NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
585 reportsClear category filter90,677 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Power Train
NISSAN HAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THEIR RADIATORS AND FAULTY HOSES. THESE RESULT IN COOLANT LEAKING IN THE TRANSMISSION AND ULTIMATELY DESTROYING BOTH. THIS ISSUE IS PREVALENT AT 85K MILES AND BEYOND WHICH IS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR BOTH. THIS LEAKS CAUSES THE PATHFINDER TO BE UNSAFE AS IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED FOR OVE…
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NISSAN HAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THEIR RADIATORS AND FAULTY HOSES. THESE RESULT IN COOLANT LEAKING IN THE TRANSMISSION AND ULTIMATELY DESTROYING BOTH. THIS ISSUE IS PREVALENT AT 85K MILES AND BEYOND WHICH IS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR BOTH. THIS LEAKS CAUSES THE PATHFINDER TO BE UNSAFE AS IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED FOR OVER 6K. THE PATHFINDER DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND WILL ULTIMATELY STALL COMPLETELY WHILE IN USE. NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THIS ISSUE WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10406897
115,000 miles · Jun 9, 2011
Power Train
TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP, HAD VEHICLE EXAMINED, PART IN RADIATOR FAILED AND CONTAMINATED TRANSMISSION WITH COOLANT WHICH DAMAGED TRANSMISSION, FLUIDS WERE FLUSHED AND PART IN RADIATOR BYPASSED HOWEVER TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SAVED FAILED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS WHILE BEING DRIVEN AND ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT WHILE MY WIFE AND CHILDR…
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TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP, HAD VEHICLE EXAMINED, PART IN RADIATOR FAILED AND CONTAMINATED TRANSMISSION WITH COOLANT WHICH DAMAGED TRANSMISSION, FLUIDS WERE FLUSHED AND PART IN RADIATOR BYPASSED HOWEVER TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SAVED FAILED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS WHILE BEING DRIVEN AND ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT WHILE MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE IN VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405716
150,000 miles · Jun 8, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR AND THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR AND THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10405661
92,000 miles · Jun 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER INTERNAL RADIATOR LEAK CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL STARTED WITH STRONG VIBRATION BETWEEN 40-45 MPH. DEALER INSPECTION STATES INTERNAL RUPTURE OF THE OIL COOLER CONTAMINATING THE OIL IN THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404004
89,000 miles · May 25, 2011
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS ALSO A VIBRATION UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS STATED RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING IN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS ALSO A VIBRATION UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS STATED RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
NHTSA ODI #10402698
61,000 miles · May 23, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED IT TO BE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED IT TO BE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
NHTSA ODI #10402417
107,000 miles · May 18, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR CRACKED CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO R…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR CRACKED CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
NHTSA ODI #10401516
115,000 miles · May 18, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING, CAUSING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. HESITANT SHIFTING, OR WORSE, NO SHIFTING OR MOVEMENT AT ALL. ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAY (INTERSTATE). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10401445
91,622 miles · May 13, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. NISSAN EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTIES ON THE 2005 PATHFINDERS TO 80,000. THE REASON THEY DID THIS IS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEIR DEFECTIVE RADIATORS HAVE BEEN CAUSING TRANSMISSIONS TO GO OUT DUE TO CONTAMINATION FROM THE RADIATOR FLUID. SINCE I WAS DEPLOYED, I WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXTENSION OR THE PROBLEM …
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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. NISSAN EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTIES ON THE 2005 PATHFINDERS TO 80,000. THE REASON THEY DID THIS IS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEIR DEFECTIVE RADIATORS HAVE BEEN CAUSING TRANSMISSIONS TO GO OUT DUE TO CONTAMINATION FROM THE RADIATOR FLUID. SINCE I WAS DEPLOYED, I WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXTENSION OR THE PROBLEM UNTIL MY TRANSMISSION STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS IN MAY OF 2011. THE OTHER DAY, I TRIED TO PULL OUT OF A GAS STATION AND I LOST ALL ACCELERATION DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE A NISSAN COMPLAINT TICKET BUT UNLESS IT IS FORCED INTO RECALL, I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR MY NEW TRANSMISSION ON A CAR I JUST RECENTLY PAID OFF. AS A CONSUMER, I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S DESIGN DEFECT THAT CAUSES MAJOR MECHANICAL COST AND SAFETY ISSUES. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, MOST CUSTOMERS ARE BEING TOLD TO COME AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED FOR APPROX. 500$ TO BE TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THIS DEFECT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE DIES AS A RESULT OF NISSANS NEGLIGENCE IN STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10400791
102,000 miles · May 5, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS WERE MIXING TOGETHER ABNORMALLY AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS WERE MIXING TOGETHER ABNORMALLY AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WILL GIVE HER A RETURN CALL WITHIN A FEW DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
NHTSA ODI #10399173
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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