IllustrationTIMING CHAIN FAILURE AT 80,000 MILES WHICH SHOULD NOT HAPPEN
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 COOLER INSIDE THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND GOT COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO DIE. WE WENT TO TURN THE CAR ON AND IT WOULDN'T START, FROM THERE WE TOWED IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD US WHAT HAD HAPPENED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE, WHEN IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE, WHEN IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,789. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
AT FIRST, THE CAR WOULDN'T START OCCASIONALLY. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND FUSES. THIS HELPED TEMPORARILY. NOW, THE CAR WON'T START UNLESS I PLACE A NEW ECU FUSE EACH TIME I ATTEMPT TO START IT. CHANGING THE FUSE WILL START THE CAR, BUT IT LACKS POWER AND IS QUICK TO STALL OUT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC, HE DISCOVERED CO…
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AT FIRST, THE CAR WOULDN'T START OCCASIONALLY. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND FUSES. THIS HELPED TEMPORARILY. NOW, THE CAR WON'T START UNLESS I PLACE A NEW ECU FUSE EACH TIME I ATTEMPT TO START IT. CHANGING THE FUSE WILL START THE CAR, BUT IT LACKS POWER AND IS QUICK TO STALL OUT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC, HE DISCOVERED COOLANT IN MY TRANSMISSION. AFTER READING INFORMATION FROM SEVERAL WEBSITES, I REALIZED THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL OF CAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ANTI FREEZE MIXED TOGETHER AND THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ANTI FREEZE MIXED TOGETHER AND THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
RADIATOR CRACKED AND WATER WENT INTO THE OIL AND IT MIXED....PER REP AND MECHANIC AT NISSAN DEALER. PROBLEM CAUSED BY RADIATIOR NOT BEING BUILT PROPERLY AT FABRIC. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING. VERY UNSAFE.
COOLANT AFT CROSS CONTAMINATION IN THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS FRACTURED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE ANTI-FREEZE HAD MIX…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS FRACTURED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE ANTI-FREEZE HAD MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING IT TO LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE VEHICLE MOVED UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE VEHICLE MOVED UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED SLIPPING SO I HAD IT LOOKED AT AND FOUND OUT THE COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE 118,000 MILES ON IT AND UNFORTUNATELY IT LOOKS LIKE I AM OUT OF LUCK. I AN VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NISSAN SINCE THEY KNOW THE FAILURE DOES NOT OCCUR UNTIL ABOUT 90,000 MILES.
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.