IllustrationVEHICLE STARTED MAKING A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA THAT INCREASES WITH RPMS AND WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND SAID TO BE FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. WAS MANUFACTURED WITH PLASTIC PARTS FOR THIS MODEL HAD PRICE QUOTED TO APPROX $3000 TO REPAIR! *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 reportsSAME ISSUE AS ALL OTHERS, DRIVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND WAS HAPPY UNTIL 125TSD MILES NEVER A BIG REPAIR. NOW I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE FAULTY RADIATOR KILLS SILENT THE TRANSMISSION. DID VISIT THE DEALER FOR EVERY SERVICE EVEN AS THE PROBLEM STARTS LITTLE BY LITTLE. FIRST A UNPLEASANT SHIFTING, DEALER RECOMMENDS A TRANSMISSION F…
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SAME ISSUE AS ALL OTHERS, DRIVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND WAS HAPPY UNTIL 125TSD MILES NEVER A BIG REPAIR. NOW I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE FAULTY RADIATOR KILLS SILENT THE TRANSMISSION. DID VISIT THE DEALER FOR EVERY SERVICE EVEN AS THE PROBLEM STARTS LITTLE BY LITTLE. FIRST A UNPLEASANT SHIFTING, DEALER RECOMMENDS A TRANSMISSION FLUSH BEFORE THE OFFICIAL SERVICE INTERVAL, DONE. AFTER WE ARE STILL NOT HAPPY AS WE CAN TELL THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS DIFFERENT AS WE DID KNOW IT FROM BEFORE. SEE THE NISSAN DEALER AGAIN, THEY WRITE THE ORDER WITH THE CUSTOMER COMPLAINT, ?CUSTOMER COMPLAINS ABOUT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS?. WRITTEN STATEMENT OF THE DEALER, TRANSMISSION CHECKED NO ISSUES FOUND. SOME MILES LATER, TOTAL FALL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION SPECIAL THE TCU. GOOD CUSTOMER WILL NOT SEE NOW DEALER AGAIN BUT A LAWYER. *TR
ENGINE COOLANT HOSE RUPTURED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT. FOUND OUT THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR
HAD ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION.BROUGHT TO MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND RUINED TRANSMISSION. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THIS WAS COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE.WENT IN INTERNET AND FOUND ALL KINDS OF INFO ABOUT SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL IF I WAS NOTIFIED FROM NISSAN EARLIER I WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY 2…
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HAD ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION.BROUGHT TO MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND RUINED TRANSMISSION. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THIS WAS COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE.WENT IN INTERNET AND FOUND ALL KINDS OF INFO ABOUT SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL IF I WAS NOTIFIED FROM NISSAN EARLIER I WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY 2500.00.WOULD HAVE BEEN FREE FOR UNDER 80,000 MILES.MY CAR HAS 80,743 MILES.NOT HAPPY WITH NISSAN,WILL NOT EVER BUY ANOTHER. *TR
COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING FAILURE AND SLIPPAGE. WHEN COMING TO ABRUPT STOPS TRANSMISSION "JERKS" AND "BUCKS" ALSO, UPON ACCELERATING, TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND IS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. SAFETY ISSUE WITH PROPER DRIVING CAPABILITY. *TR
RADIATOR DEVELOPED A CRACK WHICH LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION - BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE WERE TOLD, DUE TO A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT IN 2013, WE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEDUCTIBLE OF $2,500 SINCE OUR VEHICLE STARTED PROBLEM AFTER 80,000 AND PAST MARCH 1, 2014. DID NOT REALIZE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL WE TOOK VEHICLE IN, BY THAT TIME M…
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RADIATOR DEVELOPED A CRACK WHICH LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION - BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE WERE TOLD, DUE TO A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT IN 2013, WE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEDUCTIBLE OF $2,500 SINCE OUR VEHICLE STARTED PROBLEM AFTER 80,000 AND PAST MARCH 1, 2014. DID NOT REALIZE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL WE TOOK VEHICLE IN, BY THAT TIME MID APRIL 2014 AND AT 81,990. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
CORROSION IN RADIATOR PARTS ALLOWED COOLANT TO CONTAMINATE TRANSMISSION FLUID RESULTING IN FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION. *TR
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS STAYING ON. TOOK TO DEALER AND SES CODE READ CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM 02 SENSOR DOES NOT REPORT AIRFLOW. $1200 DEALER REPAIR. NOT SURE WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. *TR
TRIED TO SELL THE CAR AND THE BUYER POINTED OUT THAT THE RADIATOR MUST OF CRACKED AND MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. HE DID NOT BUY THE CAR AND NOW I AM BEING TOLD THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM ON THESE CARS AND THEY NEED TO FIX THIS. VERY UPSET AND WILL NEVER …
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TRIED TO SELL THE CAR AND THE BUYER POINTED OUT THAT THE RADIATOR MUST OF CRACKED AND MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. HE DID NOT BUY THE CAR AND NOW I AM BEING TOLD THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM ON THESE CARS AND THEY NEED TO FIX THIS. VERY UPSET AND WILL NEVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN. *TR
CONTAMINATION OF RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A NISSAN RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW 10,000 TO REPAIR AND I PUT THE BILL AND TELL ME TO TAKE HOME AND PARK IT. TRANSMISSION COULD GO OUT ANYTIME. WHY NO RECALL AND WHERE IS JUSTICE HERE. I TRADE CARS WHEN MY FINANCES ALLOW ME TO, NOT WHEN I HAVE TO, SO THIS I…
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CONTAMINATION OF RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A NISSAN RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW 10,000 TO REPAIR AND I PUT THE BILL AND TELL ME TO TAKE HOME AND PARK IT. TRANSMISSION COULD GO OUT ANYTIME. WHY NO RECALL AND WHERE IS JUSTICE HERE. I TRADE CARS WHEN MY FINANCES ALLOW ME TO, NOT WHEN I HAVE TO, SO THIS IS MY COMPLAINT WILL NISSAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE? I KNOW THERE'S MANY MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NISSAN SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED. *JS
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.