NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,050 reports135,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND A SENSOR WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND A SENSOR WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A FULL DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE TRANSMISSION WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA ODI #10413945
124,128 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION ON THE VEHICLE FAILED TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FUNCTION WITH SOME RESISTANCE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION ON THE VEHICLE FAILED TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FUNCTION WITH SOME RESISTANCE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 124,128. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DESIGN OF THE COOLING SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE ALLOWED FOR CROSS-CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT. THE VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE, AND ULTIMATELY FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #10413820
89,000 miles · Jul 19, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR COOLANT CROSS CONTAMINATION CAUSING THE PATHFINDER TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. MY 2 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE CHILD SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413661
120,000 miles · Jul 15, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO VIBRATE WHEN DRIVING 55 MPH OR MORE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR REPAIRS YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO VIBRATE WHEN DRIVING 55 MPH OR MORE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR REPAIRS YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SECOND DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT FLUID WAS BACKED UP IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WOULD BOTH NEED REPLACING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
NHTSA ODI #10413081
86,000 miles · Jul 15, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL OR MORE, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD INACCURATELY READ THAT IT WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL OR MORE, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD INACCURATELY READ THAT IT WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10413079
90,000 miles · Jul 14, 2011
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
RADIATOR DEVELOPED INTERNAL CRACK LEAKING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION. RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILED AND REPLACED AT 70,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10412868
75,000 miles · Jul 12, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ARM OF THE FUEL SENSOR WAS FRACTURED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ARM OF THE FUEL SENSOR WAS FRACTURED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 106,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 04/25/12*LJ UPDATED 04/30/12
NHTSA ODI #10412014
93,000 miles · Jul 9, 2011
Power TrainFire
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 93,000 MILES. HAD ORIGINAL ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION IN 2009 A SLIGHT SHIMMY AND ONCE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, AS SOON AS IT SLIPPED I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE: RADIATOR, AND TRANSMISSION AT …
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 93,000 MILES. HAD ORIGINAL ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION IN 2009 A SLIGHT SHIMMY AND ONCE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, AS SOON AS IT SLIPPED I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE: RADIATOR, AND TRANSMISSION AT ~$6,500. I ASKED FOR OPTIONS THE DEALER SAID I COULD TRY REPLACING RADIATOR, FLUSH TRANSMISSION AND ADD NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR ~2,500, HE SAID IT MAY MAKE IT 5 MORE MILES OR 500K MILES, BUT EXPECTED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD AT SOME POINT FAIL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL TRUSTED REPAIR SHOP AND HAD RADIATOR REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION FLUSHED WITH NISSAN TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILLED WITH NISSAN TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR LESS THAN $1K. HAD NO ISSUES SINCE. ON JUNE 6TH OUT OF THE BLUE AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE LAKE, I FELT THE SHIMMY AGAIN, IMMEDIATELY BACKED OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THEN SLOWLY GOT BACK INTO THE GAS, AS I DID I FELT THE TRANSMISSION SLIP A LITTLE. LESS THAN 1,000 FEET DOWN THE ROAD I NOTICED SMOKE IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHIN 1,000' AS I CAME TO A STOP THICK BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND I REALIZED THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. I OPENED THE DOOR TO GET OUT AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE RUNNING BOARDS. WITHIN 3 MINUTES THE CAR AND ALL IT'S CONTENTS WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. IT WAS OBVIOUS FROM MY VANTAGE POINT AND THE PICTURES I TOOK DURING THE FIRE THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING AND THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE RESULTING IN A THERMAL EVENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED, THANK GOD I WAS ALONE.AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD CARE LESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10411630
67,000 miles · Jul 8, 2011
Electrical System
I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENT WAS "DEAD." THE CAR NEEDS A NEW IPMD AND ECM MODULES. THE DEALER QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $2200 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, I LEARNED THAT THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR IS STILL WITH THE DEALER. I WILL ADVIS…
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I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENT WAS "DEAD." THE CAR NEEDS A NEW IPMD AND ECM MODULES. THE DEALER QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $2200 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, I LEARNED THAT THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR IS STILL WITH THE DEALER. I WILL ADVISE THEM OF THE RECALL ON MONDAY AND REQUEST THAT MY CAR IS REPAIRED.
NHTSA ODI #10412495
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
PREMATURE WEAR OF TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDES. IN THE NISSAN PATHFINDER 4.0L V6 ENGINES, THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDES ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. OUR VEHICLE WAS IDENTIFIED BY NISSAN DEALER SERVICE AT 62,000 MILES AND THE REQUIRED FIX ACTION WAS TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN QUIDES OUT OF W…
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PREMATURE WEAR OF TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDES. IN THE NISSAN PATHFINDER 4.0L V6 ENGINES, THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDES ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. OUR VEHICLE WAS IDENTIFIED BY NISSAN DEALER SERVICE AT 62,000 MILES AND THE REQUIRED FIX ACTION WAS TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN QUIDES OUT OF WARRANTY AT A COST OF $1500.00. THESE PARTS DO NOT HAVE A RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVAL AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE HOWEVER NISSAN HAS IDENTIFIED THIS AS A PROBLEM IN THE PATHFINDER AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES THAT USE THE SAME ENGINE AND HAS ISSUED TWO SEPARATE SERVICE BULLETINS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ENGINEERING DEFICIENCY AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10409326
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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