NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
290 reportsClear category filter58,000 miles · Mar 31, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS A FAULTY RADIATOR WHICH LEAKS BACK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES AND THE DEALER SAYS NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THE TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. ON EMONDS.COM THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME EXACT COMPLAINT FROM OTHER OWNERS. THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE A…
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MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS A FAULTY RADIATOR WHICH LEAKS BACK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES AND THE DEALER SAYS NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THE TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. ON EMONDS.COM THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME EXACT COMPLAINT FROM OTHER OWNERS. THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
NHTSA ODI #10322998
74,000 miles · Mar 29, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD, THE VEHICLE INSTEAD MOVED BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR WHICH ALSO C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD, THE VEHICLE INSTEAD MOVED BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO STOP FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 74,000.
NHTSA ODI #10322726
70,000 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I BOUGHT MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER NEW FROM THE DEALER. AT ABOUT 70,000 MILES I STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN HAD A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RUINING IT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR AT A COST OF ABOUT $3,000. I BELIEVE THAT NISSAN SHO…
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I BOUGHT MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER NEW FROM THE DEALER. AT ABOUT 70,000 MILES I STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN HAD A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RUINING IT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR AT A COST OF ABOUT $3,000. I BELIEVE THAT NISSAN SHOULD HAVE HAD A RECALL SINCE THIS PROBLEM IS SO WIDELY DOCUMENTED. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE POWER MODULE, THE THERMOSTAT , THE SUNVISOR, AND THE HYDRAULIC LIFTS FOR THE BACK HATCH ALL REPLACED WITH THE CAR STILL UNDER 80,000 MILES. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WON'T BE LOOKING FOR A NISSAN PRODUCT WHEN I SHOP FOR MY NEXT CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319964
80,000 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I HAVE COME TO FIND THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING DUE TO A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR LETTING RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. MY CAR, WHICH HAS 88K MILES IS NOW OUT OF THE 60K MI. NISSAN WARRANTY. FROM DOING RESEARCH ONLINE I SEE THAT THIS IS A VERY,COMMON PROBLEM AND SEEMS TO AFFECT ALL 2…
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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I HAVE COME TO FIND THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING DUE TO A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR LETTING RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. MY CAR, WHICH HAS 88K MILES IS NOW OUT OF THE 60K MI. NISSAN WARRANTY. FROM DOING RESEARCH ONLINE I SEE THAT THIS IS A VERY,COMMON PROBLEM AND SEEMS TO AFFECT ALL 2005 PATHFINDERS. AS THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME NISSAN COULD HAVE WARNED ABOUT THE ISSUE (REPLACING THE RADIATOR BEFORE IT FAILED AND FAILED THE TRANSMISSION) AS WELL IT MOST LIKELY STARTED FAILING BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. NISSAN WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE. I FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO FIX THIS ISSUE FOR ALL 2005 PATHFINDER OWNERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319611
62,000 miles · Mar 13, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
FAULTY RADIATOR LEAK ANTIFREEZE INTO TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319480
67,000 miles · Mar 12, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 67K MILES DEVELOPED A "SHUDDER" AT 40 MPH AND 60 MPH, APPROXIMATELY WHEN THE CAR WAS SHIFTING FROM 3RD INTO 4TH GEAR AND FROM 4TH INTO 5TH GEAR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER (PART OF THE RADIATOR SYSTEM) HAD LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, RUINING THE TRANSM…
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MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 67K MILES DEVELOPED A "SHUDDER" AT 40 MPH AND 60 MPH, APPROXIMATELY WHEN THE CAR WAS SHIFTING FROM 3RD INTO 4TH GEAR AND FROM 4TH INTO 5TH GEAR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER (PART OF THE RADIATOR SYSTEM) HAD LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, RUINING THE TRANSMISSION, AND THAT BOTH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $5700. THE VEHICLE IS ONE MONTH SHORT OF FIVE YEARS OLD, BUT IS 7K MILES PAST THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION AND HAS BEEN PROBLEM-FREE UP TO THIS POINT. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, ALONG WITH REPORTS THAT NISSAN WAS REFUSING TO PAY FOR REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE ROOT PROBLEM WAS WITH THE RADIATOR. THIS IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ONLINE; WHY IS NISSAN REFUSING TO DO A RECALL? YOU'D THINK THEY'D WANT TO AVOID THE PR DISASTER TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY ENDURING ... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319193
78,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SHUDDERS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-60 MPH. LOCAL DEALER SAYS TRANNY AND RADIATOR NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 5000-$7000. BOUGHT THE SUV WITH 73000, IT NOW HAS 79000. MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS PROBLEM , NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION ON THEIR FAULTY ENGINEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319006
79,500 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE SHUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009, I STARTED TO HAVE SUDDEN ENGINE SHUTDOWNS IN MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. IT COULD OCCUR ANYTIME AND WAS COMPLETELY UNPREDICTABLE. THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES WERE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE SUGGESTED A…
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ENGINE SHUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009, I STARTED TO HAVE SUDDEN ENGINE SHUTDOWNS IN MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. IT COULD OCCUR ANYTIME AND WAS COMPLETELY UNPREDICTABLE. THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES WERE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE SUGGESTED A NUMBER OF POSSIBILITIES AND CHECKED VARIOUS ITEMS WITHOUT SUCCESS. I WROTE THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT (NOV 17, 2009) AND EXPLAINED MY SITUATION AND THE DANGER AFTER AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THE PROBLEM TO BE A COMPUTER DEVICE CALLED THE "INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE" OR IPDM. AT THE TIME OF MY PROBLEM THIS DEVICE WAS ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF THE DEMAND FOR THEM. I PAID TO HAVE MY IPDM REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING, SINCE THE DEVICE WAS REPLACED, I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE SHUTOFF AND MY VEHICLE RUNS FINE. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT NISSAN IS NOT APPEAR OF THE PROBLEM SINCE APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN ABOUT 2005. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10318906
56,000 miles · Mar 10, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER (56,000 MILES) HAS DEFECTIVE RADIATOR WHICH LEAKS FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION, NOW NEEDS BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED. TRANSMISSION IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT BECAUSE OF NISSAN'S BAD RADIATOR THEY WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF EITHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10318501
90,000 miles · Mar 8, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR IS FAULTY AND IT SUDDENLY FAILED. THE RADIATOR COOLANT GOES BACK THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION AND MIXES THE FLUIDS TOGETHER. THE DEALER WAS CALLED, AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR IS FAULTY AND IT SUDDENLY FAILED. THE RADIATOR COOLANT GOES BACK THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION AND MIXES THE FLUIDS TOGETHER. THE DEALER WAS CALLED, AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THEY TOLD THE CONTACT TO FILE A CLAIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10317719
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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