NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
128 reportsClear category filter81,121 miles · Jun 30, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WE PURCHASED OUR 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON MAY 21 OF THIS YEAR. TODAY MAKES 39 DAYS WE'VE HAD IT. ON THE 32 DAY WE NOTICED IT WAS HAVING SOME ROUGHNESS IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN CHANGING GEARS. IT FELT LIKE WE WERE RUNNING OVER REALLY ROUGH ROADS OR RUMBLE STRIPS. IT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE THE LONGER WE DROVE IT. THEN AROUND …
Read full complaint
WE PURCHASED OUR 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON MAY 21 OF THIS YEAR. TODAY MAKES 39 DAYS WE'VE HAD IT. ON THE 32 DAY WE NOTICED IT WAS HAVING SOME ROUGHNESS IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN CHANGING GEARS. IT FELT LIKE WE WERE RUNNING OVER REALLY ROUGH ROADS OR RUMBLE STRIPS. IT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE THE LONGER WE DROVE IT. THEN AROUND A WEEK AGO I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE HOME TO INFORM MY HUSBAND. WHEN HE CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IT APPEARED TO BE EMPTY. WHEN HE FURTHER CHECKED IT AND CLEANED THE DIP STICK IT WAS A TANISH COLORED LIQUID THAT WAS SHOWING UP. I WENT TO GOOGLE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME OR SIMILAR VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A LEAK IN A RADIATOR HOSE THAT RUNS THRU THE TRANSMISSION AND LEAKS FLUIDS BACK AND FORTH. MY HUSBAND WENT TO CHECK THE RADIATOR AND SURE ENOUGH THERE IS TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR AND IT APPEARED IN THE ENGINE AS WELL. SO NOW WE HAVE TRANSMISSION FLUID, WATER, AND ANTIFREEZE IN OUR TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR AND ENGINE. NISSAN NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. ITS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A FLAW IN THEIR WORKMANSHIP. WE WERE TOLD BY NISSAN TO BRING OUR PATHFINDER IN FOR AN EVALUATION AND BE PREPARED TO PAY 2,500.00 DOLLARS. NEEDLESS TO SAY WE ARE PAYING A PAYMENT ALREADY ON A VEHICLE WE HAVE HAD FOR ONE MONTH. WE CANT AFFORD THIS KIND OF REPAIR. SO NOW WERE STUCK WITH A CAR WE CANT EVEN DRIVE.....UPDATED 09/03/15 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10731396
93,500 miles · Jun 10, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,500.
NHTSA ODI #10724587
133,000 miles · Jun 3, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WITHIN MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT ANTIFREEZE FLUID SEEPED INTO THE TRANSMISS…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WITHIN MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT ANTIFREEZE FLUID SEEPED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
NHTSA ODI #10723250
111,000 miles · May 1, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR FAILED, MIXED COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.REPAIRS ESTIMATED AT $5000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10714034
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE RADIATOR LEAKS FLUIDS INTO THE TRANSMISSION, INTERMIXING THE FLUIDS. THIS IS RUINING THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND LEAK. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10713638
100,000 miles · Apr 23, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR HAD A CRACK AND LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILU…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR HAD A CRACK AND LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED. UPDATED 08/19/15*JB UPDATED 10/07/15*LJ UPDATED 10/11/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10712439
150 miles · Apr 17, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME FROM MY DAUGHTERS DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. IT WAS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC TIME. AS I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE I FELT A JERK ON THE CARD AND THE O/D LIGHT START FLASHING. I WAS ALMOST HOME SO I KEPT DRIVING TO MAKE IT HOME. DID NOT WANT TO B STRANDED IN THE ROAD WITH MY DAUGHTER. AS I PUSHED ON THE GAS IT DID…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME FROM MY DAUGHTERS DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. IT WAS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC TIME. AS I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE I FELT A JERK ON THE CARD AND THE O/D LIGHT START FLASHING. I WAS ALMOST HOME SO I KEPT DRIVING TO MAKE IT HOME. DID NOT WANT TO B STRANDED IN THE ROAD WITH MY DAUGHTER. AS I PUSHED ON THE GAS IT DID NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE AN MORE, ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND WE PRETTY MUCH STROLLED INTO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. I PUT IT IN PARK AND WAITED A MOMENT AND TRIED TO SEE IF IT WOULD CUT BACK ON, BUT IT DIDN'T. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC SHOP AND HE SAID IT SMELLED LIKE RADIATOR FLUID. AFTER DOING DIAGNOSTIC HE SAID PROBLEM WAS TO DUE TO A CRACK THAT LEAKED RADIATOR FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION. SO NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR AND COMPUTER. COST WOULD BE OVER $5,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10706200
84,000 miles · Apr 7, 2015
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ONTO THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE LEAK CA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ONTO THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE LEAK CAME FROM INSIDE THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10704132
101,000 miles · Mar 31, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR FAILURE (KNOWN NISSAN DEFECT) CAUSED COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS A $4,600 REPAIR. NISSAN COVERED $0.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10702780
75,000 miles · Mar 30, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE HEATER FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLUID IN THE RADIATOR WAS MILKY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10702592
Official recalls
1Dec 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.
Illustration