IllustrationFLUID HAS LEAKED FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING CORROSION IN THE TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION STALLS AND SHUTTERS WHILE DRIVING IT. THIS CAUSES A SAFETY HAZARD, DUE TO LACK OF POWER AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF TRANSMISSION DURING DRIVING. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN NISSAN PATHFINDERS.
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
What owners actually said
561 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
REAR HATCH HYDRAULICS FAILED. DOOR SLAMS SHUT, AND WILL NOT STAY IN UP POSITION. SAFETY CONCERN, ESPECIALLY WITH SMALL CHILDREN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE HYDRAULICS HOLDING UP THE DOOR HAVE FAILED.
RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED FLUID IN TO THE TRANSMISSION.
THE COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION COSTING ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM BY NISSAN AND THEY COULD HAVE RECALLED THE VEHICLE YEARS AGO BUT HAVE NOT DONE SO COSTING UNSUSPECTING CITIZENS LIKE ME HUGE BILLS TO REPAIR MY PATHFINDER. VEHICLE HAD TO BE LEFT IN A PARKING LOT OVERNIGHT FO…
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THE COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION COSTING ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM BY NISSAN AND THEY COULD HAVE RECALLED THE VEHICLE YEARS AGO BUT HAVE NOT DONE SO COSTING UNSUSPECTING CITIZENS LIKE ME HUGE BILLS TO REPAIR MY PATHFINDER. VEHICLE HAD TO BE LEFT IN A PARKING LOT OVERNIGHT FOR FEAR OF CAUSING MORE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE AND I HAD TO WALK HOME AT NIGHT.
MY CAR START TO SLIP UP SO I DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT MY TRANSMISSION HAVE COOLANT MIX IN IT ALSO OPEN RADIATOR CAP AND FOUND MILKY LOOKING COOLANT. MY CAR HAVE ONLY 114000 MILES.3/2016
TIMING CHAIN TENSION SYSTEM FAILED AT 80,000 MILES.
"TAKATA RECALL" OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 PATHFINDER AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY THAT DAY AND IT PASSED PER SERVICE MANAGER LOUIS CASTILLO AT BAKER JACKSON NISSAN IN HOUSTON TEXAS, 2 DAYS LATER THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND ONCE AGAIN I WENT TO THE DEALER SHIP AND WAS TOLD…
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"TAKATA RECALL" OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 PATHFINDER AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY THAT DAY AND IT PASSED PER SERVICE MANAGER LOUIS CASTILLO AT BAKER JACKSON NISSAN IN HOUSTON TEXAS, 2 DAYS LATER THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND ONCE AGAIN I WENT TO THE DEALER SHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSORS AND OTHER PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE COST IS $1500. I CALLED NISSAN CORP AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO TAKING RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH THEY STATED ALL 2007 PATHFINDERS IN OTHER STATES WOULD BE GIVEN A 10 YEAR WARRANTY. MY TRUCK WAS ALSO AFFECTED WITH THE RADIATOR FLULID MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, DURING THE YEARS OF 2010-2012 I CONSTANTLY TOOK MY TRUCK TO BAKER JACKSON NISSAN AND THE SERVICE MANAGER THEN LARRY JUST TOPPED OFF MY TRUCK HIMSELF AND NEVER MADE A RECORD OF IT. HE KEPT ASSURING ME THAT HE WAS SAVING ME MONEY. MY TRANSMISSION FAILED BUT BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE IN 2012 NISSAN WAS ABLE TO DENY FIXING MY TRANSMISSION VIA THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. I ENDED UP SPENDING $4800 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. IN 2010 NISSAN CONVINCED ME TO REPLACE MY TRAIN FOR $1600, I NEVER KNEW IT WAS A RECALL UNTIL TODAY. ANOTHER CAVEAT TO THIS MESS IS THAT BAKER JACKSON CHANGED THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM AND HAS NO RECORD OF ME REPLACING MY TRAIN. I HAVE A BANK STATEMENT TO PROVE IT IF NECESSARY.
IN THE MIDDLE OF 2013, THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH FOR MY 2007 PATHFINDER. I GAVE THEM THE GO AHEAD. ONLY A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO JERK AND SHIFT VIOLENTLY INTO GEAR. EVENTUALLY, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST $6K TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AN…
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IN THE MIDDLE OF 2013, THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH FOR MY 2007 PATHFINDER. I GAVE THEM THE GO AHEAD. ONLY A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO JERK AND SHIFT VIOLENTLY INTO GEAR. EVENTUALLY, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST $6K TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD JUST GET A NEW CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION COOLER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED. THE WORK WAS QUOTED AT $3,500 WHICH WAS A LOT BETTER THAN $6,000 SO I WENT AHEAD WITH THE REPAIR. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION COOLER TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, THE REPAIR WAS EXECUTED BY THE DEALERSHIP IN LATE 2014. THEN IN MID 2015 THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. SAME SYMPTOMS AS BEFORE. I AM JUST WAITING FOR THE TRUCK TO DIE ON ME ANY DAY. RECENTLY I CAME ACROSS SOME INFORMATION ABOUT A CLASS-ACTION SUIT THAT WAS SETTLED AGAINST NISSAN IN 2013 OVER THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS SETTLEMENT AND SHOULD HAVE OFFERED ME THE OPTION TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED UNDER THE TERMS OF THAT SETTLEMENT - BUT THEY DID NOT. FURTHER, I UNDERSTAND NISSAN HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH A NEW PART BUT I SUSPECT THAT THE DEALER USED THE OLD TYPE OF PARTS WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR BODY SHOP AND THIS IS THE REASON MY TRANSMISSION IS ONCE AGAIN EXHIBITING SIGNS OF AN IMPENDING PROBLEM. THIS IS JUST NOT GOOD FOR CONSUMERS AND IT IS DEFINITELY NOT GOOD FOR NISSAN'S REPUTATION. I WILL NEVER AGAIN BUY NISSAN.
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AT 80,000 MILES WHICH SHOULD NOT HAPPEN
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.