IllustrationRADIATOR FAILED, MIXED COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.REPAIRS ESTIMATED AT $5000. *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
Power Train complaints
337 reportsTHE RADIATOR LEAKS FLUIDS INTO THE TRANSMISSION, INTERMIXING THE FLUIDS. THIS IS RUINING THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND LEAK. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION, CAUSING BOTH TO GO OUT. REPEATEDLY TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM BUT THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE RADIATOR-TRANSMISSION ISSUE. ONCE MY CAR FINALLY DIED I WAS FORCED TO REPAIR ON MY OWN WITH NO HELP FROM NISSAN. I WAS TOO FAR OVER MILES TO BE INCLUDED IN THEIR "CUSTOMER SATISFACT…
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RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION, CAUSING BOTH TO GO OUT. REPEATEDLY TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM BUT THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE RADIATOR-TRANSMISSION ISSUE. ONCE MY CAR FINALLY DIED I WAS FORCED TO REPAIR ON MY OWN WITH NO HELP FROM NISSAN. I WAS TOO FAR OVER MILES TO BE INCLUDED IN THEIR "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM" WHICH ONLY COVERED COST OVER $3,000 AND UNDER 100,000 MILES. I SPENT $4,360.00 OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND BYPASS RADIATOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR HAD A CRACK AND LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR HAD A CRACK AND LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED. UPDATED 08/19/15*JB UPDATED 10/07/15*LJ UPDATED 10/11/2017*CN
I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME FROM MY DAUGHTERS DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. IT WAS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC TIME. AS I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE I FELT A JERK ON THE CARD AND THE O/D LIGHT START FLASHING. I WAS ALMOST HOME SO I KEPT DRIVING TO MAKE IT HOME. DID NOT WANT TO B STRANDED IN THE ROAD WITH MY DAUGHTER. AS I PUSHED ON THE GAS IT DID…
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I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME FROM MY DAUGHTERS DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. IT WAS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC TIME. AS I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE I FELT A JERK ON THE CARD AND THE O/D LIGHT START FLASHING. I WAS ALMOST HOME SO I KEPT DRIVING TO MAKE IT HOME. DID NOT WANT TO B STRANDED IN THE ROAD WITH MY DAUGHTER. AS I PUSHED ON THE GAS IT DID NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE AN MORE, ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND WE PRETTY MUCH STROLLED INTO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. I PUT IT IN PARK AND WAITED A MOMENT AND TRIED TO SEE IF IT WOULD CUT BACK ON, BUT IT DIDN'T. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC SHOP AND HE SAID IT SMELLED LIKE RADIATOR FLUID. AFTER DOING DIAGNOSTIC HE SAID PROBLEM WAS TO DUE TO A CRACK THAT LEAKED RADIATOR FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION. SO NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR AND COMPUTER. COST WOULD BE OVER $5,000. *TR
RADIATOR FAILURE (KNOWN NISSAN DEFECT) CAUSED COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS A $4,600 REPAIR. NISSAN COVERED $0.00. *TR
NISSAN NEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEIR DEFECTIVE RADIATOR IS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSING MY TRANSMISSION TO FAIL, AND THEY HAVE THE BALLS TO ASK ME TO PAY FOR IT. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT NISSAN VEHICLES FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS AND WAS ABOUT TO TRADE IN FOR A NEW MAXIMA. OH WELL MAYB…
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NISSAN NEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEIR DEFECTIVE RADIATOR IS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSING MY TRANSMISSION TO FAIL, AND THEY HAVE THE BALLS TO ASK ME TO PAY FOR IT. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT NISSAN VEHICLES FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS AND WAS ABOUT TO TRADE IN FOR A NEW MAXIMA. OH WELL MAYBE IT IS TIME TO CHANGE TO A DIFFERENT BRAND. *TR
I JUST BOUGHT THIS SUV FROM A USED CAR LOT BACK ON FEB 16TH 2015 I STARTED TO NOTICE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING FUNNY SO I HAD A 3 MONTH WARRANTY FROM THE USED CAR LOT I PURCHASED IT FROM. I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A DYNO TEST,TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT WAS GOING ON. I GET A CALL FROM THEM 2 HRS LA…
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I JUST BOUGHT THIS SUV FROM A USED CAR LOT BACK ON FEB 16TH 2015 I STARTED TO NOTICE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING FUNNY SO I HAD A 3 MONTH WARRANTY FROM THE USED CAR LOT I PURCHASED IT FROM. I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A DYNO TEST,TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT WAS GOING ON. I GET A CALL FROM THEM 2 HRS LATER SAYING THE RADIATOR BLEED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND WAS NOT LUBING THE GEARS PROPERLY SWITCHED CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SLEEP AND AS A RESULT OF THIS I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR 6050.00 FOR BOTH +LABOR EXT. I CALL THE LOT I PURCHASED THIS FROM AND HE STAYS THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO FOR ME THE 3 MONTH POWER TRAIN WARRANTY I HAVE WAS VOID BECAUSE THE RADIATOR CAUSED THE PROBLEM I'VE DONE MY RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM OVER 600+ COMPLAINTS AND PROBLEMS FROM THIS VERY SAME THING I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN IN MY LIFE. *TR
WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 31 DAYS AGO UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THERE WERE NO MAJOR PROBLEMS AS IT CAME FROM A SMALL DEALER LOT. TWO WEEKS AFTER DRIVING IT, WE NOTICED IT HAS SHIFTING PROBLEMS BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH AND AT 40MPH IT VIBRATES. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN AND HAD A DIAGNOSTICS RUN ON IT WHICH REVEALED THE RADIATOR COOLAN…
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WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 31 DAYS AGO UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THERE WERE NO MAJOR PROBLEMS AS IT CAME FROM A SMALL DEALER LOT. TWO WEEKS AFTER DRIVING IT, WE NOTICED IT HAS SHIFTING PROBLEMS BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH AND AT 40MPH IT VIBRATES. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN AND HAD A DIAGNOSTICS RUN ON IT WHICH REVEALED THE RADIATOR COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, THEREFORE CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD. WE CONTACTED OUR WARRANTY COMPANY, AS WE HAVE A 90 DAY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND IT IS NOT COVERED AT ALL. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER LOT WE PURCHASED IT FROM AND SO FAR, NOTHING IS BEING DONE. I HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND NOTICED SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. CURIOUS TO KNOW WHY A RECALL HASN'T BEEN ISSUED YET? *TR
PURCHASED 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER BRAND NEW. BROUGHT TO NISSAN DEALER DUE TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DASHBOARD. DIAGNOSIS PERFORMED AND DETERMINED RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION FLUID/COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. ESTIMATED REPAIR $6000 TO REPLACE RADIATOR/THERMOSTAT/TRANSMISSION. AT 140000 MILES, NISSAN STATES NO LONGER UNDER POWERTR…
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PURCHASED 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER BRAND NEW. BROUGHT TO NISSAN DEALER DUE TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DASHBOARD. DIAGNOSIS PERFORMED AND DETERMINED RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION FLUID/COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. ESTIMATED REPAIR $6000 TO REPLACE RADIATOR/THERMOSTAT/TRANSMISSION. AT 140000 MILES, NISSAN STATES NO LONGER UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. DECLINED SERVICE. *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.