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2007 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pathfinder years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

500 reports with mileage · 61 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 337 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 128 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 114 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Engine complaints

114 reports
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78,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014
EnginePower Train

I PURCHASED MY PATHFINDER USED. WITH 78,000 MILES AND WITHIN 10 DAYS OF HAVING IT THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED COMPLETELY. WELL WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND DEMANDED THEY MAKE RIGHT..THEY PAID OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY NEVER PAID FOR OUR RENTAL CAR AND NEVER BOTHERED TO TELL US THERE WAS A DEFECT ON MY VEHICLE! WE WERE DRIVING AND NOTI…

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I PURCHASED MY PATHFINDER USED. WITH 78,000 MILES AND WITHIN 10 DAYS OF HAVING IT THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED COMPLETELY. WELL WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND DEMANDED THEY MAKE RIGHT..THEY PAID OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY NEVER PAID FOR OUR RENTAL CAR AND NEVER BOTHERED TO TELL US THERE WAS A DEFECT ON MY VEHICLE! WE WERE DRIVING AND NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND THE TRUCK VIBRATING VERY LOUD AND VIGOROUSLY WHEN GOING INTO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR AT AROUND 50 MPH. BUT THEY HAD TOLD ME IT WAS MY IMAGINATION. WELL 10 DAYS FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT HOME I GUESS IT WASN'T JUST MY IMAGINATION BECAUSE WE LOST ALL ACCELERATION POWER. THE TRUCK WAS RUNNING BUT WOULDN'T NOT MOVE. HERE I AM A YEAR LATER GOOGLING WHY MY TRUCK KEEPS SCREWING UP AND BOY WHAT DO I FIND???? I'M VERY LIVID AND CAN'T BELIEVE THAT NISSAN HAS DECIDED TO FATTEN THEIR WALLETS INSTEAD OF HELPING IT'S CONSUMERS AND MAKING THINGS RIGHT. I HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION AND NEW RADIATOR PUT IN. AND A YEAR LATER I'M FIGHTING THE SAME PROBLEM ALL OVER AGAIN. IF I'M IDLE OR STAY IN ONE SPOT FOR A FEW MINUTES MY TRUCK IS OVER HEATING AND NOT ONLY THAT BUT IT'S SPEWING COOLANT OUT THE RESERVOIR. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND NO ONE GIVES A CRAP! I WAS TOLD IT WAS AN AIR POCKET AND I'M NOT STUPID ESPECIALLY NOW THAT I'M READING ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. THIS MAKES ME WONDER HOW THE GOVERNMENT CAN ALLOW THIS TO CONTINUE GOING ON..I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT NO HELP IS AVAILABLE TO US AND WE ARE BEING SCREWED ROYALLY AND OUR LIVES IN DANGER BECAUSE WE ARE FORCED TO DRIVE A DANGEROUS NON RELIABLE VEHICLE!!!!!!! MAKE THINGS RIGHT NISSAN FIX OUR VEHICLES OR DO A RECALL AND GIVE US OUR MONEY FOR PUTTING US THROUGH [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597118

780,000 miles · Jun 1, 2014
EnginePower Train

MILKY SUBSTANCE APPEARED IN RADIATOR AND CAR SMOKED AND SMELLED. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND REPORTED FAILED COOLER CAUSING RADIATOR FLUID AND OIL TO MIX. RESULTED IN CRACKED HEADS AS ENGINE OVERHEATED. NOW TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. LIKELY DUE TO ENGINE OVERHEATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595417

74,500 miles · May 1, 2014
EnginePower Train

CAR HAVING TROUBLE GETTING UP TO SPEED. NOW WILL NOT START. DEALERSHIP SAYS IT NEEDS NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10585957

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT RADIATOR FLUID WAS ENTERING THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10579703

102,000 miles · Feb 20, 2014
EnginePower Train

WE STARTED TO HAVE A VERY LOUD AND CREEPING NOISE WHEN WE PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. SOUNDS LIKE WE WERE PULLING SOMETHING VERY HEAVY AND THE CAR COULD NOT RESIST IT. THEN, WE ALSO STARTED TO NOTICE ISSUES SUCH AS A DELAY IN GEAR CHANGES AND MORE NOISES NOW WHEN DRIVING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY…

