NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
337 reportsClear category filter65,000 miles · Mar 9, 2015
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND THE VEHICLE REDUCED SPEED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER MORE THAN FIVE TIMES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND THE VEHICLE REDUCED SPEED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER MORE THAN FIVE TIMES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO PROVIDED A TRANSMISSION TUNE UP AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A RADIATOR LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT AND THE DEALER DID NOT INDICATE WHERE THE FRACTURE WAS COMING FROM WHICH WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10693004
126,641 miles · Feb 12, 2015
EnginePower Train
MY 2007 PATHFINDER HAS BEEN SHIFTING ROUGH AND SOUNDS LIKE I AM DRIVING ACROSS "RUMBLE STRIPS" USED ON THE ROAD TO KEEP DRIVERS AWAKE. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE. AFTER THEY CHECKED THE CAR OUT THEY TOLD ME I HAD POWER STEERING FLUID IN MY RADIATOR AND COOLANT IN MY POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY.…
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MY 2007 PATHFINDER HAS BEEN SHIFTING ROUGH AND SOUNDS LIKE I AM DRIVING ACROSS "RUMBLE STRIPS" USED ON THE ROAD TO KEEP DRIVERS AWAKE. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE. AFTER THEY CHECKED THE CAR OUT THEY TOLD ME I HAD POWER STEERING FLUID IN MY RADIATOR AND COOLANT IN MY POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. WHEN I ASKED HOW THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN, THE TECH TRIED TO ASSURE ME THAT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN RADIATOR LINES FAIL. I TOLD THEM I HAD NEVER HEARD OF THAT AND WANTED TO KNOW HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $5,250.00 TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. THE SERVICE TECH AND SERVICE MANAGER ACTED LIKE THEY KNEW NOTHING AND SUGGESTED I CALL NISSAN NORTH AMERICA...I DID. THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE I HAD REPORTED MY ISSUE TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU MY CASE WAS SENT TO THE ARBITRATION DEPARTMENT. THE ARBITRATION GUY CALLED AND TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT NISSAN HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2005. NISSAN LOST A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE REMEDY WAS TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR 100,000 MILES. I'M CONFUSED BECAUSE I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A MANUFACTURER CAN WARRANTY AWAY A DEFECT. FROM MY RESEARCH THE AVERAGE MILEAGE FOR THIS PROBLEM IS 112,000 MILES. MY CAR IS SLOWLY BECOMING NON DRIVABLE. I ACCELERATED OUT OF A PARKING LOT BUT THE CAR MOVED OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND STARTED RUMBLING BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANY FURTHER. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. WHY IS THE CONSUMER RESPONSIBLE FOR A KNOWN DEFECT? ISN'T A WARRANTY FOR PARTS THAT ARE MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10682859
96,000 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I NOTICED MY 2007 PATHFINDER'S HEATER WOULD ONLY WORK WHEN THE CAR WAS MOVING BUT, FIGURED IT WAS SOMETHING INSIGNIFICANT AND WOULD GET IT FIXED SOON. I THEN STARTED TO NOTICE MY TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND STALLING OUT AROUND 40 MPH. I DECIDED I BETTER GET IT INTO THE SHOP BEFORE I WAS STRANDED SOMEWHERE. BEFORE TAKING MY CAR INT…
