Power Train. Review the 585 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 290 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 186 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports6 fire reports7 injury reports

Power Train complaints

585 reports

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Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2011

Power Train

VIBRATION FROM REAR WHEEL BEGINS AT 40 MPH AND INCREASES WITH VEHICLE SPEED. TIRES AND U JOINTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED - PROBLEM PERSISTS. IDENTICAL TO TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR ISSUES DESCRIBED IN SEVERAL CONSUMER FORUMS. I AM RELUCTANT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440852

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2011

Power Train

RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. SAFETY ISSUE IS IT CAUSES DELAY IN FORWARD PROPULSION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN WELL NOTED ON NISSAN PATHFINDERS BUT NISSAN IS NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439909

91,000 miles · Nov 30, 2011

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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2005 PATHFINDER WOULDN'T GO IN GEAR INTERMITTENTLY AND I HAD TO MANEUVER OUT OF TRAFFIC TO THE SIDE ROAD AND THEN WAS UNABLE TO BACKUP NO REVERSE! I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND I WAS THEN ABLE TO TO DRIVE HOME AND PARK THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY WHEN TAKING IT TO OUR MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC HAD ISSUE OF THIS WHILE TEST DRIVING. RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A NISSAN DEALER FOR REPAIR. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO NISSAN ABOUT A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR ISSUE AND OVER TIME LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS REFUSED TO MAKE THIS RIGHT FOR THEIR CONSUMERS. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CONTACT NISSAN TO SEE IF THEY WOULD HELP WITH REPAIR. NISSAN REFUSED TO ASSIST OR REPAIR THE ISSUE THAT STARTED WITH A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART. I AM ASSUMING BY THE RESPONSE RECEIVED FROM NISSAN THAT THEY ARE OK WITH A CONSUMER THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE WITH AN ISSUE THAT IS FROM A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART HAVE TO TAKE THEIR CHANCES IN DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK SAFELY UNTIL THEY CAN MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE. THANK YOU NISSAN. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10437826

93,105 miles · Nov 26, 2011

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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RADIATOR CORE IS CRACKED, WHICH IS CAUSING THE RADIATOR TO LEAK. IT IS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME IF ANY ANTIFREEZE HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, I HAVE ON A FEW OCCASIONS EXPERIENCED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATING ERRATICALLY (E.G., DOWN SHIFTING OR NOT SHIFTING INTO PASSING GEAR WHEN UNDER FULL POWER). THE VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED TO HAVE ITS RADIATOR REPLACED ON 11/30/2011, AND AT THAT TIME, I WILL HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ANALYZED TO DETERMINE IF ANY ANTIFREEZE HAS ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION. I PRAY IT HAS NOT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10437296

82,000 miles · Nov 23, 2011

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A FREEWAY ON RAMP THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND STOP IN TRAFFIC. AFTER CAUSING A MAJOR TRAFFIC JAM AT THE INTERSECTION, TRAFFIC LIGHT, AND ON RAMP WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. I HAD JUST HAD OUT PATIENT SURGERY AND MY WIFE WAS DRIVING, IT WAS A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. WE FIND OUT LATER THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT FROM NISSAN AND THEY WON'T DO A RECALL. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF WE HAD BEEN A FEW HUNDRED YARDS FARTHER DOWN THE ON RAMP AND TRYING TO MERGE INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THIS FAILED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436874

10,000 miles · Nov 17, 2011

Power Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL SHOP PRIOR TO THE FAILURE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE DISMANTLED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE EXACT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #10436276

81,000 miles · Nov 15, 2011

Electrical SystemPower Train

MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SHUTTERED EXCESSIVELY WHEN DECELERATING FROM THE INTERSTATE AND FROM THAT POINT FORWARD HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO HIGHER GEARS. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAD GONE BAD. IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION, THEY DISCOVERED THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE…

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NHTSA ODI #10435663

72,000 miles · Nov 15, 2011

Electrical SystemPower Train

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NISSAN NEEDS TO STEP UP! THIS IS AN UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNT OF WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD. SINCE HAVING THE MANY OTHER PROBLEMS FIXED ON MY PATHFINDER(2005) I AM NOW FACING AN ISSUE OF IT RUNNING SLUGGISHLY, HIGH RPM'S AND LESS GET UP. THAT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS WHEN WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK, I THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE. I FELT COMFORTABLE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC WITH MY 4 CHILDREN I KNEW WE HAD POWER ON OUR SIDE. THE TIRE PRESSURE IS CONSTANTLY ( 1X A WEEK) SETTING OFF THE TPMS, THEN THERE IS THE SQUEAKY BRAKES AND OTHER RATTLING, VIBRATING NOISES. THE OTHER THING IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT RANDOMLY COMES ON FOR SOME REASON THEN WILL MYSTERIOUSLY BE GONE A FEW MILES LATER. WE BOUGHT NISSAN THINKING IT WAS STILL A STABLE RELIABLE COMPANY THAT MADE A STRONG PRODUCT AND STOOD BEHIND IT...WELL WERE WE EVER WRONG! NEVER AGAIN!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435652

Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2011

Power Train

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I WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER TRANSMISSION SLIPPING DURING ROUTINE DRIVING. I HAD THE FLUID LEVEL CHECKED AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. ON OCTOBER 3,2011 WHILE DRIVING ON TO A HIGHWAY RAMP, I STARTED TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST MADE A HIGH PITCH SOUND AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. SEVERAL CARS WERE BEHIND ME AND I HAD TO GO OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE EMBANKMENT TO AVOID BEING HIT. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SHOP, AFTER SEVERAL DAYS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR OF THE NISSAN THE INTERIOR COMPONENTS OF THE RADIATOR ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTAMINATING IT. THE TRANSMISSION AND OTHER DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENTS WERE DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE RADIATOR. WHEN I CONTACTED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA I WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FILED REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BUT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON RECORD TO DATE. THE COST OF MY REPAIRS WAS $2,500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434841

106,000 miles · Nov 1, 2011

Power Train

VEHICLE IS SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND RUNS VERY SLUGGISH. MECHANIC CONFIRMED COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433838

Official recalls

10V517000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Oct 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.

08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal

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

DP12004 · 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)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

Power Train:automatic Transmission

Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

Power Train