IllustrationTHE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. CAR HAS TO BE DRIVEN IN 3RD GEAR. PUTTING CAR IN DRIVE RESULTS IN ENGINE REVVING BUT NOT CHANGING GEARS FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR. THIS WILL COST ME CLOSE TO $3000 TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *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 reportsRADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE ISSUES ACCELERATING. THIS RESULTED IN OVER $700 IN CAR REPAIRS. *TR
WE PURCHASED OUR PATHFINDER FROM A DEALERSHIP JUNE 1, 2012. ON JULY 2, 2013 WE WERE DRIVING BACK HOME AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE IMMEDIATELY WHEN WE GOT HOME, WE FOUND THAT MANY, MANY OTHERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND THAT IT IS CAUSED BY FAULTY DESIGN OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THE RADIATOR…
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WE PURCHASED OUR PATHFINDER FROM A DEALERSHIP JUNE 1, 2012. ON JULY 2, 2013 WE WERE DRIVING BACK HOME AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE IMMEDIATELY WHEN WE GOT HOME, WE FOUND THAT MANY, MANY OTHERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND THAT IT IS CAUSED BY FAULTY DESIGN OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THE RADIATOR CRACKS AND LEAKS DIRECTLY INTO THE TRANSMISSION SO THERE IS NO WARNING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE. THE NEXT MORNING I IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT TO OUR NEAREST NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THEY INFORMED ME AFTER MY DESCRIPTION OF WHAT WAS GOING ON THAT INDEED, THAT IS PROBABLY WHAT WAS WRONG BUT THEY COULDN'T GET ME IN TO CHECK IT OUT FOR ANOTHER 6 DAYS (AND IT WOULD BE $109) TO DIAGNOSE. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT NISSAN HAS ISSUED A CONDITIONAL WARRANTY OF THEM. UP TO 80,000 MILES, THEY COVER ANY EXPENSE PAST $2,500. UP TO 90,00 MILES, THEY COVER ANY EXPENSE PAST $3,000. UP TO 100,00 THEY COVER ANY EXPENSE PAST $3,500. THERE IS NO COVERAGE PAST 100,000 MILES AND THE AVERAGE COST TO REPAIR IS $7000.00. OUR TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 108,000 MILES. NOW WE ARE STUCK PAYING OUT OF POCKET FOR A FLAWED DESIGN THAT NISSAN ACKNOWLEDGES IS THEIR FAULT. HOW IS THERE NOT A MANDATORY RECALL ON THESE MODELS AND NISSAN NOT REQUIRED TO REPLACE THESE ISSUES IN FULL ON THEIR DIME.. FOR THEIR MISTAKE? THE CONDITIONAL WARRANTY OFFERED IS A JOKE AND I AM INFURIATED THAT NISSAN IS NOT COVERING OUR FLAWED VEHICLE ALSO. THIS FAILURE IS IN NO WISE DUE TO ANY NEGLECT OR MISUSE OF THE OWNER/OPERATOR'S PART. WHERE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PRODUCT? WHY MUST WE CONTINUE TO PROMOTE A MINDSET OF NEGLECTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT WE PRODUCE? WHERE IS THE QUALITY? WHERE IS THE FOLLOW-THROUGH? *TR
500 MILES AWAY FROM HOME ON VACATION. WENT FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE ONLY TO FIND TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR AND COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW RADIATOR AND HAVE BOTH SYSTEMS FLUSHED FOR A TOTAL OF 1,300.00 DOLLARS. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED GOOD ON THE WAY HOME, BUT WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED THE 1,300.0…
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500 MILES AWAY FROM HOME ON VACATION. WENT FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE ONLY TO FIND TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR AND COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW RADIATOR AND HAVE BOTH SYSTEMS FLUSHED FOR A TOTAL OF 1,300.00 DOLLARS. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED GOOD ON THE WAY HOME, BUT WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED THE 1,300.00 AND HAVE SOME PIECE OF MIND THAT NISSAN WILL COVER THE TRANSMISSION IF IT GOES OUT. *TR
RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING IN TRANSMISSION. *TR
MY TRANSMISSION FAILED BECAUSE THE COOLING LINES THAT RUN THROUGH THE RADIATOR CRACKED ALLOWING THE COOLANTS TO MIX. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR. *TR
RADIATOR FAILED ALLOWING COOLANT TO CONTAMINATE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL AS WELL. I REALLY LIKE THIS VEHICLE AND I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD PAY TO FIX ALL OF THESE AFFECTED SINCE IT IS A KNOWN EQUIPMENT FAILURE AND HAS HAPPENED AT SUCH A WIDE RANGE OF MILEAGE. I HAD THIS ONE CHECKED AT 60,000 MILES AND HAD NO PROBLEM WITH NEITH…
