IllustrationTRANSMISSION COOLER INSIDE RADIATOR CRACKED AND ALLOWED COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FALIURE....COST TO REPAIR 5,000 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
Power Train complaints
450 reportsTHE CAR HAS A NOTICEABLE SHAKE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. *TR
LEAKING COOLANT CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT BE DUE T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT BE DUE TO THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
ON 08/15/14, I WAS PUMPING GAS AND AS I WAS LEAVING I NOTICED THAT THE PATHFINDER'S TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE AND SHIFT HARD. AS I DROVE HOME, I NOTICED THAT IT DID THE SAME THING AFTER EVERY STOP. IT WOULDN'T RUN AS IT USUALLY DID. THEN I NOTICED THAT THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. MY BOYFRIEND THEN WENT TO AAMCO TR…
Read full complaint
ON 08/15/14, I WAS PUMPING GAS AND AS I WAS LEAVING I NOTICED THAT THE PATHFINDER'S TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE AND SHIFT HARD. AS I DROVE HOME, I NOTICED THAT IT DID THE SAME THING AFTER EVERY STOP. IT WOULDN'T RUN AS IT USUALLY DID. THEN I NOTICED THAT THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. MY BOYFRIEND THEN WENT TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION TOTAL CAR CARE BUT WAS TOLD TO GO AT 9:30 A.M. THE FOLLOWING DAY. WE TOOK IT THE NEXT DAY, WHICH WAS 08/16/14 AND WE RECEIVED A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MULTI-POINT CHECK REVEALED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL WAS OKAY AND THE CONDITION WAS CONTAMINATED. THERE IS COOLANT CONTAMINATION IN THE TRANSMISSION. A COMPUTER SCAN REVEALED THE FOLLOWING CODES: P1710 TRANS OIL TEMP, P1764 DIRECT CLUTCH SOLENOID VALVE CIRCUIT FAULT, P1731 FIRST GEAR ENGINE BREAKING LOGIC ERROR. THE MANAGER THEN TOLD ME THAT THE 2005-2007 NISSAN PATHFINDERS HAD THIS DEFECT. WHEN MY MOTHER CALLED NISSAN AT THE 1-800 NUMBER, SHE WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE PATHFINDER IS PAID OFF, AS OF THIS YEAR, ONLY TO HAVE IT SIT IN THE GARAGE UNTIL I GET IT FIXED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE WERE NEVER INFORMED OF ANY OF THE 5 RECALLS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND CAME TO A STOP LIGHT. ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I EASED OFF THE BRAKES AND PUSH THE GAS. IT JERKED AND IT MOVED VERY SLOWLY MAKING A LOUD NOISE. I STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE MECHANIC CALLED ME YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AND TOLD ME THE TRANSMI…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND CAME TO A STOP LIGHT. ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I EASED OFF THE BRAKES AND PUSH THE GAS. IT JERKED AND IT MOVED VERY SLOWLY MAKING A LOUD NOISE. I STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE MECHANIC CALLED ME YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AND TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. NOW I'M LOOKING TO HAVE TO PAY $3000 FOR A TRANSMISSION. *TR
COOLANT LEAK INTO TRANSMISSION RENDERING VEHICLE USELESS. OUT OF POCKET COST WAS 2500.00 BASED OFF OF CLASS ACTION SUIT. NISSAN PICKED UP REST. FOUND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF SIMILIAR COMPLAINTS IN THIS REGARD. *TR
TRANSMISSION STARTED VIBRATING BADLY AT 55 OR MORE MPH CAUSING US TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IN A VERY UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT IN THE FREEWAY. WE WAITED FOR 3 HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK. *TR
FROM DEAD STOP AT STOP SIGN, PUSHED ON GAS WITH RESULTANT "GRIND" OF TRANSMISSION. HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 2 WEEKS. TOOK INTO DEALER. TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO CRACKED RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION. KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN NISSAN MODELS. NISSAN ONLY DID AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT TAPERED OF…
Read full complaint
FROM DEAD STOP AT STOP SIGN, PUSHED ON GAS WITH RESULTANT "GRIND" OF TRANSMISSION. HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 2 WEEKS. TOOK INTO DEALER. TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO CRACKED RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION. KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN NISSAN MODELS. NISSAN ONLY DID AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT TAPERED OFF EVERY YEAR/10,000 MILES. AFTER 100,000 MILES NO HELP. THIS WAS NOT A RESULT OF WORN OUT TRANSMISSION, THIS WAS A RESULT OF ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY NISSAN 100%. *TR
A LIGHT TURNED GREEN, AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, MY TRUCK WOULD NOT GET INTO THE NEXT GEAR. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AS OTHER DRIVERS HAD TO GO AROUND ME. I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION EXPERT THE NEXT DAY, AND A DIAGNOSIS INFORMED ME OF CONTAMINATED TRANSMISSION FLUID BY WAY OF A FAULTY TRA…
Read full complaint
A LIGHT TURNED GREEN, AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, MY TRUCK WOULD NOT GET INTO THE NEXT GEAR. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AS OTHER DRIVERS HAD TO GO AROUND ME. I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION EXPERT THE NEXT DAY, AND A DIAGNOSIS INFORMED ME OF CONTAMINATED TRANSMISSION FLUID BY WAY OF A FAULTY TRANSMISSION FLUID LINE COMING FROM THE RADIATOR. MY RESEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM LED ME TO THE FACT THAT NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS FLAW AND IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FAULTY DESIGN AND MY FEAR IS THAT THIS HAPPENED SO SUDDENLY THAT IT WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE DEATH. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE THOUSANDS I MUST PAY IN REPAIR (NEW TRANSMISSION), BUT FOR THE SAFETY OF OWNERS, AND FOR THE SAFETY OF THOSE ON THE ROADS WITH US. NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY AND LET THEIR CUSTOMERS KNOW THAT THEY ARE IN DANGER UNLESS THIS IS CORRECTED! CONTACT CUSTOMERS NISSAN AND LET THEM KNOW! *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.