IllustrationMY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON A BUSY INTERSECTION DUE TO THIS COOLANT LEAKING INTO MY TRANSMISSION. MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE BACK SEAT WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. GLAD WE DIDN'T END UP IN A RECKLESS AND THAT MY CHILDREN ARE SAFE. THERE IS NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING TO THESE PATHFINDERS HOW IS THIS NOT A RECALL. *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
What owners actually said
837 reportsOUR PATHFINDER STARTED MAKING A NOISE LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING IN THE RUTTED PAVEMENT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THAT IS INTENDED TO WAKE PEOPLE UP WHO'VE FALLEN ASLEEP. IT ONLY DID THIS OCCASIONALLY AT FIRST, BUT GOT WORSE QUICKLY. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO OUR MECHANIC AND HE HAS DISCOVERED THAT IT IS A RESULT OF LIQUID FROM THE RADIATOR S…
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OUR PATHFINDER STARTED MAKING A NOISE LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING IN THE RUTTED PAVEMENT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THAT IS INTENDED TO WAKE PEOPLE UP WHO'VE FALLEN ASLEEP. IT ONLY DID THIS OCCASIONALLY AT FIRST, BUT GOT WORSE QUICKLY. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO OUR MECHANIC AND HE HAS DISCOVERED THAT IT IS A RESULT OF LIQUID FROM THE RADIATOR SOMEHOW LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. HE HAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH OUR MAKE AND MODEL OF NISSAN. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS, BUT IT IS A VERY COSTLY AND SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NISSAN SHOULD BE PAYING TO REPAIR. *TR
LEAK IN RADIATOR CAUSING CROSS CONTAMINATION BETWEEN RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS. THIS IS CAUSING HESITATION IN POWER DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. PER THE NISSAN SERVICE PROVIDER WE TOOK IT TO, THE CARS NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR AT THE COST OF $6000 OR IT WILL SOON DIE. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER 'S …
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LEAK IN RADIATOR CAUSING CROSS CONTAMINATION BETWEEN RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS. THIS IS CAUSING HESITATION IN POWER DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. PER THE NISSAN SERVICE PROVIDER WE TOOK IT TO, THE CARS NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR AT THE COST OF $6000 OR IT WILL SOON DIE. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER 'S DEFECT AND A KNOWN FLAW- MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ARE POSTED BY OTHER OWNERS. *TR
FLUID CROSS CONTAMINATION FROM RADIATOR TO TRANSMISSION CAUSING HESITATION DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. PER NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT,UNLESS TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR ARE REPLACED THIS IS UNFIXBLE AND CAR WILL SOON DIE. REPAIRS ESTIMATE IS 6,000 DOLLARS. *TR
GETTING READY TO GO OUT TO SHOP GOT IN THE CAR STARTED IT UP AND THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY AND THE YELLOW LIGHT CAME ON. THINKING IT WAS OUT OF GAS WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL IT UP AND IT WAS ALREADY FULL SINCE THEN THE LIGHT HAS REMAINED ON AND THE GAUGE STILL READS EMPTY. ALSO THE TRIP DATA WILL NOT SHOW IT JUST HAS A STR…
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GETTING READY TO GO OUT TO SHOP GOT IN THE CAR STARTED IT UP AND THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY AND THE YELLOW LIGHT CAME ON. THINKING IT WAS OUT OF GAS WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL IT UP AND IT WAS ALREADY FULL SINCE THEN THE LIGHT HAS REMAINED ON AND THE GAUGE STILL READS EMPTY. ALSO THE TRIP DATA WILL NOT SHOW IT JUST HAS A STRAIGHT LINE THAT RUNS ACROSS. AS OF THEN HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT DUE TO THE SAFETY OF NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE CAR. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP, WHICH NEEDED TO BE TAKEN OUT OF OVERDRIVE FROM TIME TO TIME. AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT COMPLETELY ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WILL REV UP, BUT WILL NOT DRIVE. APPARENTLY THEY ARE FAMOUS FOR THE GASKET LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT WITH THE OIL. THEY SHOULD HAVE ALL BEEN RECALLED. *TR
THE SERVICE MANAGER SHOCKED ME WHEN SHE SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION ,BECAUSE ANTIFREEZE HAD LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND RUINED IT.SHE PROCEEDED TO TELL ME I NEED A TIMING CHAIN ,U-JOINTS , MUFFLER CLAMPS AND THAT I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN BETTER CARE OF MY TRUCK. SHE ADVISED I SHOULD GET A NEW TRUCK THE COST WOULD BE A TOTAL OF …
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THE SERVICE MANAGER SHOCKED ME WHEN SHE SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION ,BECAUSE ANTIFREEZE HAD LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND RUINED IT.SHE PROCEEDED TO TELL ME I NEED A TIMING CHAIN ,U-JOINTS , MUFFLER CLAMPS AND THAT I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN BETTER CARE OF MY TRUCK. SHE ADVISED I SHOULD GET A NEW TRUCK THE COST WOULD BE A TOTAL OF 4,500.00 DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIR!.I LEFT IN DISBELIEF KNOWING A TRUCK WITH 65K MILES SHOULD NOT NEED A TRANSMISSION.I RESEARCHED ON THE WEB AND FOUND THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF A DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR THAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM , NOT ONLY ON MY TRUCK BUT OTHER NISSAN MODELS AS WELL. THEY SETTLED A LAWSUIT THAT FAVORS NISSAN , BUT NEGLECTED TO INFORM ANY OF THERE CUSTOMERS LIKE MYSELF WITH A HEADS UP IF THE ISSUE HAS NOT HAPPENED YET.I HAVE TO PAY THE FIRST 3000.00 DOLLARS OF THE REPAIR AND NISSAN WILL PICK UP THE REST , THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR, THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED.THE SERVICE ADVISER DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF THIS ISSUE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND AS OF YET HAS NOT SENT ME A DETAILED ESTIMATE OF THE REPAIR.THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE TRANS COULD SLIP AT SOME TIME CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION HAS NOT RESPONDED WITH A REMEDY WITH MY COMPLAINT . I HAVE LOST FAITH IN THE LOCAL DEALER AND WITH NISSAN PRODUCT AS WELL. WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN.P.S. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO ANOTHER REPAIR FACILITY AND THERE ESTIMATE ALONE FOR THE JOB WAS 4,555.00 DOLLARS, WHEN DRIVING IT TO THEM I COULD HARDLY DRIVE OVER 40 MPH AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING , AGAIN THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL !.IF I NEEDED POWER TO CHANGE LANES OR GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ANOTHER CAR I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED....UPDATED 09/22/15 *BF *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO ACCURATELY MEASURE THE FUEL LEVELS IN THE RESERVE TANK. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THERE WAS GASOLINE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO ACCURATELY MEASURE THE FUEL LEVELS IN THE RESERVE TANK. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THERE WAS GASOLINE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
CAR SHUT DOWN ON DART TRAIN TRACKS, TRANSMISSION FAILED TO WORK, RADIATOR HAD OIL AND LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RAD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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.