IllustrationCAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN ACCELERATING AND JERKS. HAVE BEEN TOLD I PROBABLY HAVE A CRACK IN RAIDIATOR AND FLUIDS LEAKED IN TRANSMISSION WILL BE THOUSANDS TO FIX. AFTER LOOKING ON INTERNET. I SEE MANY PEOPLE WITH PROBLEM AND NISSAN IS NOT COVERING COSTS.
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE RECURRED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, WHICH CAUSE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE RECURRED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, WHICH CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 25 IN SOUTH DENVER, MY PATHFINDER BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND STALL. THE ENGINE STARTED TO OVERHEAT AS I PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY. I HAD IT TOWED TO CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTO IN PARKER COLORADO. A RADIATOR PART BLEW, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND WAS DESTROYED. THE STEAM FROM THE PLASTIC …
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WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 25 IN SOUTH DENVER, MY PATHFINDER BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND STALL. THE ENGINE STARTED TO OVERHEAT AS I PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY. I HAD IT TOWED TO CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTO IN PARKER COLORADO. A RADIATOR PART BLEW, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND WAS DESTROYED. THE STEAM FROM THE PLASTIC RADIATOR PART ALSO DAMAGED THE MAIN COMPUTER. IT WAS CLOSE TO $10,000 FOR ALL REPAIRS RELATED TO THE RADIATOR PART FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY 8,000 MILES LATER, MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING ON I-70 NEAR THE VAIL, COLORADO EXIT, AND THE PATHFINDER STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65MPH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SCARY EXPERIENCE FOR US BOTH. THIS HAPPENED TODAY, 03/24/2016. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO AVON AUTO IN AVON COLORADO. THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS DAMAGED, BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME TO LOOK INTO IT FURTHER. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ME WITH FURTHER QUESTIONS. [XXX] OR [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
COOLANT FROM A FAULTY RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. RUINING THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRING A TOTAL REPLACEMENT.
TOTAL TRANSMISSION & RADIATOR FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY REMAINING STUCK IN FIRST GEAR AND IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE AND THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY MORE THAN ONE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANICS ALL IN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY REMAINING STUCK IN FIRST GEAR AND IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE AND THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY MORE THAN ONE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANICS ALL INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO THE RADIATOR HAVING AN INTERNAL PREMATURE FRACTURE, WHICH CAUSED THE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,320.
KNOWN PROBLEM BY NISSAN WHERE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKS INTO TRANSMISSION AND RUINS TRANSMISSION. REPAIR COST OF $3900.00. NO RECALL.
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER DUE TO A POOR ENGINEERING ISSUE FROM NISSAN. THIS PROBLEM IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION CAN FAIL AT ANYTIME.
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND QUITE PULLING IN TRAFFIC AND WAS ALMOST HIT FROM REAR ON THE INTERSTATE. FOUND OUT RADIATOR FAILED AND FILLED TRANSMISSION FULL OF COOLANT AND CAUSED COMPLETE FAILURE OF BOTH SYSTEMS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR HOSE CRACKED AND LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A COMPONENT WIT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR HOSE CRACKED AND LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A COMPONENT WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
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.