IllustrationTRANSMISSION IS FAILING QUICKLY. I HAD TO REPLACE MY RADIATOR A FEW MONTHS AGO BECAUSE IT CRACKED. THAT EVENT LEFT MY WIFE AND CHILDREN STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE.
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. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INITIALLY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INITIALLY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CRANK. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE FAILED. HEADQUARTER NISSAN (1725 WHITTLESEY RD, COLUMBUS, GA 31904, (706) 225-8100) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED WITH THE DEALER AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL IN 2011 AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BAD BECAUSE MY RADIATOR FAILURE OF MIXING FLUIDS AND NOW IM IN A BIND WITH ONLYBONE VEHICAL AND MY ONLY WAY TO WORK... I HAVE 3 KIDS AND I NEED HELP GETTING THIS FIXED SO I DONT LOOSE MY JOB... PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN DO SOMETHING FOR ME THANKS SO MUCH
THERE IS A SYSTEM DESIGN FLAW WITH THE 05-10 NISSAN TRUCKS; PATHFINDER, FRONTIER, XTERRA. THE RADIATOR HOUSES BOTH COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. WHEN THE RADIATOR FAILS, IT LEADS TO COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING; RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND PREMATURE DESTRUCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION. OUR TRANSMISSION WAS REPLA…
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THERE IS A SYSTEM DESIGN FLAW WITH THE 05-10 NISSAN TRUCKS; PATHFINDER, FRONTIER, XTERRA. THE RADIATOR HOUSES BOTH COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. WHEN THE RADIATOR FAILS, IT LEADS TO COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING; RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND PREMATURE DESTRUCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION. OUR TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION AFTER THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 89K MILES. AFTER THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED AT 90K MILES AND THE ISSUE WAS TRACED BACK TO A CRACKED/RUPTURED RADIATOR; LEADING TO MIXING OF COOLANT AND RADIATOR FLUID WHICH IN TURN RUINED THE TRANSMISSION. THE COST OF THE INITIAL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT WAS $6000; THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN ALONG WITH THE RADIATOR AND FLUSHING THE SYSTEM AND REPLACING THE FLUIDS IS $8000. IN BOTH INSTANCES OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE, IT HAPPENED DURING DRIVING CONDITIONS ON A HIGHWAY WITHOUT SYMPTOMS OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE WORST PART OF THIS IS NOT THE COST. THE WORST PART IS THAT THIS KNOWN ISSUE ON NISSAN TRUCKS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CLASSIFIED AS A RECALL ISSUE BECAUSE THE FAILURE CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME, ESPECIALLY DURING DRIVING CONDITIONS AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY, OR DEATH.
WHILE DRIVING CAR WOULD ACT AS IF IT WERE GOING TO SHUT OFF..WE WERE NEVER INFORMED OF RECALLS AND WE BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW WE TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND WAS INFORMED RADIATOR WAS LEAKING ON TRANSMISSION AND WE WOULD REQUIRE UP TO $3,500 FOR REPAIRS WHICH INCLUDED A USED TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FAILURE. WAS ON MAINROAD AT TIME AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MECHANICS WHERE UPON LEARNING THIS IS A TYPICAL ISSUE FOR THESE VEHICLES. CANNOT DRIVE VEHICLE AND REPAIRS ARE VERY COSTLY.
MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO HAVE A DELAY IN ACCELERATION WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSHED, AND THEN WOULD CATCH AND LURCH FORWARD. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION INNER COOLER RUPTURED AND HAS RUINED BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. FURTHER RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT NISSAN HAS FAILED TO ACCURATELY…
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MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO HAVE A DELAY IN ACCELERATION WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSHED, AND THEN WOULD CATCH AND LURCH FORWARD. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION INNER COOLER RUPTURED AND HAS RUINED BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. FURTHER RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT NISSAN HAS FAILED TO ACCURATELY ADVISE OWNERS ABOUT, OR ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS NEGLIGENT AND WHOLLY UNETHICAL. NEGLIGENT IN THAT THE SYMPTOMS COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS HARM OUT INJURY, AS THERE IS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE DAMAGE BEING DONE. UNETHICAL IN THAT NOW NISSAN GETS TO PROFIT FROM THEIR NEGLIGENCE, AS IT WILL COST $5,000 TO REMEDY WHAT COULD AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH LESS COSTLY.
FUEL READ EMPTY AT THE GAUGE EVEN IF FUEL TANK IS FULL. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS ALSO LIT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE "OVERHEATED" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE FAILED START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED AND CAUSED COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE "OVERHEATED" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE FAILED START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED AND CAUSED COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REBUILT AND A NEW RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,270.
CAR OVERHEATED/NO START, HAD SUV TOLLED TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP WAS TOLD BY TECHICIAN WAS TOLD THE FOLLOWING. RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING COOLANT AND TRANS FLUID TO MIX. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO START.
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.