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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 →
837Owner complaints

Model-year median: 97

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
110
200367
20041,050
2005837
2006561
2007328
200837
2009
Compare all Pathfinder years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
450Engine And Engine Cooling
185Engine
147Fuel System, Gasoline
135Fuel/propulsion System
71
All reported categories
Unknown Or Other
43Steering
41Electrical System
34Fuel System, Other
29Vehicle Speed Control
16Air Bags
14Suspension
9Service Brakes
6Structure
6Equipment
5Seat Belts
5Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Tires
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility
2Wheels
2Seats
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Traction Control System
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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156,000 miles · Apr 7, 2019
EnginePower Train

RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING LEAK OF RADIATOR FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO AUTO SHOP. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY AND THEN WOULD ALL OF THE SUDDEN NO LONGER ACCELERATE. MECHANICS, (GOT 3 ESTIMATES) ALL SAID SAME THING; THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE PATHFINDERS. MY COST IS ABOUT 6,500. I HAD JUST…

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RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING LEAK OF RADIATOR FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO AUTO SHOP. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY AND THEN WOULD ALL OF THE SUDDEN NO LONGER ACCELERATE. MECHANICS, (GOT 3 ESTIMATES) ALL SAID SAME THING; THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE PATHFINDERS. MY COST IS ABOUT 6,500. I HAD JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR 8,500 ABOUT 3 WEEKS PRIOR.

NHTSA ODI #11194434

170,000 miles · Mar 23, 2019
EnginePower Train

TRANSMISSION IS FAILING QUICKLY. I HAD TO REPLACE MY RADIATOR A FEW MONTHS AGO BECAUSE IT CRACKED. THAT EVENT LEFT MY WIFE AND CHILDREN STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE.

NHTSA ODI #11191039

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INITIALLY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INITIALLY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CRANK. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE FAILED. HEADQUARTER NISSAN (1725 WHITTLESEY RD, COLUMBUS, GA 31904, (706) 225-8100) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED WITH THE DEALER AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL IN 2011 AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11173887

168,000 miles · Jun 11, 2018
EnginePower Train

MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTAMINATION.. SOME HOSES INSIDE THE RADIATOR THAT CARRIES TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT CRACKED AND CONTAMINATED BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO LOCK INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND CONTAMINATED BOTH MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION THIS PROB…

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MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTAMINATION.. SOME HOSES INSIDE THE RADIATOR THAT CARRIES TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT CRACKED AND CONTAMINATED BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO LOCK INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND CONTAMINATED BOTH MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION THIS PROBLEM WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN. IT WILL BE A COSTLY REPAIR THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY NISSAN ON A RECALL ACCORDING TO ALL THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ABOUT.

NHTSA ODI #11101216

128,000 miles · May 31, 2018
Engine

TIMING CHAIN NEEDS REPLACED PULLED IN AND HEARD THE TELL TALE BUZZING SOUND HAD SOME ONE LISTEN WITH STETHASCOPE TO CONFIRM

NHTSA ODI #11099083

156,000 miles · Apr 11, 2018
Engine

COOLANT LEAKS INTO TRANSMISSION. THIS RUINED THE TRANSMISSION AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #11084489

105,000 miles · Feb 8, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE, WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE CAR SHUT OFF AND I LOST TOTAL POWER OF THE CAR AND THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT GETTING KILLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2X I LOOS TOTAL POWER AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF. I CALLED NISSAN TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND THEY SAID NO, HOWEVER THERE IS A RECALL #10V517…

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HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE, WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE CAR SHUT OFF AND I LOST TOTAL POWER OF THE CAR AND THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT GETTING KILLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2X I LOOS TOTAL POWER AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF. I CALLED NISSAN TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND THEY SAID NO, HOWEVER THERE IS A RECALL #10V517000 WHICH NISSAN SAYS MY CAR IS NOT INVOLVED IN THAT ADVISED THIS MODEL HAD A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM HAVING THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IT. IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY REASON AND I HAVE THE MAKE & MODEL WHILE NISSAN WILL NOT INVESTIGATE WHY THIS IS HAPPENED AS IT IS A DIRECT SAFETY PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD TAKE IT INTO NISSAN FOR THEM TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS OF COURSE AT MY EXPENSE.

NHTSA ODI #11071727

110,000 miles · Nov 22, 2017
EnginePower Train

THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS AND IT MIXED WITH THE ANTIFREEZE WHICH CAUSED BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS ON AND VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN WE NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASED GREATLY AND RAPIDLY UNTIL IT MAXED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING A MIX OF ANT…

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THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS AND IT MIXED WITH THE ANTIFREEZE WHICH CAUSED BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS ON AND VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN WE NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASED GREATLY AND RAPIDLY UNTIL IT MAXED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING A MIX OF ANTIFREEZE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. WE REPLACED THE RADIATOR BUT THE DAMAGE WAS DONE ALREADY TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #11048067

129,000 miles · Sep 22, 2017
Engine

DEFECTIVE RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX THAT IRREPARABLY DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11024982

210,000 miles · Aug 10, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION $4000 CAR 10 YEARS OLD HOWEVER I HAD HIGH MILEAGE DUE TO MANY ROAD TRIPS

NHTSA ODI #11014517

Official recalls

3

10V517000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.