NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
837 reports1,106,674 miles · Aug 16, 2016
Power TrainSteering
HAD TO HAVE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED DUE TO IT BREAKING AND CAUSING HARD STEERING AND NO CONTROL OF WHEELS. BARELY MADE IT HOME. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE FLUSHED AND BY PASSED DUE TO COOLER GETTING WATER IN TRANSMISSION. BOTH OF THESE ARE SAFETY ITEMS AND NISSAN DEALER SAYS NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS.…
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HAD TO HAVE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED DUE TO IT BREAKING AND CAUSING HARD STEERING AND NO CONTROL OF WHEELS. BARELY MADE IT HOME. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE FLUSHED AND BY PASSED DUE TO COOLER GETTING WATER IN TRANSMISSION. BOTH OF THESE ARE SAFETY ITEMS AND NISSAN DEALER SAYS NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. COST ME $3400 IN REPAIRS WHICH HAD TO BE DONE DUE TO SAFETY REASONS. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION EACH TIME ON FREEWAY AND HAD TO STOP AND GET IT TOWED TO MECHANIC BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE.
NHTSA ODI #10896422
100,000 miles · Aug 13, 2016
Power Train
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE SLOWLY WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, ROLLING INTO THE SPACE. AS I BRAKED A LITTLE BIT MORE IN ORDER TO COME TO A STOP (I NEVER TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE), THE CAR SUDDENLY REVVED UP,ACCELERATED, AND CRASHED RIGHT THROUGH A FENCE. I WAS ABLE TO SLAM IT INTO PARK TO GET IT TO STOP.
NHTSA ODI #10895561
90,000 miles · Aug 11, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS CONTAMINATION OF RADIATOR FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS CONTAMINATION OF RADIATOR FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY IN PARK, THERE WAS ENGINE OIL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10894984
147,000 miles · Aug 3, 2016
Engine
TAKATA RECALL- BLOWN TRANSMISSION DUE TO RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN BLOWN TCM AND TRANSMISSION. COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN PROBLEM HAPPENED. NO WARNING SIGNS GIVEN FROM VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10892758
98,500 miles · Jul 28, 2016
EnginePower Train
RADIATOR CRACKED LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION THAT IS IMPACTING THE ABILITY FOR TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. NOW, WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR RANDOMLY STALLS AND LOSES ALL POWER. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, IT HAS BECOME NECESSARY TO RESTART THE CAR WHILE ROLLING IN NEUTRAL TO AVOID HAVING TO SWITCH LANES IN…
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RADIATOR CRACKED LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION THAT IS IMPACTING THE ABILITY FOR TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. NOW, WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR RANDOMLY STALLS AND LOSES ALL POWER. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, IT HAS BECOME NECESSARY TO RESTART THE CAR WHILE ROLLING IN NEUTRAL TO AVOID HAVING TO SWITCH LANES INTO FASTER MOVING CARS. I'VE BEEN INFORMED BY NISSAN THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM AND AN $8000 REPAIR TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, AND FLUSH EVERYTHING OUT.
NHTSA ODI #10889306
72,000 miles · Jul 28, 2016
Power Train
COOLANT IN TRANSMISSION.! BECAUSE OF BAD RADIATOR.
NHTSA ODI #10889232
168,000 miles · Jul 22, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO A RADIATOR LEAK. THE DEALER COMPLETELY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE RECURRED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO A RADIATOR LEAK. THE DEALER COMPLETELY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION CAUSED AN "INTER COOLER FAILURE". THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS NOT THE MANUFACTURER'S PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE DEALER THAT INSTALLED THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V517000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
NHTSA ODI #10887788
115,000 miles · Jul 20, 2016
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC FOR MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COOLANT WAS ABNORMAL. AS A RESULT, IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT HAD MIXED. THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC FOR MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COOLANT WAS ABNORMAL. AS A RESULT, IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT HAD MIXED. THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10886235
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10886192
140,281 miles · Jul 18, 2016
Engine
RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY POWER SPRAYED THE ENGINE, SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. A FEW DAYS LATER, VEHICLE IS KNOCKING. TOOK IT BACK, RADIATOR FLUID WAS IN TRANS. REPLACED RADIATOR AND FLUSHED TRANS. WEEK LATER, SAME THING NOW WORSE. CAR IS KNOCKING LOA…
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RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY POWER SPRAYED THE ENGINE, SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. A FEW DAYS LATER, VEHICLE IS KNOCKING. TOOK IT BACK, RADIATOR FLUID WAS IN TRANS. REPLACED RADIATOR AND FLUSHED TRANS. WEEK LATER, SAME THING NOW WORSE. CAR IS KNOCKING LOAD ESPECIALLY AFTER HITTING 40 MPH. SOMETIMES IT WONT PASS 40MPH.
NHTSA ODI #10885611
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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