IllustrationRADIATOR FAILED, LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO TRANSMISSION. THIS MIXING OF ANTIFREEZE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE VIOLENT VIBRATIONS AND ROUGH SHIFTING IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NISSAN SHOULD RECALL ALL MODELS WITH THIS RADIATOR. I HAD TO PAY $2500.00 TO HAVE THIS DEFECT REPAIRED. *TR
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 →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
4125–50K
5750–75K
13375–100K
216100–150K
32150K+
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 And Engine Cooling complaints
128 reportsMY VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING WEIRD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT VIOLENTLY LURCHED FORWARD WHILE IN TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT MY TRANSMISSION HAD COOLANT IN IT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WILL COST OVER $9,000 TO REPAIR AND THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE VEHICLE LURCHING FORWARD SO VIOLENTLY…
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MY VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING WEIRD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT VIOLENTLY LURCHED FORWARD WHILE IN TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT MY TRANSMISSION HAD COOLANT IN IT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WILL COST OVER $9,000 TO REPAIR AND THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE VEHICLE LURCHING FORWARD SO VIOLENTLY IS UNACCEPTABLE BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION COOLER ETC... *TR
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT ROUGHLY. IT WAS DETERMINED THROUGH THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT THE RADIATOR HAD A CRACK IN , AND RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. *TR
MY NISSAN PATHFINDER RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, I GOT AN EXTEND WARRANTY AND NOW THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IS NOT COVERING IT DUE TO RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED TO THE TRANSMISSION AND IT NOT A COVER BENEFIT NOW I'M SCREW. *TR
THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION HAS APPEARED TO FAIL IN MY NISSAN THE RADIATOR STARTED TO LEAK SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND I FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED FAIL. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION APPEAR TO BE FAILING WELL BEFORE A NORMAL RADIATOR AND TRA…
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THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION HAS APPEARED TO FAIL IN MY NISSAN THE RADIATOR STARTED TO LEAK SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND I FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED FAIL. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION APPEAR TO BE FAILING WELL BEFORE A NORMAL RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION SHOULD. *TR
VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. GOT A TRANS FLUSH HOPING IT WOULD IMPROVE. PROBLEM RETURNED. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO GARAGE AND HAD A NEW WIRING HARNESS PUT ON. PROBLEM RETURNED. GOT STRANDED AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED. DETERMINED THAT COOLANT WAS IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. HUGE REPAIR BILL. P…
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VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. GOT A TRANS FLUSH HOPING IT WOULD IMPROVE. PROBLEM RETURNED. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO GARAGE AND HAD A NEW WIRING HARNESS PUT ON. PROBLEM RETURNED. GOT STRANDED AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED. DETERMINED THAT COOLANT WAS IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. HUGE REPAIR BILL. PART OF THE CLASS ACTION SUIT NOW BUT AM STILL OUT $2500. PROBABLY STARTED OCCURRING BEFORE 80,000 MILES AND HAD I BEEN MORE INVESTIGATIVE AT THAT TIME, BILL WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER 80,000. NOW IT'S OVER THAT AMOUNT AND I AM OUT OF LUCK. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT IN NISSAN! *TR
TRANSMISSION STARTING SLIPPING THEN STARTED JERKING WHILE DRIVING THEN IT STARTED OVERHEATING. TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO COVER THE POWERTRAIN. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COOLER CRACKED WHICH CAUSED THE RADIATOR FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANMISSION AND MESSED UP THE RADIAT…
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TRANSMISSION STARTING SLIPPING THEN STARTED JERKING WHILE DRIVING THEN IT STARTED OVERHEATING. TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO COVER THE POWERTRAIN. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COOLER CRACKED WHICH CAUSED THE RADIATOR FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANMISSION AND MESSED UP THE RADIATOR, WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY BECAUSE THE RADIATOR COOLER WAS NOT PART OF IT. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE OVER $6000 TO FIX IT. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. CAUSED BY RUPTURED COOLANT LINE, COOLANT MIXED WITH ATF. REPLACED RADIATOR AND FLUSHED TRANSMISSION, BUT DAMAGE WAS ALREADY DONE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON STREET AROUND 2 PM, THE CAR JUST LOST ITS POWER AND I END UP STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WITH MY 2 KIDS AT THE BACK SEATS, THE CAR WONT MOVED AND I NEED TO CALL FOR HELP SO THE OTHER DRIVER HELPED ME PUSH THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET. TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AND TOWED MY CAR TO THE NEAREST SHOP AND FOUND OU…
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WHILE DRIVING ON STREET AROUND 2 PM, THE CAR JUST LOST ITS POWER AND I END UP STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WITH MY 2 KIDS AT THE BACK SEATS, THE CAR WONT MOVED AND I NEED TO CALL FOR HELP SO THE OTHER DRIVER HELPED ME PUSH THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET. TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AND TOWED MY CAR TO THE NEAREST SHOP AND FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION MIXED WITH WATER COMING FROM THE RADIATOR. IT COST 2800 FOR EVERYTHING. THE CURRENT MILES WHEN THIS INCIDENTS HAPPENED IS 111200. *TR
THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR/RADIATOR COOLERS IN THE '05, '06 AND '07 NISSAN PATHFINDERS WHICH CAUSES THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. PLEASE HELP WITH A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, SEVERAL OF THE FOLKS STILL HAVE A PAYMENT ON THE VEHICLES. YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THAT FOLKS ARE HAVING. THANKS, TERRY P…
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THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR/RADIATOR COOLERS IN THE '05, '06 AND '07 NISSAN PATHFINDERS WHICH CAUSES THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. PLEASE HELP WITH A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, SEVERAL OF THE FOLKS STILL HAVE A PAYMENT ON THE VEHICLES. YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THAT FOLKS ARE HAVING. THANKS, TERRY PLEASE TRY TO DO ALL YOU CAN FOR ALL OF US, I CAN'T SEE THAT NISSAN CAN GET BY WITH THIS. THEY ARE JUST TO REPLACE THE DEFECT PARTS. *TR
Official recalls
108V690000 · 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.