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT IN TO THE SHOP AGAIN IT DID NOTHING. I CALLED THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER IN STROUDSBURG PA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A "SILENT RECALL" AND TO CHECK THE FLUID IF IT WAS A MILKY COLOR, PRETTY MUCH I WAS GOING TO BE WITHOUT A CAR. I ALWAYS TOOK CARE OF MY CAR AND FOR THIS TO HAPPEN WAS A REAL BLOW. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME PRETTY MUCH THE REPAIR EXCEEDS THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. I DID CHECK THE VALUE OF MY CAR WAS APPROXIMATELY $6-7000 FOR THE SHAPE THAT IT WAS IN. THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO LOSE ON A VEHICLE. ALSO, THE HAZARD OF NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, I HAD TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY UNTIL I COULD GET IT TO SHIFT AND THIS KEPT REPEATING IT SELF OVER AND OVER. NISSAN HAD A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT, WHICH WHEN I CALLED NISSAN DIRECTLY THEY SAID IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN NUMBER. I BELIEVE NISSAN KNEW THIS WAS A DEFECT AND ONLY IF YOU COMPLAINED ABOUT IT DID YOU GET ATTENTION FROM THE COMPANY. I HAD AN ADDRESS CHANGE SO I DO NOT KNOW IF I RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ON THIS TYPE OF ISSUE. I WAS THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND BELIEVED THAT NISSAN SHOULD MAKE GOOD FOR THE REPAIRS IT WILL COST.
TAKATA RECALL- BLOWN TRANSMISSION DUE TO RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN BLOWN TCM AND TRANSMISSION. COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN PROBLEM HAPPENED. NO WARNING SIGNS GIVEN FROM VEHICLE.
RADIATOR CRACKED LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION THAT IS IMPACTING THE ABILITY FOR TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. NOW, WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR RANDOMLY STALLS AND LOSES ALL POWER. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, IT HAS BECOME NECESSARY TO RESTART THE CAR WHILE ROLLING IN NEUTRAL TO AVOID HAVING TO SWITCH LANES IN…
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RADIATOR CRACKED LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION THAT IS IMPACTING THE ABILITY FOR TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. NOW, WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR RANDOMLY STALLS AND LOSES ALL POWER. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, IT HAS BECOME NECESSARY TO RESTART THE CAR WHILE ROLLING IN NEUTRAL TO AVOID HAVING TO SWITCH LANES INTO FASTER MOVING CARS. I'VE BEEN INFORMED BY NISSAN THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM AND AN $8000 REPAIR TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, AND FLUSH EVERYTHING OUT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC FOR MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COOLANT WAS ABNORMAL. AS A RESULT, IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT HAD MIXED. THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC FOR MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COOLANT WAS ABNORMAL. AS A RESULT, IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT HAD MIXED. THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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.