IllustrationTRANSMISSION OF MY NISSAN PATHFINDER 2007 FAILED. THE RADIATOR SPILLED THE COOLING LIQUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH THEN PROCEEDED TO CAUSE IRREPAIRABLE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION REPLACED WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION
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 reportsTRANSMISSION FLUID IS LEAKING INTO COOLANT.
THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 40-45 MPH
AT 80000 MILES TIMING CHAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED $2100.00 REPAIR THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF BEING A COMMON DEFECT . MY EXTENDED WARRANTEE COMPANY DID NOT COVER BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS A PRE - EXISTING PROBLEM. AT 82000 MILES RADIATOR TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING FAILURE TO BOTH. ANOTHER PROBLEM TH…
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AT 80000 MILES TIMING CHAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED $2100.00 REPAIR THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF BEING A COMMON DEFECT . MY EXTENDED WARRANTEE COMPANY DID NOT COVER BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS A PRE - EXISTING PROBLEM. AT 82000 MILES RADIATOR TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING FAILURE TO BOTH. ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF AND WOULD NOT PAY FOR A REPAIR FOR OVER $6000 BECAUSE THEY HAD NO RECALL
NOW ON OUR 2ND RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH OUR NISSAN PATHFINDER, THE ORIGINAL REPAIR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOW EXPERIENCING SAME ISSUES AGAIN. WITH BOTH INSTANCES THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN ISSUES OCCURRED. FORTUNATELY, THE LOCATION TO THE REPAIR SHOP IS CLOSE. OUR PATHFINDER IS CURRENTLY IN A REPAIR SHOP UNDER GOING …
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NOW ON OUR 2ND RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH OUR NISSAN PATHFINDER, THE ORIGINAL REPAIR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOW EXPERIENCING SAME ISSUES AGAIN. WITH BOTH INSTANCES THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN ISSUES OCCURRED. FORTUNATELY, THE LOCATION TO THE REPAIR SHOP IS CLOSE. OUR PATHFINDER IS CURRENTLY IN A REPAIR SHOP UNDER GOING DIAGNOSTICS.
CAR STARTED TO SHUDDER WHEN DRIVING, HEATER WOULD GET COLD WHEN CAR WAS SITTING, VIBRATIONS WHEN DRIVING. GARAGE SAID RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID AND DESTROYED ENGINE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND MERGING INTO THE SLOW LANE, THE VEHICLE AGGRESSIVELY LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIGOROUSLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND CHECK OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND MERGING INTO THE SLOW LANE, THE VEHICLE AGGRESSIVELY LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIGOROUSLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND CHECK OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS ENGINE SLUDGE. THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FAILED DUE TO THE EXTERNAL COOLER FAILURE. THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, AND EXTERNAL COOLER ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.
TRUCK WAS JERKING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THEN WENT TO DIRECT FIX.COM, WHICH SAID TO LOOK FOR CONTAMINATION IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR. SO I REPLACED THE RADIATOR, FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACE TRANSMITTER AND FILLED OEM TRANSFLUID. RAN GOOD FOR TWO WEEKS AND TRAN'S JUST WENT BANK. IREC
MY PATHFINDER TAKING ANTIFREEZE INSIDE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID TURNING IT TO LOOK LIKE PEPTO BISMOL ALSO MY ENGINE IS TAKING IN ANTI FREEZE ALSO. THERE ARE RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES NOTE MY TRUCK STILL RUN BUT IT OVER HEATS TRANNY WORKS TOO I'VE PARKED IT FOR COUPLE YEARS NOW I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT TO THE POINT …
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MY PATHFINDER TAKING ANTIFREEZE INSIDE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID TURNING IT TO LOOK LIKE PEPTO BISMOL ALSO MY ENGINE IS TAKING IN ANTI FREEZE ALSO. THERE ARE RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES NOTE MY TRUCK STILL RUN BUT IT OVER HEATS TRANNY WORKS TOO I'VE PARKED IT FOR COUPLE YEARS NOW I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT TO THE POINT WHERE IT DON'T WORK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT TO MIX. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT TO MIX. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,687.
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.