NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
585 reportsClear category filter14,330 miles · Apr 29, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AT 35 MPH ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY SON FROM SCHOOL, THE PATHFINDER BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. I PRESS ON THE GAS AND THE PATHFINDER WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER, IT WAS HESITATING AND SEEMED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STOP. I MADE TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRAN…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AT 35 MPH ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY SON FROM SCHOOL, THE PATHFINDER BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. I PRESS ON THE GAS AND THE PATHFINDER WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER, IT WAS HESITATING AND SEEMED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STOP. I MADE TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC THEN ADVISED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5828. I AM UPSET AND COMPLETELY IN SHOCK WHEN HE TELLS NISSAN HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY HOWEVER IT ONLY COVERS YOU UP TO 100,000 MILES. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND IF IT HAPPENED AT 100,000 I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICING. I PAID OVER 30,000 FOR THE PATHFINDER BRAND NEW AND AFTER EIGHT YEARS THIS IS WHAT I AM LEFT WITH, NO RECOURSE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509970
61,131 miles · Apr 29, 2013
Power Train
TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE WHEN PULLING CAR OUT OF MY GARAGE. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TRIED AGAIN BUT THE CAR WOULD STILL NOT ENGAGE. AFTER A THIRD ATTEMPT THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS ACTING VERY ODD AND DISENGAGING, ALMOST LIKE I WAS COASTING. THIS WAS VERY SCARY FOR ME AND MY THREE CHILDREN. MY HUSBAND INSPECT…
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TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE WHEN PULLING CAR OUT OF MY GARAGE. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TRIED AGAIN BUT THE CAR WOULD STILL NOT ENGAGE. AFTER A THIRD ATTEMPT THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS ACTING VERY ODD AND DISENGAGING, ALMOST LIKE I WAS COASTING. THIS WAS VERY SCARY FOR ME AND MY THREE CHILDREN. MY HUSBAND INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND THAT RADIATOR FLUID CONTAINED A WHITE GREASY SUBSTANCE. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR AT MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS INDEED CROSS CONTAMINATION DUE TO A CRACKED TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE MIXING WITH THE RADIATOR FLUID. THIS WILL END UP COSTING ME $2,500.00 TO FIX. IT APPEARS THAT I AM NOT THE FIRST TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM, AND BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FILING COMPLAINTS IT SEEMS LIKE A DEFECT TO ME AND NOT MERE COINCIDENCE. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD LIABLE FOR THE MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE STUCK IN THIS UNFORTUNATE SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509950
124,000 miles · Apr 25, 2013
EnginePower Train
LOST POWER, TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING, WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS RADIATOR COOLANT WAS LEAKING IN THE SYSTEM. AFTER TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AFTER AT APPROXIMATELY 27,000 MILES SAME INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509617
149,929 miles · Apr 24, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
CAR WOULD NOT START, GOT IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, RADIATOR ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. CONTAINMENT THE TRANSMISSION. RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. JOB WILL COST $5346.74. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509429
108,000 miles · Apr 16, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE TRANSMISSION COOLER OF THE RADIATOR IS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508437
115,000 miles · Apr 13, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DISENGAGED; RPMS WENT UP TO 5000; WAS LIKE BEING IN NEUTRAL. AT THE TIME, I WAS TRAVELING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE WITHOUT A SHOULDER OR SAFE AREA TO STOP. STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY. HAD IT TOWED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY ADVISED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE KNOWN ISSUE'FOR A…
