IllustrationTHE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS SHOWING A FAULT CODE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN RECALL ID: 08V690000, BUT ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, MY VIN IS NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL. SO MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS OTHERS, BUT IT JUST HAPPENS MINE IS NOT COVERED BY THIS 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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. THE GAUGE DISPLAYED INCORRECT READINGS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. THE GAUGE DISPLAYED INCORRECT READINGS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ALL OF SUDDEN AS I WAS DRIVING ON BUSY HIGHWAY. WAS UNABLE TO GET SPEED, COOLANT IS GONE AS WELL. *TR
TRANSMISSION COOLER INSIDE RADIATOR CRACKED AND ALLOWED COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FALIURE....COST TO REPAIR 5,000 DOLLARS. *TR
THE CAR HAS A NOTICEABLE SHAKE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. *TR
LEAKING COOLANT CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT BE DUE T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT BE DUE TO THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
WHEN I FILL UP MY GASOLINE TANK THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE SHOWS THAT I DO NOT HAVE ANY GASOLINE; THIS CAUSES THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT TO REMAIN ON. I HAVE COMPLETELY FILLED UP MY TANK A NUMBER OF TIMES AND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS. I BELIEVE THERE IS PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM BECAUSE…
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WHEN I FILL UP MY GASOLINE TANK THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE SHOWS THAT I DO NOT HAVE ANY GASOLINE; THIS CAUSES THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT TO REMAIN ON. I HAVE COMPLETELY FILLED UP MY TANK A NUMBER OF TIMES AND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS. I BELIEVE THERE IS PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM BECAUSE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE SHOWS INACCURATE LEVELS OF FUEL. I AM AFRAID THAT I MAY RUN OUT OF GAS AND NOT BE IN THE AREA OF A GAS STATION. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE I NEED TO KNOW AT ALL TIMES WHAT MY FUEL LEVELS ARE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCES. I HAVE NO WAY OF DETERMINING HOW LOW MY FUEL REALLY IS OR HOW MUCH IS IN THE GAS TANK. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALED A CODE THAT FOUND THE VEHICLE HAD A BAD FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 10V075000. HOWEVER, HE WAS INFORMED THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO HIS VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT WAS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. UPDATED 05/27/15. *JB
THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS STUCK ON 1/4 TANK AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL BUT THERE IS ON OTHER VINS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE DIGITAL DISPLAY FOR THE FUEL TANK READ ZERO WHEN FUEL WAS IN THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE DIGITAL DISPLAY FOR THE FUEL TANK READ ZERO WHEN FUEL WAS IN THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
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.