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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 →
837Owner complaints

Model-year median: 97

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
110
200367
20041,050
2005837
2006561
2007328
200837
2009
Compare all Pathfinder years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
450Engine And Engine Cooling
185Engine
147Fuel System, Gasoline
135Fuel/propulsion System
71
All reported categories
Unknown Or Other
43Steering
41Electrical System
34Fuel System, Other
29Vehicle Speed Control
16Air Bags
14Suspension
9Service Brakes
6Structure
6Equipment
5Seat Belts
5Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Tires
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility
2Wheels
2Seats
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Traction Control System
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

837 reports
74,000 miles · Nov 18, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILUR…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10552679

126,571 miles · Nov 15, 2013
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION DID NOT WANT TO SHIFT GEARS. TOOK TO NISSAN DEALER. THEY STATED HAS COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING. COOLANT HOSE RUPTURED INSIDE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552470

65,250 miles · Nov 13, 2013
Steering

OUR 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER SITS IN THE GARAGE WITH VERY LITTLE USE. WE WENT TO DRIVE IT SUNDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2013 WHEN MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MOVING SIDE TO SIDE. SEEMS STRANGE FOR A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LITTLE USE TO HAVE THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. THEN I STARTED LOOKING UP RECALLS BUT WAS NOT HAPPY TO SEE THE SAME PR…

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OUR 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER SITS IN THE GARAGE WITH VERY LITTLE USE. WE WENT TO DRIVE IT SUNDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2013 WHEN MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MOVING SIDE TO SIDE. SEEMS STRANGE FOR A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LITTLE USE TO HAVE THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. THEN I STARTED LOOKING UP RECALLS BUT WAS NOT HAPPY TO SEE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER PATHFINDER OWNERS AND YET NO RECALL FROM NISSAN.WHAT IS IT GONNA TAKE FOR NISSAN TO REACT ON THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING ON THE 2006 PATHFINDERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552168

96,000 miles · Nov 10, 2013
Power TrainStructure

WATER ENTERED INTO TRANSMISSION DUE TO FAULTY VALVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551714

185,000 miles · Nov 10, 2013
Power TrainStructure

WATER ENTERED TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO FAULTY VALVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551711

120,340 miles · Nov 7, 2013
EnginePower Train

2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO VIBRATE AND WHINE AND WITHIN 1 MILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT WORKING. I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. HAD CAR TAKEN TO TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND THE SHOP AUTOMATICALLY KNEW THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION…

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2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO VIBRATE AND WHINE AND WITHIN 1 MILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT WORKING. I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. HAD CAR TAKEN TO TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND THE SHOP AUTOMATICALLY KNEW THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE RADIATOR. HE SAID IT WAS A KNOW ISSUE WITH THE NISSAN PATHFINDERS AND IT WAS TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING. I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND WAS NOT RECALLED. I HAD 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. LUCKILY, IT DID NOT. I AM KNOW STUCK WITH A $4,000 BILL TO GET THIS FIXED. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A NISSAN AGAIN IF THIS IS HOW THEY TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551358

85,000 miles · Oct 30, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVER SENOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE THE CONTACT REF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVER SENOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10550125

100,000 miles · Oct 29, 2013
EnginePower Train

MY RADIATOR CRACKED FLUID LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FIXED TWICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550006

89,300 miles · Oct 29, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FEEL AS IF THE CAR WAS GOING TO STALL. THE COOLANT LIGHT INDICATOR MOVED RAPIDLY TO THE HIGH END, WHICH SEEMED TO INDICATE A RADIATOR OR COOLANT PROBLEM. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN, BEFORE PROCEEDING ON BACK ROADS TO GET HOME. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACT AS IF I…

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ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FEEL AS IF THE CAR WAS GOING TO STALL. THE COOLANT LIGHT INDICATOR MOVED RAPIDLY TO THE HIGH END, WHICH SEEMED TO INDICATE A RADIATOR OR COOLANT PROBLEM. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN, BEFORE PROCEEDING ON BACK ROADS TO GET HOME. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STALL EVEN AT 15-20 MILES PER HOUR. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. NISSAN IS AWARE THIS IS A PROBLEM BUT AS MY CAR IS OVER 80,000 MILES, I WILL NEED TO PAY $2,500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549990

126,400 miles · Oct 28, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

THE CAR STALLED IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC MORE THAN ONCE. NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, CAM SENSORS AND FUEL SYSTEM. IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE SINCE WE PURCHASED IT AND IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549872

Official recalls

3

10V517000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.