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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 And Engine Cooling complaints

185 reports
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58,000 miles · Feb 12, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #10310025

55,332 miles · Feb 11, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

NISSAN PATHFINDER, 2006 DEALER STATES RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO & MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION OIL. CAR WOULD HAVE A SEVERE VIBRATION ABOVE 40MPH APPROX. WHEN CHANGING FINAL GEAR. THERE IS NO HEAT FROM HEATER. CAR TEMP WOULD RISE AT SPEEDS OVER 40MPH. DEALER ASKED FOR $8000 FOR REPLACEMENT OF RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. CAR UNDE…

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NISSAN PATHFINDER, 2006 DEALER STATES RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO & MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION OIL. CAR WOULD HAVE A SEVERE VIBRATION ABOVE 40MPH APPROX. WHEN CHANGING FINAL GEAR. THERE IS NO HEAT FROM HEATER. CAR TEMP WOULD RISE AT SPEEDS OVER 40MPH. DEALER ASKED FOR $8000 FOR REPLACEMENT OF RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. CAR UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BUT THEY STILL WON'T COVER DEFECT RADIATOR. COMMON PROBLEM FOUND ONLINE WITH 2005 & 2006 MODELS, THEY CAN CATCH ON FIRE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT TURNING ON. NISSAN HQ DECLINED ANY HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308763

50,000 miles · Jun 23, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS LOCATED IN THE RADIATOR AND CRACKED. THIS RESULTS IN THE MIXTURE OF ANTI-FREEZE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. SO THE ENDING RESULT IS ANTI-FREEZE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING THEN FAILS.......THERE IS A LONG LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS AT THE ED…

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THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS LOCATED IN THE RADIATOR AND CRACKED. THIS RESULTS IN THE MIXTURE OF ANTI-FREEZE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. SO THE ENDING RESULT IS ANTI-FREEZE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING THEN FAILS.......THERE IS A LONG LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS AT THE EDMUNDS CAR WEB SITE. HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX?ED_DISPLAYMAKEMODELRELATEDDISCUSSIONS@@.EF14C39!MAKE=NISSAN&MODEL=PATHFINDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274737

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

I PURCHASED AN AFTER-MARKET ENGINE COLD AIR INTAKE FOR MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AFTER I INSTALLED THE INTAKE A PIECE OF METAL FROM THE INTAKE BROKE OF AND GOT LODGED IN THE THROTTLE OF MY VEHICLE DURING A TRIP TO LOS ANGELES, CA. THE METAL PIECE CAUSED MY CAR'S ENGINE TO STALL THE DIE COMPLETELY ON THE …

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I PURCHASED AN AFTER-MARKET ENGINE COLD AIR INTAKE FOR MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AFTER I INSTALLED THE INTAKE A PIECE OF METAL FROM THE INTAKE BROKE OF AND GOT LODGED IN THE THROTTLE OF MY VEHICLE DURING A TRIP TO LOS ANGELES, CA. THE METAL PIECE CAUSED MY CAR'S ENGINE TO STALL THE DIE COMPLETELY ON THE FREEWAY WITHIN A MATTER OF SECONDS. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET MY VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC IN BARSTOW, CA WHO REMOVED THE METAL DEBRIS FROM THE THROTTLE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THE METAL HAD BROKEN LOOSE FROM INSIDE THE INTAKE. WHEN I REMOVED THE INTAKE AND EXAMINED THE INSIDE I FOUND MORE PIECES OF METAL READY TO BREAK FREE. THE METAL FRAGMENTS WERE LEFT HANGING AND CLEANED UP AFTER THE METAL WAS CUT AND THE O2 SENSOR FITTING WAS WELDED ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258253

693 miles · Aug 31, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR NEEDLE REMAINS ON THE EMPTY SYMBOL, EVEN WHEN FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR NEEDLE REMAINS ON THE EMPTY SYMBOL, EVEN WHEN FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TWO WEEKS LATER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS A SHORT IN THE CLUSTER AND THE PART HAD TO BE ORDERED FROM PUERTO RICO. THE PART ARRIVED A WEEK AND A HALF LATER AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUSTER. ONE WEEK LATER, THE ODOMETER BEGAN TO DISPLAY THE INCORRECT MILEAGE. THE ODOMETER WAS LATER REPAIRED. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE AS SOON AS IT WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS THE TENSION BELT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BELT, BUT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE. THE BELT WAS REPLACED AGAIN, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNSURE IF THE REPLACEMENT PART WOULD BE DEFECTIVE AS WELL. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, SPEED, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,566 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 693.

NHTSA ODI #10201623

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.