IllustrationENGINE COOLANT HOSE RUPTURED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT. FOUND OUT THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT. *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
Power Train complaints
450 reportsNISSAN PATHFINDER JUST GOT TO 100,000 MILES WHEN STARTED EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION ISSUES, TURNS OUT THERE WAS A FACTORY WARRANTY THAT I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THAT WOULD HAVE COVERED THE RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION ISSUE. HOWEVER BECAUSE I WAS NOT HAVING AN ISSUE UNTIL THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ENDED NISSAN IS REFUSING TO COVER THE COST O…
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NISSAN PATHFINDER JUST GOT TO 100,000 MILES WHEN STARTED EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION ISSUES, TURNS OUT THERE WAS A FACTORY WARRANTY THAT I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THAT WOULD HAVE COVERED THE RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION ISSUE. HOWEVER BECAUSE I WAS NOT HAVING AN ISSUE UNTIL THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ENDED NISSAN IS REFUSING TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS DESPITE KNOWING ABOUT THIS ENGINEERING FAULT. IT IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING THAT A LARGE COMPANY SUCH AS NISSAN IS ABLE TO SEND A VEHICLE OUT INTO THE PUBLIC WITH KNOWN ENGINEERING FLAWS AND PUT A MILEAGE LIMIT ON REPAIRING THE ISSUE. IT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL INEVITABLY FAIL BUT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME SO IT MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN THE LIMIT FOR SOME AND OUTSIDE THE LIMIT FOR OTHERS. IT IS MY HOPE THAT YOU WILL EXPOSE THIS SHADY AND UNSAFE PRACTICE THAT NISSAN HAS GOING AND HELP GET PEOPLE THE REPAIRS THEY DESERVE. *TR
HAD ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION.BROUGHT TO MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND RUINED TRANSMISSION. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THIS WAS COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE.WENT IN INTERNET AND FOUND ALL KINDS OF INFO ABOUT SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL IF I WAS NOTIFIED FROM NISSAN EARLIER I WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY 2…
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HAD ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION.BROUGHT TO MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND RUINED TRANSMISSION. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THIS WAS COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE.WENT IN INTERNET AND FOUND ALL KINDS OF INFO ABOUT SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL IF I WAS NOTIFIED FROM NISSAN EARLIER I WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY 2500.00.WOULD HAVE BEEN FREE FOR UNDER 80,000 MILES.MY CAR HAS 80,743 MILES.NOT HAPPY WITH NISSAN,WILL NOT EVER BUY ANOTHER. *TR
I NOTICED A SHUDDER WHEN THE CAR WAS SHIFTING, MY MECHANIC TEST DROVE IT AND SENT ME TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE GENTLEMAN THERE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. HE ALSO SAID THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR PATHFINDER. HE THOUGHT THAT SINCE THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANT…
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I NOTICED A SHUDDER WHEN THE CAR WAS SHIFTING, MY MECHANIC TEST DROVE IT AND SENT ME TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE GENTLEMAN THERE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. HE ALSO SAID THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR PATHFINDER. HE THOUGHT THAT SINCE THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY. I LATER FOUND THAT THE WARRANTY HAD BEEN EXTENDED BUT NOT ENOUGH TO INCLUDE MY TRUCK. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NISSAN, I HAVE OWNED 4 PATHFINDERS AND SEVERAL OTHER CARS MADE BY NISSAN. I THOUGHT THEY WOULD TAKE BETTER CARE OF LOYAL CUSTOMERS. *TR
COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING FAILURE AND SLIPPAGE. WHEN COMING TO ABRUPT STOPS TRANSMISSION "JERKS" AND "BUCKS" ALSO, UPON ACCELERATING, TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND IS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. SAFETY ISSUE WITH PROPER DRIVING CAPABILITY. *TR
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. SOUNDED LIKE VEHICLE COULDN'T SWITCH GEARS ANY LONGER. THIS IS SERIOUS PROBLEM AND LUCKY IT DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. WE HAVE KEPT THE VEHICLE ON THE PROPER MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. *TR
NOTICED VEHICLE PULLING OFF SLUGGISH AND WASN'T SHIFTING GEARS. WHEN I MADE IT HOME, I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND FOUND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT. I STARTED SEARCHING ONLINE FOR RECALL AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THERE ISN'T A RECALL TO FIX THE ISSUE. I ALSO DIDN'T KNOW THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY …
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NOTICED VEHICLE PULLING OFF SLUGGISH AND WASN'T SHIFTING GEARS. WHEN I MADE IT HOME, I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND FOUND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT. I STARTED SEARCHING ONLINE FOR RECALL AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THERE ISN'T A RECALL TO FIX THE ISSUE. I ALSO DIDN'T KNOW THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES TO ONLY HAVE THE RADIATOR REPLACED. THEY TO DO SOMETHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND MAKE IT RIGHT FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
RADIATOR DEVELOPED A CRACK WHICH LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION - BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE WERE TOLD, DUE TO A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT IN 2013, WE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEDUCTIBLE OF $2,500 SINCE OUR VEHICLE STARTED PROBLEM AFTER 80,000 AND PAST MARCH 1, 2014. DID NOT REALIZE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL WE TOOK VEHICLE IN, BY THAT TIME M…
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RADIATOR DEVELOPED A CRACK WHICH LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION - BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE WERE TOLD, DUE TO A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT IN 2013, WE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEDUCTIBLE OF $2,500 SINCE OUR VEHICLE STARTED PROBLEM AFTER 80,000 AND PAST MARCH 1, 2014. DID NOT REALIZE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL WE TOOK VEHICLE IN, BY THAT TIME MID APRIL 2014 AND AT 81,990. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, VEHICLE BECOMES SLUGGISH. NOTICE THAT THE TEMPERATURE BEGINS TO RISE RAPIDLY. IN AFTERNOON WORK TRAFFIC AND HAVE DIFFICULTY NEGOTIATING TRAFFIC TRYING NOT TO BREAK DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD/INTERSECTION AT 5:20PM. VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR HAD RUPTU…
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DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, VEHICLE BECOMES SLUGGISH. NOTICE THAT THE TEMPERATURE BEGINS TO RISE RAPIDLY. IN AFTERNOON WORK TRAFFIC AND HAVE DIFFICULTY NEGOTIATING TRAFFIC TRYING NOT TO BREAK DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD/INTERSECTION AT 5:20PM. VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR HAD RUPTURED, THUS SENDING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE ENGINE. CURRENT ESTIMATE IS APPROX $3000. *TR
MY TRUCK WAS SHIFTING REALLY HARD FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO OR THREE DAYS AND I TOOK IT TO A SERVICE SHOP TO HAVE THEM TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND THEY FOUND RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION ON MY TRUCK. I HAD NO IDEA THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BY NISSAN, AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT BECAUSE I DID…
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MY TRUCK WAS SHIFTING REALLY HARD FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO OR THREE DAYS AND I TOOK IT TO A SERVICE SHOP TO HAVE THEM TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND THEY FOUND RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION ON MY TRUCK. I HAD NO IDEA THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BY NISSAN, AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT BECAUSE I DIDN'T MEET THE STRICT REQUIREMENTS FOR THEM TO COVER ANY COST OR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES FOR THE REPAIR I HAD THE SERVICE CENTER REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE RADIATOR ONLY TO FIND THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE DONE TO THE TRANSMISSION TOO, LOOKING AT A COST OF OVER $4,500.00 I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH NISSAN'S LACK OF COMMITMENT TO TAKING CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS WHO WERE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE NAMELY ME. *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.