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RADIATOR FAILED ALLOWING COOLANT TO CONTAMINATE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL AS WELL. I REALLY LIKE THIS VEHICLE AND I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD PAY TO FIX ALL OF THESE AFFECTED SINCE IT IS A KNOWN EQUIPMENT FAILURE AND HAS HAPPENED AT SUCH A WIDE RANGE OF MILEAGE. I HAD THIS ONE CHECKED AT 60,000 MILES AND HAD NO PROBLEM WITH NEITHER PART AND I HAVE BEEN WATCHING IT REGULARLY BUT DIDN'T CATCH IT IN TIME WHEN IT FINALLY WENT. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR THE LAST 20+ YEARS AND ONCE A TRANSMISSION IS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT THERE IS ONLY ON FIX AND THAT IS TO REPLACE OR REBUILD.....NOT JUST A FLUSH AND SEND ON YOUR WAY! *TR
DRIVING AT A SUBSTANTIAL SPEED OF 40MPH CAR JUST STOPPED EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WENT ALL OF A SUDDEN. WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. HAD TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER IN TURNERSVILLE NJ. THEY STATED THAT IT WAS 12,000 OF EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS ISSUED A YEAR OR SO AGO. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A CL…
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DRIVING AT A SUBSTANTIAL SPEED OF 40MPH CAR JUST STOPPED EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WENT ALL OF A SUDDEN. WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. HAD TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER IN TURNERSVILLE NJ. THEY STATED THAT IT WAS 12,000 OF EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS ISSUED A YEAR OR SO AGO. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT AND THAT THIS PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR ALL OF A SUDDEN AS I WAS DRIVING. APPARENTLY A FAULTY RADIATOR CAUSED FLUID TO GO INTO TRANSMISSION AND DESTROY IT MAKING CAR JUST STOP RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. THE REGIONAL OFFICE TOLD ME I DID NOT GET A NOTICE BECAUSE I WAS THE SECOND OWNER. I WAS WILLING TO PAY A $3,000.00 COPAY BUT THEY WOULD NOT EVEN APPROVE THAT. NOW THEY WANT 5,900 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THE CAR IS ONLY WORTH 8 OR 9 THOUSAND. I AM 67 YEARS OLD AND DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. I AM IN A HOPELESS SITUATION. PLEASE ASSIST. *TR
I WAS ON VACATION IN VIRGINIA, HEADING BACK TO CT WHEN MY CARS ABILITY TO ACCELERATE STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND COULD FEEL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE CAR. HE STARTED CHANGING LANES AND GLIDED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. MY HUSBAND, OUR 16 YEAR OLD SON, HIS FRIEND, AND OUR 4 YEAR OLD NIECE AND I WER…
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I WAS ON VACATION IN VIRGINIA, HEADING BACK TO CT WHEN MY CARS ABILITY TO ACCELERATE STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND COULD FEEL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE CAR. HE STARTED CHANGING LANES AND GLIDED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. MY HUSBAND, OUR 16 YEAR OLD SON, HIS FRIEND, AND OUR 4 YEAR OLD NIECE AND I WERE IN THE CAR. WE WAITED FOR TRIPLE A, WERE TOWED TO A PEPBOYS FACILITY, (THE ONLY FACILITY I COULD THINK WOULD BE OPEN ON A SATURDAY) FOR THEM TO TELL US THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST US WITH THE ISSUE OUR VEHICLE WAS HAVING. THE TOW TRUCK TOWED US TO A TRIPLE A FACILITY WHICH WAS CLOSED. WE HAD TO GET LODGING FOR THE EVENING AND PAY TRIPLE A FACILITY APPROXIMATELY $100.00 TO TELL US OUR TRANSMISSION WAS DONE AND IT WOULD COST US ANYWHERE BETWEEN $5000.00 AND $8000.00 TO HAVE REPAIRED. I THEN HAD TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR, AND A ADDITION $1200+ DOLLARS TO HAVE OUR CAR TOWED BACK TO CT. I KNOW HAVE $5000 TO REPAIR MY CAR TO FIND OUT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED LOOSING OUR TRANSMISSION ON THE HIGHWAY THAT DAY. IT REALLY BOTHERS ME THAT NISSAN KNEW THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS FAILURE. CONSIDERING I JUST BROUGHT MY CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2011. *TR
VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND RADIATOR FLUID CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION. I SPOKE WITH NISSAN AND ASSERTED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN FACTORY DEFECT. NISSAN REFUSES TO HONOR OR WARRANTY REPAIR COSTS. *TR
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.