NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
144 reportsClear category filter130,000 miles · Feb 2, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
ECM REPLACED UNDER RECALL. RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION REPLACED @ 96K MILES UNDER "EXTENDED WARRANTY." TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2ND TIME 1 YEAR LATER. TRANSMISSION HOSES REPLACED TWICE (DURING SAME TIME PERIOD). NOW - 103K MILES - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON: VIAS SOLENOID VALVE, BANK 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTER, & OIL PRESSURE SENSOR SWITCH AL…
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ECM REPLACED UNDER RECALL. RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION REPLACED @ 96K MILES UNDER "EXTENDED WARRANTY." TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2ND TIME 1 YEAR LATER. TRANSMISSION HOSES REPLACED TWICE (DURING SAME TIME PERIOD). NOW - 103K MILES - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON: VIAS SOLENOID VALVE, BANK 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTER, & OIL PRESSURE SENSOR SWITCH ALL NEED REPLACED (POSSIBLY RELATED TO ECM RELAY ISSUE)
NHTSA ODI #10823715
80,000 miles · Jan 22, 2016
Engine
OIL PRESSURE DROPPED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS AND GUIDE FAILURE. IF COMPLETE FAILURE HAD ACCURED, MOTOR COULD HAVE BLOWN OR LOCKED UP CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10821643
96,889 miles · Dec 24, 2015
Engine
RADIATOR CRACKED AND CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I HAD TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE RADIATOR AND FLUSH/REFILL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID.
NHTSA ODI #10812038
164,300 miles · Dec 12, 2015
EnginePower Train
ON 12/11/2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET WHEN MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE SHUT OFF AS I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR. THE BRAKES LOCKED AND I HAD TO FORCE THE GEAR STICK INTO PARK IN THE FAR LEFT TURNING LANE AND NEARLY RAN THROUGH A RED LIGHT. I TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGIN…
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ON 12/11/2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET WHEN MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE SHUT OFF AS I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR. THE BRAKES LOCKED AND I HAD TO FORCE THE GEAR STICK INTO PARK IN THE FAR LEFT TURNING LANE AND NEARLY RAN THROUGH A RED LIGHT. I TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE STALLED FOR ABOUT 40 SECONDS BEFORE RE-STARTING. AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE STARTED, THE "VDC OFF" AND "SLIP" LIGHTS CAME ON. THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE STILL ONE AND THE ENGINE HAS BEEN SKIPPING. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS THAT I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE HAS JUST SHUT OFF. THE OTHER TWO SHUTOFFS HAPPENED ON HIGHWAYS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR.
NHTSA ODI #10809806
120,497 miles · Nov 19, 2015
EngineUnknown Or Other
THE RADIATOR COOLING SYSTEM LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED IT TO STOP WORKING SO I NEED TO REPLACE IT AT A COST OF $5400 FOR TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR IS $1000. I WAS IN MOTION WHEN I FIRST FELT A TRIMMER EVERY NOW AND THEN FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS THEN IT GOT WORST AT ANY SPEED OR SURFACE AND PLACES. NISSAN WILL NOT HELP ME O…
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THE RADIATOR COOLING SYSTEM LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED IT TO STOP WORKING SO I NEED TO REPLACE IT AT A COST OF $5400 FOR TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR IS $1000. I WAS IN MOTION WHEN I FIRST FELT A TRIMMER EVERY NOW AND THEN FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS THEN IT GOT WORST AT ANY SPEED OR SURFACE AND PLACES. NISSAN WILL NOT HELP ME ON THIS BECAUSE IT HAS 120497 MILES ON IT. I EXPLAINED TO NISSAN IF THEY HAD SENT OUT NOTICE ABOUT THIS I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN MY CAR FIXED BEFORE NOW. I CAN NOT GET ANYONE TO HELP ME ON THIS. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT I AM NOT ALONE ON THIS SITUATION. CAN ANYONE HELP. I HAVE BOUGHT SEVERAL NEW NISSANS BUT I WILL BUY NO MORE AND I REALLY LOVED MY PATHFINDER.
