IllustrationCAR WOULD NOT START. LOCAL MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY. TOWED 30 MILES TO DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND WOULD NEED TO COMPLETELY REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $5,000. NISSAN KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE, HOWEVER THE MILEAGE IS TOO HIGH FOR THEM TO HELP ME OUT AT ALL.
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 reportsI WAS DRIVING WHEN MY NISSAN PATHFINDER 2007 OUT RIGHT WHEN I GOT IN THE MIDDLE OF IN INTERSECTION MY CAR JUST DIDN'T WANT TO GO I WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS AND IT WOULD GO IT THEN IT WOULD START GOING AGAIN BUT WOULDN'T GO FASTER THEN 20MPH THEN AGAIN IT WOULD STOP N WOULDNT MOVE I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO GET IT CHECKED OUT THEY TOL…
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I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY NISSAN PATHFINDER 2007 OUT RIGHT WHEN I GOT IN THE MIDDLE OF IN INTERSECTION MY CAR JUST DIDN'T WANT TO GO I WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS AND IT WOULD GO IT THEN IT WOULD START GOING AGAIN BUT WOULDN'T GO FASTER THEN 20MPH THEN AGAIN IT WOULD STOP N WOULDNT MOVE I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO GET IT CHECKED OUT THEY TOLD ME MY RADIATOR FAILED AND CAUSE LIQUID TO GO INTO MY TRAMISSION WHICH CAUSE THAT TO FAIL ...SO I CALLED NISSAN ABOUT THE RECALL I READ ABOUT FAIL RADIATOR AND TRAMISSION THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T HELP ME
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED GEARS AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO BECOME INOPERABLE. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMIS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED GEARS AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO BECOME INOPERABLE. 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 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TRANSMISSION IS BUCKING AND VIBRATING WHILE IN MOTION. I'M GUESSING I HAVE MONTH BEFORE IT BREAKS DOWN LIKE ALL OF THE OTHERS.
COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 88000 MILES AND MY TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED SLIPPING. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND HE SAID "YEAH, IT'S A MIXER". REFERRING TO THE COOLANT THAT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. ACCORDING TO HIM IM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS BROUGHT …
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COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 88000 MILES AND MY TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED SLIPPING. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND HE SAID "YEAH, IT'S A MIXER". REFERRING TO THE COOLANT THAT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. ACCORDING TO HIM IM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS BROUGHT IN THEIR NISSAN WITH THIS ISSUE.I WENT TO NISSAN BUT THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE IT SEEMS THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT BROUGHT AGAINST NISSAN BACK IN 2012 BUT IT SEEMS LIKE I CAN'T BE PART OF IT SINCE THE DEADLINE HAS PASSED. I HOPE THERE IS A RECALL SOON SO I CAN GET MY TRUCK FIXED.
ON MARCH 14TH 2016. WE PURCHASED A NISSAN PATHFINDER 2007, ON THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED? IT SHUT DOWN IN THE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT! WE HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, GOT IT BACK? AND THEN THE CAR SHUT DOWN AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET! IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA! MY HUSBAND CANT WALK FAR BECAUSE OF HIS DISABILITY AND W…
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ON MARCH 14TH 2016. WE PURCHASED A NISSAN PATHFINDER 2007, ON THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED? IT SHUT DOWN IN THE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT! WE HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, GOT IT BACK? AND THEN THE CAR SHUT DOWN AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET! IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA! MY HUSBAND CANT WALK FAR BECAUSE OF HIS DISABILITY AND WE HAD TO SIT IN THE CAR AND WAIT TILL THE TOW TRUCK CAME! MARCH 7,2017 THE DAY AFTER OUR FIRST PAYMENT! THE DEALERSHIP THEN TOLD US IT WAS A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR COOLANT HOSE DUE TO SOME FLAW IN DESIGN! THEY TOLD US IT WOULD COST 1500 MINIMUM TO FIX! WE OWNED THE CAR LESS THAN A MONTH! MADE ONE PAYMENT! AND NOW WE CAN'T DRIVE IT OR AFFORD TO FIX IT! BECAUSE OUR VEHICLE HAS 100,000 MILES NISSAN, INSTEAD OF JUST FIXING THEIR ENGINE FLAW?WANTS TO CHARGE US 3,000 DOLLARS TO FIX IT! WE ARE ON A FIXED INCOME BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I ARE DISABLED,AND FINANCED INTO A TRUCK THAT COULD HAVE KILLED US! THIS NEEDS TO BE A STRAIGHT AND FAIR RECALL WITH NO COST TO THE CONSUMER! THIS CAR COULD HAVE SHUT DOWN ANYWHERE! LEAVING US STRANDED! OR WORSE!
VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING AT 40MPH TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC THEY ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS MIXED, REPLACED THE RADIATOR FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION VEHICLE WAS AT 90,000 MILES DROVE THE CAR ANOTHER YEAR WITH SLIGHT VIBRATION STILL AT 40MPH NOW IT IS AT 106,000 MILES T…
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VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING AT 40MPH TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC THEY ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS MIXED, REPLACED THE RADIATOR FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION VEHICLE WAS AT 90,000 MILES DROVE THE CAR ANOTHER YEAR WITH SLIGHT VIBRATION STILL AT 40MPH NOW IT IS AT 106,000 MILES TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING WHEN IT WARMS UP WON'T COME OUT OF 2ND GEAR LOOKING AT HAVING TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION FOR 4500.00, THE RADIATOR WAS 400.00 PLUS AN OUTSIDE COOLER FOR THE TRANSMISSION AN ADDITIONAL 200.00. HAD I BEEN MADE AWARE OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM I MAY HAVE BEEN COVERED BECAUSE UNDER 80,000 MILES I HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE NOT HEATING UP WHEN IDOL THE HEAT WOULD ONLY WORK WHEN I DROVE THE CAR AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON BUT THE DIAGNOSES WAS A FUEL CAP 3 GAS CAPS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON AND I HAD A HEATING ELEMENT REPLACED BUT IT SEEMS THAT THE HEATING ISSUE IS A SIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE MADE IT'S CUSTOMERS AWARE OF THE ISSUE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2010 WITH 13.000 MILES ON IT THEY WERE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THERE RESPONSE WAS WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE US TO DO I DON'T THINK THE CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS FAIR TO THE CONSUMER I DON'T QUALIFY DUE TO THE CUT OFF DATE AND NOW THE MILEAGE BUT I WOULD RATHER GIVE A TRANSMISSION SHOP 3500.00 RATHER THAN GIVE NISSAN 3500.00 I FEEL THAT I ALREADY PAID THEM ENOUGH AND FOR THEM TO KNOW OF THIS ISSUE AND NOT NOTIFY THE CONSUMER IS TERRIBLE I HAVE 3 CHILDREN I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY IN FACT I HAD MY 2 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T COME OUT OF 2ND GEAR IT SLOWED FROM 60MPH TO 30MPH LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND SWITCH INTO NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO DRIVE TO GET IT TO SHIFT SO I COULD MAKE IT TO THE NEAREST EXIT.
THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE PAST RECALL ON THE 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING WITH THE RADIATOR. DUE TO A HOLE, CRACK IN THE ENGINE. HAD THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME. COST VERY HIGH. THIS HAPPEN WITH CAR IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS.
STARTED HEARING A LOUD KNOCKING WHEN PUTTING MY CAR IN PARK OR OTHER GEARS. TOOK IT IN FOR MY REGULAR SCHEDULED SERVICE AND TOLD THE SERVICE WRITER AT NISSAN WHAT WAS GOING ON. HE CHECKED IT AND SAID HE WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE IT AND OFFERED A RENTAL , TOLD ME HE WOULD CALL. WELL SURPRISE $7600 PRICE TAG, SAID NOTHING ABOUT T…
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STARTED HEARING A LOUD KNOCKING WHEN PUTTING MY CAR IN PARK OR OTHER GEARS. TOOK IT IN FOR MY REGULAR SCHEDULED SERVICE AND TOLD THE SERVICE WRITER AT NISSAN WHAT WAS GOING ON. HE CHECKED IT AND SAID HE WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE IT AND OFFERED A RENTAL , TOLD ME HE WOULD CALL. WELL SURPRISE $7600 PRICE TAG, SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE RECALL, I FOUND THAT MYSELF. BUT HE TOLD ME NISSAN WOULD PAY PART AND MY CO-PAY IS $3000. HE TOLD ME THE INTER COOLER IN THE RADIATOR HAD CRACKED AND LEAKED, SENDING FLUIDS INTO MY TRANSMISSION AND KILLING IT. ON TOP OF THAT THEY WANT TO REPLACE WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. ACCORDING TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GUIDELINES OF THE CLASS ACTION SUIT, MY VEHICLE JUST TURNED 9 YRS. APPROX. 3 WEEKS AGO AND ONLY HAS 79,000 MILES. YOU WOULD THINK SINCE IT'S ONLY 3 WEEKS OUT OF 8 YRS. AND WITHIN THE 80, 000 THEY WOULD REPLACE FOR FREE. I WAS NEVER EVEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL, I HAVE MY CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED FROM, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DIDN'T TELL ME OR TAKE ACTION BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, WHO KNOWS MAYBE THEY WILL DO PROPER BUSINESS AND FIX THEIR MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
PROBLEM STARTED WHEN TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP WHILE DRIVING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK.. HAD TRANSMISSION FLUSHED DID NOT HELP...LEARNED ABOUT THE INTER-COOLER DEFECATE SO CHECKED THE RADIATOR TO FIND TRANNY FLUID.. CAR IS OVER 100K MILES SO LEFT WITH ALL REPAIR COST AND A SORRY ABOUT YOUR LUCK.....
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.