NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
450 reportsClear category filter148,500 miles · Feb 24, 2015
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVE SHAFT BECAME STIFF AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO EMIT SMOKE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT BURNT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVE SHAFT BECAME STIFF AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO EMIT SMOKE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT BURNT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP12004 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,500.
NHTSA ODI #10690299
120,145 miles · Feb 18, 2015
Power Train
ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2015, MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED TO SHUDDER AT 45-50 MPH. AFTER TAKING IT TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR COOLING FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND WAS CAUSING IT TO FAIL. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NISSAN T…
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ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2015, MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED TO SHUDDER AT 45-50 MPH. AFTER TAKING IT TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR COOLING FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND WAS CAUSING IT TO FAIL. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NISSAN TRANSMISSIONS AND USUALLY OCCURS AFTER HIGH MILEAGE (100,000) AND THE WARRANTY ON THE PATHFINDERS HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO 80,000 TO 100,000 MILES. HOWEVER, MY PATHFINDER CURRENTLY HAS OVER 120,000 MILES ON IT SO NISSAN WILL PROBABLY NOT PAY FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS. IF THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T OCCUR UNTIL AFTER 100,000 MILES, WHY DIDN'T NISSAN EXTEND THE WARRANTY OVER 100,000? THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION AS I AM RIGHT NOW AND HAVE SPENT $5,000+ TO FIX SOMETHING THAT NISSAN KNOWS IS DEFECTIVE ON THEIR SUVS FROM 2005 TO PRESENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10684072
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
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 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
NHTSA ODI #10682422
93,000 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
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.
NHTSA ODI #10682063
90,158 miles · Feb 7, 2015
Power Train
I PURCHASED MY CAR NEW WITH MAY 3-7 MILES ON IT IN 2006. I'VE NEVER HAD A PROBLEMS AS I KEEP IT SERVICED ON TIME AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE CAR STARTED PERFORMING WEIRDLY THIS PAST WEEK. THE NOISE STARTED OUT AS A TICKING SOUND WHEN I WOULD PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND BY THE END OF THE WEEK MY CAR SOUNDED LIKE A MOTORCYCLE W…
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I PURCHASED MY CAR NEW WITH MAY 3-7 MILES ON IT IN 2006. I'VE NEVER HAD A PROBLEMS AS I KEEP IT SERVICED ON TIME AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE CAR STARTED PERFORMING WEIRDLY THIS PAST WEEK. THE NOISE STARTED OUT AS A TICKING SOUND WHEN I WOULD PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND BY THE END OF THE WEEK MY CAR SOUNDED LIKE A MOTORCYCLE WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR! I WOULD EVEN "STUTTER" WHEN I WHAT ON THE INTERSTATE LIKE IT WAS NOT IN GEAR. I GOT TWO SEPARATE DIAGNOSTICS, ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP, ONE AT A NON-DEALERSHIP MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION! *JS
NHTSA ODI #10681909
160,000 miles · Feb 4, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN DRIVEN SLOWLY TO ITS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN DRIVEN SLOWLY TO ITS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FRACTURED DUE TO THE COOLANT FROM THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE RAIDER, THE CONVERTER, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA ODI #10681341
150,000 miles · Jan 22, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
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
NHTSA ODI #10678180
92,853 miles · Dec 22, 2014
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
WHILE IN GEAR, TRAVELING APPROX. 40MPH, VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING WITHOUT WARNING (NO ENGINE LIGHT, NO OVERHEATING) AND HAD TO COAST DURING HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC, WHICH CAUSED SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES TO SUDDENLY SLOW OR STOP. CAR WAS TOWED & CODE EVALUATION WAS PERFORMED. RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A DEFECTI…
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WHILE IN GEAR, TRAVELING APPROX. 40MPH, VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING WITHOUT WARNING (NO ENGINE LIGHT, NO OVERHEATING) AND HAD TO COAST DURING HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC, WHICH CAUSED SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES TO SUDDENLY SLOW OR STOP. CAR WAS TOWED & CODE EVALUATION WAS PERFORMED. RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR WHICH LEAKED COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION FOR $5347.52.
NHTSA ODI #10667974
105,000 miles · Dec 21, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
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
NHTSA ODI #10667499
131,000 miles · Dec 20, 2014
Power Train
VIBRATION TRANSMISSION IS DANGEROUS DRIVING 50 MPH OR MORE IN HIGHWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10667469
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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