NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
185 reportsClear category filter83,000 miles · Aug 7, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. NISSAN MUST HAVE KNOWN THERE WAS AN ISSUE TO EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FROM 60,000 TO 80,000. THE PATHFINDER WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR A FEW MONTHS BECAUSE SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT AND FINALLY FOUND OUT THE ISSUE WAS COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AT 83,000 MILES…
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THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. NISSAN MUST HAVE KNOWN THERE WAS AN ISSUE TO EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FROM 60,000 TO 80,000. THE PATHFINDER WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR A FEW MONTHS BECAUSE SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT AND FINALLY FOUND OUT THE ISSUE WAS COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AT 83,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534093
42,000 miles · Jul 30, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THAT MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED REPLACED AFTER SUCH LOW MILEAGE. DEALER SAID IT WAS A DESIGN DEFECT AND IT WOULD BE COVERED BY NISSAN WHO EXTENDED THE WARRANTIES ON VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. WHAT DISTURBS ME IS THAT I WAS TOLD I COULD HAVE HAD A CATASTROPHIC …
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I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THAT MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED REPLACED AFTER SUCH LOW MILEAGE. DEALER SAID IT WAS A DESIGN DEFECT AND IT WOULD BE COVERED BY NISSAN WHO EXTENDED THE WARRANTIES ON VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. WHAT DISTURBS ME IS THAT I WAS TOLD I COULD HAVE HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN MY PATHFINDER. I LITERALLY COULD HAVE PULLED OUT ONTO A HIGHWAY AND MY TRANSMISSION MIGHT HAVE FAILED. WITH 3 SMALL CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THE BACKSEAT, THIS MIGHT HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. HOW CAN THIS ADMITTED DEFECT NOT RESULT IN A RECALL SO ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES COULD BE INSPECTED FOR SAFETY??? AND MY "NEW" REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION HAS A VERY LIMITED WARRANTY NOW , NOT THE 60,000. ON MY ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION SO I'M AFRAID OF FUTURE REPAIR COSTS. SO UNFAIR!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10532751
84,000 miles · Jul 18, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY NISSAN PAHTFINDER 2006 SUDDEN JERKING WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING. DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH ALLOWS, COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525595
126,000 miles · Jul 15, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO THE ON GOING PROBLEM WITH NISSAN. COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION AND RUINING THEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525031
108,110 miles · Jul 13, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WE PURCHASED OUR PATHFINDER FROM A DEALERSHIP JUNE 1, 2012. ON JULY 2, 2013 WE WERE DRIVING BACK HOME AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE IMMEDIATELY WHEN WE GOT HOME, WE FOUND THAT MANY, MANY OTHERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND THAT IT IS CAUSED BY FAULTY DESIGN OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THE RADIATOR…
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WE PURCHASED OUR PATHFINDER FROM A DEALERSHIP JUNE 1, 2012. ON JULY 2, 2013 WE WERE DRIVING BACK HOME AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE IMMEDIATELY WHEN WE GOT HOME, WE FOUND THAT MANY, MANY OTHERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND THAT IT IS CAUSED BY FAULTY DESIGN OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THE RADIATOR CRACKS AND LEAKS DIRECTLY INTO THE TRANSMISSION SO THERE IS NO WARNING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE. THE NEXT MORNING I IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT TO OUR NEAREST NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THEY INFORMED ME AFTER MY DESCRIPTION OF WHAT WAS GOING ON THAT INDEED, THAT IS PROBABLY WHAT WAS WRONG BUT THEY COULDN'T GET ME IN TO CHECK IT OUT FOR ANOTHER 6 DAYS (AND IT WOULD BE $109) TO DIAGNOSE. