NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
561 reports156,000 miles · Jun 16, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
RADIATOR FLUID MIXED WITH MY TRANSMISSION FLUID, MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW AS THE RPM'S WERE INCREASING. THE VEHICLE THEN SLOWED TO ONLY 40MPH, AND WE BARELY GOT THE CAR OFF THE HWY. THEN, EVENTHOUGH IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE; LIKE IT WAS PUT IN NEUTRAL. LOOKED UP ISSUE ONLI…
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RADIATOR FLUID MIXED WITH MY TRANSMISSION FLUID, MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW AS THE RPM'S WERE INCREASING. THE VEHICLE THEN SLOWED TO ONLY 40MPH, AND WE BARELY GOT THE CAR OFF THE HWY. THEN, EVENTHOUGH IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE; LIKE IT WAS PUT IN NEUTRAL. LOOKED UP ISSUE ONLINE, AND IT IS ANOTHER KNOWN NISSAN RECALL; BUT THEY LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF MILES THAT YOU CAN HAVE TO RECEIVE ANY REIMBURSEMENT. BASICALLY, I WILL GET NO RELIEF FOR THIS KNOWN DEFECT. I DID GET A RECALL NOTICE BUT MY VEHICLE WAS HAVING NO ISSUES AT THAT TIME, AND NOW AT 18 MONTHS LATER MY VEHICLE IS TOAST. I WILL NEVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10598717
33,000 miles · Jun 16, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL GAUGE WAS EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, TO WHERE WHEN I FILLED IT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD DROP TO ZERO/EMPTY. I TOOK IT INTO THE NISSAN DEALER (SANDY SANDSING IN PENSACOLA, FL) AND THEY TOLD ME THE ISSUE/RECALL WAS LIMITED TO THE ALTIMA AND THE XTERRA ONLY AND NOT MY PATHFINDER. AT 38000 MILE…
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FUEL GAUGE WAS EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, TO WHERE WHEN I FILLED IT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD DROP TO ZERO/EMPTY. I TOOK IT INTO THE NISSAN DEALER (SANDY SANDSING IN PENSACOLA, FL) AND THEY TOLD ME THE ISSUE/RECALL WAS LIMITED TO THE ALTIMA AND THE XTERRA ONLY AND NOT MY PATHFINDER. AT 38000 MILES THE FUEL GAUGE ISSUE WAS CONSTANT, BUT IT WAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. FINALLY, NISSAN ISSUED A RECALL AND I WAS UNABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE MY MILEAGE WAS OVER THEIR LIMIT. I AM NOT ASKING TO HAVE THIS SENSOR REPLACED JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT, IT IS INOPERABLE. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE TO PAY ME FOR THE POOR GAS MILEAGE I GET FROM HAVING TO CONSTANTLY DRIVE WITH A FULL FUEL TANK; BECAUSE THE GAS GAUGE WAS UNRELIABLE. I WILL NEVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10598714
140,000 miles · Jun 16, 2014
EnginePower Train
CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND IT WAS WHITE MILKY. HAD IT CHECKED ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION COOLER INSIDE THE RADIATOR CRACKING AND LETTING ANTIFREEZE GET INTO TRANSMISSION AND IT DESTROYS IT AND IT'S UP TO $5000 TO FIX AND LOTS OF LOST TIME AND NISSAN ISN'T DOING A THING ABOUT IT. AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS PEOPLE ON …
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CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND IT WAS WHITE MILKY. HAD IT CHECKED ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION COOLER INSIDE THE RADIATOR CRACKING AND LETTING ANTIFREEZE GET INTO TRANSMISSION AND IT DESTROYS IT AND IT'S UP TO $5000 TO FIX AND LOTS OF LOST TIME AND NISSAN ISN'T DOING A THING ABOUT IT. AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET WITH SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN SHOULD FIX THIS AT NO COST TO THE OWNER !!!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10598652
131,888 miles · Jun 13, 2014
Power Train
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT EVERYBODY IS COMPLAINING ABOUT HAS HIT ME AS WELL. THIS IS REALLY BAD THAT NISSAN IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT. WHAT IS THERE TO INVESTIGATE? I DON'T UNDERSTAND, ARE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR MIND? THIS MUST BE RECALLED AND RECALLED FAST. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10598237
86,687 miles · Jun 9, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
