IllustrationTHE COOLER RADIATOR OPENED AND ALLOW THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION UNIT.. *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 And Engine Cooling complaints
185 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000. UPDATED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000. UPDATED 03/06/12*LJ UPDATED 03/08/12
TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUIDS MIXED AND CAUSED A MAJOR LOCK UP AND OVERHEATING IN THE CAR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE MALFUNCTION BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE. THIS IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY RISK, BUT A MECHANICAL RISK TO THE OWNER AND NIS…
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TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUIDS MIXED AND CAUSED A MAJOR LOCK UP AND OVERHEATING IN THE CAR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE MALFUNCTION BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE. THIS IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY RISK, BUT A MECHANICAL RISK TO THE OWNER AND NISSAN SHOULD AT LEAST NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THIS POTENTIAL RISK. *KB
HEARD A THUD IN THE REAR. TOOK IT TO GET LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC. BEFORE THE MECHANIC EVEN LOOKED AT IT HE KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG. I TOLD HIM I THINK SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC ALREADY KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER. DIDN'T SHOW ANYTHING HE EXPLAINED TO ME. THE COMPUTER WAS NOT WORKING …
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HEARD A THUD IN THE REAR. TOOK IT TO GET LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC. BEFORE THE MECHANIC EVEN LOOKED AT IT HE KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG. I TOLD HIM I THINK SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC ALREADY KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER. DIDN'T SHOW ANYTHING HE EXPLAINED TO ME. THE COMPUTER WAS NOT WORKING ON THE CAR IT HAD BURNED OUT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF PATHFINDER. THE TRANSMISSION OIL THE RADIATOR AND ALL OF THE CARS FLUIDS ARE MIXED. THE RADIATOR LOOKED LIKE VASOLINE.HE TOLD ME I NEED A TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM AND COMPUTER. HR WOULD CHARGE 5,000 DOLLARS HE SUGGESTED TAKING IT TO NISSAN.HE SAID HE HAS FIXED SEVERAL PATHIFINDERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES HE SAID NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS.I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER IN BRADENTON FL. WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR THEY QUOTED ME 8,000 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. SINCE MY TRUCK ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I ASKED MY DEALER ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS.HE TOLD ME TO CALL NISSAN TO MAKE A COMPLAINT THERE ISN'T ANY THING HE CAN DO. THEN I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF PATHFINDERS WITH MY SAME PROBLEM IM APPALLED BY THIS. AND NEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO???? *TR
ABOUT 10,000 MILES AGO I NOTICED A VIBRATION AT 40 AND 60MPH. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO REPLACED TWO U JOINTS AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. WELL, VIBRATION IS BACK, NOT ONLY THAT NOW THAT IT IS WINTER, MY VEHICLE WONT WARM UP FROM AN IDLE. IT NEVER BLOWS HOT AIR. THESE ARE A COUPLE OF SYMPTOMS THAT GOING FORWARD SHOW THE RADIATO…
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ABOUT 10,000 MILES AGO I NOTICED A VIBRATION AT 40 AND 60MPH. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO REPLACED TWO U JOINTS AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. WELL, VIBRATION IS BACK, NOT ONLY THAT NOW THAT IT IS WINTER, MY VEHICLE WONT WARM UP FROM AN IDLE. IT NEVER BLOWS HOT AIR. THESE ARE A COUPLE OF SYMPTOMS THAT GOING FORWARD SHOW THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE GASKETS, SEALS,GEARS, TORQUE CONVERTER. PLEASE HELP THE RADIATOR OBVIOUSLY NEED REPLACING BUT NOT ONLY THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS MESSED UP AND STALLS OUT NOW FROM TIME TO TIME. IT IS REALLY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL PROGRAM SO IT FORCES NISSAN TO RECALL JUST THE RADIATORS BEOFRE THEY START LEAKING. *TR
RADIATOR FAILURE CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE LEADING TO LURCHING AND DIFFICULTY HANDLING. *TR
MY BRAND NEW TIMING CHAIN FAILED, DESTROYING MY ENGINE AND COSTING ME OVER $8000 IN REPAIRS IN ADDITION TO THE COST OF THE TIMING CHAIN ($1100). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE WITH HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO REMAIN IN OPERATION. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETECTED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS A BROWN COLOR AND THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MAN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE WITH HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO REMAIN IN OPERATION. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETECTED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS A BROWN COLOR AND THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,867. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED11/29/11 *BF UPDATED 12/14/11
2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE AT @ 85,000 MILES AND NOW NO HEAT. CAR IS MAINTAINED PERFECTLY AND NOW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEED TO BE REPLACED, NISSAN SAYS THAT IT IS NOT COVERED. *TR
AUTO FAILED TO START OR IF STARTED FAILED TO RUN WITH COMPUTER COORDINATED POWER PRODUCTION. ENGINE MISFIRING AND POWERLESS AND IMMOBILE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. GARAGE SAID THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OF THESE FAILURES ON NISSAN AUTOS AND EXPECT A RECALL TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PART FAILING WITH INCREASING REGULARITY. IPDM FAILURE DIAG…
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AUTO FAILED TO START OR IF STARTED FAILED TO RUN WITH COMPUTER COORDINATED POWER PRODUCTION. ENGINE MISFIRING AND POWERLESS AND IMMOBILE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. GARAGE SAID THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OF THESE FAILURES ON NISSAN AUTOS AND EXPECT A RECALL TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PART FAILING WITH INCREASING REGULARITY. IPDM FAILURE DIAGNOSTIC IS COMPLETE ENGINE POWER FAILURE AND STOP AFTER EXTREMELY ROUGH IDLING, EVEN WHEN ACCELERATOR ENGAGED. THE PROBLEM IS WITHOUT WARNING, INSTANT AND ERRATIC ONSET WITH NO PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PROTOCOL. THIS IS A PART FAILURE WHICH WILL STRAND THE DRIVER WHEREVER IT HAPPENS UNTIL THE PART (IPDM) IS REPLACED , AFTER WHICH THE VARIOUS COMPUTERS ON THE CAR WILL PERFORM AS NORMAL AND AUTO FUNCTIONS NORMALLY. THIS PART SHOULD BE IMPROVED, RECALLED AND REINSTALLED WITH DEFECT FREE REPLACEMENT TO AVOID FURTHER DAMAGE AND STRANDING OF OTHER NISSAN DRIVERS. NISSAN HAS NOT RECALLED THE PART AS YET BUT THE REPAIR COST ME $910 FOR DIAGNOSES AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE AND FAILED IPDM ON THE 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND PERHAPS OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES. THE RECORDS OF NISSAN SHOULD SHOW THE SPIKE IN ORDERS FOR THIS PART AS OTHER VEHICLES FAIL TO FUNCTION DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IPDM. A RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED TO REPAIR THIS DEFECTIVE ESSENTIAL AND EXPENSIVE PART WHICH CANNOT BE MAINTAINED -JUST REPLACED WHEN IT FAILS. *KB
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.