IllustrationCOOLANT CONTAMINATION, GETTING MIX WITH TRANSMISSION OIL
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 →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
4125–50K
5750–75K
13375–100K
216100–150K
32150K+
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HERITAGE NISSAN (1500 VETERANS MEMORIAL HWY NE, ROME, GA 30161) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE COOLANT AND RADIATOR THAT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HERITAGE NISSAN (1500 VETERANS MEMORIAL HWY NE, ROME, GA 30161) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE COOLANT AND RADIATOR THAT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A CALL BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,859. *TT *TR
THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING VERY ROUGHLY AND LOUDLY DURING ACCELERATION, THEN SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT ON A VERY BUSY FRONTAGE ROAD TO THE HIGHWAY. SHE WAS ABLE TO STEER IT ONTO THE SHOULDER BEFORE IT STOPPED COASTING; AND SEVERAL PEOPLE STOPPED TO HELP HER PUSH IT INTO SAFE…
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THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING VERY ROUGHLY AND LOUDLY DURING ACCELERATION, THEN SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT ON A VERY BUSY FRONTAGE ROAD TO THE HIGHWAY. SHE WAS ABLE TO STEER IT ONTO THE SHOULDER BEFORE IT STOPPED COASTING; AND SEVERAL PEOPLE STOPPED TO HELP HER PUSH IT INTO SAFETY IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC INFORMED US THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED THROUGH CRACKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. UPON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, WE DISCOVERED THIS WAS A KNOWN AND ACKNOWEDGED PROBLEM WITH 2005-2010 NISSAN PATHFINDERS, BUT NEITHER A RECALL NOR A WARNING WAS EVER ISSUED. WE ARE NOW BEYOND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE IN TIME AND IN MILEAGE, SO NISSAN WILL NOT COVER ANY OF THE EXPENSES TO REPAIR.
IN 2007, I PURCHASED A NEW NISSAN PATHFINDER, UNAWARE OF ANY DEFECTS. IN 2011, I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRUCK NOT PRODUCING HEAT WHILE IT WAS IDLE. NISSAN STATED THAT THE COOLANT LOOKED DARK AND ADVISED ME THAT THEIR WAS AIR IN THE LINE. ONCE AGAIN, I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE HEAT AND NOW I'M BEING TOLD THE TRANSMISSION …
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IN 2007, I PURCHASED A NEW NISSAN PATHFINDER, UNAWARE OF ANY DEFECTS. IN 2011, I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRUCK NOT PRODUCING HEAT WHILE IT WAS IDLE. NISSAN STATED THAT THE COOLANT LOOKED DARK AND ADVISED ME THAT THEIR WAS AIR IN THE LINE. ONCE AGAIN, I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE HEAT AND NOW I'M BEING TOLD THE TRANSMISSION AND COOLANT FLUIDS ARE INTERMIXED, AND THAT IT WOULD COST BETWEEN $7 AND 8 THOUSAND DOLLARS BECAUSE I NEED TO REPLACE BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR. WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK TO NISSAN IN 2011, AND THEY KNEW THE COOLANT WAS DARK, I SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT WITH THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY BECAUSE MY ISSUES MOST LIKELY HAD ALREADY STARTED, AND NOW, IT'S GOTTEN WORSE. I WAS NEVER ADVISED OF THIS PROBLEM UNTIL NOW.
