NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
290 reportsClear category filter164,000 miles · Mar 19, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
DRIVING 35 MPH, APPROACHING STOP SIGN. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. STOPPED AT STOP SIGN. NO APPARENT ISSUES UNTIL I PULLED OUT ONTO HWY AND THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE. IT WAS AS IF IT WAS TAKING OFF IN SECOND OR THIRD GEAR (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). SINCE THE CAR WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED, I PULLED OVER AS I COULD NOT G…
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DRIVING 35 MPH, APPROACHING STOP SIGN. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. STOPPED AT STOP SIGN. NO APPARENT ISSUES UNTIL I PULLED OUT ONTO HWY AND THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE. IT WAS AS IF IT WAS TAKING OFF IN SECOND OR THIRD GEAR (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). SINCE THE CAR WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED, I PULLED OVER AS I COULD NOT GAIN SPEED TO AVOID THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN THE LANE. COULD NOT DRIVE VEHICLE OVER 20 MPH AND REVVING AT ALMOST 3000 RPM, JUST BARELY MOVING. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER HAVING TRANSMISSION REBUILT ON 1/28/14 AT A STOP AND CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE, BUT RPMS WERE NEAR 3000. TOOK BACK TO REPAIR SHOP. THIS HAPPENED A THIRD TIME AFTER IT HAD APPEARED TO BE FIXED ON 3/14/14. LUCKILY, ALL TIMES I HAVE NOT BEEN IN SERIOUS TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INJURY. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NOW EVIDENCE OF RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS DOES NOT EXTEND TO THE MILEAGE I HAVE ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT IS NOW AT 164,000, AND THE RECALL ONLY COVERS 100,000 MILES OR 10 YEARS. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR SINCE 2009, BUT IT DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. DANGEROUS VEHICLE. IT APPEARS TO BE RUNNING JUST FINE, AND THEN IT STARTS DRAGGING AND CANNOT GAIN SPEED. HAVE HAD THREE CLOSE CALLS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573424
96,123 miles · Mar 10, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM CARMAX IN 2012 W/ 76K MILES ON IT. NO WARNING ABOUT POSSIBLE RADIATOR ISSUE. IN MAY OF 2013, RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RESULTED IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 96K MILES.(THANKFULLY, I WAS NOT MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY). PAID $3K CO-PAY TO HAVE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED. F…
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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM CARMAX IN 2012 W/ 76K MILES ON IT. NO WARNING ABOUT POSSIBLE RADIATOR ISSUE. IN MAY OF 2013, RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RESULTED IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 96K MILES.(THANKFULLY, I WAS NOT MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY). PAID $3K CO-PAY TO HAVE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED. FEBRUARY 4, 2014, TRANSMISSION HOSE BLEW WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WAS ASSURED THAT IT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE PREVIOUS REPAIRS. PAID $262 TO HAVE IT FIXED. MARCH 9, 2014, WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, RPMS SPIKED, ACCELERATION WAS SLUGGISH, MADE IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP - TRANSMISSION FAILURE (LESS THAN 1 YEAR LATER) - 105K MILES. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THESE TRANSMISSION FAILURES DID NOT OCCUR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10568293
86,000 miles · Feb 19, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling
NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS AFTER WE PURCHASED OUR USED NISSAN PATHFINDER.I HAD JUST DROPPED MY OLDER CHILDREN OFF AT SCHOOL AND MY CAR STARTED TO HAVE A HARD TIME. I KNEW I HAD TO GET MY VEHICLE TO SAFETY. AS I APPROACHED A INTERSECTION INTERSECTION ON A VERY BUSY MAIN ROUTE THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. I WAS SCARED BECAUSE THE SPEED O…
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NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS AFTER WE PURCHASED OUR USED NISSAN PATHFINDER.I HAD JUST DROPPED MY OLDER CHILDREN OFF AT SCHOOL AND MY CAR STARTED TO HAVE A HARD TIME. I KNEW I HAD TO GET MY VEHICLE TO SAFETY. AS I APPROACHED A INTERSECTION INTERSECTION ON A VERY BUSY MAIN ROUTE THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. I WAS SCARED BECAUSE THE SPEED ON THAT STREET IS 50+ AND I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH MY 7 WEEK OLD. AFTER BEING TOWED AND TRANSFERRED TO COASTAL NISSAN IN NORWELL MA. WE WERE TOLD ABOUT THE "RECALL" AND FORCED TO BORROW $2500 SO THAT WE COULD PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. NISSAN TOLD US IT WASNT A SAFETY COMPLAINT. I BEG TO DIFFER! I WAS STRANDED ON A BUSY STREET WITH A NEWBORN IF WE WERE STRUCK THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN HORRIFIC. I HOPE SOMEONE WILL FINALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564995
