NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,050 reports51,425 miles · Jul 18, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
ON 9/5/2008 I TOOK MY PATHFINDER TO GILES NISSAN IN LAFAYETTE, LA BECAUSE I EXPERIENCED SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. THERE WERE ALSO OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL WHEN THE GAS PETAL WAS PUSHED, ESSENTIALLY THE ENGINE WOULD "REV" UP BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. GILES NIS…
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ON 9/5/2008 I TOOK MY PATHFINDER TO GILES NISSAN IN LAFAYETTE, LA BECAUSE I EXPERIENCED SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. THERE WERE ALSO OCCASIONS WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL WHEN THE GAS PETAL WAS PUSHED, ESSENTIALLY THE ENGINE WOULD "REV" UP BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. GILES NISSAN KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR SIX DAYS AND I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. AT THE TIME, MILEAGE WAS AT 51,425, WHICH WOULD HAVE STILL BEEN COVERED UNDER THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY. NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AT THIS POINT, AND IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED RIGHT THEN. HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT AND SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, IN APRIL OF 2009, THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED, AND I NO LONGER FELT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, AS IT WOULD STOP ACCELERATING ALTOGETHER, SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. I TOOK THE CAR TO LEBLANC NISSAN IN BATON ROUGE, WHERE THEY INFORMED ME I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION & RADIATOR, AND BY THIS TIME I WAS OVER THE 60,000/5 YEAR WARRANTY. THE ESTIMATE WAS APPROXIMATELY $7,000, AND WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT NISSAN WOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS. THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD AFFORD TO PAY THIS MUCH MONEY, SO I TOOK MY PATHFINDER TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SPECIALIZING IN TRANSMISSION WORK. HE SUGGESTED THAT HE COULD REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION AND FLUSH THE RADIATOR ALTHOUGH HE WARNED I MAY STILL HAVE PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE (WHICH WAS TRUE). THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THAT I WOULD NEED TO GET A COMPLETE RADIATOR FLUSH TWO OR THREE MONTHS LATER TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NO MORE LEAKAGE. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION WORK DONE TWO MORE TIMES, AND TO THIS DAY THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SIP. NISSAN REFUSES TO REIMBURSE ANY MONEY WHATSOEVER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466469
92,000 miles · Jul 10, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE I-95-N NEAR EXIT 7 AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, MY TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A CRACK(FAULT )IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY UNIT. AS I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE WHILE LOSING SPEED, I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER AND HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. EVENTUALLY, AFTER COASTING DOWN HILL TO AN INTERSEC…
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I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE I-95-N NEAR EXIT 7 AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, MY TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A CRACK(FAULT )IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY UNIT. AS I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE WHILE LOSING SPEED, I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER AND HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. EVENTUALLY, AFTER COASTING DOWN HILL TO AN INTERSECTION OF CENTER OF NEW ENGLAND/ NEW LONDON TURNPIKE, HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH THE VEHICLE WITH HELP FROM OTHER PERSONS TO NEAREST SERVICE STATION. NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON RADIATOR ASSEMBLY UNIT TO 8YR/80,000. I HAVE 6YRS+/92000, TOOK EXTREMELY GOOD CARE OF THIS VEHICLE AND AM NOW BEING TOLD I NEED TO PAY $6,500.00 TO FIX VEHICLE (WHILE I STILL OWE $12,000.00). SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED (IF NOT ALREADY) AND /OR THE WARRANTY SHOULD BE OFFERED FOR AT LEAST 120,000 MILES. WHAT A POOR ATTEMPT TO COVER UP AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW, WHILE TRYING TO HIDE FROM THEIR OBVIOUS LIABILITIES FOR THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA ODI #10466082
62,805 miles · Jul 6, 2012
Engine
INTERNAL FAILURE OF CAM/CRANKSHAFT SENSOR CAUSING CAR TO SHUT UP WITHOUT WARNING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC; CAR MAINTAINED SPEED; PRAYER TO AVOID CRASHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464419
61,086 miles · Jul 6, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System
VEHICLE REFUSED TO ACCEPT GASOLINE; SHOWING FULL WHEN ACTUALLY AUTO OUT OF GAS; FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT REPLACED. FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT CAUSED FUEL GAUGE TO INACCURATELY DISPLAY THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK. FUEL GAUGE NOT READING FULL WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464418
84,000 miles · Jul 2, 2012