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WE STARTED TO HAVE A VERY LOUD AND CREEPING NOISE WHEN WE PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. SOUNDS LIKE WE WERE PULLING SOMETHING VERY HEAVY AND THE CAR COULD NOT RESIST IT. THEN, WE ALSO STARTED TO NOTICE ISSUES SUCH AS A DELAY IN GEAR CHANGES AND MORE NOISES NOW WHEN DRIVING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT WITH A "BROKEN TRANS COOLER LINE IN RADIATOR WHICH MADE THE COOLANT LEAK AND MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEY WANT US TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND FLUSH ENGINE BLOCK BRINGING THE PRICE CLOSE TO 7K. I STARTED TO RESEARCH THIS AND I'M DEFINITELY ADDING MY COMPLAINT AND WILL SURELY CALL NISSAN TO SEE WHAT OPTIONS THEY WILL GIVE US. 2/20/15 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565143

159,000 miles · Feb 3, 2014
EnginePower Train

I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND MY CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I MADE MY WAY TO A STREET LOCATION AND PULLED MY CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I SHUT THE CAR OFF. IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562694

111,349 miles · Jan 30, 2014
EnginePower Train

FOR THE PAST WEEK WHEN EVER I DROVE MY CAR THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUDDERS, SHAKES AND HAS A HARSH UPSHIFT WHEN IT IS CHANGING GEARS. IT HAPPENS THE MOST ON HIGHWAYS GOING AT HIGH SPEEDS (55-65 MILES). I TOOK MY CAR INTO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP ON 1-29-14 TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED MY CAR WITH A "BROKEN TRANS COOLER…

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FOR THE PAST WEEK WHEN EVER I DROVE MY CAR THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUDDERS, SHAKES AND HAS A HARSH UPSHIFT WHEN IT IS CHANGING GEARS. IT HAPPENS THE MOST ON HIGHWAYS GOING AT HIGH SPEEDS (55-65 MILES). I TOOK MY CAR INTO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP ON 1-29-14 TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED MY CAR WITH A "BROKEN TRANS COOLER LINE IN RADIATOR WHICH MADE THE COOLANT LEAK AND MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. ADVISE REPLACE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND FLUSH ENGINE BLOCK AS WELL AS REPLACE THERMOSTAT, (PRICE TO FIX: $5938.00 + 9% TAX)". I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT ISSUE THAT NISSAN HAS BEEN DANCING AROUND SINCE 2007, AS WELL AS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BEING FILED AGAINST NISSAN. I BOUGHT THE CAR ON JULY 28, 2011, SO I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS IN WHICH THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM DID NOT INFORM US OF THIS WARRANTY BEING OFFERED BY NISSAN FROM THE LAWSUIT OR INFORMED US OF THE POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I HAD THE CAR COMPLETELY CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC IN NOVEMBER OF 2013 AND IT PASSED WITH NO ISSUES. NOW HERE WE ARE 2 MONTHS LATER, AND OVER 100,000 MILES AND MY NISSAN EXPERIENCES THIS ISSUE. THIS CAN BE A VERY DETRIMENTAL AND DRAMATIC FAILURE, CAUSING MASSIVE SAFETY ISSUES IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE MY CAR, ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAYS GOING HIGH SPEEDS. I CONTACTED NISSAN THIS MORNING TO SEE IF THEY ARE GOING TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND SINCE I AM ONLY 11,000 MILES OVER THEIR "WARRANTY" (WHICH HAS HIGH DEDUCTIBLES), THEY DENIED TO HELP AND I AM LEFT HOLDING A $6500.00 PRICE TAG TO FIX MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562207

91,000 miles · Jan 18, 2014
EnginePower Train

THE TRUCKS TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHILE I WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE TRUCK DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE. IT WAS VERY SCARY. I HAD THE WHOLE FAMILY WITH ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560505

130,000 miles · Jan 16, 2014
EnginePower Train

WAS HEARING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE, DEALER DIAGNOSED AS TIMING CHAIN GUIDES BAD, SAID THIS WAS A "KNOWN" PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. 3 WEEKS AFTER FIXING WAS GOING TO WORK AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, WAS ADVISED BY DEALER THAT COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE FLUID FROM A FAULTY RADIATOR DESIGN ON THIS MODEL...ESTIMATED 6000+ FOR RE…

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WAS HEARING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE, DEALER DIAGNOSED AS TIMING CHAIN GUIDES BAD, SAID THIS WAS A "KNOWN" PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. 3 WEEKS AFTER FIXING WAS GOING TO WORK AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, WAS ADVISED BY DEALER THAT COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE FLUID FROM A FAULTY RADIATOR DESIGN ON THIS MODEL...ESTIMATED 6000+ FOR REPAIRS. THESE ARE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL NISSAN AND THE COMPANY HAS OFFERED ZERO HELP WITH CORRECTING THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560246

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2013
EnginePower Train

THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION MELTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR COULD NOT MOVE ON REVERSE AND ONLY GOING 20MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555752

Official recalls

1

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.