NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
450 reportsClear category filter103,800 miles · Sep 29, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE RADIATOR (COOLANT) LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. TRUCK BEGAN TO SHUDDER AS IF DRIVING ON RUMBLE STRIPS. LEAKING FLUID CAUSES WHAT FIRST STARTS OUT AS A RUMBLE DURING SHIFTING AROUND 40 MPH, THEN EVENTUALLY LEADS TO A SEIZE OF THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME. SHOULD …
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THE 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE RADIATOR (COOLANT) LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. TRUCK BEGAN TO SHUDDER AS IF DRIVING ON RUMBLE STRIPS. LEAKING FLUID CAUSES WHAT FIRST STARTS OUT AS A RUMBLE DURING SHIFTING AROUND 40 MPH, THEN EVENTUALLY LEADS TO A SEIZE OF THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME. SHOULD THE TRANSMISSION FAIL WHILE IN TRAFFIC IT COULD CAUSE A ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,800 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477958
93,000 miles · Sep 27, 2012
Power Train
MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAD SEVERE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 50MPH CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477255
120,000 miles · Sep 26, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A BUSY MAJOR HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. MY CAR SPUTTERED AND STALLED UNABLE TO EXCEED 40 MPH. I PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER AND WAITED OVER AN HOUR FOR THE TOW TRUCK WHILE CARS ZOOMED PAST ME AT 60 MPH. MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A RADIATOR THAT LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMIS…
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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A BUSY MAJOR HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. MY CAR SPUTTERED AND STALLED UNABLE TO EXCEED 40 MPH. I PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER AND WAITED OVER AN HOUR FOR THE TOW TRUCK WHILE CARS ZOOMED PAST ME AT 60 MPH. MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A RADIATOR THAT LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN HAS SEVERAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AGAINST THEM FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR UPDATED IVOQ 10/24/12
NHTSA ODI #10477223
92,000 miles · Sep 25, 2012
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON A HIGHWAY IN LIGHT TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN I BEGAN TO HEAR A HIGH-PITCHED WHINE FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WHEN I STARTED TO ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE "BUCKED," OR LURCHED FORWARD, AND BEGAN TO SHAKE. THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME; IF ANOT…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON A HIGHWAY IN LIGHT TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN I BEGAN TO HEAR A HIGH-PITCHED WHINE FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WHEN I STARTED TO ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE "BUCKED," OR LURCHED FORWARD, AND BEGAN TO SHAKE. THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME; IF ANOTHER VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN MY PATH, I WOULD HAVE SLAMMED INTO IT. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT AND DRIVE/COAST TO A SAFE PLACE WHERE I IMMEDIATELY CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE REPAIR SHOP AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. NISSAN APPARENTLY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOT SUGGEST THAT THE POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE RADIATOR BE REPLACED BEFORE IT LED TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477083
60,000 miles · Sep 20, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFUELED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESOLVE THE FAILURE MOMENTARILY BEFORE RECURRING. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFUELED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESOLVE THE FAILURE MOMENTARILY BEFORE RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE FUEL SENSOR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY COOLING FLUID LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR. THE DEALER THEN PERFORMED A TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FLUSH AND THE FAILURE WAS RESOLVED. ONE YEAR LATER AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MODULE SYSTEM HAD FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A LEAK OF COOLING FLUID INTO THE RADIATOR SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
NHTSA ODI #10476572
92,000 miles · Sep 19, 2012
Power Train
I USE THIS VEHICLE TO COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK. I CURRENTLY SERVE IN THE U.S. MILITARY AND MUST DRIVE OVER CAUSEWAYS THAT ARE LOCATED OVER WATER TO GET TO WORK. THE VIBRATIONS FROM THE FAILING TRANSMISSION CAUSE A MAJOR CONCERN WHEN GOING OVER THESE CAUSEWAYS. IF THE TRANSMISSION WERE TO FAIL GOING 50 MPH IT COULD CAUSE A MAJOR …
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I USE THIS VEHICLE TO COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK. I CURRENTLY SERVE IN THE U.S. MILITARY AND MUST DRIVE OVER CAUSEWAYS THAT ARE LOCATED OVER WATER TO GET TO WORK. THE VIBRATIONS FROM THE FAILING TRANSMISSION CAUSE A MAJOR CONCERN WHEN GOING OVER THESE CAUSEWAYS. IF THE TRANSMISSION WERE TO FAIL GOING 50 MPH IT COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT POSSIBLY KILLING MY FAMILY, ME AND POSSIBLY MANY MORE. TODAY I WAS TAKING THE FAMILY OUT FOR DINNER. ON OUR WAY I DROVE OVER THE CAUSEWAY DRIVING 55 AND CAME TO AN EXIT. AS I WAS EXITING, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING VIGOROUSLY. THANKFULLY THERE WAS ENOUGH ROOM TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE TO BRING IT TO A STOP. NOW THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE PAST 1ST GEAR, SO OBVIOUSLY I HAD TO GET IT TOWED. NISSAN MUST ADDRESS THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10476500
90,975 miles · Sep 19, 2012
Power Train
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN ACTING UP LATELY AND WENT INTO A SAFETY MODE THAT I CAN ONLY RUN ON 3RD GEAR. MY OVERDRIVE HAS BEEN GIVING ISSUES FOR A LONG TIME THAT IT WOULDN'T LOCK FULLY SO I HAVE BEEN RUNNING ON FOURTH GEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475937
130,000 miles · Sep 18, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR LEAKED INTO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH SHORTED OUT, BUT NOT UNTIL TRANSMISSION WAS BURNT UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475843
150,000 miles · Sep 16, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY FAILED DUE TO LEAKAGE FROM THE RADIATOR CRACK. RUMBLING STARTED AT ABOUT 130K MILES, TRANSMISSION STARTING SLIPPING SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. WE TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND PAID $300 FOR A COMPLETE FLUSH AND REPLACEMENT OF FLUID. IT DID NO GOOD - TRANSMISSION IS NOW NOT WORKING AT ALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475558
108,000 miles · Sep 10, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I TOOK MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP BECAUSE WHEN I ACCELERATED OR SLOWED DOWN IT WAS GIVING A "BUCKING" FEELING AND MY REGULAR MECHANIC REFERRED ME TO THEM. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE FAULTY RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR ANYWHERE FROM $4800-$5500. WOW WHAT A SHOCK!…
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I TOOK MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP BECAUSE WHEN I ACCELERATED OR SLOWED DOWN IT WAS GIVING A "BUCKING" FEELING AND MY REGULAR MECHANIC REFERRED ME TO THEM. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE FAULTY RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR ANYWHERE FROM $4800-$5500. WOW WHAT A SHOCK! THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474578
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
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.
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.
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