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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
168,000 miles · Jun 11, 2018
EnginePower Train

MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTAMINATION.. SOME HOSES INSIDE THE RADIATOR THAT CARRIES TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT CRACKED AND CONTAMINATED BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO LOCK INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND CONTAMINATED BOTH MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION THIS PROB…

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MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTAMINATION.. SOME HOSES INSIDE THE RADIATOR THAT CARRIES TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT CRACKED AND CONTAMINATED BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO LOCK INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND CONTAMINATED BOTH MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION THIS PROBLEM WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN. IT WILL BE A COSTLY REPAIR THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY NISSAN ON A RECALL ACCORDING TO ALL THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ABOUT.

NHTSA ODI #11101216

128,000 miles · May 31, 2018
Engine

TIMING CHAIN NEEDS REPLACED PULLED IN AND HEARD THE TELL TALE BUZZING SOUND HAD SOME ONE LISTEN WITH STETHASCOPE TO CONFIRM

NHTSA ODI #11099083

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2018
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO MODERN NISSAN OF WINSTON-SALEM (5795 UNIVERSITY PKWY, WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27105, (336) 767-8260) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11098629

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2018
Power Train

DEFECTIVE RADIATOR FROM NISSAN, DROPPED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. IF THE RADIATOR WAS DEFECTED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD STILL BE IN TACT. THIS HAPPENED JUST REACHING THE 100,000 MILE MARK.

NHTSA ODI #11093869

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2018
Power Train

TRANSMISSION HAS WENT OUT DUE TO FACTORY DEFAULT THERE'S A RECALL ON THE EXACT ISSUE THAT I'M HAVING WITH MY CAR I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE'S AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OR SOMETHING TO REMEDY THIS BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11092172

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN GAS GAUGE NEARS 1/4 FULL THE NEEDLE EITHER STICKS OR DROPS TO EMPTY. THE GAUGE DOES NOT RETURN TO FULL FOR SEVERAL TRIPS OR DAYS. NISSAN HAS HAD RECALLS FOR THIS BUT INDICATES MY VIN # IS NOT ON THEIR LIST. THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS EXACTLY AS IT IS DESCRIBED ON THE RECALL. I HAVE COMPENSATED FOR THIS BY KEEPING TRACK …

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WHEN GAS GAUGE NEARS 1/4 FULL THE NEEDLE EITHER STICKS OR DROPS TO EMPTY. THE GAUGE DOES NOT RETURN TO FULL FOR SEVERAL TRIPS OR DAYS. NISSAN HAS HAD RECALLS FOR THIS BUT INDICATES MY VIN # IS NOT ON THEIR LIST. THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS EXACTLY AS IT IS DESCRIBED ON THE RECALL. I HAVE COMPENSATED FOR THIS BY KEEPING TRACK OF MY MILEAGE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2014.

NHTSA ODI #11091929

185,000 miles · Apr 16, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING. NORMALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD DISPLAY HOW MANY MILES REMAINED UNTIL FUEL WAS NEEDED ACCORDING TO THE FUEL AMOUNT. EVER SINCE THE FAILURE BEGAN APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS AGO, THE CONT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING. NORMALLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD DISPLAY HOW MANY MILES REMAINED UNTIL FUEL WAS NEEDED ACCORDING TO THE FUEL AMOUNT. EVER SINCE THE FAILURE BEGAN APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS AGO, THE CONTACT WAS REFUELING THE VEHICLE MORE OFTEN SINCE THE FUEL TO MILEAGE SYSTEM FAILED. THE DEALER (DARTMOUTH NISSAN, 83 S STATE ROAD, NORTH DARTMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. DUE TO THE FEE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

NHTSA ODI #11088392

156,000 miles · Apr 11, 2018
Engine

COOLANT LEAKS INTO TRANSMISSION. THIS RUINED THE TRANSMISSION AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #11084489

100,000 miles · Apr 4, 2018
Power Train

RADIATOR MALFUNCTION CRACKED TRANSMISSION LINES, MIXING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION LINES, CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION, THE TRANSMISSION IS RUINED! NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THIS DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR! NEVER NO RECALL!

NHTSA ODI #11083310

152,900 miles · Mar 22, 2018
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN OUT IF NOWHERE IT GOT SLIGHTLY SHAKY RUMBLY FEELING AND THEN IT UP SHIFTED VERY VERY HARD AND REDLINED THE VEHICLE SO I HIT BRAKES AND GOT PULLED OVER AND TURNED IT OFF. I GOT IT TOWED BACK HOME AND THEN NEXT DAY TOWED TO SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RADIATOR MALFUNCTIONED AND IT HAD BASI…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN OUT IF NOWHERE IT GOT SLIGHTLY SHAKY RUMBLY FEELING AND THEN IT UP SHIFTED VERY VERY HARD AND REDLINED THE VEHICLE SO I HIT BRAKES AND GOT PULLED OVER AND TURNED IT OFF. I GOT IT TOWED BACK HOME AND THEN NEXT DAY TOWED TO SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RADIATOR MALFUNCTIONED AND IT HAD BASICLY DRAINED ANTIFREEZE INTO MY TRANSMISSION. SAID THAT PROBLEM IS NOTORIOUS FOR THESE VEHICLES AND THAT I WOULD NEED NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11080825

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.