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I WAS HEADED ON THE 15 NORTH UP A SMALL HILL AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET IT PULLED OVER WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I HAD IT TAKEN TO THE SHOP TO CHECK WHAT HAPPENED, THE COOLANT HAD MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THAT KILLED IT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBL…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I WAS HEADED ON THE 15 NORTH UP A SMALL HILL AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET IT PULLED OVER WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I HAD IT TAKEN TO THE SHOP TO CHECK WHAT HAPPENED, THE COOLANT HAD MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THAT KILLED IT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FROM NISSAN AND THE ONLY THING THEY DID WAS EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO ONLY 80,000 MILES. MINE HAD 84,000 WHEN IT HAPPENED AND I AM OUT OF LUCK. NISSAN GAVE ME A QUOTE OF AROUND $6000 TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT WAS A DESIGN FLAW!!! THEY WOULD NOT EVEN WORK WITH ME TO GIVE ME A DISCOUNT AS IM SO CLOSE TO THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY. SOMETIMES A COMPANY SHOULD DO WHATS RIGHT... NISSAN IS NOT ONE OF THOSE COMPANIES. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10463972
140,000 miles · Jun 8, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10461023
78,560 miles · May 31, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System
MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER'S FUEL LEVEL SENSOR STOPPED WORKING WHILE ON A LONG DISTANCE TRIP. THIS CAUSED US TO PULL OVER ALONG A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE PROBLEM. WE LATER LEARNED THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT NISSAN CREATED AND IS NOT WILLING TO FIX. AS A FULL TIME LAW STUDENT LIVING OFF OF STUDENT L…
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MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER'S FUEL LEVEL SENSOR STOPPED WORKING WHILE ON A LONG DISTANCE TRIP. THIS CAUSED US TO PULL OVER ALONG A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE PROBLEM. WE LATER LEARNED THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT NISSAN CREATED AND IS NOT WILLING TO FIX. AS A FULL TIME LAW STUDENT LIVING OFF OF STUDENT LOANS (AND UNABLE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS HUGE ISSUE FIXED), MY FAMILY HAS BEEN FORCED TO RESET THE MILEAGE EVERY TIME WE FILL UP ON GAS IN ORDER TO KEEP TRACK OF WHEN WE ARE LIKELY OUT OF GAS. NOT THE MOST IDEAL SITUATION FOR A MOTHER OF 4 YOUNG CHILDREN DRIVING AROUND IN THE ARIZONA HEAT. WE THOUGHT WE WERE BUYING QUALITY WHEN WE PURCHASED A NISSAN, HOWEVER THE OPPOSITE HAPPENED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10460179
98,000 miles · May 25, 2012
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING A NORMAL HWY SPEEDS, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL FORWARD SPEED AND BEGAN TO SLOW. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, ALTHOUGH, THERE WAS NO PROPULSION TO THE REAR WHEELS. HAD PATHFINDER TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER ( BANKSTON LEWISVILLE, TX) WHERE IS WAS DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS A RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION CONTAMINATION FAILURE. OPENED …
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WHILE DRIVING A NORMAL HWY SPEEDS, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL FORWARD SPEED AND BEGAN TO SLOW. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, ALTHOUGH, THERE WAS NO PROPULSION TO THE REAR WHEELS. HAD PATHFINDER TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER ( BANKSTON LEWISVILLE, TX) WHERE IS WAS DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS A RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION CONTAMINATION FAILURE. OPENED CASE NUMBER WITH NISSAN REQUESTING ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR. AWAITING A RESPONSE, HOWEVER, WAS TOLD THAT "IT DID NOT LOOK GOOD" AS WE DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF SERVICE HISTORY WITH THE DEALERSHIP. I'VE OWNED 8 NISSANS OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS AND OBVIOUSLY LOYAL TO THE BRAND. THIS IS A DANGEROUS FAILURE, OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD POTENTIALLY BE DEADLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10459608
107,000 miles · May 22, 2012
Power Train
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER FAULTY RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION, DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION.CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO NOT ACCELERATE. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. I AM JUST GLAD THIS DID NOT HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER. TERRIBLE ENGINEERING, TERRIBLE VEHI…
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER FAULTY RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION, DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION.CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO NOT ACCELERATE. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. I AM JUST GLAD THIS DID NOT HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER. TERRIBLE ENGINEERING, TERRIBLE VEHICLE, MY LAST NISSAN. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10459212
84,000 miles · May 18, 2012
Power Train
DRIVING AT APROX. 55 MPH MOTOR LOST POWER TO MOVE THE UNIT DUE TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ERROR CODES P1757 AND P1759. THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE A CRASH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10458977
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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