IllustrationFLUID CROSS CONTAMINATION FROM RADIATOR TO TRANSMISSION CAUSING HESITATION DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. PER NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT,UNLESS TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR ARE REPLACED THIS IS UNFIXBLE AND CAR WILL SOON DIE. REPAIRS ESTIMATE IS 6,000 DOLLARS. *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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
185 reportsTHE CAR IS NOT HEATING UP. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RADIATOR FLUID IS MIXING TOGETHER MAKING A PINK COLOR.. WE HAVE HAD IT ONLY FOR LESS THAN A YEAR. WE HAVE LOAN ON THE CAR. I KEEP SEEING ONLINE THAT EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. MORE PROBLEMS KEEP HAPPENING. I LOOKED UP THE VIN NUMBER AND IT'S SAYING OUR CAR MAKE I…
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THE CAR IS NOT HEATING UP. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RADIATOR FLUID IS MIXING TOGETHER MAKING A PINK COLOR.. WE HAVE HAD IT ONLY FOR LESS THAN A YEAR. WE HAVE LOAN ON THE CAR. I KEEP SEEING ONLINE THAT EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. MORE PROBLEMS KEEP HAPPENING. I LOOKED UP THE VIN NUMBER AND IT'S SAYING OUR CAR MAKE IS RECALLED FOR THE AIR BAG? IS THERE ANYWAY YOU CAN HELP US OR COULD WE JUST TRADE TO GET A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. I WOULD MUCH APPRECIATE SOMEONE TO HELP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR LEAKS COOLANT ONTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR LEAKS COOLANT ONTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
MY NISSAN PATHFINDER WAS NOT HEATING/ DEFROSTING...ALSO, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE NOISE WHEN THE TRUCK WAS SHIFTING GEARS. I BROUGHT IT INTO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $4400. *TR
RADIATOR FAILED AND CROSS CONTAMINATED TRANSMISSION WITH ANTI-FREEZE AND TRANSFLUID. REPLACED RADIATOR AND FLUSHED TRANSMISSION IN SEPT 2014 AND THREE MONTHS LATER DEC18, 2014 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. REPAIR CENTER SAID IT WILL COST $4500-$5000 FOR REPAIR OF TRANSMISSION. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO RADIATOR COOLANT MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION OIL: READING OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT 2005-2010 PATHFINDER ON CARCOMPALINTS.COM, I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS A $90 SOLUTION TO BYPASS THE ORIGINAL SETUP AND HAVE A SEPARATE RADIATOR FOR TRANSMISSION, WHY COULDN'T NISSAN DO IT OR ATLEAST INFORM ALL OW…
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TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO RADIATOR COOLANT MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION OIL: READING OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT 2005-2010 PATHFINDER ON CARCOMPALINTS.COM, I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS A $90 SOLUTION TO BYPASS THE ORIGINAL SETUP AND HAVE A SEPARATE RADIATOR FOR TRANSMISSION, WHY COULDN'T NISSAN DO IT OR ATLEAST INFORM ALL OWNERS ABOUT IT SO WE COULD HAVE AVOIDED SPENDING 4-5K ON REPAIRING SOMETHING THAT IS MANUFACTURING DESIGN DEFECT. I AM IN NO WAY CLAIMING TO BE A MECHANIC, BUT I AM ASSUMING OTHER VEHICLES ALSO HAVE A SIMILAR SETUP, EVEN OTHER NISSAN MODELS. HOW COME THIS IS THE PROBLEM ONLY FOR PATHFINDERS? THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL INSTEAD OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, BUT I GUESS OUR GOVERNMENT IS TOO BUSY LOOKING OUT FOR SPECIAL INTEREST LOBBYISTS. I AM DISGUSTED IN NISSAN'S CONDUCT AND ALSO THE CONDUCT OF NHTSA & CAS WHO DID NOT DO ANYTHING WHEN THERE WAS CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT TO PROVE THESE WERE NOT ISOLATED ISSUE WITH A FEW VEHICLES, BUT A DESIGN FLAW. AS IS EVIDENT FROM MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM, THIS PROBLEM MOSTLY OCCURS AROUND 95K+ MILE MARK AND BY THAT TIME THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFERED BY NISSAN AS PART OF THEIR CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS OVER. THE SETTLEMENT IS AN ADMISSION OF FAULT ON NISSAN'S PART AND NHTSA/CAS SHOULD FORCE NISSAN TO ISSUE A RECALL OR HAVE THEM PAY FOR THE FULL REPAIR OF ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES AND HAVE THEM PROVIDE A REMEDY SUCH AS SEPARATE COOLING SYSTEM FOR TRANSMISSION FOR VEHICLES WHICH HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM YET. *TR
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH CURRENT MILEAGE OF 106,000. I JUST LEARNED TODAY THAT I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FOR $6000. DUE TO THIS KNOWN PRODUCT DEFECT. I AM INFURIATED AS I READ THROUGH ALL THE POST BY PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO HAVE BEEN TOLD NISSAN WILL DO NOTHING SINCE THE VEHICLE …
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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH CURRENT MILEAGE OF 106,000. I JUST LEARNED TODAY THAT I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FOR $6000. DUE TO THIS KNOWN PRODUCT DEFECT. I AM INFURIATED AS I READ THROUGH ALL THE POST BY PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO HAVE BEEN TOLD NISSAN WILL DO NOTHING SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OVER 100,000 MILES, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM DOES NOT SHOW UP ON AVERAGE UNTIL 95,000 MILES OR MORE. IT WOULD APPEAR NISSAN WHO JUST REPORTED BILLIONS FOR THEIR EARNINGS COULD HAVE DONE THE PROPER PRODUCT RECALL OF ALL UNITS MANUFACTURED/EFFECTED REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE AND FIXED THE ISSUE! *TR
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ALL OF SUDDEN AS I WAS DRIVING ON BUSY HIGHWAY. WAS UNABLE TO GET SPEED, COOLANT IS GONE AS WELL. *TR
TRANSMISSION COOLER INSIDE RADIATOR CRACKED AND ALLOWED COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FALIURE....COST TO REPAIR 5,000 DOLLARS. *TR
LEAKING COOLANT CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *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.