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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

What owners actually said

837 reports
109,000 miles · Jun 6, 2016
Power Train

ON THE SECOND DAY OF OWNING MY PATHFINDER I NOTICED A VIBRATION WHEN I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP LESS THAN A WEEK LATER TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND TO DISCONNECT THE RADIATOR FROM THE TRANSMISSION (DID THIS DUE TO RESEARCH WE FOUND ON THE INTERNET). THE MECHANIC DID SEE THAT MY TRANSMISSION FLUI…

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ON THE SECOND DAY OF OWNING MY PATHFINDER I NOTICED A VIBRATION WHEN I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP LESS THAN A WEEK LATER TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND TO DISCONNECT THE RADIATOR FROM THE TRANSMISSION (DID THIS DUE TO RESEARCH WE FOUND ON THE INTERNET). THE MECHANIC DID SEE THAT MY TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CLOUDY MEANING THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE WAS WORKING GREAT FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS UNTIL ONE DAY I NOTICED A JERKY FEELING WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET. THAT JERKY FEELING SHORTLY TURNED INTO THE VEHICLE SHAKING WHEN SHIFTING, WHICH TURNED INTO NOT SHIFTING AT ALL AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT. MY VEHICLE WOULD BARELY ACCELERATE, MOSTLY ENGINE REVVING, LUCKILY I WAS ON A HILL WHERE I COULD COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS OCCURRED WITHIN 5-10 MINUTES, VERY QUICK, LITTLE WARNING. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND COULD HAVE ENDED WORSE THAN IT DID!!!

NHTSA ODI #10872821

98,389 miles · May 30, 2016
EngineUnknown Or Other

RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #10871485

98,816 miles · May 23, 2016
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, DIAGNOSTIC FOR AUTO TRANS SENSOR. MECHANIC FLUSHED TRANSMISSION THEN COULDN'T REPLACE SENSOR DUE TO ON GOING PROBLEM WITH RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT TO TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ODI #10870259

114,200 miles · May 18, 2016
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED INCORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED INCORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,200.

NHTSA ODI #10865571

130,000 miles · May 13, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SHUDDERING AND JERKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S RADIATOR CRACKED WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGED A TRANSMISSION. THE TIMING CHAIN, THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SHUDDERING AND JERKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S RADIATOR CRACKED WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGED A TRANSMISSION. THE TIMING CHAIN, THE RADIATOR, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10864773

110,150 miles · May 9, 2016
EnginePower Train

COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION, DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION, AND RENDERING VEHICLE USELESS WITHOUT THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS

NHTSA ODI #10863853

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #10861897

49,257 miles · Apr 21, 2016
Unknown Or Other

TRANMISION AND RADIATOR

NHTSA ODI #10860680

115,000 miles · Apr 19, 2016
Engine

SERVICE BULLITIN CLASSIFICATION EM09-007, REFRENCE NTB09-128, POSTED NOVEMBER 16, 2009. BUZZING/WHINING NOISE FROM TIMING CHAIN AREA. HAVE CONTACTED AND STOPPED BY DEALERSHIP TO INFORM THEM ABOUT ISSUE I WAS HAVING. SHOWED TECH THERE THE SERVICE BULLITIN AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND KNEW ABOUT THE IS…

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SERVICE BULLITIN CLASSIFICATION EM09-007, REFRENCE NTB09-128, POSTED NOVEMBER 16, 2009. BUZZING/WHINING NOISE FROM TIMING CHAIN AREA. HAVE CONTACTED AND STOPPED BY DEALERSHIP TO INFORM THEM ABOUT ISSUE I WAS HAVING. SHOWED TECH THERE THE SERVICE BULLITIN AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND KNEW ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH NUMEROUS VEHICLES. I WAS GIVEN THE ONLY WAY IT WAS COVERED BY NISSAN WAS IF THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. IF IT WERE NOT COVERD THAT WAY THEN I, THE CUSTOMER, WERE RESPONSIBLE TO ALL THE COST AND AND RENTAL FEES IF I CHOSE TO GET ONE WHILE IT WAS IN THE SERVICE CENTER. I WAS GIVEN THE COST ESTIMATED AT $1800 DOLLARS AND THERE WAS NO GUARENTEE THAT IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM.. AND HAVE A NICE DAY. LEFT VERY FRUSTERATED KNOWING THERE WERE THOUSANDS MORE IN THE SAME SITUATION I'M IN NOW.

NHTSA ODI #10860420

92,000 miles · Apr 17, 2016
EnginePower Train

CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING AND JERKS. HAVE BEEN TOLD I PROBABLY HAVE A CRACK IN RAIDIATOR AND FLUIDS LEAKED IN TRANSMISSION WILL BE THOUSANDS TO FIX. AFTER LOOKING ON INTERNET. I SEE MANY PEOPLE WITH PROBLEM AND NISSAN IS NOT COVERING COSTS.

NHTSA ODI #10859963

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.