NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
837 reports94,000 miles · Jan 29, 2013
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2006 PATHFINDER BEGAN SLIPPING, CAUSING VIBRATIONS TO THE POINT THAT MY WIFE DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER WITH OUR CHILD IN IT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PAID THE $3000 CO-PAY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FIX THE COOLANT PROBLEM. I FIND THIS VERY DISAPPOINTING DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT I…
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THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2006 PATHFINDER BEGAN SLIPPING, CAUSING VIBRATIONS TO THE POINT THAT MY WIFE DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER WITH OUR CHILD IN IT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PAID THE $3000 CO-PAY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FIX THE COOLANT PROBLEM. I FIND THIS VERY DISAPPOINTING DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. HAD I KNOWN OF THIS POSSIBLE ISSUE EARLIER, I MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND SAVED THE $3000 CO-PAY...WHICH WE REALLY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY! I HOPE THIS ISSUE BECOMES A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10495111
58,000 miles · Jan 22, 2013
EnginePower Train
I AM BEING TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT DUE TO A FAULTY TRANSMISSION NISSAN INSTALLED IN THE 2006 PATHFINDERS. THEY ARE TELLING ME THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THE PATHFINDERS AND AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I AM SEEING THAT I AM NOT ALONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493813
132,000 miles · Jan 19, 2013
Electrical System
DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY THEN CONTROLS ON THE CARS WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND SMOKE STARTED EXITING THE ENGINE. CALLED DEALERSHIP THEY IMMEDIATELY STATED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST.....SAME THING HAPPENED IN 2010 THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENTIRE ENGINE STATING THAT A HOSE WENT OUT AND …
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DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY THEN CONTROLS ON THE CARS WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND SMOKE STARTED EXITING THE ENGINE. CALLED DEALERSHIP THEY IMMEDIATELY STATED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST.....SAME THING HAPPENED IN 2010 THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENTIRE ENGINE STATING THAT A HOSE WENT OUT AND THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE IT... THE SERVICE TOLD ME IT NEEDED REPLACING WITH EVER PHYSICALLY INSPECTING MY CAR... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493521
122,000 miles · Jan 14, 2013
Engine
WAS UNAWARE OF KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY ROAD AND SAID THAT THE VEHICLE JUST WOULDN'T GO. HER SPEED DROPPED AND SHE WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF A DARK BUSY ROAD. WE GOT THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND THEY GAVE A US A QUOTE AND THEN CALLED A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID IT WAS A…
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WAS UNAWARE OF KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY ROAD AND SAID THAT THE VEHICLE JUST WOULDN'T GO. HER SPEED DROPPED AND SHE WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF A DARK BUSY ROAD. WE GOT THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND THEY GAVE A US A QUOTE AND THEN CALLED A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND GAVE ME A QUOTE. BOTH QUOTES ENDED UP BEING AROUND THE SAME. I WASN'T AWARE THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND AM UPSET THAT IT HAPPENED TO SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE AND I WASN'T MADE AWARE OF IT AND THAT NISSAN ONLY PUSHED OUT THE WARRANTY DATE INSTEAD OF MAKING A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10492918
75,000 miles · Jan 8, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
I FILLED MY TANK OF GAS, BUT THE GAS GAUGE STILL READ EMPTY WITH THE FUEL LIGHT ON. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. FROM THAT POINT ON I COULD NEVER KEEP TRACK OF MY GAS. IT'S EITHER FULL OR EMPTY. SOMETIMES IT GETS STUCK BETWEEN HALF TANK & QUARTER TANK. I CANNOT KEEP TRACK OF MY MILES TRAVELED BECAUSE ONCE IT REACHES…