AT 40 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD SEEM LIKE IT UPSHIFTED TO A VERY HIGH GEAR AND THEN START TO VIBRATE REAL BAD. WE TOOK IT IN FOR AN ANALYSIS AND THEY TOLD US IMMEDIATELY THAT THE TWO FLUIDS HAD MIXED (TRANS AND COOLANT). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10597234
78,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014
EnginePower Train
I PURCHASED MY PATHFINDER USED. WITH 78,000 MILES AND WITHIN 10 DAYS OF HAVING IT THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED COMPLETELY. WELL WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND DEMANDED THEY MAKE RIGHT..THEY PAID OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY NEVER PAID FOR OUR RENTAL CAR AND NEVER BOTHERED TO TELL US THERE WAS A DEFECT ON MY VEHICLE! WE WERE DRIVING AND NOTI…
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I PURCHASED MY PATHFINDER USED. WITH 78,000 MILES AND WITHIN 10 DAYS OF HAVING IT THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED COMPLETELY. WELL WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND DEMANDED THEY MAKE RIGHT..THEY PAID OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY NEVER PAID FOR OUR RENTAL CAR AND NEVER BOTHERED TO TELL US THERE WAS A DEFECT ON MY VEHICLE! WE WERE DRIVING AND NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND THE TRUCK VIBRATING VERY LOUD AND VIGOROUSLY WHEN GOING INTO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR AT AROUND 50 MPH. BUT THEY HAD TOLD ME IT WAS MY IMAGINATION. WELL 10 DAYS FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT HOME I GUESS IT WASN'T JUST MY IMAGINATION BECAUSE WE LOST ALL ACCELERATION POWER. THE TRUCK WAS RUNNING BUT WOULDN'T NOT MOVE. HERE I AM A YEAR LATER GOOGLING WHY MY TRUCK KEEPS SCREWING UP AND BOY WHAT DO I FIND???? I'M VERY LIVID AND CAN'T BELIEVE THAT NISSAN HAS DECIDED TO FATTEN THEIR WALLETS INSTEAD OF HELPING IT'S CONSUMERS AND MAKING THINGS RIGHT. I HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION AND NEW RADIATOR PUT IN. AND A YEAR LATER I'M FIGHTING THE SAME PROBLEM ALL OVER AGAIN. IF I'M IDLE OR STAY IN ONE SPOT FOR A FEW MINUTES MY TRUCK IS OVER HEATING AND NOT ONLY THAT BUT IT'S SPEWING COOLANT OUT THE RESERVOIR. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND NO ONE GIVES A CRAP! I WAS TOLD IT WAS AN AIR POCKET AND I'M NOT STUPID ESPECIALLY NOW THAT I'M READING ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. THIS MAKES ME WONDER HOW THE GOVERNMENT CAN ALLOW THIS TO CONTINUE GOING ON..I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT NO HELP IS AVAILABLE TO US AND WE ARE BEING SCREWED ROYALLY AND OUR LIVES IN DANGER BECAUSE WE ARE FORCED TO DRIVE A DANGEROUS NON RELIABLE VEHICLE!!!!!!! MAKE THINGS RIGHT NISSAN FIX OUR VEHICLES OR DO A RECALL AND GIVE US OUR MONEY FOR PUTTING US THROUGH [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10597118
780,000 miles · Jun 1, 2014
EnginePower Train
MILKY SUBSTANCE APPEARED IN RADIATOR AND CAR SMOKED AND SMELLED. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND REPORTED FAILED COOLER CAUSING RADIATOR FLUID AND OIL TO MIX. RESULTED IN CRACKED HEADS AS ENGINE OVERHEATED. NOW TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. LIKELY DUE TO ENGINE OVERHEATING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595417
106,000 miles · May 26, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainFire
THE COOLANT HAS MIXED UP WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND IT IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING. I DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE,AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH NISSAN AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. IT SAYS THAT THERE A HOSE LEAK ISSUE INTO THE TRANSMISSION. NOW M CAR IS SITTING I N MY DRIVEWAY,DEAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10594092
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND VICE VERSA. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY PARTICULAR MAKE/MODEL VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593761
106,000 miles · May 14, 2014
Power Train
TRANSMISSION STUTTERS BETWEEN 35-50 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588300
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.
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