NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
128 reportsClear category filter130,000 miles · Nov 3, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I FELT MY TRANSMISSION SEEM TO SHIFT VERY ROUGHLY INTO OVERDRIVE, AND USUALLY OCCURRED BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH. OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT A YEAR, IT CONTINUED THE BEHAVIOR OFF AND ON, UNTIL IT BEGAN TO DO IT DAILY AND I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING HAD ANTIFREEZE LEAK INTO THE TRAN…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I FELT MY TRANSMISSION SEEM TO SHIFT VERY ROUGHLY INTO OVERDRIVE, AND USUALLY OCCURRED BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH. OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT A YEAR, IT CONTINUED THE BEHAVIOR OFF AND ON, UNTIL IT BEGAN TO DO IT DAILY AND I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING HAD ANTIFREEZE LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO THE OIL COOLER LINES CRACKING, A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN PATHFINDERS, AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES OF MY MODEL YEAR. THERE WAS METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION PAN WHICH SIGNIFIES THAT A REBUILD IS INEVITABLE, ALL DUE TO THE MIXING OF ANTIFREEZE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE RADIATOR MUST ALSO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE MIXING OF TRANSMISSION FLUID, AS THE MECHANICS FOUND THE "MILKY" SUBSTANCE, TYPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE MIXING OF WATER AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR. SO FAR, I HAVE BEEN QUOTED APPROXIMATELY 6,300 DOLLARS FOR A REPAIR JOB ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10483273
80,414 miles · Oct 27, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER RADIATOR DEFECT CAUSING LEAK OF COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR COMPLETE DAMAGE, UNDETECTED BY DEALER SERVICE FOR 30,000 MILES. PROBLEM DETECTED WITH OPENING OF INVESTIGATION. NISSAN REQUIRES CO-PAY OF $2,500 EVEN THOUGH COMPLAINTS OCCURRED PREVIOUS TO 80K MILES AND W…
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2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER RADIATOR DEFECT CAUSING LEAK OF COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR COMPLETE DAMAGE, UNDETECTED BY DEALER SERVICE FOR 30,000 MILES. PROBLEM DETECTED WITH OPENING OF INVESTIGATION. NISSAN REQUIRES CO-PAY OF $2,500 EVEN THOUGH COMPLAINTS OCCURRED PREVIOUS TO 80K MILES AND WHEN PROBLEM DETECTED, WAS 414 MILES OVER REQUIRING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR A KNOWN DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482411
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIRS TOTALED $ 3,399.10. *JB UPDATED 11/05/12
NHTSA ODI #10474726
104,000 miles · Sep 6, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY 8TH GRADE SON AND HIS BASKETBALL TEAM TO MIDDLE SCHOOL GAME. SHE WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING 65 MPH, WHEN SHE FELT THE CAR JERK AND THEN START TO LOSE SPEED, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT THE CAR HAD SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. SHE HAD NO POWER AND LUCKILY SHE HAD ROOM TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. WE TOOK THE CAR…
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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY 8TH GRADE SON AND HIS BASKETBALL TEAM TO MIDDLE SCHOOL GAME. SHE WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING 65 MPH, WHEN SHE FELT THE CAR JERK AND THEN START TO LOSE SPEED, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT THE CAR HAD SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. SHE HAD NO POWER AND LUCKILY SHE HAD ROOM TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO RADIATOR FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION. WE REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND COOLANT LINES AND FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION, AND IT RAN FINE FOR A FEW MONTHS. BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON LAST MONTH, WE TOOK IT IN AND NOW THEY TELL US THAT WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE WITH THE NISSAN PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA. IT SEEMS TO BE MORE AND MORE OF A COMMON ISSUE WITH NISSAN OWNERS AND NISSAN IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO REPAIR THIS VERY SERIOUS AND COSTLY PROBLEM. I JUST GOT AN ESTIMATE ON TUESDAY (9/4/12) FOR $9459.00 WORTH OF REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM NISSAN, AND IT NOW HAS 110,502 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474158
