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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 →

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
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING FUEL SENDING UNIT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ON JANUARY 9, 2009, HE HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 425.95. IN JULY 2010, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN STATING A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED REGARDING THE FUEL SE…

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2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING FUEL SENDING UNIT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ON JANUARY 9, 2009, HE HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 425.95. IN JULY 2010, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN STATING A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED REGARDING THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. ONLY JULY 15, 2010, THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE UNIT NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. ON OCTOBER 28, 2010, THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE UNIT WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. HOWEVER, HE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO THE DEALER, THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A FUEL TANK AND FUEL SENDING UNIT SINCE BOTH WERE MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER KNEW IF HE HAD GAS IN THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10443013

72,362 miles · Jan 4, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

ABOUT 10,000 MILES AGO I NOTICED A VIBRATION AT 40 AND 60MPH. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO REPLACED TWO U JOINTS AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. WELL, VIBRATION IS BACK, NOT ONLY THAT NOW THAT IT IS WINTER, MY VEHICLE WONT WARM UP FROM AN IDLE. IT NEVER BLOWS HOT AIR. THESE ARE A COUPLE OF SYMPTOMS THAT GOING FORWARD SHOW THE RADIATO…

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ABOUT 10,000 MILES AGO I NOTICED A VIBRATION AT 40 AND 60MPH. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO REPLACED TWO U JOINTS AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. WELL, VIBRATION IS BACK, NOT ONLY THAT NOW THAT IT IS WINTER, MY VEHICLE WONT WARM UP FROM AN IDLE. IT NEVER BLOWS HOT AIR. THESE ARE A COUPLE OF SYMPTOMS THAT GOING FORWARD SHOW THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE GASKETS, SEALS,GEARS, TORQUE CONVERTER. PLEASE HELP THE RADIATOR OBVIOUSLY NEED REPLACING BUT NOT ONLY THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS MESSED UP AND STALLS OUT NOW FROM TIME TO TIME. IT IS REALLY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL PROGRAM SO IT FORCES NISSAN TO RECALL JUST THE RADIATORS BEOFRE THEY START LEAKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442460

137,000 miles · Jan 3, 2012
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON OUR NISSAN PATHFINDER. WE TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF OUR VEHICLES. REGULAR OIL CHANGES, TRANSMISSION,FLUIDS. THIS CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE LOST THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442169

115,000 miles · Dec 15, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK FORWARD AND BEGAN SHIFTING. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WOUL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK FORWARD AND BEGAN SHIFTING. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #10440025

129,000 miles · Dec 14, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

RADIATOR FAILURE CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE LEADING TO LURCHING AND DIFFICULTY HANDLING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439898

26,000 miles · Dec 13, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WAS INOPERABLE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #10439731

79,000 miles · Nov 28, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILLARY TA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILLARY TANK) BUT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA ODI #10437568

88,000 miles · Nov 13, 2011
Power Train

I HAD NO IDEA THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL ON MY PATHFINDER, AFTER FINDING OUT THAT THOUSANDS OF PATHFINDER OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE I AM CONCERNED. NISSAN TELLS ME THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR AND WILL LEAK COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE FAILURE.IT WILL COST AROUND $ 5,000 TO REPAI…

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I HAD NO IDEA THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL ON MY PATHFINDER, AFTER FINDING OUT THAT THOUSANDS OF PATHFINDER OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE I AM CONCERNED. NISSAN TELLS ME THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR AND WILL LEAK COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE FAILURE.IT WILL COST AROUND $ 5,000 TO REPAIR ,MONEY I DON'T HAVE. SOME ONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR WORSE IF THIS FAILURE WAS TO CAUSE A CRASH. WHY HAS NISSAN NOT BEEN FORCED TO RECALL AND CORRECT THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435371

113,000 miles · Nov 10, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY BRAND NEW TIMING CHAIN FAILED, DESTROYING MY ENGINE AND COSTING ME OVER $8000 IN REPAIRS IN ADDITION TO THE COST OF THE TIMING CHAIN ($1100). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435181

126,000 miles · Nov 10, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructureWheelsCrash

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

NHTSA ODI #10435179

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.