IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
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. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMAT…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 03/09/16 *LJ *CN *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS MIXING WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT O…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS MIXING WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICL…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,800.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO B…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED VIBRATIONS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED VIBRATIONS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
ANOTHER CLASSIC STORY OF NISSAN PATHFINDER TRANSMISSION FAILING DUE TO ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER SYSTEM RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE RADIATOR FLUID ARE MIXED UP DUE TO VEHICLE DESIGN ISSUES. NISSAN IS CONVENIENTLY GETTING OUT OF THE COMPLAINT BY PUTTING IN STUFF THAT THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
I PURCHASED MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN 2013 WITH 109K MILES ON IT. I LOVED IT FOR 1YR AND A HALF. 2 MONTHS AGO IT STARTED SHIFTING ROUGH, I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL PLACE TO BE LOOKED AT. I WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN PATHFINDERS HAVE A FAULTY RADIATOR THAT LEAKS INTERNALLY INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE! WOULD…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN 2013 WITH 109K MILES ON IT. I LOVED IT FOR 1YR AND A HALF. 2 MONTHS AGO IT STARTED SHIFTING ROUGH, I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL PLACE TO BE LOOKED AT. I WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN PATHFINDERS HAVE A FAULTY RADIATOR THAT LEAKS INTERNALLY INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE! WOULD COST $3600 TO FIX. I CALLED SUNTRUP AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE AND TO BRING IT IN, WHICH I DID AND $100 LATER THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING I ALREADY KNEW FROM THE OTHER PLACE FOR FREE. THEY AGAIN SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE BUT THEY COULD FIX IT FOR $6800! I BEGAN SEARCHING (NOT TOO DIFFICULT SINCE IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET!) I CALLED AROUND TRYING TO FIND A MORE AFFORDABLE TRANSMISSION PLACE AND EVERY SINGLE PLACE I CALLED KNEW ABOUT THE NISSANS FAULTY RADIATORS!! THIS IS A PREVALENT PROBLEM FOR THE YEARS 2005, 2006 AND 2007 PATHFINDER, XTERRA AND AND FRONTIER! NISSAN REFUSES TO DO A RECALL STATING IT ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT CLOSING IN 2013 (YEAR I BOUGHT MY CAR) AND WOULD FIX THE TRANSMISSIONS UP TO 100K (I BOUGHT MINE AT 109K. THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD IS LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE. I DID CONTACT SUNTRUP AND TALKED TO THE SALES MANAGER WHO SAID TO COME IN AND THEY WOULD "TRY AND HELP ME". THEIR SOLUTION IS TO ROLL THE $4,000 I AM UPSIDE DOWN INTO A BRAND NEW CAR CAUSING MY PAYMENTS TO GO UP EXPONENTIALLY! (ALSO AS A SINGLE MOM OF 3 KIDS IN CAR SEATS A CAR ISN'T HELPFUL, NEITHER IS SUPER HIGH PAYMENTS). YOU CAN NOT TELL ME THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS NISSAN TRANSMISSION ISSUE BEING A NISSAN DEALER! THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION SUIT, THE YEAR I BOUGHT THE CAR?!?! PERHAPS THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE IN MY CASE BUT I DO NOT THINK IT IS ETHICAL TO CONTINUE SELLING THESE MODELS AND YEARS!! *TR
LEAK IN RADIATOR CAUSING CROSS CONTAMINATION BETWEEN RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS. THIS IS CAUSING HESITATION IN POWER DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. PER THE NISSAN SERVICE PROVIDER WE TOOK IT TO, THE CARS NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR AT THE COST OF $6000 OR IT WILL SOON DIE. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER 'S …
Read full complaint
LEAK IN RADIATOR CAUSING CROSS CONTAMINATION BETWEEN RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS. THIS IS CAUSING HESITATION IN POWER DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. PER THE NISSAN SERVICE PROVIDER WE TOOK IT TO, THE CARS NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR AT THE COST OF $6000 OR IT WILL SOON DIE. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER 'S DEFECT AND A KNOWN FLAW- MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ARE POSTED BY OTHER OWNERS. *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.