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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 →
837Owner complaints

Model-year median: 97

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
110
200367
20041,050
2005837
2006561
2007328
200837
2009
Compare all Pathfinder years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
450Engine And Engine Cooling
185Engine
147Fuel System, Gasoline
135Fuel/propulsion System
71
All reported categories
Unknown Or Other
43Steering
41Electrical System
34Fuel System, Other
29Vehicle Speed Control
16Air Bags
14Suspension
9Service Brakes
6Structure
6Equipment
5Seat Belts
5Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Tires
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility
2Wheels
2Seats
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Traction Control System
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Service Brakes complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
113,200 miles · Aug 31, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingService BrakesSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES FAILED, AND THE SLIP, ENGINE, AND EDC INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED WITHOUT HESITATION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES FAILED, AND THE SLIP, ENGINE, AND EDC INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED WITHOUT HESITATION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,200. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE CAM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, UPDATED 10/31/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10902937

130,500 miles · Feb 7, 2015
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

ON FEBRUARY 6, 2015HAVING JUST STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, MY 2006 PATHFINDER ACCELERATED SPONTANEOUSLY. I APPLIED MORE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN AN EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM COLLIDING WITH THE DUMP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. AS SOON AS THE PATHFINDER HAD ALMOST STOPPED AGAIN, IT ACCELERATED SPONTANEOUSLY FOR A SECOND TIME,…

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ON FEBRUARY 6, 2015HAVING JUST STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, MY 2006 PATHFINDER ACCELERATED SPONTANEOUSLY. I APPLIED MORE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN AN EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM COLLIDING WITH THE DUMP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. AS SOON AS THE PATHFINDER HAD ALMOST STOPPED AGAIN, IT ACCELERATED SPONTANEOUSLY FOR A SECOND TIME, BUT THIS TIME WITH MORE FORCE. IT TOOK ALL I HAD TO BRAKE THE CAR TO A STOP. HAD I NOT ALLOWED EXTRA ROOM BETWEEN THE DUMP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME AND MY TRUCK, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A COLLISION. AFTER THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO PRIORITY NISSAN. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM USING THEIR COMPUTER, AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN DURING THEIR TEST DRIVE OF MY VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD NO ADVICE TO OFFER CONCERNING THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID HE IS GOING TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM AND FURTHER RESEARCH THIS ISSUE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10681944

76,000 miles · Dec 19, 2014
EngineService BrakesWheels

WHEN I PURCHASED MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER FROM A DEALER IN 2012. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND DEEMED SAFE TO DRIVE. I NOTICED MY TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR STAYED ON ALL THE TIME. EVEN AFTER FILLING TO THE RECOMMENDED PSI. DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT. WENT ON TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES UNTIL THE NEXT YEAR WHEN I WOULD GET THIS SHAK…

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WHEN I PURCHASED MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER FROM A DEALER IN 2012. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND DEEMED SAFE TO DRIVE. I NOTICED MY TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR STAYED ON ALL THE TIME. EVEN AFTER FILLING TO THE RECOMMENDED PSI. DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT. WENT ON TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES UNTIL THE NEXT YEAR WHEN I WOULD GET THIS SHAKING AND RUMBLE AT ABOUT 2500 RPM. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG EXCEPT FOR NEEDING NEW BRAKE PADS AND ENGINE TUNE UP. HAD THAT DONE BUT STILL MY CAR CONTINUED TO RUMBLE WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE. IT WAS INTERMITTENT ON AND OFF UNTIL IT GOT SO BAD THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER AND LET MY ENGINE COOL BEFORE IT WOULD DO IT AGAIN. RECENTLY I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND HAD THEM LOOK AT IT. SHE RAN A TEST ON THE COMPUTER AND THE CAR GAVE CODES THAT LINKED BACK TO THE TRANSFER CASE. SHE THEN HAD IT LOOKED AT BY HER TRANSMISSION EXPERT AND HE DISCOVERED COOLANT AND FLUID INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. ONLY THEN WAS IT LINKED TO ALL OTHER OCCURRENCES THAT FALL BACK ON NISSAN. I READ ONLINE THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN FOR FAILING RADIATORS AND TRANSMISSIONS. IT WAS NEVER BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE DISPUTE. WITH IT BEING OUT OF DATE FOR ANY COVERAGES UNDER THE LAWSUIT. I'M NOW LEFT WITHOUT A VEHICLE AND A HEFTY $3,600 REPAIR BILL THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE TO BEGIN WITH. I HOPE NISSAN HAS A PLAN TO FIX THIS ISSUE WITHOUT THE CONSUMER PAYING OUT OF POCKET. IF NOT I WILL BE PURSUING A CASE AGAINST THE DEALER FOR SELLING ME A CAR THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667390

85,000 miles · Nov 3, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE, AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10652080

55,345 miles · Aug 19, 2012
Service Brakes

THERE WAS A LINE OF CARS AND I TRIED TO STOP AND THE BRAKES STARTED TO MAKE A SOUND AND DOESNT RESPOND I MADE A LEFT TURN AND IT STOPPED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471415

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2012
Service BrakesCrashInjury

I WAS ROLLING INTO A SPOT OFF THE PAVED ROAD ON TO A GRAVELED SPACE (PINE NEEDLES, ROCKS AND DIRT) IN ORDER TO MAKE A THREE POINT TURN. BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I JAMMED ON THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR KEPT ROLLING DOWN SLOWLY AND I CRASHED INTO A TREE. MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I SUFFERED SOME MINOR BURNS AND BRUISING. THE VEHICL…

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I WAS ROLLING INTO A SPOT OFF THE PAVED ROAD ON TO A GRAVELED SPACE (PINE NEEDLES, ROCKS AND DIRT) IN ORDER TO MAKE A THREE POINT TURN. BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I JAMMED ON THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR KEPT ROLLING DOWN SLOWLY AND I CRASHED INTO A TREE. MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I SUFFERED SOME MINOR BURNS AND BRUISING. THE VEHICLE SUFFERED MINOR BUMPER DAMAGE BUT WHY DID MY AIRBAGS DEPLOY AT ONLY 8 MILES PER HOUR. I AM AT A LOSS THAT THIS HAPPENED. I JUST ADDED NEW BRAKES THE WEEK BEFORE. BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469240

Official recalls

3

10V517000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.