88,000 miles · Aug 29, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WIFE FIRST NOTICED A VIBRATION ON HER WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL WITH OUR DAUGHTERS. BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. I HAD TIRES, BEARINGS, ETC CHECKED. NO PROBLEMS FOUND WITH ANY OF THOSE. LOOKED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT A LOT OF PATHFINDER OWNERS WERE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CHECKED COOLANT AND FOUND THAT IT HAD IN FAC…
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WIFE FIRST NOTICED A VIBRATION ON HER WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL WITH OUR DAUGHTERS. BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. I HAD TIRES, BEARINGS, ETC CHECKED. NO PROBLEMS FOUND WITH ANY OF THOSE. LOOKED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT A LOT OF PATHFINDER OWNERS WERE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CHECKED COOLANT AND FOUND THAT IT HAD IN FACT MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. I SWITCHED THE LINES FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO TRANS COOLER AND RADIATOR TO PREVENT FURTHER CONTAMINATION, AND FLUSHED RADIATOR/REPLACED COOLANT. ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION FLUSHED/FLUID CHANGED. THE VIBRATION IS STILL PRESENT, AS I DON'T HAVE $5000 + FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472915
107,000 miles · Aug 14, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSuspension
I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR. IN JUNE, MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $1500 AFTER I REPORTED A JOLT IN THE TRANSMISSION. I BROUGHT IT BACK 08/10/2012 AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP AND THEY SAID THE RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RUINED THE TRANSMISSION PRESENTING A F…
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I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR. IN JUNE, MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $1500 AFTER I REPORTED A JOLT IN THE TRANSMISSION. I BROUGHT IT BACK 08/10/2012 AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP AND THEY SAID THE RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RUINED THE TRANSMISSION PRESENTING A FINANCIAL BURDEN AND A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR UPDATED 09/13/12
NHTSA ODI #10470520
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I UNDERSTAND NOW THAT NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNER (05-07) HAVE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION FAILING DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS. I NOW HAVE TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $7000+. WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467776
71,000 miles · Jul 6, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PAHTFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE RADIATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, RADIATOR THERMOSTAT, AND TRANSMISSION WERE DAMAGED DUE TO LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PAHTFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE RADIATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, RADIATOR THERMOSTAT, AND TRANSMISSION WERE DAMAGED DUE TO LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED BOTH FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
NHTSA ODI #10464460
138,203 miles · Jun 12, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I DROVE 2HRS AWAY TO PICK UP MY NIECE FROM COLLEGE. THE VEHICLE WAS FINE ON THE FREEWAY, BUT AS SOON AS WE EXITED, IT STARTED TO SPUTTER. WE WERE VERY CLOSE TO CAMPUS SO WE PULLED IN AND MADE IT THROUGH A COUPLE MORE STOP SIGNS BEFORE WE PULLED INTO A STALL AND PARKED. IT WOULD NOT START AFTER THAT. I HAD TO TOW IT BACK HOME…
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I DROVE 2HRS AWAY TO PICK UP MY NIECE FROM COLLEGE. THE VEHICLE WAS FINE ON THE FREEWAY, BUT AS SOON AS WE EXITED, IT STARTED TO SPUTTER. WE WERE VERY CLOSE TO CAMPUS SO WE PULLED IN AND MADE IT THROUGH A COUPLE MORE STOP SIGNS BEFORE WE PULLED INTO A STALL AND PARKED. IT WOULD NOT START AFTER THAT. I HAD TO TOW IT BACK HOME AND TO THE DEALER SHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT A PROBLEM IN THE RADIATOR CAUSED FLUIDS TO MIX WHICH SHOT MY ENGINE. NOW NISSAN WANTS TO CHARGE ME $7650 FOR A RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THAT'S RIDICULES CONSIDERING NISSAN KNEW THESE VEHICLE HAD FAULTY RADIATORS IN THEM. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF THIS OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10461377
87,000 miles · Apr 19, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A GRUMBLING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A GRUMBLING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000.
NHTSA ODI #10455812
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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