SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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 →
837Owner complaints

Model-year median: 97

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
110
200367
20041,050
2005837
2006561
2007328
200837
2009
Compare all Pathfinder years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
450Engine And Engine Cooling
185Engine
147Fuel System, Gasoline
135Fuel/propulsion System
71
All reported categories
Unknown Or Other
43Steering
41Electrical System
34Fuel System, Other
29Vehicle Speed Control
16Air Bags
14Suspension
9Service Brakes
6Structure
6Equipment
5Seat Belts
5Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Tires
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility
2Wheels
2Seats
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Traction Control System
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
170,000 miles · Mar 15, 2018
Air BagsSeat BeltsSteeringCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING ON HWY AND I WENT TO GO AROUND A CURVE AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP I WENT OFF THE ROAD AND CAME TO A STOP LOOKING UP AT THE BRIDGE. WHEN I WENT OFF THE ROAD MY TRUCK HIT A HILL (IT HIT AROUND BY MY RADIATOR) MY TRUCK THEN FLIPPED AND THEN HIT ANOTHER HILL (HIT BY MY RADIATOR AGAIN) AND CAME TO A STOP. MY AIRBAG…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING ON HWY AND I WENT TO GO AROUND A CURVE AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP I WENT OFF THE ROAD AND CAME TO A STOP LOOKING UP AT THE BRIDGE. WHEN I WENT OFF THE ROAD MY TRUCK HIT A HILL (IT HIT AROUND BY MY RADIATOR) MY TRUCK THEN FLIPPED AND THEN HIT ANOTHER HILL (HIT BY MY RADIATOR AGAIN) AND CAME TO A STOP. MY AIRBAG DIDNT NOT DEPLOY UNTIL MY TRUCK STOP MOVING. AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK ME IN PLACE. I WAS SLUNG AROUND MY FRONT SEAT. I HAD TO TRY TO HOLD MYSELF IN MY SEAT WITH MY LEGS (PUSHING UP ON MY STEERING WHEEL) I HIT MY HEAD ON MY STEERING WHEEL, MY WINDOW AND MY ROOF.I HAVE A CRACKED FEMUR FROM MY STEERING WHEEL. AND 2 COMPRESSED DISKS IN MY BACK.. WHEN I REALIZED MY TRUCK WASNT TURNING INTO THE CURVE I HIT MY BRAKES BUT IT DIDNT DO ANYTHING BC MY TIRES CAME OFF THE GROUND AND WHEN IT STOPPED I WAS ON THE CREEK BANK.

NHTSA ODI #11079522

111,000 miles · Mar 9, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, VIBRATED, AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF FUEL. THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE THE ACCURATE READING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIESTA NIS…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, VIBRATED, AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF FUEL. THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE THE ACCURATE READING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIESTA NISSAN (2005 ST MICHAELS DR., SANTA FE, NM 87505, (505) 955-1000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ODI #11078400

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2018
Power Train

CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FAILURE DUE TO CO-MINGLING ATF AND COOLANT AT 136,000 MILES. CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, THEY REFUSED TO HELP IN ANY WAY, BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AS A "KNOWN" ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11078259

91,000 miles · Feb 26, 2018
Power Train

THE RADIATOR HAS BROKEN AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A COMPLETE FAILURE IN THE SYSTEM. BOTH MUST NOW BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11075087

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FRONT AND BACK HAVE TO BE REPLACED

NHTSA ODI #11074220

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

THE SCANNER IS SHOWING DTC P0463 FUEL LEVEL SENSOR "A" CIRCUIT HIGH. WHY MOST CAR ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND MINE HAS NOT? THIS PROBLEM IS PREVENTING THE SYSTEM FROM SHOWING THE ACTUAL FUEL LEVEL AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE ENGINE FAILS AND STOP. PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA ODI #11073796

105,000 miles · Feb 8, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE, WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE CAR SHUT OFF AND I LOST TOTAL POWER OF THE CAR AND THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT GETTING KILLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2X I LOOS TOTAL POWER AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF. I CALLED NISSAN TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND THEY SAID NO, HOWEVER THERE IS A RECALL #10V517…

Read full complaint

HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE, WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE CAR SHUT OFF AND I LOST TOTAL POWER OF THE CAR AND THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT GETTING KILLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2X I LOOS TOTAL POWER AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF. I CALLED NISSAN TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND THEY SAID NO, HOWEVER THERE IS A RECALL #10V517000 WHICH NISSAN SAYS MY CAR IS NOT INVOLVED IN THAT ADVISED THIS MODEL HAD A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM HAVING THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IT. IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY REASON AND I HAVE THE MAKE & MODEL WHILE NISSAN WILL NOT INVESTIGATE WHY THIS IS HAPPENED AS IT IS A DIRECT SAFETY PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD TAKE IT INTO NISSAN FOR THEM TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS OF COURSE AT MY EXPENSE.

NHTSA ODI #11071727

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

MY HUSBAND HAS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO A FAULTY READING ON THE GAS GAUGE. HE HAD TO WALK FROM THE HIGHWAY IN RECORD LOW COLD TO THE GAS STATION WITH HIS DISABILITY IN THE COLD WEATHER TO GET GAS AND BACK. THE DEALER STATES OUR TRUCK IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND BELIEVE THIS TO BE UNFAIR…

Read full complaint

MY HUSBAND HAS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO A FAULTY READING ON THE GAS GAUGE. HE HAD TO WALK FROM THE HIGHWAY IN RECORD LOW COLD TO THE GAS STATION WITH HIS DISABILITY IN THE COLD WEATHER TO GET GAS AND BACK. THE DEALER STATES OUR TRUCK IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND BELIEVE THIS TO BE UNFAIR. IF THIS IS A KNOW RECALL IT SHOULD BE FIX AND SHOULD NOT MATTER IF YOUR VEHICLE WAS LISTED AS THE CARS AFFECTED ESPECIALLY IF IT IS A KNOW ISSUE. HE COULD HAVE DIED!

NHTSA ODI #11060799

189,000 miles · Dec 15, 2017
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AAMCO. THE TRANSMISSION WAS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR, REQUIRING A COMPLETE OVERHAUL INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. ESTIMATED COST OF DAMAGES IS $4600! MY VEHICLE IS IN EXCESS OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, HOWEVER THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW …

Read full complaint

THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AAMCO. THE TRANSMISSION WAS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR, REQUIRING A COMPLETE OVERHAUL INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. ESTIMATED COST OF DAMAGES IS $4600! MY VEHICLE IS IN EXCESS OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, HOWEVER THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY NISSAN.

NHTSA ODI #11054919

98,345 miles · Dec 14, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL GAUGE WAS READING INCORRECT AND I AM AWARE THAT THERE IS NHSTA RECAL ID 10V075000. THE CHEC ENGINE LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED AND I HAD TO GET IT REPAIRED IN ORDER TO GET AN INSPECTION STICKER IN MASSACHUSETTS.

NHTSA ODI #11054806

Official recalls

3

10V517000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.