IllustrationCAR STALLED AT RED LIGHT, SMOKING FROM HOOD TOOK TO MECHANICS ADVISED OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE, LEAKING BROWN STUFF. *TR
2006 Nissan Pathfinder
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Pathfinder years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pathfinder years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
210–25K
5525–50K
11950–75K
22575–100K
256100–150K
66150K+
742 reports with mileage · 95 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 450 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 185 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 147 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports0 fire reports9 injury reports
Engine complaints
147 reportsVEHICLE SHAKES AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHEN DRIVING. DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. TOOK TO AMOCO AND TOLD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS MIXING WITH THE RADIATOR AND BOTH FAILED. COST OVER $4,000 DOLLARS TO FIX OR IT IS UTTERLY USELESS - JUST OVER 82K MILES. INVESTIGATION SHOWS DANGEROUS TREND FOR SAFETY AND COMPLETE PRODUCT DEFECT, WITH…
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VEHICLE SHAKES AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHEN DRIVING. DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. TOOK TO AMOCO AND TOLD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS MIXING WITH THE RADIATOR AND BOTH FAILED. COST OVER $4,000 DOLLARS TO FIX OR IT IS UTTERLY USELESS - JUST OVER 82K MILES. INVESTIGATION SHOWS DANGEROUS TREND FOR SAFETY AND COMPLETE PRODUCT DEFECT, WITH YEARS OF FOREKNOWLEDGE BY NISSAN. DRIVING IS DANGEROUS SINCE THE VEHICLE DOESN'T ACCELERATE CONSISTENTLY AND STEERING VIOLENTLY SHAKES. *TR
DROVE TO WAWA FOR GAS AND AS CAR WAS IDILING IT OVER HEATED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. GOT MY CAR HOME AND STARTED POKING AROUND ONLINE JUST TO FIND THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. DON'T KNOW IF TRANSMISSION IS DESTROYED YET BUT TIME WILL TEL…
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DROVE TO WAWA FOR GAS AND AS CAR WAS IDILING IT OVER HEATED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. GOT MY CAR HOME AND STARTED POKING AROUND ONLINE JUST TO FIND THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. DON'T KNOW IF TRANSMISSION IS DESTROYED YET BUT TIME WILL TELL. HORRIBLE THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. AND WHAT A HAZARD I HAD MY 3 CHILDREN IN CAR AND HAD TO TELL THEM NO BASEBALL FOR THEM. AND TOP IT OFF THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF ANY ISSUES AND CAR ONLY HAS 59,799 MILES ON IT. *TR
WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND NOTIFIED THEM OF SHUDDERING WHEN DRIVING IN EXCESS OF 40MPH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS 'MILKY' AS A RESULT OF COOLANT MIXING IN WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR. ADVISED REPAIRS TO INCLUDE A TRANSMISSION COO…
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WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND NOTIFIED THEM OF SHUDDERING WHEN DRIVING IN EXCESS OF 40MPH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS 'MILKY' AS A RESULT OF COOLANT MIXING IN WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR. ADVISED REPAIRS TO INCLUDE A TRANSMISSION COOLER WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF $8,000+. ALSO ADVISED THAT MILEAGE OF 91,033 VOIDED EXTENDED WARRANTY. (3 YEARS, 80,000 MILES) VEHICLE IS NON-OPERABLE DUE TO TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
JUST PURCHASED 2006 PATHFINDER FROM LOCAL (JEEP/DODGE) DEALER. WAS LITERALLY DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE LOT WHEN I ENCOUNTERED VIBRATION AND NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME AND AFTER CHECKING THE FLUIDS FOUND A MILKY WHITE (ATF?) FLUID IN THE COOLANT/RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE HAS 87500 MILE…
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JUST PURCHASED 2006 PATHFINDER FROM LOCAL (JEEP/DODGE) DEALER. WAS LITERALLY DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE LOT WHEN I ENCOUNTERED VIBRATION AND NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME AND AFTER CHECKING THE FLUIDS FOUND A MILKY WHITE (ATF?) FLUID IN THE COOLANT/RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE HAS 87500 MILES AND I'M BESIDE MYSELF RIGHT NOW. THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM SEEMS WILLING TO WORK WITH ME TO REMEDY THE SITUATION BUT I'M NOT SURE IF THEY'LL PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR...? AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET FOUND THE MASS OF FOLKS DEALING WITH THE SAME RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION FAILURE PROBLEM. I'VE GOT AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER THIS WEEK... WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. NHTSA PLEASE HELP THE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF NISSAN OWNERS DEALING WITH THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT! *TR
IN OCTOBER OF 2011, MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER BEGAN VIOLENTLY VIBRATING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I REACHED 60 MPH. SOMETIMES IT WOULD STOP WHEN I LET UP OFF THE GAS. OTHER TIMES IT WOULD CONTINUE TO SHAKE. AFTER REPEATED VISITS TO THE MECHANICS AND NEW TIRES, ROTATIONS, BRAKES AND BALANCING, WE DECIDED TO GO TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP…
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IN OCTOBER OF 2011, MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER BEGAN VIOLENTLY VIBRATING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I REACHED 60 MPH. SOMETIMES IT WOULD STOP WHEN I LET UP OFF THE GAS. OTHER TIMES IT WOULD CONTINUE TO SHAKE. AFTER REPEATED VISITS TO THE MECHANICS AND NEW TIRES, ROTATIONS, BRAKES AND BALANCING, WE DECIDED TO GO TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THEY DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS COOLANT THAT HAD MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AS A MATTER OF FACT HE HAD 5 NISSAN PATHFINDERS ON HIS LOT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER MULTIPLE SEARCHES, WE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF ENTRIES OF PATHFINDER OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. EVENTUALLY, THE CAR STARTED TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO NISSAN IN MY TOWN AND CONTACTED CORPORATE. I WILL BE FILING A CIVIL SUIT IF THEY DO NOT AGREE TO PAY AND FIX MY CAR THAT I HAVE HAD FOR ONLY 3 YEARS. *TR
AS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OUR 2006 PATHFINDER HAS BEEN FOUND TO HAVE ANTIFREEZE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND WE ARE NOW TOLD IT WILL TAKE 4500 DOLLARS TO FIX. THIS IS NO DOUBT A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AS THERE WAS NO WAY TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING OR KNOWING FOR SURE WHEN IT DID. THIS SUV HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY PROFESSIONALS AND…
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AS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OUR 2006 PATHFINDER HAS BEEN FOUND TO HAVE ANTIFREEZE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND WE ARE NOW TOLD IT WILL TAKE 4500 DOLLARS TO FIX. THIS IS NO DOUBT A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AS THERE WAS NO WAY TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING OR KNOWING FOR SURE WHEN IT DID. THIS SUV HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY PROFESSIONALS AND THEY DID NOT CATCH IT, I BELIEVE NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THIS BASED ON ACTIONS THEY HAVE TAKEN AND NOW SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. *TR
Official recalls
310V517000 · 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.
10V075000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank
Mar 3, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 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
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.