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2007 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pathfinder years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →
561Owner complaints

Model-year median: 97

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
67
20041,050
2005837
2006561
2007328
200837
200940
2010
Compare all Pathfinder years →

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

What owners reported most

Power Train
337Engine And Engine Cooling
128Engine
114Fuel System, Gasoline
67Fuel/propulsion System
39
All reported categories
Unknown Or Other
35Electrical System
25Vehicle Speed Control
24Air Bags
23Fuel System, Other
14Steering
6Suspension
5Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Seat Belts
4Visibility
4Service Brakes
3Structure
3Tires
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility/wiper
2Seats
1Wheels
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

500 reports with mileage · 61 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 337 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 128 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 114 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Engine complaints

114 reports
Clear category filter
100,000 miles · Jun 20, 2012
Engine

MY PATHFINDER RECENTLY STARTED GRINDING INTO 4TH GEAR AROUND 40 MPH AND IS NOW LURCHING FORWARD (AS IF HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME ENGAGING IN 1ST GEAR) AFTER BEIN STOPPED. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, MY ISSUE EXACTLY FITS THE DESCRIPTION OF SCORES OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS FROM PATHFINDER OWNERS OF 2005-07 MODELS WHO HAVE COME TO FIN…

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MY PATHFINDER RECENTLY STARTED GRINDING INTO 4TH GEAR AROUND 40 MPH AND IS NOW LURCHING FORWARD (AS IF HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME ENGAGING IN 1ST GEAR) AFTER BEIN STOPPED. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, MY ISSUE EXACTLY FITS THE DESCRIPTION OF SCORES OF ONLINE COMPLAINTS FROM PATHFINDER OWNERS OF 2005-07 MODELS WHO HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURERS' DEFECT OF A COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I CALLED THE NISSAN NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS AND REGISTER MY OWN, I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTICS TEST I ORDER TO REGISTER THE COMPLAINT FURTHER. I WAS TRANSFERRED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE RESEARCH: IF MY TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS MILKY REDDISH IN COLOR (WHICH IT IS), THEN RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO TO TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS LIKELY ( FROM THIS SERVICE REP'S EXPERIENCE) THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3500-$8000. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT THE PREVALENCE OF THIS PROBLEM AT HIS DEALERSHIP, HE WAS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ISSUE BUT BECAUSE OF THE PERCENTAGE OF CARS AFFECTED THAT IS KNOWN IS SMALL IN COMPARISON TO THE NUMBER SOLD IN THOSE YEARS, A RECALL WAS UNLIKELY. HE ALSO INDICATED THAT THE MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE (107000) MADE IT EVEN MORE UNLIKELY THAT NISSAN WOULD COVER THE REPAIRS. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10462423

116,524 miles · Jun 9, 2012
EnginePower Train

THE FAULTY SEAL THAT SEPARATES THE ANTI-FREEZE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED AND RESULTED IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILING. THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS ADMITTING TO BUT ONLY GIVING PARTIAL REMEDY AS IT MAY NOT HAPPEN BEFORE 80,000 MILES. I FIND MYSELF ALONG WITH MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS WHO ARE FOOTING THE BILL FOR…

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THE FAULTY SEAL THAT SEPARATES THE ANTI-FREEZE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED AND RESULTED IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILING. THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS ADMITTING TO BUT ONLY GIVING PARTIAL REMEDY AS IT MAY NOT HAPPEN BEFORE 80,000 MILES. I FIND MYSELF ALONG WITH MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS WHO ARE FOOTING THE BILL FOR THE 8600 DOLLAR REPAIR IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES. WHEN BUYING A NEW VEHICLE IT SHOULD LAST LONG ENOUGH TO FINISH PAYING THE CAR NOTE WITHOUT ANY MAJOR EXPENSES. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY AS A RECALL SO THE CONSUMER CAN BE REIMBURSED FOR TERRIBLE ENGINEERING THAT ANY MECHANIC WILL TELL YOU. EVEN THE NISSAN DEALERS KNOW IS A PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP. IS THERE ANY ASSISTANCE AS A CONSUMER? *JS

NHTSA ODI #10461079

89,600 miles · May 30, 2012
Engine

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD 4TH GEAR DID NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. HAD TO GET OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. HAD TO DRIVE IT OFF ROAD AT 20/30 MILES PER HOUR IN BUSY TRAFFIC. HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT IS NOT ACCEPTING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR NOT INFORMING US OF THE PROBLEM THAT …

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WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD 4TH GEAR DID NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. HAD TO GET OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. HAD TO DRIVE IT OFF ROAD AT 20/30 MILES PER HOUR IN BUSY TRAFFIC. HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT IS NOT ACCEPTING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR NOT INFORMING US OF THE PROBLEM THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT MONTHS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459985

88,000 miles · May 11, 2012
EnginePower Train

CAR STARTED SHIFTING VERY ROUGH AND STALLED IN TRAFFIC. VERY DANGEROUS! FOUND OUT FROM NISSAN SERVICE CENTER THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR THAT CAUSES THE COOLANT TO MIX INTO THE TRANSMISSION. BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE REPLACED. NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON BOTH PARTS TO 80,000 MILES (APPARENTLY NI…

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CAR STARTED SHIFTING VERY ROUGH AND STALLED IN TRAFFIC. VERY DANGEROUS! FOUND OUT FROM NISSAN SERVICE CENTER THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR THAT CAUSES THE COOLANT TO MIX INTO THE TRANSMISSION. BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE REPLACED. NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON BOTH PARTS TO 80,000 MILES (APPARENTLY NISSAN KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM). UNFORTUNATELY, IT AFFECTED MY CAR AT 88,000 MILES. NOW, NISSAN IS REALLY GIVING ME THE RUN-AROUND. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE NISSAN SERVICE CENTER FOR 2 DAYS. THEY INFORMED ME TODAY (MAY 11, 2012) THEY WOULD MAKE A DETERMINATION BY MAY 16TH IF THEY WILL "HELP PAY" FOR THE FIX. THE DEFECTIVE RADIATOR SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED! I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS FIX. SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THIS DEFECT!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458156

Official recalls

1

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.