NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
837 reports114,000 miles · May 14, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED VIBRATIONS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED VIBRATIONS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10716530
143,614 miles · May 11, 2015
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING STOPPED AT A LIGHT HAS I BEGAN TO PROCEED THE TRUCK HAD NO SPEED AN THE CAR BEHIND WAS GOING AT A HIGH SPEED WITH OTHER CARS ON RIGHT AND LEFT AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE IT WOULD'NT GO. CONTINUED TO GO AND AT SLOW PACE AND THEN PICKED UP SPEED. THIS CONTINUED EACH TIME I STOPPED FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET TO DESTINATION…
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I WAS DRIVING STOPPED AT A LIGHT HAS I BEGAN TO PROCEED THE TRUCK HAD NO SPEED AN THE CAR BEHIND WAS GOING AT A HIGH SPEED WITH OTHER CARS ON RIGHT AND LEFT AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE IT WOULD'NT GO. CONTINUED TO GO AND AT SLOW PACE AND THEN PICKED UP SPEED. THIS CONTINUED EACH TIME I STOPPED FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET TO DESTINATION AND IT COMPLETLY STOPPED. HAD RECENTLY REPLACED CONVERTER AND NOW TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI #10715672
104,000 miles · May 6, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ANOTHER CLASSIC STORY OF NISSAN PATHFINDER TRANSMISSION FAILING DUE TO ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER SYSTEM RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10715054
102,000 miles · May 4, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE RADIATOR FLUID ARE MIXED UP DUE TO VEHICLE DESIGN ISSUES. NISSAN IS CONVENIENTLY GETTING OUT OF THE COMPLAINT BY PUTTING IN STUFF THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10714411
68,000 miles · Apr 30, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE NO LONGER WORKS PROPERLY. WHEN IT GETS TO 1/4 TANK OF GAS IT WILL DROP TO EMPTY. NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS IS LEFT IN THE TANK AT THIS POINT MAKING IT HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. ONCE FILLED, THE FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT GIVE AN ACCURATE FUEL LEVEL FOR AT LEAST THE FIRST 50 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10713785
80,000 miles · Apr 27, 2015
Power Train
[XXX] TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10712998
130,000 miles · Apr 22, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I PURCHASED MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN 2013 WITH 109K MILES ON IT. I LOVED IT FOR 1YR AND A HALF. 2 MONTHS AGO IT STARTED SHIFTING ROUGH, I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL PLACE TO BE LOOKED AT. I WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN PATHFINDERS HAVE A FAULTY RADIATOR THAT LEAKS INTERNALLY INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE! WOULD…
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I PURCHASED MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN 2013 WITH 109K MILES ON IT. I LOVED IT FOR 1YR AND A HALF. 2 MONTHS AGO IT STARTED SHIFTING ROUGH, I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL PLACE TO BE LOOKED AT. I WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN PATHFINDERS HAVE A FAULTY RADIATOR THAT LEAKS INTERNALLY INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE! WOULD COST $3600 TO FIX. I CALLED SUNTRUP AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE AND TO BRING IT IN, WHICH I DID AND $100 LATER THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING I ALREADY KNEW FROM THE OTHER PLACE FOR FREE. THEY AGAIN SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE BUT THEY COULD FIX IT FOR $6800! I BEGAN SEARCHING (NOT TOO DIFFICULT SINCE IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET!) I CALLED AROUND TRYING TO FIND A MORE AFFORDABLE TRANSMISSION PLACE AND EVERY SINGLE PLACE I CALLED KNEW ABOUT THE NISSANS FAULTY RADIATORS!! THIS IS A PREVALENT PROBLEM FOR THE YEARS 2005, 2006 AND 2007 PATHFINDER, XTERRA AND AND FRONTIER! NISSAN REFUSES TO DO A RECALL STATING IT ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT CLOSING IN 2013 (YEAR I BOUGHT MY CAR) AND WOULD FIX THE TRANSMISSIONS UP TO 100K (I BOUGHT MINE AT 109K. THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD IS LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE. I DID CONTACT SUNTRUP AND TALKED TO THE SALES MANAGER WHO SAID TO COME IN AND THEY WOULD "TRY AND HELP ME". THEIR SOLUTION IS TO ROLL THE $4,000 I AM UPSIDE DOWN INTO A BRAND NEW CAR CAUSING MY PAYMENTS TO GO UP EXPONENTIALLY! (ALSO AS A SINGLE MOM OF 3 KIDS IN CAR SEATS A CAR ISN'T HELPFUL, NEITHER IS SUPER HIGH PAYMENTS). YOU CAN NOT TELL ME THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS NISSAN TRANSMISSION ISSUE BEING A NISSAN DEALER! THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION SUIT, THE YEAR I BOUGHT THE CAR?!?! PERHAPS THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE IN MY CASE BUT I DO NOT THINK IT IS ETHICAL TO CONTINUE SELLING THESE MODELS AND YEARS!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10712265
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2015
EnginePower Train
PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM CAR LOT FEB. 28, 2015. DROVE THIS VEHICLE 5 TIMES AND THE COOLANT LEAKED. FLUSHED SYSTEM NOTICE THERE WAS STOP LEAK IN RADIATOR. NOW MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND TRUCK SHAKES DURING ACCELERATION. THIS WAS A PREVIOUS ISSUE BEFORE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE SHAKING OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING HOME. I THOUG…
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PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM CAR LOT FEB. 28, 2015. DROVE THIS VEHICLE 5 TIMES AND THE COOLANT LEAKED. FLUSHED SYSTEM NOTICE THERE WAS STOP LEAK IN RADIATOR. NOW MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND TRUCK SHAKES DURING ACCELERATION. THIS WAS A PREVIOUS ISSUE BEFORE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE SHAKING OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING HOME. I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST THE TIRES NEEDING TO BE BALANCED, BUT AFTER RESEARCH I KNOW THAT IT WAS FROM THE COOLANT PREVIOUSLY LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, AND NOW I AM LEFT TO DEAL WITH IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10705614
147,000 miles · Apr 13, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
NISSAN STALLED WHILE AT STOP SIGN AND AGAIN AT GAS STATION. LEFT US STRANDED AGAIN. HAVE HAD THE ECM REPLACED THREE TIMES, FUEL PUMP THREE TIMES, ALL TO FIND THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN RECALLED ECM AND THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES ONCE UNDER RECALL. THE RECALL DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10705285
95,000 miles · Apr 10, 2015
Steering
STEERING WHEEL ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN REGULARLY WHEN DRIVING/TURNING. VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN REVERSE. AFTER DOING SOME SEARCHING ONLINE IT SEEMS THAT THEIR ARE SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES RECENTLY EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10704877
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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