IllustrationOVERDRIVE IN TRANSMISSION MAKES CAR DOWNSHIFT OR UP SHIFT CAUSING MAJOR ISSUES WHILE DRIVING! LOSS OF CONTROL, ACCIDENTS.... BLOWN TRANSMISSION AT THIS POINT
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
35 reportsTRANSMISSION ISSUE
TRANSMISSION FAILED IN FEBRUARY 2017 FROM ANTIFREEZE MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I DID NOT KNOW THIS HAD BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE 2005-2010 MODELS UNTIL I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AFTER IT OCCURRED.
THE REAR LIFT GATE HINGE (DRIVERS SIDE) COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE (METAL) THE REAR LIFT GATE GLASS WENT UPWARDS WHILE DRIVING. IT IS VERY UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING FOR THE GLASS ITSELF TO GO UPWARDS, TRYING TO COME OFF.
I HAVE HAD ALL THE COMPUTER REPLACED IN THIS VEHICLE AND NOW I'M HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHERE TRANSMISSIONS FLUID IS IN MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE LOW.
DEALERSHIP REPORTED TIMING SYSTEM IS FAULTY, CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED IN CALIFORNIA AND WASHINGTON. FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT READ CORRECTLY AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE HOWEVER ALL PROBLEMS AND YEAR/MAKE MATCH RECALLED VEHICLES.
IT STARTED WHEN MY PATHFINDER WOULD MAKE SHUDDERING NOISES AND VIBRATE HEAVILY WHILE ACCELERATING. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT MY RADIATOR HAD CRACKED AND CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED. BUT THAT WAS ONLY THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. AFTER DRIVING MY CAR FOR A COUP…
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IT STARTED WHEN MY PATHFINDER WOULD MAKE SHUDDERING NOISES AND VIBRATE HEAVILY WHILE ACCELERATING. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT MY RADIATOR HAD CRACKED AND CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED. BUT THAT WAS ONLY THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. AFTER DRIVING MY CAR FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS IT COMPLETELY LOST POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND I WAS LEFT STRANDED ON A REALLY HOT DAY WITH DOGS IN THE CAR. APPARENTLY ONCE THE LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THIS LETHAL COMBINATION KILLED THE VALVES, SEALS AND TORQUE CONVERTER -- RENDERING MY ENTIRE TRANSMISSION USELESS. NO AMOUNT OF FLUSHING THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING TO SAVE IT. THE TOTAL REPAIR COST OVER $6000.00 AND NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE IN THEIR CARS YET HAVE NOT DONE THE RIGHT THING AND ISSUED A RECALL.
REAR HATCH HYDRAULICS FAILED. DOOR SLAMS SHUT, AND WILL NOT STAY IN UP POSITION. SAFETY CONCERN, ESPECIALLY WITH SMALL CHILDREN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE HYDRAULICS HOLDING UP THE DOOR HAVE FAILED.
THE COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION COSTING ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM BY NISSAN AND THEY COULD HAVE RECALLED THE VEHICLE YEARS AGO BUT HAVE NOT DONE SO COSTING UNSUSPECTING CITIZENS LIKE ME HUGE BILLS TO REPAIR MY PATHFINDER. VEHICLE HAD TO BE LEFT IN A PARKING LOT OVERNIGHT FO…
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THE COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION COSTING ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM BY NISSAN AND THEY COULD HAVE RECALLED THE VEHICLE YEARS AGO BUT HAVE NOT DONE SO COSTING UNSUSPECTING CITIZENS LIKE ME HUGE BILLS TO REPAIR MY PATHFINDER. VEHICLE HAD TO BE LEFT IN A PARKING LOT OVERNIGHT FOR FEAR OF CAUSING MORE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE AND I HAD TO WALK HOME AT NIGHT.
THE HEATING SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. THE ONLY TIME THAT THE HEATER WORKS IS WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN. WHEN THE CAR STOPS ONLY COOL AIR IS BLOWN INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS WITH THE LATCH/LOCK FOR THE BACK HATCH. IT NO LONGER WORKS SO I MUST MANUALLY LOCK THE BACK HATCH.
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.