155,000 miles · Feb 17, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. I LOST ALL BUT 1ST GEAR WITH NO WARNING. I HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHOM STATED THAT THERE WAS COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE COOLER IN THE RADIATOR HAD BROKEN AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I HAVE NOT GOT A BILL YET BUT IT…
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I HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. I LOST ALL BUT 1ST GEAR WITH NO WARNING. I HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHOM STATED THAT THERE WAS COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE COOLER IN THE RADIATOR HAD BROKEN AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I HAVE NOT GOT A BILL YET BUT IT WILL BE UPWARDS OF $3500. I HAD GOTTEN TWO LETTERS FROM NISSAN THAT EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BUT BOTH TIMES I WAS TO HIGH OF A MILEAGE. SEEMS THAT IF THEY EXTEND A WARRANTY FOR A PROBLEM TWICE THAN THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND SHOULD DO A COMPLETE RECALL. I ALSO HAD THE FUEL SENDING UNIT GO OUT AND I REPAIRED THAT DUE TO NISSAN WANTING A HIGH DOLLAR AMOUNT TO FIX IT. I HAVE HAD IT WITH NISSAN AND THEM NOT DOING ANYTHING TO HELP THE CUSTOMERS WHEN THEY KNOW THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564685
130,000 miles · Feb 4, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED TO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10562924
115,000 miles · Feb 4, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 03/31/14*LJ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10562904
134,000 miles · Jan 30, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR FLUID HAS LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION, DUE TO A FACTORY DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. MY TRANSMISSION IS DAMAGED AND WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED ALONG WITH THE RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10562276
77,483 miles · Jan 25, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS READING A LITTLE HIGH SO I TOOK IT TO A FRIEND AND HE SAID THERE WAS OIL IN THE RADIATOR WHEN THE CAP WAS REMOVED. HE RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID I HAD TO PAY A CO-PAY OF $2500.00 TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD …
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I NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS READING A LITTLE HIGH SO I TOOK IT TO A FRIEND AND HE SAID THERE WAS OIL IN THE RADIATOR WHEN THE CAP WAS REMOVED. HE RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID I HAD TO PAY A CO-PAY OF $2500.00 TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10561448
110,000 miles · Dec 26, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND WHEN ON THE ONRAMP OF THE FREEWAY, THE CAR LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN. NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID THE RADIATOR LEAKED FLUID ONTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO LOOSE POWER. THEY SAID I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR BUT WILL NOT COVER THE WARRANTY WHICH WAS SETTLE IN US DISTRICT COURT OF NEW YORK. TH…
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I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND WHEN ON THE ONRAMP OF THE FREEWAY, THE CAR LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN. NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID THE RADIATOR LEAKED FLUID ONTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO LOOSE POWER. THEY SAID I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR BUT WILL NOT COVER THE WARRANTY WHICH WAS SETTLE IN US DISTRICT COURT OF NEW YORK. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $5300 FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS IS CLEARLY A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE NISSAN PATHFINDER SERIES AND WEBSITE SEARCHES VERIFY THAT THE PROBLEM EXITS FOR THOUSANDS OF NISSAN PATHFINDERS FOR THE YEARS OF 2005-2010 IN RELATIONS TO A RADIATOR CRACK AND FLUID LEAKING ONTO THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557356
96,000 miles · Dec 19, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
LOST ALL ACCELERATION POWER; BARELY MOVED WITH FULL GAS. DIAGNOSED AS RADIATOR FLUID LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556742
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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