IllustrationTRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO LEAK FROM RADIATOR. NISSAN WANTS $6,400 TO REPAIR AND ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED MANUFACTURE 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 reportsNOTICED HESITATION IN LOWER GEARS WITH MINOR VIBRATION. SENT THE PATHFINDER FOR AN EARLY SERVICE TO HAVE THEM LOOK IT OVER. EXPLAINED TO THEM THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING. THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY PROBLEM. THEY CHECKED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IT WAS FINE. THEY RECOMMENDED MAYBE REPLACING THE SPARK P…
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NOTICED HESITATION IN LOWER GEARS WITH MINOR VIBRATION. SENT THE PATHFINDER FOR AN EARLY SERVICE TO HAVE THEM LOOK IT OVER. EXPLAINED TO THEM THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING. THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY PROBLEM. THEY CHECKED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IT WAS FINE. THEY RECOMMENDED MAYBE REPLACING THE SPARK PLUGS WOULD HELP. IT DID NOT HELP. ONE WEEK LATER THE VIBRATION WAS LONGER AND MORE VIOLENT. DISCOVERED ONLINE THAT PEOPLE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE OIL COOLER. I CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND IT WAS OVER FULL AND GRITTY. THE RADIATOR WAS LOW AND HAD OIL IN IT FROM THE TRANS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY COULD REPAIR IT FOR $750-$7,000. I HAD THEM DO 95% OF ALL THE SERVICES AND I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM NISSAN. 6 YEARS LATER MY VEHICLE IS WORTHLESS. *TR
WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE, MY VEHICLE SHAKES AND THE SPEED DOES NOT INCREASE. I HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AND I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS MIXING WITH THE RADIATOR. THERE IS A PURPLE SLIME UNDER THE RADIATOR CAP AND THERE IS CORROSION UNDER THE CAP OF THE OVERFLOW. THIS WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX WHICH I CAN'T …
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WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE, MY VEHICLE SHAKES AND THE SPEED DOES NOT INCREASE. I HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AND I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS MIXING WITH THE RADIATOR. THERE IS A PURPLE SLIME UNDER THE RADIATOR CAP AND THERE IS CORROSION UNDER THE CAP OF THE OVERFLOW. THIS WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX WHICH I CAN'T AFFORD. TRYING TO MERGE IN WITH TRAFFIC IS DANGEROUS SINCE THE VEHICLE DOESN'T ALWAYS ACCELERATE. *KB
IT STARTED FEELING LIKE I WAS DRIVING OVER THE BUMPS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TOOK MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER TO THE DEALER AND I HAD THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH NISSANS AND THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THE PROBLEM. THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES; UNFORTUNATEL…
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IT STARTED FEELING LIKE I WAS DRIVING OVER THE BUMPS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TOOK MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER TO THE DEALER AND I HAD THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH NISSANS AND THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THE PROBLEM. THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES; UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE 95,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK. IT WOULD HAVE COST ME APPROXIMATELY $1,000 TO FIX THE RADIATOR, MORE THAN 5000 TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND THE FLUID FROM THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR. THE RADIATOR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND THE FLUID FROM THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR. THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BOTH NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 92,200. UPDATED 04/27/12*LJ
THE RADIATOR COLLING PUMP CRACKED CAUSING THE COOLING FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSSION FLUID IN RETURN A NEW RADIATOR DRIVE UNIT AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR
THE COOLER RADIATOR OPENED AND ALLOW THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION UNIT.. *TR
MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE 4WD BEGAN SHUTTERING WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IT ALSO BEGAN HAVING ISSUES GOING INTO REVERSE - TAKING UP TO 7 OR 8 SECONDS TO ENGAGE. IN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE GARAGE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRED REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. THE ISSUE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED BUT THERE AR…
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MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE 4WD BEGAN SHUTTERING WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IT ALSO BEGAN HAVING ISSUES GOING INTO REVERSE - TAKING UP TO 7 OR 8 SECONDS TO ENGAGE. IN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE GARAGE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRED REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. THE ISSUE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED BUT THERE ARE MANY REPORTS THAT AN ISSUE WITH FLUIDS MIXING BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR ARE OCCURRING QUITE OFTEN. IT IS DEPLORABLE THAT NISSAN IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000. UPDATED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000. UPDATED 03/06/12*LJ UPDATED 03/08/12
TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUIDS MIXED AND CAUSED A MAJOR LOCK UP AND OVERHEATING IN THE CAR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE MALFUNCTION BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE. THIS IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY RISK, BUT A MECHANICAL RISK TO THE OWNER AND NIS…
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TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUIDS MIXED AND CAUSED A MAJOR LOCK UP AND OVERHEATING IN THE CAR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE MALFUNCTION BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE. THIS IS NOT ONLY A SAFETY RISK, BUT A MECHANICAL RISK TO THE OWNER AND NISSAN SHOULD AT LEAST NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THIS POTENTIAL RISK. *KB
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.