NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
185 reportsClear category filter87,000 miles · Apr 22, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
OUR 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER BEGAN TO OCCASIONALLY RUMBLE WHEN IT WAS CHANGING GEARS. WE WERE ADVISED BY OUR MECHANIC THAT THIS WAS RELATED TO A FAILURE IN THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR COOLER SYSTEM. WE CONTACTED A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND WERE ADVISED THAT OUR VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. …
Read full complaint
OUR 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER BEGAN TO OCCASIONALLY RUMBLE WHEN IT WAS CHANGING GEARS. WE WERE ADVISED BY OUR MECHANIC THAT THIS WAS RELATED TO A FAILURE IN THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR COOLER SYSTEM. WE CONTACTED A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND WERE ADVISED THAT OUR VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. HE FURTHER ADVISED THAT NISSAN KNEW OF THIS FAILING, AND HAD EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTIES ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THIS WARRANTY INCLUDES UP TO A $3000 DEDUCTIBLE. THE DEDUCTIBLE IS DETERMINED BY YEAR AND MILAGE OF THE VEHICLE. OUR NISSAN HAS 87,000 MILES, SO WE WILL HAVE TO PAY A $2500 DEDUCTIBLE FOR THE REPAIR WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509169
64,800 miles · Apr 20, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
STARTED AS A VIBRATION ON 5FT GEAR AT AROUND 45MPH. DURING A ROUTINE CHECK, IT WAS FOUND TRANSMISSION OIL INTO THE COOLING SYSTEM. HENCE, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT, CAUSING TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION AS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508899
79,633 miles · Apr 19, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY COOLANT LEAK FLUID INTO MY TRANSMISSION , NISSAN HONORED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IS REPLACING THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION. MY WHOLE EXHAUST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALSO AND MY COST FOR THAT IS 1200. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508757
86,500 miles · Apr 16, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE CAR STARTED SHUDDERING / JERKING WHEN IT WAS TRYING TO UP OR DOWNSHIFT. AT FIRST IT WAS NOT TOO NOTICEABLE HOWEVER THAT CHANGED RELATIVELY FAST AND HE JERKING WAS MORE APPARENT. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER IT WAS FOUND TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS A CRACK WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION O…
Read full complaint
AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE CAR STARTED SHUDDERING / JERKING WHEN IT WAS TRYING TO UP OR DOWNSHIFT. AT FIRST IT WAS NOT TOO NOTICEABLE HOWEVER THAT CHANGED RELATIVELY FAST AND HE JERKING WAS MORE APPARENT. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER IT WAS FOUND TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS A CRACK WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER IN THE RADIATOR CAUSING INTERMIXING BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE COOLANT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. SINCE MY VEHICLE HAD BETWEEN 80000 AND 90000 MILES I WAS IN THE $2500 COPAY RANGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508484
92,000 miles · Apr 6, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND NEED TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, THEN DEALER DIAGNOSE, THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION FLUID, COOLER LOCATED IN DE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY THAT ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID,RESULTING IN DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND A DAMAGED INTERNAL TRAN…
Read full complaint
COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND NEED TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, THEN DEALER DIAGNOSE, THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION FLUID, COOLER LOCATED IN DE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY THAT ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID,RESULTING IN DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND A DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10507366
95,000 miles · Mar 27, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK INTO RADIATOR AND VICE VERSA (ANTIFREEZE INTO TRANSMISSION). CAR RUMBLES REALLY BAD AND SHIFTS HARD. HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR AND FLUSH TRANSMISSION SO ABOUT $600 FOR A PROBLEM THAT NISSAN SHOULD FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504729
118,000 miles · Mar 22, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 55 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR AND FELT AN INTENSE VIBRATION CAUSING MY CAR TO START SHAKING AS IF I WERE ON THE RUMBLE STRIPS IN THE MEDIAN. I DROVE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD MY RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION DESTROYING THE TORQUE CONVERTER. NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO HELP ME AS WELL …
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 55 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR AND FELT AN INTENSE VIBRATION CAUSING MY CAR TO START SHAKING AS IF I WERE ON THE RUMBLE STRIPS IN THE MEDIAN. I DROVE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD MY RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION DESTROYING THE TORQUE CONVERTER. NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO HELP ME AS WELL AS I HAVE BEEN DENIED BY AN AFTERMARKET WARRANTY THAT NISSAN PERSUADED ME TO PURCHASE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504151
106,000 miles · Mar 17, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
STARTED SHUTTERING AND NOT SHIFTING RIGHT, FOUND TRAN FLUID IN RADIATOR, WHAT'S SAD IS IM WRITING THIS IN VAIN CAUSE NOTHING WILL COME OF IT, ITS SAD THAT IF THEY'RE HAD BEEN MORE KNOWN BEFORE HAND MY WIFE WOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT IT, INSTEAD SHE HAS 3.5 MORE YEARS TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS INTENDED TO LAST ATLEAST TIL SHE GOT I…
Read full complaint
STARTED SHUTTERING AND NOT SHIFTING RIGHT, FOUND TRAN FLUID IN RADIATOR, WHAT'S SAD IS IM WRITING THIS IN VAIN CAUSE NOTHING WILL COME OF IT, ITS SAD THAT IF THEY'RE HAD BEEN MORE KNOWN BEFORE HAND MY WIFE WOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT IT, INSTEAD SHE HAS 3.5 MORE YEARS TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS INTENDED TO LAST ATLEAST TIL SHE GOT IT PAID FOR, BUT NOW SHE IS GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO THE BANK AND MAKE ANOTHER LOAN, AND TRY TO MAKE TWO PAYMENTS INSTEAD OF ONE, TO SAY THE LEAST IM NOT HAPPY WITH NISSAN TRYING TO KEEP THIS UNDER THE RUG WITH THE REST OF THE DIRT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503365
95,000 miles · Feb 27, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED HAVING A VIOLENT VIBRATION AT AROUND 50MPH. RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS ARTICLES REGARDING THIS ISSUE. ALL INFORMATION I FOUND INDICATED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE COOLENT LINE. WHEN I CHECKED MY RADIATOR LEVEL, THE COOLENT WAS LOW, WHICH WAS ONE…
Read full complaint
2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED HAVING A VIOLENT VIBRATION AT AROUND 50MPH. RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS ARTICLES REGARDING THIS ISSUE. ALL INFORMATION I FOUND INDICATED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE COOLENT LINE. WHEN I CHECKED MY RADIATOR LEVEL, THE COOLENT WAS LOW, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE INDICATORS THAT HIS WAS MY PROBLEM. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM, LESS THAN A YEAR AGO WITH 75,000 MILES, THEY TELL ME THAT THE WARRENTY ONLY COVERS VEHICLES WITH LESS THAT 80,000 MILES. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THE ISSUE, ONLY THAT THE PATHFINDER WAS A SOLID, CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VIHICLE. NOW I WILL HAVE TO PAY $3,000 CO-PAY. EVERYTHING I HAVE READ, INDICATES THAT THESE ISSUES RARELY EVER START BEFORE 80,000 MILES. THE FACT THAT THE INDUSTRY IS LETTING THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS IS DISGUSTING TO ME. I HAVE A WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN RIDING AROUND IN A FAULTY VEHICLE WITH A WELL KNOWN ISSUE I CAN'T AFORD TO FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500624
116,000 miles · Feb 19, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE RADIATOR COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH HAS DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10498565
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
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.
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.
Illustration