I BOUGHT MY 07 PATHFINDER IN JULY AND THE DEALERSHIP HAD DONE REPAIR ON THE RADIATOR AT THEIR EXPENSE, AND REPLACED THE COOLANT AND TRANNY FLUIDS AND STATED THERE WAS NO CROSS CONTAMINATION. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STOPPED SHIFTING PROPERLY AND WE COULDN'T TELL IF IT WAS THE TRANNY, ABS, OR 4WD GETTING CAUGHT. AS OF YESTERDAY THE T…
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I BOUGHT MY 07 PATHFINDER IN JULY AND THE DEALERSHIP HAD DONE REPAIR ON THE RADIATOR AT THEIR EXPENSE, AND REPLACED THE COOLANT AND TRANNY FLUIDS AND STATED THERE WAS NO CROSS CONTAMINATION. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STOPPED SHIFTING PROPERLY AND WE COULDN'T TELL IF IT WAS THE TRANNY, ABS, OR 4WD GETTING CAUGHT. AS OF YESTERDAY THE TRANNY WOULDN'T CHANGE GEARS. RESTARTING THE CAR HELPED. BUT SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL THERE IS NO HISTORY OF ANY OTHER WORK. ALL MAINTENANCE WAS KEPT UP WITH THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE VEHICLES LIFE. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT A STOP, AND MOVED TO ACCELERATE IT WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR/DRIVE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WOULD ?CATCH? AND WOULD LAUNCH.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TEMPERATURE GAUGE PEGGED OUT AT THE HIGH SIDE AND THERE WAS A BURNING METAL SMELL. I WAS TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE IS BEYOND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT NISSAN GAVE AND THEY NEVER CONTACTED ME TO LET ME KNOW THAT THERE EVEN W…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TEMPERATURE GAUGE PEGGED OUT AT THE HIGH SIDE AND THERE WAS A BURNING METAL SMELL. I WAS TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE IS BEYOND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT NISSAN GAVE AND THEY NEVER CONTACTED ME TO LET ME KNOW THAT THERE EVEN WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY.
I BOUGHT A VEHICAL HAS BAD TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS LIGHTS ALWAYS ON I NEVER KNOW IF TIRES ARE REALLYHAVING AN ISSUE.
I HAD NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE FRONT /RIGHT PORTION OF MY VEHICLE AFTER I PARKED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THE RESERVE CAP TO THE RADIATOR HAD COME LOOSE. AFTER LETTING MY VEHICLE COOL, I INSPECTED BOTH THE RESERVE TANK AND RADIATOR AND NOTICED THE FLUID WAS NOW A MILKY/FROTHY SUBSTANCE. AFTER SOME DETECTIVE WORK, I LEA…
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I HAD NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE FRONT /RIGHT PORTION OF MY VEHICLE AFTER I PARKED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THE RESERVE CAP TO THE RADIATOR HAD COME LOOSE. AFTER LETTING MY VEHICLE COOL, I INSPECTED BOTH THE RESERVE TANK AND RADIATOR AND NOTICED THE FLUID WAS NOW A MILKY/FROTHY SUBSTANCE. AFTER SOME DETECTIVE WORK, I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH PATHFINDERS FROM 2005- THROUGH 2010 THAT NISSAN HAS IGNORED TO FIX. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY "FAILS" CAUSING CONTAMINATION TO THE INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS ,AND DAMAGE TO THE INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS UP TO OR JUST PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. AFTER CONTACTING NISSAN AND RECEIVING A DENIAL TO FIX OUR TRUCK UNDER A WARRANTY, I AM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE WITH SEVERAL "THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS" IN REPAIRS ALL DUE TO NISSAN IGNORING A KNOWN DEFECT AND NOT ISSUING A RECALL ON ALL VEHICLES IN THE "KNOWN" YEAR BRACKET WITH THESE ISSUES. I'M SURE NOTHING WILL BE DONE REGARDING THIS ISSUE DUE TO THERE NOT BEING A MAJOR LOSS OF LIVES INVOLVED, I.E. TAKATA AIRBAGS,BUT I FIND IT IS MY DUTY TO ADD MY NAME TO AN ALREADY HEFTY LIST OF OTHER NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED, IT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUID HAD MIXED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED, IT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUID HAD MIXED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. UPDATED 10/18/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED MALFUNCTIONING AIRBAGS. *TR
CAR CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY,IT WOULTD NOT START
Official recalls
108V690000 · 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.