NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
114 reportsClear category filter122,123 miles · Nov 2, 2012
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND SHIMMY ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR MALFUNCTIONED AND LEAKED ANTI-FREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND SHIMMY ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR MALFUNCTIONED AND LEAKED ANTI-FREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ALSO ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED AND WAS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 122,123.
NHTSA ODI #10483154
100,433 miles · Oct 21, 2012
EnginePower Train
I WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND THE NISSAN PATHFINDER 2007 START MAKING A NOISE IN THE MOTOR LIKE WHEN YOU HAVE THE CAR IN 1 BUT IT WAS ON DRIVE, THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON ALARM APPEAR. I PARKED THE CAR BUT WHEN TURNING ON AGAIN IT DIDN'T. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT DAMAGE TRANSMISSION AND THE COMPUTER BECAUSE WA…
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I WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND THE NISSAN PATHFINDER 2007 START MAKING A NOISE IN THE MOTOR LIKE WHEN YOU HAVE THE CAR IN 1 BUT IT WAS ON DRIVE, THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON ALARM APPEAR. I PARKED THE CAR BUT WHEN TURNING ON AGAIN IT DIDN'T. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT DAMAGE TRANSMISSION AND THE COMPUTER BECAUSE WAS DAMAGED. THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $9,400. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10481309
91,000 miles · Sep 27, 2012
EnginePower Train
I STARTED HAVING A SUDDEN JERKING IN MY 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO A NISSAN DEALER THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILURE WITH THE RADIATOR INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY WHICH ALLOWED LEAKING COOLANT INTO MY TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE DEALE…
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I STARTED HAVING A SUDDEN JERKING IN MY 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO A NISSAN DEALER THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILURE WITH THE RADIATOR INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY WHICH ALLOWED LEAKING COOLANT INTO MY TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE DEALER NOW STATES THAT I NEED TO REPLACE BOTH ITEMS OR TRADE IT IN. .... COME ON NISSAN YOU HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM. WE NEED A RECALL....... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477262
97,000 miles · Sep 24, 2012
EnginePower Train
RADIATOR DEFECT LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL; WILL NEED A NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF THIS KNOWN DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR. ALSO, ENGINE TIMING CHAIN DEFECTS IN 2005-2010 PATHFINDERS. REPAIRS ARE SET TO BE $12,000 - WHICH IS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10476901
85,000 miles · Sep 15, 2012
EnginePower Train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A THUD AND LOST POWER, HAD TO GO OVER 2 LANES WITHOUT BEING HIT.... I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC NEW EXCACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEMS WAS. RADIOTOR FLUID GETTING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL... HUNDREDS OF NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. …
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A THUD AND LOST POWER, HAD TO GO OVER 2 LANES WITHOUT BEING HIT.... I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC NEW EXCACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEMS WAS. RADIOTOR FLUID GETTING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL... HUNDREDS OF NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. TELL NISSAN TO RECALL THIS NOW BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.. SHOULDNT HAVE TO PAY $8000 FOR NISSANS CRAPPY WORK.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475479
160,000 miles · Sep 10, 2012
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
MY PATHFINDER WAS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SLOWING FROM THE SPEED OF AS I WAS BRAKING AND LETTING OFF THE GAS, BUT IT KEPT MOVING FORWARD AND SHAKING. IF THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM HARD. MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT DOWN TO SLOW DOWN, DUE TO RADIATOR LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. THE COST OF MY REPAIR OF BOTH R…
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MY PATHFINDER WAS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SLOWING FROM THE SPEED OF AS I WAS BRAKING AND LETTING OFF THE GAS, BUT IT KEPT MOVING FORWARD AND SHAKING. IF THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM HARD. MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT DOWN TO SLOW DOWN, DUE TO RADIATOR LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. THE COST OF MY REPAIR OF BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION IS OVER $5000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474441