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT NISSAN HAS ISSUED A CONDITIONAL WARRANTY OF THEM. UP TO 80,000 MILES, THEY COVER ANY EXPENSE PAST $2,500. UP TO 90,00 MILES, THEY COVER ANY EXPENSE PAST $3,000. UP TO 100,00 THEY COVER ANY EXPENSE PAST $3,500. THERE IS NO COVERAGE PAST 100,000 MILES AND THE AVERAGE COST TO REPAIR IS $7000.00. OUR TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 108,000 MILES. NOW WE ARE STUCK PAYING OUT OF POCKET FOR A FLAWED DESIGN THAT NISSAN ACKNOWLEDGES IS THEIR FAULT. HOW IS THERE NOT A MANDATORY RECALL ON THESE MODELS AND NISSAN NOT REQUIRED TO REPLACE THESE ISSUES IN FULL ON THEIR DIME.. FOR THEIR MISTAKE? THE CONDITIONAL WARRANTY OFFERED IS A JOKE AND I AM INFURIATED THAT NISSAN IS NOT COVERING OUR FLAWED VEHICLE ALSO. THIS FAILURE IS IN NO WISE DUE TO ANY NEGLECT OR MISUSE OF THE OWNER/OPERATOR'S PART. WHERE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PRODUCT? WHY MUST WE CONTINUE TO PROMOTE A MINDSET OF NEGLECTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT WE PRODUCE? WHERE IS THE QUALITY? WHERE IS THE FOLLOW-THROUGH? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524701
120,000 miles · Jul 11, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING IN TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524351
103,000 miles · Jul 6, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY TRANSMISSION FAILED BECAUSE THE COOLING LINES THAT RUN THROUGH THE RADIATOR CRACKED ALLOWING THE COOLANTS TO MIX. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523478
110,000 miles · Jul 3, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR FAILED ALLOWING COOLANT TO CONTAMINATE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL AS WELL. I REALLY LIKE THIS VEHICLE AND I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD PAY TO FIX ALL OF THESE AFFECTED SINCE IT IS A KNOWN EQUIPMENT FAILURE AND HAS HAPPENED AT SUCH A WIDE RANGE OF MILEAGE. I HAD THIS ONE CHECKED AT 60,000 MILES AND HAD NO PROBLEM WITH NEITH…
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RADIATOR FAILED ALLOWING COOLANT TO CONTAMINATE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL AS WELL. I REALLY LIKE THIS VEHICLE AND I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD PAY TO FIX ALL OF THESE AFFECTED SINCE IT IS A KNOWN EQUIPMENT FAILURE AND HAS HAPPENED AT SUCH A WIDE RANGE OF MILEAGE. I HAD THIS ONE CHECKED AT 60,000 MILES AND HAD NO PROBLEM WITH NEITHER PART AND I HAVE BEEN WATCHING IT REGULARLY BUT DIDN'T CATCH IT IN TIME WHEN IT FINALLY WENT. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR THE LAST 20+ YEARS AND ONCE A TRANSMISSION IS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT THERE IS ONLY ON FIX AND THAT IS TO REPLACE OR REBUILD.....NOT JUST A FLUSH AND SEND ON YOUR WAY! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523088
112,000 miles · Jul 2, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
DRIVING AT A SUBSTANTIAL SPEED OF 40MPH CAR JUST STOPPED EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WENT ALL OF A SUDDEN. WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. HAD TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER IN TURNERSVILLE NJ. THEY STATED THAT IT WAS 12,000 OF EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS ISSUED A YEAR OR SO AGO. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A CL…
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DRIVING AT A SUBSTANTIAL SPEED OF 40MPH CAR JUST STOPPED EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WENT ALL OF A SUDDEN. WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. HAD TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER IN TURNERSVILLE NJ. THEY STATED THAT IT WAS 12,000 OF EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS ISSUED A YEAR OR SO AGO. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT AND THAT THIS PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR ALL OF A SUDDEN AS I WAS DRIVING. APPARENTLY A FAULTY RADIATOR CAUSED FLUID TO GO INTO TRANSMISSION AND DESTROY IT MAKING CAR JUST STOP RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. THE REGIONAL OFFICE TOLD ME I DID NOT GET A NOTICE BECAUSE I WAS THE SECOND OWNER. I WAS WILLING TO PAY A $3,000.00 COPAY BUT THEY WOULD NOT EVEN APPROVE THAT. NOW THEY WANT 5,900 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THE CAR IS ONLY WORTH 8 OR 9 THOUSAND. I AM 67 YEARS OLD AND DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. I AM IN A HOPELESS SITUATION. PLEASE ASSIST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522892
114,000 miles · Jun 28, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
COOLANT LEAKED IN TO TRANSMISSION CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522317
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
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.
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.
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