NHTSA ODI #10794851
79,000 miles · Nov 6, 2015
Engine
COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED AND CAUSED THE CAR TO SHAKE AND NOT ACCELERATE. THIS WAS A RECALL ITEM AND BY THE TIME IT HAPPENED AT 79K MILES THE DEALER WOULD ONLY COVER HALF. I HAD TO PAY $2500 FOR A REPAIR THAT THEY NEW WAS DEFECTED. I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND THE CAR STALLED AND I HAD TO PUT FLASHERS ON TO …
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COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED AND CAUSED THE CAR TO SHAKE AND NOT ACCELERATE. THIS WAS A RECALL ITEM AND BY THE TIME IT HAPPENED AT 79K MILES THE DEALER WOULD ONLY COVER HALF. I HAD TO PAY $2500 FOR A REPAIR THAT THEY NEW WAS DEFECTED. I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND THE CAR STALLED AND I HAD TO PUT FLASHERS ON TO KEEP CARS FROM HITTING ME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE WHO STILL OWNS THIS TRUCK. I NOW HAVE ANOTHER $750 BILL TO REPAIR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT THAT WENT OUT AFTER RECALL MILEAGE EXPIRED. THEY KNOW IT'S A PROBLEM AND SHOULD FIX IT WHEN IT HAPPENS.
NHTSA ODI #10788766
157,000 miles · Nov 3, 2015
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
THERE IS A LEAK IN MY RADIATOR WHICH AS GONE INTO MY TRANSMISSION RENDERING IT INOPERABLE. MECHANICS RECOMMEND TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION DUE TO THIS MASSIVE DESIGN FLAW NISSAN HAS BEEN WELL AWARE OF FOR YEARS. ...UPDATED 12/03/15 *BF I'VE SPOKEN WITH MY NISSAN DEALER AS WELL AS THE DEALER THAT LOOKED OVER THE CAR WHE…
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THERE IS A LEAK IN MY RADIATOR WHICH AS GONE INTO MY TRANSMISSION RENDERING IT INOPERABLE. MECHANICS RECOMMEND TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION DUE TO THIS MASSIVE DESIGN FLAW NISSAN HAS BEEN WELL AWARE OF FOR YEARS. ...UPDATED 12/03/15 *BF I'VE SPOKEN WITH MY NISSAN DEALER AS WELL AS THE DEALER THAT LOOKED OVER THE CAR WHEN I PURCHASED IT AND BOTH SAID IT'S A MASSIVE PROBLEM AND CUSTOMERS HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF OR WHEN IT COULD OCCUR, AND THEREFORE NO WAY OF PREVENTING IT. I UNDERSTAND THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMER COUNCIL FILED A PETITION BACK IN 2012 AND THAT THE COMPLAINT VOLUME HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS ON THIS ISSUE. I HOPE THE NHTSA COMES TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THIS PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I HAVE NO FAMILY VEHICLE NOW AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY $7500 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION, THAT HAD NO ISSUES AT ALL UNTIL THE DEFECTIVE RADIATOR GOT A HOLE. THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10788081
145,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES, HOWEVER THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES, HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.
NHTSA ODI #10786508
140,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
EnginePower TrainSteering
THIS IS THE SAME AS ANOTHER COMPLAINT (# 10777718) FILED THROUGH THIS SITE ON 9/25. I TOOK MY TRUCK IN BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND THE TECH REPORTED CATALYTIC CONVERTER, HEATER HOSE VACUUM & VALVE, POWER STEERING HOSE, AND TIRE GPS. WE HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK IN FOR THE 3RD WINTER SEASON AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT…
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THIS IS THE SAME AS ANOTHER COMPLAINT (# 10777718) FILED THROUGH THIS SITE ON 9/25. I TOOK MY TRUCK IN BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND THE TECH REPORTED CATALYTIC CONVERTER, HEATER HOSE VACUUM & VALVE, POWER STEERING HOSE, AND TIRE GPS. WE HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK IN FOR THE 3RD WINTER SEASON AND NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT COST $725 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. FOR 3 YEARS WE HAVE TAKEN IT IN AND THEY FLUSHED THE SYSTEM, REPLACE A SENSOR, AND NOW THIS? ALSO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER COSTING $1380 AND POWER STEERING HOSE AT $305. I NOTICED 4 RECALLS THAT WE WERE NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT WITH THE ENGINE, AND WE HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK IN NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THESE ISSUES AND THEY NEVER MENTIONED THE RECALLS. OUR ISSUE WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ABOVE MENTIONED ISSUE FILED IN SEPTEMBER. WE ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND NONE OF THIS IS COVERED. I WONDER WHO ELSE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER?
NHTSA ODI #10786400
140,000 miles · Oct 23, 2015
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE'S RPMS INCREASED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE'S RPMS INCREASED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10785614
Official recalls
2Oct 28, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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.
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