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WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DISENGAGED; RPMS WENT UP TO 5000; WAS LIKE BEING IN NEUTRAL. AT THE TIME, I WAS TRAVELING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE WITHOUT A SHOULDER OR SAFE AREA TO STOP. STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY. HAD IT TOWED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY ADVISED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE KNOWN ISSUE'FOR A LONG TIME AND THAT THE RADIATOR PART THAT COOLS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID FAILED AND RADIATOR FLUID HAD ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THIS KNOWN ISSUE, WAS NEVER A RECALL AND NISSAN HAD NO INTENTIONS ON A RECALL DUE TO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. UNFORTUNATELY, MY VEHICLE MILEAGE IS OVER THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT MILEAGE AND THEREFORE NISSAN WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY; LEAVING STRICT INSTRUCTIONS' TO NISSAN CUSTOMER AFFAIRS TO SPECIFICALLY NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE TO PERSONS AFFECTED BY THIS KNOWN ISSUE. NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT ADVISED THAT NISSAN HAD FIXED' THE KNOWN ISSUE ON A NEWER MODEL OF RADIATOR. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THE PRODUCT FOR A SAFETY INSPECTION AND REPLACED ALL PARTS KNOWN TO FAIL. TOTAL ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP STARTED AROUND $8000 AND NEGOTIATED TO $5000. SEVERAL PRIVATE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP ESTIMATES ARE APPROX. $4000. MOST PRIVATE AUTO SHOPS WILL NOT TOUCH THIS REPAIR DUE TO THE KNOWN ISSUE' AND NO CONFIDENCE THAT NISSAN FIXED THE KNOWN ISSUE'. REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION WITH AN EYE TOWARDS SAFETY RECALL & REIMBURSEMENT FOR THOSE WHO ALREADY HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508125
147,000 miles · Apr 10, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
JUST OVER A YEAR AGO OUR 2005 PATHFINDER'S TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO NISSAN INSTALLING A FAULTY RADIATOR IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS MADE. DUE TO THE EXPENSE OF GETTING IT FIXED, IT STILL SETS IN THE GARAGE WAITING TO SAVE UP THE MONEY TO FIX THE ISSUE. OVER THE YEAR, NISSAN HAS ADMITTED IT WAS A PROBLEM BUT INSTEAD OF FIXING …
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JUST OVER A YEAR AGO OUR 2005 PATHFINDER'S TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO NISSAN INSTALLING A FAULTY RADIATOR IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS MADE. DUE TO THE EXPENSE OF GETTING IT FIXED, IT STILL SETS IN THE GARAGE WAITING TO SAVE UP THE MONEY TO FIX THE ISSUE. OVER THE YEAR, NISSAN HAS ADMITTED IT WAS A PROBLEM BUT INSTEAD OF FIXING IT, THEY SAY THEY WILL COVER IT IF THE VEHICLE HAS LOW MILLAGE. THE RADIATOR PROBLEM IS NOT MILLAGE DEPENDANT. WE DROVE OUR PATHFINDER AND IT WAS BEYOND THE MILLAGE THEY WOULD COVER. SO I GUESS I AM BEING PENALIZED BY NISSAN FOR DRIVING THE PATHFINDER. I JUST WISH NISSAN WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING FOR ITS CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505812
90,000 miles · Apr 6, 2013
Power Train
TRANSMISSION STALLS WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS. THE TRANSMISSION CANNOT DECIDE WHEN TO SHIFT AND TRIES TO DOWNSHIFT DURING DECELERATION. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLOW TO RESPOND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10507318
137,500 miles · Apr 3, 2013
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT BEGAN TO HARD SHIFT. THE REVS WOULD GO HIGH AND THEN THE CAR WOULD SHIFT VERY HARD. THEN WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 55MPH THE CAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE ANY GEARS AND I HAD TO PULL OF THE ROAD. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IT WOULD NOT ENGA…
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THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT BEGAN TO HARD SHIFT. THE REVS WOULD GO HIGH AND THEN THE CAR WOULD SHIFT VERY HARD. THEN WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 55MPH THE CAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE ANY GEARS AND I HAD TO PULL OF THE ROAD. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE ANY GEARS. I TRIED TO RESET FROM PARK AND STILL NOTHING. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THEN BACK ON,THEN I PLACED THE CAR INTO "D" DRIVE AT WHICH TIME IT HAD A LONG DELAY BEFORE ENGAGING THE GEAR HARD. THEN I ROLLED OFF SLOWLY AND AGAIN, IT REVED UP HIGH BEFORE GOING INTO THE NEXT GEAR. AS SOON AS I GOT TO ABOUT 20 MPH IT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL BEFORE COASTING TO A STOP. I HAD TO REPEAT THE OFF/ON PROCEDURE AND KEEP IT UNDER 20 MPH BEFORE I GOT TO A SAFE PLACE. THE CAR CONTINUE TO GO DOWN THE ROAD BETWEEN 15-20 MPH AT HIGH REVS IN ORDER TO GET IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS, NO INDICATORS THAT THE CAR WAS GOING TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND THE WORST THING IS THAT I WAS WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR WHEN THIS OCCURED WITH A HIGH VOLUME OF CARS ON THE ROAD WHICH MADE IT A DANGEROUS CONDITION FOR THE CAR TO UNEXPECTEDLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505467
150,000 miles · Mar 25, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WERE BOTH REPLACED DUE TO COOLANT LEAK…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WERE BOTH REPLACED DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSING INTERNAL DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10504350
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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