IllustrationFUEL GAUGE READING EMPTY AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. *TR
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
What owners actually said
837 reportsWE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR VEHICLE "SHAKING" AT 40 MPH AND AGAIN AT 60 MPH. WE HAVE HAD IT INTO THE SHOP TO BE LOOKED AT BUT AFTER REPLACING U-JOINTS, SOME OTHER ITEMS AND PUTTING NEW TIRES ON OUR VEHICLE IT DIDN'T GET BETTER. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR PATHFINDER HOME ONE NIGHT WITH OUR DAUGHTERS IN THE VEHICLE AND NO…
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WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR VEHICLE "SHAKING" AT 40 MPH AND AGAIN AT 60 MPH. WE HAVE HAD IT INTO THE SHOP TO BE LOOKED AT BUT AFTER REPLACING U-JOINTS, SOME OTHER ITEMS AND PUTTING NEW TIRES ON OUR VEHICLE IT DIDN'T GET BETTER. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR PATHFINDER HOME ONE NIGHT WITH OUR DAUGHTERS IN THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SPUTTERING. SHE THOUGHT THAT POSSIBLY SHE WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS ALTHOUGH IT WAS SHOWING A 1/4 TANK BUT WE HAD BEEN NOTICING THAT THE GAS GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE WHEN WE WOULD FILL THE VEHICLE UP (SOMETHING THAT WE NOTICED OTHER NISSAN OWNERS HAVE MENTIONED AS WELL). SHE STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD US THAT THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND WE WERE GOING TO NEED A NEW RADIATOR AND NEW TRANSMISSION. WE ARE OVER OUR MILES AND OUR WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT. WE HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN BUT WERE TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO FIX ANYTHING OR PAY FOR ANYTHING SINCE WE DROVE OUR VEHICLE OUTSIDE OF OUR WARRANTY AND HAVE PUT TOO MANY MILES ON OUR VEHICLE. WE HAVE BEEN READING THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 AND WE ARE THINKING THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE THE SAME CASE FOR THE 2006 AND 2007 ONCE THE MILES GET TO ABOUT 60,000. WE HAVE HEARD THAT NISSAN HAS PUT OUT A BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM AND ARE AWARE OF IT BUT AS THE REGIONAL MANAGER TOLD US, THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO FIX OR PAY FOR ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY. THEY KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE AND STILL THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO MAKE GOOD ON A PRODUCT THAT HAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I'M SURE THAT THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN HEARING THIS AND HAVE PROBABLY HEARD IT BEFORE, BUT WE WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER NISSAN PRODUCT AND WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE LET AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE CAN KNOW THAT NISSAN DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *TR
FUEL GAUGE INACCURATE. SHOWS EMPTY TANK EVEN AFTER I FILL UP. WORKS LATER THAT DAY UNTIL FUEL FALLS TO 1/2 FULL. *TR
2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE GAS GAUGE READ 1/4 TANK ON MY WAY TO WORK WITH BABY IN CAR, RAN OUT OF GAS WHEN I THOUGHT I HAD 1/4 TANK. BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. AT A RED LIGHT LAST NIGHT WITH 1/2 TANK (ACCORDING TO GAUGE) ALL OF THE SUDDEN GAS LOW LEVEL LIGHT FLASHES AND DTE READS---…
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2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE GAS GAUGE READ 1/4 TANK ON MY WAY TO WORK WITH BABY IN CAR, RAN OUT OF GAS WHEN I THOUGHT I HAD 1/4 TANK. BROUGHT IT TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY REPLACED THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. AT A RED LIGHT LAST NIGHT WITH 1/2 TANK (ACCORDING TO GAUGE) ALL OF THE SUDDEN GAS LOW LEVEL LIGHT FLASHES AND DTE READS---- APPARENTLY DEALERSHIP DID NOT DO WHAT THEY SAID THEY DID OR PROBLEM LIES ELSEWHERE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER NISSAN OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ISSUED PLAIN AND SIMPLE! *TR
FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT. INCONSISTENT. FAULTY PART APPEARS OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM SOMETIMES WORKS PROPERLY AND OTHER TIMES REPORTS EMPTY TANK ALTHOUGH GAS TANK FULL. *TR
MY 2006 PATHFINDER WITH 49K MILES, THE GAS GAUGE WENT TO COMPLETELY EMPTY. THE DTE READ ------ AFTER I FILLED THE GAS TANK COMPLETLY.THEN MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE GAS GAUGE AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES MOVED UP TO 1/2 TANK, BUT SERVICE LIGHT IS STILL ON. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND SERVICE BULLETIN NTB07-069A , WHICH SEEMS T…
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MY 2006 PATHFINDER WITH 49K MILES, THE GAS GAUGE WENT TO COMPLETELY EMPTY. THE DTE READ ------ AFTER I FILLED THE GAS TANK COMPLETLY.THEN MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE GAS GAUGE AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES MOVED UP TO 1/2 TANK, BUT SERVICE LIGHT IS STILL ON. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND SERVICE BULLETIN NTB07-069A , WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL MODELS, INCLUDING XTERRA'S. I WENT TO AUTOZONE AND PULLED THE CODE PO463 WHICH CONFIRMED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS THE ISSUE. NOW TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY THEY APPARENTLY WON'T COVER IT. *TR
THE ENTIRE BRAKE PEDAL FELL OFF MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER WHILE DRIVING. I HAD NO WAY TO STOP VEHICLE - HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND I WAS TOLD THE MOTOR THAT RUNS THE BRAKE PEDAL DIED AND IT ADJUSTED ITSELF OFF COMPLETELY. *TR
FUEL GAUGE MESSING UP...CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. HUGE READING LOW WHEN FULL. *TR
"I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS ON MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR…
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"I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS ON MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED AFTER 30K MILES. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND DOING RESEARCH, I WENT ONLINE TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE 2000-2004 XTERRA MODELS AND A RECALL WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AFTER NOT GETTING ANY FUEL, POSING A GREAT DANGER(I HAVE TO YOUNG KIDS). IT SEEMS THAT SOMETHING IN THE UNIT IS FAULTY AND WILL CORRODE OVER TIME. THERE IS A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 3 YRS AND WITH AROUND 57K. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN PREVIOUS MODELS, AND IT WAS RECALLED, THE 2005-2007 XTERRAS, FRONTIERS, AND PATHFINDERS SHOULD GET THIS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER!! WHY WAIT FOR ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE DEATHS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. PAID $300 FOR THE REPAIRS." *TR
I HAVE A NISSAN PATHFINDER (2006) AND AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG AROUND 50MPH, EVERYTHING DIED. THE GAUGES, BLINKERS, LIGHTS, ETC WENT DEAD. THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT WORK. I HAD TO COAST OFF OF THE ROAD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN, EVERY TI…
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I HAVE A NISSAN PATHFINDER (2006) AND AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG AROUND 50MPH, EVERYTHING DIED. THE GAUGES, BLINKERS, LIGHTS, ETC WENT DEAD. THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT WORK. I HAD TO COAST OFF OF THE ROAD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN, EVERY TIME I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR FOR MORE THAN 15 MILES. THERE IS ALSO A BURNING ODOR AND WHEN EVERYTHING DIES, THERE IS A HIGH-PITCHED STATIC SOUND THAT COMES THROUGH THE SPEAKERS. THE SCARY PART IS, I LOOSE ALL POWER FROM THE VEHICLE AND IF I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE OR TURNING IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, IT COULD BE FATAL. *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.