IllustrationPAINT JOB IS IN THE MANUFACTURE APPLICATION. HAS BEEN VERIFIED THOUGH DIFFERENT AUTO BODY COMPANY. NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. CAN'T GET ANY HELP. PAINT IS CHIPPING AWAY NOT FADING.
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
Structure complaints
6 reportsRADIATOR FLUID HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ISSUED A FIX WHERE THE RADIATOR COOLANT IS BYPASSED FROM THE TRANSMISSION BUT THEN THAT HAS NOT HELPED. THE FIX WAS FOR $500+ THE REPAIRS FOR THE TRANSMISSION ARE AT $4700/- NOW. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THE AMOUNT OF REPAIRS IS MORE THAN THE COST O…
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RADIATOR FLUID HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ISSUED A FIX WHERE THE RADIATOR COOLANT IS BYPASSED FROM THE TRANSMISSION BUT THEN THAT HAS NOT HELPED. THE FIX WAS FOR $500+ THE REPAIRS FOR THE TRANSMISSION ARE AT $4700/- NOW. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THE AMOUNT OF REPAIRS IS MORE THAN THE COST OF THE VEHICLE NOW.
I HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT TO DROP MY CHILD AND ANOTHER PASSENGER AT A SCHOOL PROGRAM, TO MY SURPRISE BOTH REAR DOORS OF MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN, I HAD TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TO UNBUCKLE AND REMOVE ONE CHILD IN A 5 POINT HARNESS AND LET THE 2 OTHER CHILDREN UNBUCKLE AND CLIMB OUT. ONCE HOME…
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I HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT TO DROP MY CHILD AND ANOTHER PASSENGER AT A SCHOOL PROGRAM, TO MY SURPRISE BOTH REAR DOORS OF MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN, I HAD TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TO UNBUCKLE AND REMOVE ONE CHILD IN A 5 POINT HARNESS AND LET THE 2 OTHER CHILDREN UNBUCKLE AND CLIMB OUT. ONCE HOME I HAD RESEARCHED AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WHERE NISSAN PATHFINDER REAR DOORS WOULD NOT DISENGAGE / OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. I DID NOT WANT TO COMPROMISE WHAT I CONSIDER A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE ADVICE FROM BLOG TO ATTEMPT TO REMEDY. HAVING 2 CHILD PASSENGERS AND GENERALLY CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS CASE#17179820 TO EXPLAIN MY SAFETY ISSUE AND CONCERN THAT BOTH REAR DOORS NOT OPENING / UNLOCKING AT THE SAME TIME IS A SAFETY ISSUE. NISSAN REPORTED NO ADVISORY / RECALLS. I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE TO DEALER AND GET A QUOTE FOR WORK TO FIX AND THE CASE WOULD BE REVIEWED. I WAS ISSUED A $99 DOLLAR DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO BE TOLD TO RESOLVE MALFUNCTIONED DOOR ACTUATOR (2 DOORS) IS $690. NISSAN DID NOT SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE OR NEED TO CONSIDER A RECALL AND WOULD NOT COVER THE CHARGES. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD RECOGNIZE THIS MALFUNCTION AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND COVER THE COST TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AS WELL ISSUE A RECALL. I AM HOPING OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS DO NOT EXPERIENCE THE SAME ESPECIALLY IF EVER IN A EMERGENCY SITUATION PREVENTING FROM GETTING PASSENGERS OUT OF VEHICLE . I HAVE NOT RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DEEMED THIS NON-SAFETY CONCERN AND WHO HAD ADVISED CONSUMER AFFAIRS THAT THE CUSTOMER IS NOT GOING TO BE FINANCIALLY COMPENSATED. *TR
WATER ENTERED INTO TRANSMISSION DUE TO FAULTY VALVE. *TR
WATER ENTERED TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO FAULTY VALVE. *TR
CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A KNOCKING AND "WHOOM, WHOOM" SOUND THAT GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER. WHEN I MERGED ONTO THE HIGHWAY (ON MY WAY TO AN UNRELATED NISSAN SERVICE APPT.) ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FELT AS THOUGH I HAD A FLAT TIRE. THEN I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I LOST THE USE OF MY BRAKES AND COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. I MANAGED TO PULL T…
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CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A KNOCKING AND "WHOOM, WHOOM" SOUND THAT GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER. WHEN I MERGED ONTO THE HIGHWAY (ON MY WAY TO AN UNRELATED NISSAN SERVICE APPT.) ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FELT AS THOUGH I HAD A FLAT TIRE. THEN I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I LOST THE USE OF MY BRAKES AND COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY (ON THE LEFT IN THE GRASSY MEDIAN) AND MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL FLEW OFF MY CAR. I STILL COULD NOT STOP THE CAR AS MY BRAKES HAD BECOME DISENGAGED WHEN THE WHEEL CAME LOOSE. MERCIFULLY MY RIM DIGGING INTO THE DIRT IN THE MEDIAN FINALLY CAUSED THE CAR TO COME TO A STOP. THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER WAS SHOVED BACK TOWARD THE BACK OF THE CAR AND WAS DAMAGED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS THEN DAMAGED FROM THE FRONT BUMPER SCRAPING AGAINST IT WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED AND CLOSED. *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.