92,000 miles · Sep 6, 2012
EnginePower Train
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY HUSBAND AND I EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER AND HAD TO PULL ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE WERE TOWED FROM THERE TO THE MECHANIC WHO EXPLAINED TO US THAT THE INTERNAL RADIATOR HAD LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING FAILURE TO BOTH. SINCE OUR WARRANTY WAS OUTDATED WE ARE NOW OUT 6000$ AND AR…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY HUSBAND AND I EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER AND HAD TO PULL ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE WERE TOWED FROM THERE TO THE MECHANIC WHO EXPLAINED TO US THAT THE INTERNAL RADIATOR HAD LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING FAILURE TO BOTH. SINCE OUR WARRANTY WAS OUTDATED WE ARE NOW OUT 6000$ AND ARE STRUGGLING TO FIX THIS. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED AND DISAPPOINTED IN THE VEHICLE. WE HAD OUR CHILDREN WITH AND I AM VERY GLAD THAT WE WERE NOT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION OR INTERSTATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474068
86,922 miles · Aug 24, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
START HAVING PROBLEMS IN MID JULY OF 2010. TRANSMISSION WAS JERKING IN GEAR. RADIATOR BROKE DOWN, ALLOWING FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE. ALSO BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH FUEL GAUGE. UNABLE TO GET VEHICLE REPAIRED, DUE TO LIMITED INCOME. VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE PASSED EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472386
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2012
EnginePower Train
AT FIRST STARTED NOTICING HESITATION IN TRANSMISSION AT 40 MPH, CONFIRMED BY 2 MECHANICS TRANS FLUID IS MILKY COLOR AND CHANGED FLUID AT A LOCAL SERVICE STATION THAT HAD TO GO TO NISSAN AND GET THEIR TRANSMISSION FLUID TO FINISH JOB. NOW BACK TO MILKY TRANSMISSION FLUID, HAVE TO TAKE OVERDRIVE OFF BECAUSE GEARS WILL NOT SHIFT, …
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AT FIRST STARTED NOTICING HESITATION IN TRANSMISSION AT 40 MPH, CONFIRMED BY 2 MECHANICS TRANS FLUID IS MILKY COLOR AND CHANGED FLUID AT A LOCAL SERVICE STATION THAT HAD TO GO TO NISSAN AND GET THEIR TRANSMISSION FLUID TO FINISH JOB. NOW BACK TO MILKY TRANSMISSION FLUID, HAVE TO TAKE OVERDRIVE OFF BECAUSE GEARS WILL NOT SHIFT, I ALSO CARRY GALLON OF WATER BECAUSE AT ANY TIME RADIATOR FLUID LEVELS CAN BE LOW; HAVE TO TURN AIR OFF AT LONG STOP LIGHTS SO TEMP GAUGE DOESN'T GO UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467576
133,000 miles · Jul 24, 2012
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
WHILE DRIVING WITH THE AC ON, MY VEHICLE STARTED TO BLAST OUT HOT AIR THROUGH THE VENTS AND OVERHEAT. MY CAR HAS NEVER RAN HOT BEFORE, I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE I'VE HAD IT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN. MY HUSBAND REMOVED THE RADIATOR CAP AND NOTICED A MILKY LIQUID IN THE RADIATOR. WE HAD TO H…
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WHILE DRIVING WITH THE AC ON, MY VEHICLE STARTED TO BLAST OUT HOT AIR THROUGH THE VENTS AND OVERHEAT. MY CAR HAS NEVER RAN HOT BEFORE, I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE I'VE HAD IT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY AND LET THE CAR COOL DOWN. MY HUSBAND REMOVED THE RADIATOR CAP AND NOTICED A MILKY LIQUID IN THE RADIATOR. WE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY NOTIFIED US OF THE RECALL ON THE NISSAN (2005-2010 MODELS) RADIATORS. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SEEING WHERE THE COOLANT MIXES WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUIDS AND CAUSE A MAJOR REPAIR PROBLEM. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION KIT, THROTTLE, VIAL BODY, AND TORQUE CONVERTER WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL PETRIFIED TO KNOW THAT NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THIS EXISTING PROBLEM BUT REFUSED TO HAVE THESE ISSUES REPAIRED RATHER THAN TAKING THE EASY WAY OUT AND EXTENDING THE WARRANTY. WE BOUGHT OUR TRUCK BRAND NEW FROM THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WE ALSO PAID FOR THE 5YR/100,000 MILE WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD MY TRUCK FOR 5 YRS AND 2 MTHS, SOMETHING SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS. WE THE CONSUMERS HAVE TRUSTED THIS BRAND FOR MANY YEARS AND WE DEPEND ON OUR VEHICLES ON A DAILY BASES. MY FAMILY AND I WERE ALL IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HARMED IN A HIGH RISK SITUATION. WE HAD THE 90,000 MILEAGE MAINTENANCE COMPLETED WHERE THEY FLUSHED THE RADIATOR, CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION, & ETC. AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. MY HUSBAND HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR TIMELY MAINTENANCE AND NO ONE HAS EVER MENTIONED THE RADIATOR ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467255
Official recalls
1Dec 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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