IllustrationDEFECTIVE RADIATOR FROM NISSAN, DROPPED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. IF THE RADIATOR WAS DEFECTED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD STILL BE IN TACT. THIS HAPPENED JUST REACHING THE 100,000 MILE MARK.
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 reportsTRANSMISSION HAS WENT OUT DUE TO FACTORY DEFAULT THERE'S A RECALL ON THE EXACT ISSUE THAT I'M HAVING WITH MY CAR I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE'S AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OR SOMETHING TO REMEDY THIS BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE
RADIATOR MALFUNCTION CRACKED TRANSMISSION LINES, MIXING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION LINES, CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION, THE TRANSMISSION IS RUINED! NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THIS DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR! NEVER NO RECALL!
CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FAILURE DUE TO CO-MINGLING ATF AND COOLANT AT 136,000 MILES. CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, THEY REFUSED TO HELP IN ANY WAY, BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AS A "KNOWN" ISSUE.
THE RADIATOR HAS BROKEN AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A COMPLETE FAILURE IN THE SYSTEM. BOTH MUST NOW BE REPLACED.
THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AAMCO. THE TRANSMISSION WAS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR, REQUIRING A COMPLETE OVERHAUL INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. ESTIMATED COST OF DAMAGES IS $4600! MY VEHICLE IS IN EXCESS OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, HOWEVER THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW …
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THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AAMCO. THE TRANSMISSION WAS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR, REQUIRING A COMPLETE OVERHAUL INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. ESTIMATED COST OF DAMAGES IS $4600! MY VEHICLE IS IN EXCESS OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, HOWEVER THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY NISSAN.
THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS AND IT MIXED WITH THE ANTIFREEZE WHICH CAUSED BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS ON AND VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN WE NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASED GREATLY AND RAPIDLY UNTIL IT MAXED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING A MIX OF ANT…
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THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS AND IT MIXED WITH THE ANTIFREEZE WHICH CAUSED BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS ON AND VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN WE NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASED GREATLY AND RAPIDLY UNTIL IT MAXED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING A MIX OF ANTIFREEZE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. WE REPLACED THE RADIATOR BUT THE DAMAGE WAS DONE ALREADY TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED.
I WAS DRIVING MY NEWLY PURCHASED USED 2006 PATHFINDER AND NOTICED THAT I COULD NOT GET UP TO SPEED UNTIL I GOT UP TO 45 OR 50 MPH NOTICED I HAD SEVERAL ERROR CODES ENDED UP THAT ONE WAS THE TRANSMISSION VALVE ASSY. TOOK IT TO TRANSMISSION SHOP WHICH TESTED THE FLUID AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS RADIATOR COOLANT MIXED WITH THE TRANSM…
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I WAS DRIVING MY NEWLY PURCHASED USED 2006 PATHFINDER AND NOTICED THAT I COULD NOT GET UP TO SPEED UNTIL I GOT UP TO 45 OR 50 MPH NOTICED I HAD SEVERAL ERROR CODES ENDED UP THAT ONE WAS THE TRANSMISSION VALVE ASSY. TOOK IT TO TRANSMISSION SHOP WHICH TESTED THE FLUID AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS RADIATOR COOLANT MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE CAR WAS GREAT EXCEPT FOR THIS ISSUE. NOW IT BARELY DRIVES ONLY IN 4TH GEAR AND I AM TOLD IF I KEEP DRIVING IT THAT WAY IT WILL BURN IT UP. I NEED TO REPLACE BOTH THE VALVE ASSY AND THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM AT A COST OF 5K. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY. THIS IS REALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
WHEN I WAS DRIVEN MY NISSAN I MAKE A STOP AND THEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE BUT MY CAR DIDN'T RESPOND SO I TOOK THE NISSAN TO THE MECHANIC AND HE TALK ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD DO I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION .I WAS VERY LUCKY BECAUSE I WAS VERY CLOSE FROM HOME IN CITY STREET OTHER WISE I WOULD HAS TO TOW THE CAR TO THE GARAGE AND…
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WHEN I WAS DRIVEN MY NISSAN I MAKE A STOP AND THEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE BUT MY CAR DIDN'T RESPOND SO I TOOK THE NISSAN TO THE MECHANIC AND HE TALK ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD DO I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION .I WAS VERY LUCKY BECAUSE I WAS VERY CLOSE FROM HOME IN CITY STREET OTHER WISE I WOULD HAS TO TOW THE CAR TO THE GARAGE AND PUT MY FAMILY IN DANGER
RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION $4000 CAR 10 YEARS OLD HOWEVER I HAD HIGH MILEAGE DUE TO MANY ROAD TRIPS
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.