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I FILLED MY TANK OF GAS, BUT THE GAS GAUGE STILL READ EMPTY WITH THE FUEL LIGHT ON. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. FROM THAT POINT ON I COULD NEVER KEEP TRACK OF MY GAS. IT'S EITHER FULL OR EMPTY. SOMETIMES IT GETS STUCK BETWEEN HALF TANK & QUARTER TANK. I CANNOT KEEP TRACK OF MY MILES TRAVELED BECAUSE ONCE IT REACHES HALF TANK THE FUEL LIGHT GOES ON & THE METER STARTS BLINKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10491764
90,000 miles · Jan 5, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION, GAS GAUGE SHOWS INACCURATE AMOUNT OF GAS IN TANK. CANNOT PASS DEQ TEST UNTIL FIXED. APPEARS TO BE ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE & MODEL OF VEHICLE. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN EXTENSION ON THE RECALL, VERY EXPENSIVE TOO FIX. PROBLEM #2 SEVERE TRANSMISSION VIBRATION AT 50-70 MPH, CANNOT OPERATE IN OVERDRIVE…
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FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION, GAS GAUGE SHOWS INACCURATE AMOUNT OF GAS IN TANK. CANNOT PASS DEQ TEST UNTIL FIXED. APPEARS TO BE ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE & MODEL OF VEHICLE. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN EXTENSION ON THE RECALL, VERY EXPENSIVE TOO FIX. PROBLEM #2 SEVERE TRANSMISSION VIBRATION AT 50-70 MPH, CANNOT OPERATE IN OVERDRIVE WITHOUT HAVING TRANSMISSION CAUSING SEVERE JERKING OF VEHICLE. VERY SCARY NOISE ESPECIALLY WITH LITTLE KIDS IN CAR. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE AND IT NEEDS TO BE MOVED TO A FULL RECALL. VERY DANGEROUS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10491527
122,569 miles · Jan 2, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION SUDDEN LOSE OF SPEED DIFFICULT TO DRIVE MANAGE TO GET IT HOME HAVEN'T RAN IT SINCE AFRAID OF LOSING THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY DID NOT NO OF THIS ISSUE TILL IT WAS TOO LATE I HAVE 2 CARS BETWEEN ME AND MY 3 SONS AND NOW DOWN TO ONE CAR TILL THIS ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVE, CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE RE…
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COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION SUDDEN LOSE OF SPEED DIFFICULT TO DRIVE MANAGE TO GET IT HOME HAVEN'T RAN IT SINCE AFRAID OF LOSING THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY DID NOT NO OF THIS ISSUE TILL IT WAS TOO LATE I HAVE 2 CARS BETWEEN ME AND MY 3 SONS AND NOW DOWN TO ONE CAR TILL THIS ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVE, CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET IM HOPING NISSAN WILL BE TAKING SOME RESPONSIBILITY I'VE OWN 5 NISSANS A STANZA, SENTRA, A PATHFINDER, MAXIMA, AND NOW 06 PATHFINDER IM HAVING ISSUES WITH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490816
180,000 miles · Jan 2, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROPERLY DISPLAY THE CORRECT FUEL LEVEL. THE LOW FUEL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS COMPLETELY FILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROPERLY DISPLAY THE CORRECT FUEL LEVEL. THE LOW FUEL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS COMPLETELY FILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILIARY TANK). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA ODI #10490706
91,000 miles · Jan 2, 2013
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND EMITTED A STRONG COOLANT ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR CRACKED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL AND CAUSED COOLANT TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION. THE RADIATOR AND TRA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND EMITTED A STRONG COOLANT ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR CRACKED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL AND CAUSED COOLANT TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION. THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
NHTSA ODI #10490697
101,000 miles · Jan 1, 2013
Power Train
WHILE ACCELERATING DOWN MAIN HIGHWAY IN MASSACHUSETTS MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR , JERKED REPEATEDLY AND THEN CAUGHT AGAIN SURGING FORWARD. THIS PROCESS REPEATED ITS SELF FOR THE FOLLOWING 5 MILES UNTIL COULD SAFELY GET IT OFF THE HIGHWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490632
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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