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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

Power Train complaints

450 reports
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84,500 miles · Jul 9, 2015
Power Train

I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD TRIP WITH MY CHILDREN AND SUDDENLY MY PATHFINDER WOULD NOT ACCELERATE GOING UPHILL. I THANKFULLY MADE IT UP THE HILL AND ONTO A HIGHWAY ON RAMP. THE GRACE OF GOD IS ALL THAT KEPT ME FROM BEING STRUCK BY A TRACTOR TRAILER TAKING THE SAME EXIT. THE PATHFINDER SHUDDERED AND I PULLED INTO THE SHOULDER (A…

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I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD TRIP WITH MY CHILDREN AND SUDDENLY MY PATHFINDER WOULD NOT ACCELERATE GOING UPHILL. I THANKFULLY MADE IT UP THE HILL AND ONTO A HIGHWAY ON RAMP. THE GRACE OF GOD IS ALL THAT KEPT ME FROM BEING STRUCK BY A TRACTOR TRAILER TAKING THE SAME EXIT. THE PATHFINDER SHUDDERED AND I PULLED INTO THE SHOULDER (A BLESSING THAT THERE WAS JUST ENOUGH SPACE FOR ONE) AND IT TURNED OFF RIGHT THERE. NOT EVEN 85,000 MILES ON AN '06 PATHFINDER AND I HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AFTER SOMETHING BROKE IT IN IT 2 YRS AGO, NOW THIS. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE CLOSEST NISSAN DEALER, 35 MILES FROM WHERE IT STOPPED AND HUNDREDS OF MILES FROM HOME. THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS THE KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CHEAP PLASTIC RADIATORS AND TRANSMISSION. I AM NOW IN A RENTAL CAR, LOOKING ONLINE FOR A HOTEL (I WAS PLANNING ON DRIVING UP TO CANADA AND AN NOW STUCK IN OHIO), AND HAVE TO PAY $3,000 TO GET THIS FIXED BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE CAR. NEVERMIND THAT IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE!!

NHTSA ODI #10732987

107,000 miles · Jun 30, 2015
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THE TRANSMISSION OF MY PATHFINDER WENT BAD BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. IT MIXED TRANSMISSION OIL AND ANTIFREEZE IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT WILL COST ME 6K+ TO REPAIR. I READ A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND I WANT NISSAN TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #10731193

75,000 miles · Jun 4, 2015
Power Train

AS I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER HESITATED TO MOVE AS I PULLED OVER I NOTICED LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH MY TRUCK. I OPEN UP THE RADIATOR CAP NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR FLUID HAS MIXED

NHTSA ODI #10723386

90,150 miles · Jun 2, 2015
EnginePower Train

I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ONTO THE MAIN ROAD AND WENT TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE. WHEN I GOT IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THEY SAID THAT THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED IT TO RUIN THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #10722997

81,000 miles · May 27, 2015
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IS SHAKY AND JERKS WHEN SHIFTING, APPARENTLY NISSAN KNEW ABOUT RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION LINE!!!

NHTSA ODI #10721809

138,544 miles · May 21, 2015
Power Train

JUST AFTER EXITING FREEWAY, VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE IN ANY FORWARD GEARS. THIS CAUSED FORWARD MOVEMENT TO REDUCE TO EXTREMELY SLOW MOTION. IF THIS OCCURRED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, AND IF A DRIVER PANICKED, NOT IMMEDIATELY MOVING OFF TO THE SIDE, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH POTENTIALLY SERIOUS C…

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JUST AFTER EXITING FREEWAY, VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE IN ANY FORWARD GEARS. THIS CAUSED FORWARD MOVEMENT TO REDUCE TO EXTREMELY SLOW MOTION. IF THIS OCCURRED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, AND IF A DRIVER PANICKED, NOT IMMEDIATELY MOVING OFF TO THE SIDE, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH POTENTIALLY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY KNOWN AND HAS BEEN DEALT WITH TO A LIMITED EXTENT. DON'T SEE A PLACE ON THIS COMPLAINT FORM TO INDICATE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. TRANSMISSION WAS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT DUE TO LOWER TRANS LINE IN RADIATOR'S LOWER TANK BEING RUPTURED. RADIATOR WAS ALSO CROSS CONTAMINATED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS COMMON PROBLEM IN CERTAIN MODEL 2005 - 2007 NISSAN'S IS NOT CURRENTLY A RECALL (IT SHOULD BE), AND THE LIMITED EXTENDED WARRANTY IN THE NISSAN SETTLEMENT OFFERS NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLES HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH OVER 100,000 MILES, AS IS THE CASE WITH MOST OF US. I HOPE YOU ARE AWARE OF THE SEVERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM OVER THE YEARS, AND THE THOUSANDS MORE WHO WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM IN THE YEARS TO COME.

NHTSA ODI #10717881

114,000 miles · May 14, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10716530

143,614 miles · May 11, 2015
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING STOPPED AT A LIGHT HAS I BEGAN TO PROCEED THE TRUCK HAD NO SPEED AN THE CAR BEHIND WAS GOING AT A HIGH SPEED WITH OTHER CARS ON RIGHT AND LEFT AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE IT WOULD'NT GO. CONTINUED TO GO AND AT SLOW PACE AND THEN PICKED UP SPEED. THIS CONTINUED EACH TIME I STOPPED FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET TO DESTINATION…

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I WAS DRIVING STOPPED AT A LIGHT HAS I BEGAN TO PROCEED THE TRUCK HAD NO SPEED AN THE CAR BEHIND WAS GOING AT A HIGH SPEED WITH OTHER CARS ON RIGHT AND LEFT AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE IT WOULD'NT GO. CONTINUED TO GO AND AT SLOW PACE AND THEN PICKED UP SPEED. THIS CONTINUED EACH TIME I STOPPED FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET TO DESTINATION AND IT COMPLETLY STOPPED. HAD RECENTLY REPLACED CONVERTER AND NOW TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #10715672

104,000 miles · May 6, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10715054

102,000 miles · May 4, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10714411

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.