NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,050 reports72,000 miles · Jan 31, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR SHOWS PARTIALLY FULL TANK ALL THE TIME AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, WE DID NOT REALIZE IT AND RAN OUT OF GAS AND ENDED UP STRANDING MY FAMILY ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON THEME AMONG ALL 2005 - 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER, XTERRA AND …
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THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR SHOWS PARTIALLY FULL TANK ALL THE TIME AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, WE DID NOT REALIZE IT AND RAN OUT OF GAS AND ENDED UP STRANDING MY FAMILY ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON THEME AMONG ALL 2005 - 2009 NISSAN PATHFINDER, XTERRA AND FRONTIER OWNERS AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A SERVICE RECALL FOR THIS! I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS FORUMS AND THIS SENSOR HAS FAILED ANYWHERE FROM 40K MILES ONWARDS AND COSTS ANYWHERE FROM 400 - 600 DOLLARS TO FIX. PLEASE ENSURE THAT NISSAN TAKES CARE OF THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANKS. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10446047
89,000 miles · Jan 10, 2012
Equipment Adaptive/mobilityFuel System, GasolinePower Train
8-9-2010 I BEGAN HAVING DIFFICULTY GETTING MY CAR TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. WITHIN 2 WEEKS, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CROWDED HIGHWAY, MY CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH, AND I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. WHEN I FINALLY FOUND A SPOT TO PULL OVER AND PARK, A LARGE PUDDLE OF FLUID LEAKED ALL OVER THE GROUND. I WAS ALONE, IN AN ARE…
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8-9-2010 I BEGAN HAVING DIFFICULTY GETTING MY CAR TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. WITHIN 2 WEEKS, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CROWDED HIGHWAY, MY CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH, AND I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. WHEN I FINALLY FOUND A SPOT TO PULL OVER AND PARK, A LARGE PUDDLE OF FLUID LEAKED ALL OVER THE GROUND. I WAS ALONE, IN AN AREA I DIDN'T KNOW, AND NEARLY GOT REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN IT WOULDN'T SHIFT GEARS. I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL SHOPS, AND THE TRANSMISSIONS WAS RUINED. IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED, BOTH TOTALING THOUSANDS OF $ I DON'T HAVE. I BORROWED MONEY TO HAVE IT REBUILT. WITHIN 2 WEEKS, I STARTED HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP, THE TECHNICIAN SAID RADIATOR COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED AGAIN. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, I SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, APPROXIMATELY 5/2010, THE FUEL GAUGE WILL DROP TO EMPTY, EVEN THOUGH THERE WILL STILL BE FUEL IN THE TANK. SOMETIMES IT WILL STICK TO MID-FULL WHEN THERE IS NO FUEL. ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT, WHEN I START THE VEHICLE AND TRY TO WARM IT UP, IT WILL ONLY BLOW COLD AIR, NEVER WARM NO MATTER HOW LONG IT RUNS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10443380
98,900 miles · Jan 10, 2012
Power Train
A CRACKED RADIATOR CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. ONCE THE COOLANT (ANTIFREEZE) ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION IT KILLED THE VALVES, SEALS AND TORQUE CONVERTER AND RENDERED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION USELESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10443372
85,000 miles · Jan 5, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
KNOW ISSUES BY NISSAN NOT BEING ADDRESSED... RADIATOR/OIL LEAK - WARRANTY EXTENDED BUT DOES NOT COVER OUR VEHICLE. TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IN NISSAN VEHICHLES - NO WARRANT EXTENSION COVERED. MORE INFO AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. LETTER SENT TO NISSAN ON 1/15/2012 DETAILING ALL OF THE ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #10443038
118,000 miles · Jan 3, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. BOTHER WERE RUINED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS COST $5000+ THIS ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON TOP SHELF INTERNET WEBSITES INCLUDING EDMUANDS.COM AND OTHERS. MANY FOLKS ARE UNDER POWER WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS, AT ANY SPEED.. NISSAN IS NOT OFF…
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THE RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. BOTHER WERE RUINED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS COST $5000+ THIS ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON TOP SHELF INTERNET WEBSITES INCLUDING EDMUANDS.COM AND OTHERS. MANY FOLKS ARE UNDER POWER WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS, AT ANY SPEED.. NISSAN IS NOT OFFERING RECALL. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS UNDERWAY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN DEFECT (COOLING THE TRANSMISSION VIA THE RADIATOR) AND PEOPLE MAY BE INJURED OR WORSE. MAYBE IT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED TO SOME? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10442243
20 miles · Dec 28, 2011
Visibility
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUNVISOR WAS MADE WITH A DEFECTIVE PLASTIC ASSEMBLY AND WHEN DRIVING OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE SUNVISOR WOULD FALL AND BLOCK THE CONTACT'S VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,695. KMJ
NHTSA ODI #10441436
100,000 miles · Dec 23, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
MY CAR HAD 1/4 FUEL, I FILLED THE TANK TO FULL, THE GAS GAUGE DO NOT SET THE CAR TO FULL TANK, I READ THE BOOK AND MADE THE INSTRUCTIONS BUT THE GAUGE DO NOT CHANGE, WHEN I RUN THE CAR FOR 2 HRS. AND I TURN OFF, IT BEGAN TO CHANGE TO FULL TANK. THE OTHER ISSUE WAS WHEN I HAD A 1/2 TANK OF GASOLINE...I STOP FOR 5 MINUTES AND …
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MY CAR HAD 1/4 FUEL, I FILLED THE TANK TO FULL, THE GAS GAUGE DO NOT SET THE CAR TO FULL TANK, I READ THE BOOK AND MADE THE INSTRUCTIONS BUT THE GAUGE DO NOT CHANGE, WHEN I RUN THE CAR FOR 2 HRS. AND I TURN OFF, IT BEGAN TO CHANGE TO FULL TANK. THE OTHER ISSUE WAS WHEN I HAD A 1/2 TANK OF GASOLINE...I STOP FOR 5 MINUTES AND I LEAVE THE CAR ON, WHEN I RETURNED SAW THE GAS GAUGE IN EMPTY... ACTUALLY I HAVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR SOME DAYS AND OFF FOR THE OTHERS DAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10441116
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
72,035 miles · Dec 17, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
NOTICED THAT FUEL AND OIL PRESSURE GAUGES WOULD NOT REGISTER FUEL OR OIL LEVELS CORRECTLY, THE MILES TILL EMPTY WILL NOT WORK. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN WE ARE GOING TO RUN OUT OF FUEL, STARTED GETTING WORSE, THAN NOTICE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, HAD VEHICLE DIAGNOSE, TURNED OUT THAT BOTH THE FUEL AND OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNITS…
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NOTICED THAT FUEL AND OIL PRESSURE GAUGES WOULD NOT REGISTER FUEL OR OIL LEVELS CORRECTLY, THE MILES TILL EMPTY WILL NOT WORK. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN WE ARE GOING TO RUN OUT OF FUEL, STARTED GETTING WORSE, THAN NOTICE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, HAD VEHICLE DIAGNOSE, TURNED OUT THAT BOTH THE FUEL AND OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNITS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THERE ARE NUMEROUS PATHFINDERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THESE ISSUES. THIS REPAIR IS VERY COSTLY AND IS DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING WITHOUT THE FUEL AND OIL SENDING UNITS. WHY ARE THERE NO RECALLS? PLEASE HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440291
75,000 miles · Dec 15, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR MAKE A NOISY WHEN SPEED AND SMELL VERY BAD ,AFTER THE NOISY STARTED INCREASE MORE AND MORE. I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE THEY GOT THE SAME AN EXACTLY PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440050
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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