IllustrationNISSAN PATHFINDER GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE PROBLEM IS PERVASIVE AND THE DEALERS ARE CHARGING APPROX $500 FOR REPAIRS. NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT. RUNNING OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND AN INJURY OR FATALITY WILL RESULT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY. *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
Fuel System, Other complaints
29 reports2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS--ENGINE SERVICE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ ACCURATE LEVEL OF FUEL AND HAS NOT WORKED SINCE THE INITIAL INCIDENT 3 DAYS AGO. *TR
THE FUEL SENSOR ON PATHFINDERS DOES NOT WORK AND DOES NOT READ THE FUEL LEVEL AFTER FILL UP AND CAUSES THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO COME ON. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND ISSUE FOR MANY NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS. WE BOUGHT OUR CAR BRAND NEW 2 YEARS AGO AND DON'T THINK WE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $600 TO FIX THIS, THERE SHOULD BE …
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THE FUEL SENSOR ON PATHFINDERS DOES NOT WORK AND DOES NOT READ THE FUEL LEVEL AFTER FILL UP AND CAUSES THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO COME ON. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND ISSUE FOR MANY NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS. WE BOUGHT OUR CAR BRAND NEW 2 YEARS AGO AND DON'T THINK WE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $600 TO FIX THIS, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND IMMEDIATE FIX BY NISSAN!!! *TR
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS, MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS APPEARED AND MY FUEL GAGE WAS EITHER STUCK OR NOT WORRY CORRECTLY DURING THIS PERIOD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE CODE READ AND THE RESPONSE WAS "FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT". UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VER…
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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS, MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS APPEARED AND MY FUEL GAGE WAS EITHER STUCK OR NOT WORRY CORRECTLY DURING THIS PERIOD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE CODE READ AND THE RESPONSE WAS "FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT". UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON NISSAN CONSUMERS ARE EXPERIENCING AND THERE'S AN ACTUAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ITEM (NTB07-069A). AGAIN, BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I SEE ON THIS ITEM, IT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND AS A 'RECALL ITEM'. *TR THANK YOU, TERRANCE BAKER
2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER, GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK, STAYS ON EMPTY, APPARENT MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. *TR
WE HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH A FUEL GAUGE THAT DOES NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS ABOUT 50K MILES ON IT AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO FILL IT UP WITH GAS AND WHEN WE TURNED IT ON IT READ "EMPTY". AFTER A FEW MILES THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED THAT WAY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP…
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WE HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH A FUEL GAUGE THAT DOES NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS ABOUT 50K MILES ON IT AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO FILL IT UP WITH GAS AND WHEN WE TURNED IT ON IT READ "EMPTY". AFTER A FEW MILES THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED THAT WAY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY AROUND $525.00 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE PART. THEY TOLD ME THAT AS LONG AS I COULD FIGURE OUT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD GAS I WOULD BE FINE AS LONG AS IT DIDN'T RUN OUT. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS HAZARD FOR THE PUBLIC BECAUSE IF I WERE TO BE ON THE FREEWAY AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE DID RUN OUT OF GAS AND DIDN'T INDICATE IT. WELL, YOU CAN BE SURE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE HALT AND SO WOULD THE PILE UP BEHIND ME. NOT GOOD! I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND APPARENTLY IT IS TOO COMMON AND DESERVES A RECALL. EVERYONE IS PAYING THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS AND THEY ARE MAKING AN ENORMOUS PROFIT AFTER KNOWING THAT THEY MADE THESE VEHICLES WITH FAULTY PRODUCTS AND OBVIOUSLY WHILE THE MONEY IS POURING IN THEY DON'T CARE. SOMEONE UP THE HILL HAS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! RECALL NEEDED PLEASE! *TR
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT POPPED ON. READ OWNERS MANUAL. ADVISED TO OPEN AND RE-CLOSE GAS CAP. DID THAT. LIGHT DID NOT GO OUT. DECEMBER 10, GAS GAUGE INDICATED EMPTY. DTE LIGHT APPEARED ------. FILLED UP. GAS GAUGE DIDN'T MOVE. THEN, DECEMBER 12, 2008 GAS GAUGE SUDDENLY ROSE TO A LITTLE OVER HALF TANK. DTE ODOMETER DISPLAY SHOWS…
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SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT POPPED ON. READ OWNERS MANUAL. ADVISED TO OPEN AND RE-CLOSE GAS CAP. DID THAT. LIGHT DID NOT GO OUT. DECEMBER 10, GAS GAUGE INDICATED EMPTY. DTE LIGHT APPEARED ------. FILLED UP. GAS GAUGE DIDN'T MOVE. THEN, DECEMBER 12, 2008 GAS GAUGE SUDDENLY ROSE TO A LITTLE OVER HALF TANK. DTE ODOMETER DISPLAY SHOWS 78 MILES TO EMPTY WITH OVER HALF TANK. LOOKED UP PROBLEM ONLINE. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM IN PATHFINDERS AND X-TERRAS. NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY 2006 PATHFINDER HAS 71K ON IT. NISSAN SAYS $600 TO REPAIR. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A PRODUCT/MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AND FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN FULL. DTE READS-----. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR NEEDLE REMAINS ON THE EMPTY SYMBOL, EVEN WHEN FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR NEEDLE REMAINS ON THE EMPTY SYMBOL, EVEN WHEN FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TWO WEEKS LATER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS A SHORT IN THE CLUSTER AND THE PART HAD TO BE ORDERED FROM PUERTO RICO. THE PART ARRIVED A WEEK AND A HALF LATER AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUSTER. ONE WEEK LATER, THE ODOMETER BEGAN TO DISPLAY THE INCORRECT MILEAGE. THE ODOMETER WAS LATER REPAIRED. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE AS SOON AS IT WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS THE TENSION BELT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BELT, BUT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE. THE BELT WAS REPLACED AGAIN, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNSURE IF THE REPLACEMENT PART WOULD BE DEFECTIVE AS WELL. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, SPEED, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,566 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 693.
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.