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I NOTICED MY 2007 PATHFINDER'S HEATER WOULD ONLY WORK WHEN THE CAR WAS MOVING BUT, FIGURED IT WAS SOMETHING INSIGNIFICANT AND WOULD GET IT FIXED SOON. I THEN STARTED TO NOTICE MY TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND STALLING OUT AROUND 40 MPH. I DECIDED I BETTER GET IT INTO THE SHOP BEFORE I WAS STRANDED SOMEWHERE. BEFORE TAKING MY CAR INTO THE SHOP, I FIGURED I'D CHECK THE INTERNET AND MAKE SURE THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS ON THE HEATING SYSTEM. I TYPED IN "2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER" ON GOOGLE AND IT AUTO-FILLED "TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS" - NOT A GOOD SIGN. APPARENTLY, NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THE FAULTY RADIATORS IN THESE VEHICLES WHICH LEAK ANTIFREEZE IN TO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROY THE DRIVE TRAIN, YET DID NOTHING ABOUT IT.. POST AFTER POST DESCRIBED THE EXACT SAME ISSUES I WAS HAVING WITH MY CAR - PEOPLE WERE DESCRIBING HOW THEIR CARS WERE GETTING STUCK IN HIGH OR LOW GEARS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND IT SCARED ME TO DEATH! I IMMEDIATELY CALLED TWO LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIPS AND GAVE THEM MY VIN AND MILEAGE. I WAS INFORMED, DUE TO SOME WORTHLESS SETTLEMENT WITH NISSAN, MY PORTION OF THE COST WOULD BE $3,000. HERE IS WHAT MOST INFURIATES ME ABOUT THIS SITUATION: 1. NISSAN WAS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE MANY YEARS AGO SO WHY DIDN'T THEY RECALL THE RADIATOR AND SAVE US THIS TROUBLE AND EXPENSE? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? I'M SURE IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME WITH VEHICLES GETTING STUCK IN HIGH GEAR OR STALLING OUT ON THE INTERSTATE! 2. WHO DID THIS CLASS ACTION SUIT HELP EXACTLY? SOUNDS LIKE NISSAN DEFINITELY GOT THE BIGGER END OF THE STICK. WHEN IT ALL BOILS DOWN, I'M GUESSING THEY ARE OUT VERY LITTLE, IF ANY, MONEY AT ALL. 3. WHAT HAPPENED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE? THIS ISN'T JUST BAD SERVICE - IT'S BAD BUSINESS. IT'S ABSURD THAT CAR COMPANIES ARE ALLOWED TO SELL FAULTY VEHICLES WITHOUT REPERCUSSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10681039
122,000 miles · Jan 19, 2015
Power Train
BOUGHT A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER FROM SUN TOYOTA NPR. PAID 15000.WITHIN THE 1ST YEAR 4 TIRES,4 BRAKES,BATTERY,RADIATOR,AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP...STILL OWE 13000 WHAT DO I DO....PAY FOR A BOAT ANCHOR OR RUIN MY CREDIT AND LET THEM REPO IT..... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10676472
125,923 miles · Jan 18, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
DEFECTIVE RADIATOR CAUSED COOLANT CONTAMINATION WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10676354
124,000 miles · Dec 23, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR HAD AN INTERNAL CRACK THAT LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE COMPONENTS. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RAD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR HAD AN INTERNAL CRACK THAT LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE COMPONENTS. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
NHTSA ODI #10667857
117,000 miles · Dec 22, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. UPDATED 2/25/15*CN UPDATED 9/11/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10667741
127,000 miles · Nov 22, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainCrash
RADIATOR TRANSMISSION COOLANT LEAK. RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK INTO THE RADIATOR DUE TO A FAULTY RADIATOR COOLANT LINE. TRANSMISSION IS NOW SLIPPING AT THIRD GEAR. NISSAN DEALER QUOTE TO REPLACE BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION $6,600 CHANGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10660196
124,000 miles · Nov 18, 2014
Power TrainVisibility
VEHICLE STARTS SHUDDERING AND JERKING AT 45 MILES PER HOUR.... HEATER ONLY BLOWS HOT AIR WHEN CAR IS MOVING, BLOWS COLD AIR WHEN IDLING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10659024
125,000 miles · Nov 13, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainCrash
I NOTICED MY VEHICLES TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT AROUND 3RD TO 4TH GEAR. FURTHER REVIEW FOUND THAT MY VEHICLES RADIATOR COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO MY TRANSMISSION. THE RADIATOR FLUID IS LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LEAKING AND MIXING IN MY RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10654888
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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