IllustrationCAR SHUDDERS AND SHAKES AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. AT STOPS CAR WILL REV HIGH BEFORE ACCELERATING. ENGINES STALLS ON BOTH FREEWAY AND HIGHWAY. HAD ECM REPLACED A WEEK AGO. HAD A 6 POINT INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD ALL IS FINE. VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS. *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 reportsFLUID FROM RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION WHICH DESTROYED BOTH. *TR
NOTED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AS WELL AS ISSUES WITH RADIATOR FAN COMING ON AT IDLE ALONG WITH NO HEAT AT IDLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO SEPARATE CAR REPAIRS TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE HAD FAILED TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH ALLOWS COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FL…
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NOTED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AS WELL AS ISSUES WITH RADIATOR FAN COMING ON AT IDLE ALONG WITH NO HEAT AT IDLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO SEPARATE CAR REPAIRS TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE HAD FAILED TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH ALLOWS COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE COMPONENTS. WAS ADVISED THAT REPAIRS WOULD BE UPWARDS OF $3K TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. *TR
AUTO TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR.
SUDDEN JERKING IN VEHICLE WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH ALLOWS COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE COMPONENTS. *TR
2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER - TOOK IN FOR TUNE-UP AND WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT BROKEN SEAM ON RADIATOR. COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. ENDED UP SPENDING OVER $1,000 ON A NEW RADIATOR AND REPAIRS AND MAY NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. RESEARCHED THE DEFECTED PARTS AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN PATHFINDERS. N…
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2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER - TOOK IN FOR TUNE-UP AND WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT BROKEN SEAM ON RADIATOR. COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. ENDED UP SPENDING OVER $1,000 ON A NEW RADIATOR AND REPAIRS AND MAY NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. RESEARCHED THE DEFECTED PARTS AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN PATHFINDERS. NISSAN NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY KNOW IT EXISTS, AND IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE OF THEM TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
WAS TOLD MY TONY AUTOPLEX THAT MY COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT BUT BECAUSE I AM OVER 80,000 THEY CAN'T HELP ME. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE I AM OVER 100,000 THEY CAN'T HELP ME. I AM UPSET BECAUSE BOTH PLACES TOLD ME T…
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WAS TOLD MY TONY AUTOPLEX THAT MY COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT BUT BECAUSE I AM OVER 80,000 THEY CAN'T HELP ME. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE I AM OVER 100,000 THEY CAN'T HELP ME. I AM UPSET BECAUSE BOTH PLACES TOLD ME THAT ITS A COMMON PROBLEM. SO WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED TO GET IT CHECKED BEFORE THE 80,000 & 100,000 MILEAGE? THAT'S WHAT PISSED ME OFF. A HUGE EXPENSE, INCONVENIENCE, AND NO ACCOUNTABILITY TO HELP FIX A PROBLEM THEY ALREADY NEW EXISTED..NOW I HAVE TO WAIT TILL SOMEONE FROM THE REGIONAL OFFICE CALLS ME BACK REGARDING MY COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE PERSON IN CUSTOMER SERVICE IS IN THE PHILIPPINES.....COULD NOT GET MOST OF MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED...POOR SERVICE AND SUPPORT... *TR
I AM HAVING A VERY HARDTIME WITH THIS VEHICLE. JUST BOUGHT ON JUNE 2013 FROM USED DEALERSHIP. IT IS MIXING THE ANTIFREEZE WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. I HAVE NO OTHER VEHICLE. AND NEED TO GET AROUND. MY FAMILY DEPENDS ON A GOOD USEFUL VEHICLE. THAT WILL NOT BREAK DOWN JUST ANYWHERE. AND WILL NOT COST THOUSANDS TO REPAIR. *TR
HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING SOME ISSUES WHICH I THOUGHT WAS TRANSMISSION. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER APRIL 2013 AND WAS TOLD CAR WAS IN GOOD MECHANICAL ORDER. ON JANUARY 28, 2014 WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON INDIAN HEAD HIGHWAY WITH MY ELDERLY PARENTS THE CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE AND SPEED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO INCREASE SPEED OR …
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HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING SOME ISSUES WHICH I THOUGHT WAS TRANSMISSION. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER APRIL 2013 AND WAS TOLD CAR WAS IN GOOD MECHANICAL ORDER. ON JANUARY 28, 2014 WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON INDIAN HEAD HIGHWAY WITH MY ELDERLY PARENTS THE CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE AND SPEED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO INCREASE SPEED OR SHIFT TO ANOTHER GEAR. I WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO SHOULDER AND STOP CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR HAD A CRACK CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO TRANSMISSION THEREBY RUINING (FOREVER) THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER RESEARCH DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM OF THE 06 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AT HIGH SPEED THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 IN ATLANTA, GA AT THE BEGINNING OF RUSH-HOUR WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED JERKING. THIS IS A 6 LANE HIGHWAY AND I WAS RIDING IN THE CENTER LANE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO WORK MY WAY TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE BECAUSE MY TRANSMISSION WAS UNRESPONSIVE. I HAD TO HIT THE ACCELE…
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I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 IN ATLANTA, GA AT THE BEGINNING OF RUSH-HOUR WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED JERKING. THIS IS A 6 LANE HIGHWAY AND I WAS RIDING IN THE CENTER LANE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO WORK MY WAY TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE BECAUSE MY TRANSMISSION WAS UNRESPONSIVE. I HAD TO HIT THE ACCELERATOR REALLY HARD TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF 18 WHEELERS AND OTHER FAST MOVING VEHICLES. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE WAY OF ON-COMING TRAFFIC WITHOUT INCIDENT. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO TOWN CENTER NISSAN, WHICH IS WHERE I TAKE IT FOR REGULAR SERVICING AND WAS INFORMED ON FRIDAY 1/24/14 THAT THE TRANSMISSION 'WAS SHOT.' NOT WILLING TO TAKE THEIR WORD FOR IT, MY HUSBAND AND I VISITED AN AAMCO TRANSMISSION LOCATION AND WAS TOLD BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST NISSAN DUE TO RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. HE STATED THAT HE HAD SERVICED 8 - 9 PATHFINDERS WITH THE PROBLEM. MY HUSBAND CONTACTED NISSAN CORP AND THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT OUR DISCOVERY. NISSAN INITIALLY DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY, BUT STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE. WE WERE CONTACTED BY NISSAN CORP YESTERDAY INFORMING US THAT OUR PROBLEM WAS NOT DUE TO CROSS-CONTAMINATION, BUT DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, IN OTHER WORDS, IT IS OUR FAULT. WHAT IS MOST INTERESTING IS THAT THIS IS OUR REGULAR SERVICE SITE, SO ANY ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO US BY THEM. THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN PAYING THEM FOR. THEY HAVE QUOTED US $4500.00 TO REPLACE THE DAMAGED TRANSMISSION. THEY ALSO MADE A POINT OF STRESSING THE FACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT HAVE ADDRESSED IT ANYWAY DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE HAVE OVER 100,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. YES IN 2014 WE HAVE 118,000 MILES, BUT WE WERE WELL BELOW THAT NUMBER WHEN THIS MESS SURFACED IN 2010. WHAT'S WORSE IS WE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM NMAC. *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.