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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

561 reports
76,000 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE AND SHIFTED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE AND SHIFTED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTAMINATION DUE TO ANTI FREEZE FROM THE RADIATOR. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10806569

77,492 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

CAR GAS GAGE IS STUCK ON EMPTY, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A FULL TANK OF GAS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. NISSAN SAYS I NEED A NEW FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT.

NHTSA ODI #10806531

99,660 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Power Train

RADIATOR FAILURE ALLOWED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME AND HAS FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL. OUR VEHICLE DROPPED INTO 1ST GEAR WHILE DRIVING AND NEARLY RESULTED IN US GETTING REAR ENDED.

NHTSA ODI #10806521

168,000 miles · Nov 9, 2015
Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR JUST STOP SHIFTING GEARS, DEALER ADVISE THAT FAILED TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER LOCATED IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY THAT ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND A DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. READING ONLI…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR JUST STOP SHIFTING GEARS, DEALER ADVISE THAT FAILED TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER LOCATED IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY THAT ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND A DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. READING ONLINE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT NISSAN DOESN'T WARN THERE CUSTOMERS ABOUT THIS DEFECT. SOMEONE COULD GET HURT OR DIE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #10789271

145,000 miles · Oct 23, 2015
Power Train

WHEN DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY DOING ABOUT 60 MPH OUR VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN WHEN I WAS ABOUT 3 OR 4 MILES FROM HOME AROUND 8:40 PM. I STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. THE ENGINE SOUNDED OK BUT THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO GO VERY FAST. SINCE I HAD NO PHONE AND I AM HANDICAPPED AND UNABLE TO WALK VERY FAR AND HAD A LOT OF …

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WHEN DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY DOING ABOUT 60 MPH OUR VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN WHEN I WAS ABOUT 3 OR 4 MILES FROM HOME AROUND 8:40 PM. I STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. THE ENGINE SOUNDED OK BUT THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO GO VERY FAST. SINCE I HAD NO PHONE AND I AM HANDICAPPED AND UNABLE TO WALK VERY FAR AND HAD A LOT OF PERISHABLE FOOD TO CARRY AND MY WIFE AND 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. I TRIED TO DRIVE HOME SINCE WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE. I BARELY MADE IT TO THE DRIVEWAY WHERE THE CAR SITS UNTIL I CAN GET A LOAN TO FIX OR BUY ANOTHER CAR. I ONLY HAVE 145,000 MILES ON THE CAR, I USUALLY GET 300 TO 400 THOUSAND MILES BEFORE I GET RID OF THEM.. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL AND I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW FROM A DEALERSHIP. I AM PRETTY SURE IT'S THE TRANSMISSION BUT UNTIL I GET FUNDS I CANNOT PUT IT IN THE SHOP OR REPLACE IT.THIS IS FRIDAY THE DAY AFTER THE BREAKDOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10785540

97,000 miles · Oct 16, 2015
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ANTI FREEZE MIXED TOGETHER AND THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ANTI FREEZE MIXED TOGETHER AND THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10782960

83,000 miles · Oct 12, 2015
Engine

RADIATOR CRACKED AND WATER WENT INTO THE OIL AND IT MIXED....PER REP AND MECHANIC AT NISSAN DEALER. PROBLEM CAUSED BY RADIATIOR NOT BEING BUILT PROPERLY AT FABRIC. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING. VERY UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI #10781446

99,123 miles · Oct 9, 2015
EnginePower Train

COOLANT AFT CROSS CONTAMINATION IN THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR.

NHTSA ODI #10781184

120,100 miles · Oct 6, 2015
Power Train

MY PATHFINDER BROKE DOWN DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING WHILE DRIVING. I WAS JUST PULLING INTO MY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND HAD TO KILL AND RESTART THE TRUCK TO GET IT TO MAKE IT INTO THE DRIVEWAY. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY NISSAN, WHERE THERE'S A CRACK THAT ALLOWS THE RADIATOR COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX, C…

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MY PATHFINDER BROKE DOWN DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING WHILE DRIVING. I WAS JUST PULLING INTO MY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND HAD TO KILL AND RESTART THE TRUCK TO GET IT TO MAKE IT INTO THE DRIVEWAY. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY NISSAN, WHERE THERE'S A CRACK THAT ALLOWS THE RADIATOR COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THIS IS EXTREMELY WRONG THAT A CONSUMER MUST PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A KNOWN AND ACKNOWLEDGED FLAW IN THE MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN.

NHTSA ODI #10780079

146,000 miles · Oct 1, 2015
Unknown Or Other

AS MANY OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED, MY TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED DAMAGED BY THE FLOW OF OTHER FLUIDS. WITHOUT WARNING, AFTER STARTING MY VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OFF, MY VEHICLE WOULD BARELY DRIVE, TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT.....O/D OFF LIGHT ONAND WOULD NOT GO OFF. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE MECHANIC I WAS INFORMED …

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AS MANY OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED, MY TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED DAMAGED BY THE FLOW OF OTHER FLUIDS. WITHOUT WARNING, AFTER STARTING MY VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OFF, MY VEHICLE WOULD BARELY DRIVE, TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT.....O/D OFF LIGHT ONAND WOULD NOT GO OFF. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE MECHANIC I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS THE RADIATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AS OTHER FLUIDS HAS FLOWED OVER INTO MY TRANSMISSION, THEREFORE DAMAGING IT.......SEEMINGLY THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT.

NHTSA ODI #10779065

Official recalls

1

08V690000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.