NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
450 reportsClear category filter86,000 miles · Jun 27, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY RADIATOR IS EVIDENTLY CRACKED, LEAKING COOLANT INTO MY TRANSMISSION, CAUSING FAILURE TO SHIFT. MY VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER. AT ONE POINT, I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION FROM A STAND-STILL AS THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME AS MY VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING, LIKE…
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MY RADIATOR IS EVIDENTLY CRACKED, LEAKING COOLANT INTO MY TRANSMISSION, CAUSING FAILURE TO SHIFT. MY VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER. AT ONE POINT, I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION FROM A STAND-STILL AS THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME AS MY VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING, LIKE BEING STUCK IN NEUTRAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10606577
77,000 miles · Jun 26, 2014
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS FROM REPUTABLE MECHANIC SHOP THAT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STARTED AT $77K MILES. NISSAN DOES NOT CARE. THE COURT ORDERED SETTLEMENT (CLASS ACTION SUIT) LETS THEM OFF THE HOOK AFTER $80K MILES. $2,500 COPAY TO FIX A PROBLEM CAUSED BY RADIATOR LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. TERRIBLE CUSTOM…
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TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS FROM REPUTABLE MECHANIC SHOP THAT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STARTED AT $77K MILES. NISSAN DOES NOT CARE. THE COURT ORDERED SETTLEMENT (CLASS ACTION SUIT) LETS THEM OFF THE HOOK AFTER $80K MILES. $2,500 COPAY TO FIX A PROBLEM CAUSED BY RADIATOR LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP (WHY I NEVER WENT TO THEM FOR REPAIRS). THEY TRY TO CHARGE FOR STUFF UNDER WARRANTY (MY FUEL GAUGE ISSUE A FEW YEARS BACK). I THOUGHT NISSAN NA WOULD HELP BUT I WAS WRONG. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10606197
146,000 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
FLUID FROM RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION, COMPLETELY BURNED OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605798
87,000 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE AND NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION WAS STARTING TO MAKE A RUMBLE STRIP NOISE AROUND 45 MPH. DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT NISSAN HAD A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR WHICH CAUSED ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH COOLANT LINE. KNOWING THAT THE RADIATORS WERE DEFECTIVE WHY WASN'T NISSAN ORDE…
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HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE AND NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION WAS STARTING TO MAKE A RUMBLE STRIP NOISE AROUND 45 MPH. DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT NISSAN HAD A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR WHICH CAUSED ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH COOLANT LINE. KNOWING THAT THE RADIATORS WERE DEFECTIVE WHY WASN'T NISSAN ORDERED TO RECALL THEM. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF YOU ARE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND YOUR TRANSMISSION FAILS!!! I NOW HAVE TO PAY $2500 TO PAY FOR A KNOWN DEFECT TO HAVE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION REPLACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605480
87,000 miles · Jun 23, 2014
EnginePower Train
PATHFINDER EXPERIENCED COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND FLUIDS SPILLED OUT FROM UNDERNEATH. PEOPLE BEHIND US HAD TO SWERVE AROUND US TO AVOID HITTING US. SOME GOOD SAMARITANS HELPED MY HUSBAND PUSH THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE COULD NO LONGER …
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PATHFINDER EXPERIENCED COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND FLUIDS SPILLED OUT FROM UNDERNEATH. PEOPLE BEHIND US HAD TO SWERVE AROUND US TO AVOID HITTING US. SOME GOOD SAMARITANS HELPED MY HUSBAND PUSH THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE COULD NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR. EARLIER IN THE DAY THE CAR WAS HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING AND WOULD JERK. WE MANAGED TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY BEFORE IT STALLED COMPLETELY. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MOSSY NISSAN AND WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THE MANUFACTURER RADIATOR THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WAS BADLY DESIGNED. THE RADIATORS CRACK CAUSING CROSS CONTAMINATION OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH THEN RESULTS IN COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR CAR. HE TOLD US THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, ACTUALLY, AND THE SETTLEMENT TERMS WERE THAT IF YOUR CAR WAS UNDER 80,000 MILES NISSAN WOULD COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS. OUR CAR HAD 87,000 MILES AND SO WE HAD TO PAY $2500. OVER 90,000 MILES AND YOU HAVE TO PAY $3000. OVER 100,000 MILES AND YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK. WE WERE TOLD THE REPAIR RUNS ABOUT $7,000 OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ISSUE, NOT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUE, BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVING ON THE ROAD WHEN YOUR CAR STALLS AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILS. THE CAR HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED BUT I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN A NISSAN. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DESIGN FLAW AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM THE LAWSUIT BENEFITED NO ONE BUT NISSAN. YOU COULDN'T HAVE YOUR RADIATOR REPLACED UNDER THE WARRANTY IF IT WASN'T MALFUNCTIONING YET. YOUR CAR NEEDED TO BREAK DOWN BEFORE THE WARRANTY COULD KICK IN, AND AT THAT POINT YOU WERE ALREADY OUTSIDE THE 100% COVERAGE WINDOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605355
89,000 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
VEHICLE 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
NHTSA ODI #10605104
106,000 miles · Jun 21, 2014
EnginePower Train
RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION, KILLING TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604937
125,000 miles · Jun 11, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
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 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
NHTSA ODI #10597747
114,000 miles · Jun 11, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
NHTSA ODI #10597557
124,000 miles · Jun 10, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LICENSED MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LICENSED MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR AND WATER LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 10V517000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
NHTSA ODI #10597470
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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