NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
561 reports95,000 miles · Oct 1, 2015
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE BARELY MOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS CROSS CONTAMINATION OF RADIATOR FLUID THAT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE BARELY MOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS CROSS CONTAMINATION OF RADIATOR FLUID THAT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10779011
97,000 miles · Oct 1, 2015
Power Train
MY WIFE WAS TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND WHILE DRIVING IN THE DROP OFF LINE HEARD A LOUD "THUNK". WE HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND PAY THE $99.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO FIND OUT THAT THE RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISS…
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MY WIFE WAS TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND WHILE DRIVING IN THE DROP OFF LINE HEARD A LOUD "THUNK". WE HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND PAY THE $99.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO FIND OUT THAT THE RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS NOT ADDRESSING.
NHTSA ODI #10778918
100,120 miles · Sep 19, 2015
Power Train
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2007 AS OUR 2ND NEW NISSAN .OUR FIRST WAS A 2005 FRONTIER WITH NO PROBLEMS AND NOW THIS. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT SLIPS WHEN ACCELLERATING AND SOMTIMES WONT DOWN SHIFT PROPERLY. SO DUE TO THE PROBLEM I DID A WEB SEARCH AND FOUND THIS CRACKED TRANSMISSION LINE ALLOWING COOLAN…
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I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2007 AS OUR 2ND NEW NISSAN .OUR FIRST WAS A 2005 FRONTIER WITH NO PROBLEMS AND NOW THIS. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT SLIPS WHEN ACCELLERATING AND SOMTIMES WONT DOWN SHIFT PROPERLY. SO DUE TO THE PROBLEM I DID A WEB SEARCH AND FOUND THIS CRACKED TRANSMISSION LINE ALLOWING COOLANT LEAK IN TO THE TRANSMISSION, SO I CHECKED THE RESEVOUR AND RADIATOR AND BOTH HAD ATF CONTAMINATION. I THEN CALLED THE NISSAN DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I COULD BE TALKING ABOUT. THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED IN LATE 2012 STATED THAT ALL DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND NOW HAVE OVER 100,000 MILES ON MY PATHFINDER WHICH OPTS ME OUT OF ANYTHING. THIS IS REDICULOUS AND NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE! THEY NEVER EVEN ADMITED THERE WAS A PROBLEM JUST OFFERED SOME EXTENDED WARRENTY COVERAGE ABSOLUTELY ABSURD! NOW IM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE I CANT EVEN DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10765300
144,000 miles · Sep 18, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE REVERSE POSITION PROPERLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE REVERSE POSITION PROPERLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
NHTSA ODI #10765128
85,000 miles · Sep 18, 2015
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 PATHFINDER WITH MY 3 CHILDREN IN THE BACK WHEN THE TIRES SUDDENLY SEEMED TO BE SLIPPING. I WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON UNTIL I WAS ON A BIG HILL AND CAR SUDDENLY WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BLOWN ON ME, ALMOST INSTANTANEOULSY WITH LITTLE TO NO WARNING SIGNS. THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWAR…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 PATHFINDER WITH MY 3 CHILDREN IN THE BACK WHEN THE TIRES SUDDENLY SEEMED TO BE SLIPPING. I WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON UNTIL I WAS ON A BIG HILL AND CAR SUDDENLY WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BLOWN ON ME, ALMOST INSTANTANEOULSY WITH LITTLE TO NO WARNING SIGNS. THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS ON THE HILL AND LUCKILY NOBODY WAS BEHIND US. I HIT THE BREAKS AND STOPPED THE CAR. IT HAD TO BE TOWED AND I WAS STUNNED WHEN MY MECHANIC SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEAD AND IT WOULD COST AROUND 3K TO FIX! "THERE WAS ONLY 85K MILES ON THE CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST BLOWS LIKE THAT," I ASKED HIM? HE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM VERY COMMON WITH SOME NISSAN CARS. I IMMEDIATELY WENT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NISSAN PATHFINDERS AND XTERRAS, DUE TO FAULT MANUFACTURING AND A LAWSUIT WAS BROUGHT UP AGAINST THEM (A FEW YEARS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED TO ME). I FEEL IT'S OUTRAGEOUS THAT THESE CARS CAN STILL BE SOLD BY THE DEALER (WE BOUGHT IT USED WITH 60K MILES ON IT) WITHOUT SOME SORT OF WARNING LABEL ON IT. THANK GOD MY KIDS DIDN'T GET HURT SOMEHOW, BECAUSE IT WAS QUITE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILS SUDDENLY AT THE TOP OF A BIG, LONG HILL! IF MY KIDS HAD GOTTEN HURT, I PROBABLY COULD HAVE SUED THEM FOR A BILLION DOLLARS, BUT SINCE I ACTED QUICKLY, NOBODY WAS HURT, AND THUS, NOBODY AT NISSAN SEEMED TO CARE WHEN I COMPLAINED. THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FAULT MANUFACTURING! NO CAR'S TRANSMISSIONS SUDDENLY BREAK DOWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON WITH LESS THAN 90K MILES ON IT!
NHTSA ODI #10765008
100,000 miles · Sep 10, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS FRACTURED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE ANTI-FREEZE HAD MIX…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS FRACTURED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE ANTI-FREEZE HAD MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING IT TO LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10763009
101,000 miles · Sep 2, 2015
Power Train
RADIATOR LEAKED ANTI-FREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENTIRE COOLANT SYSTEM. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS BUT NEVER ISSUED A RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10761081
85,000 miles · Aug 31, 2015
EngineSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE VEHICLE MOVED UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE VEHICLE MOVED UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10760562
112,000 miles · Aug 31, 2015
Power Train
AS I WAS ABOUT TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE LOST POWER, I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO GET OFF THE ON RAMP AND BACK TO THE FRONTAGE ROAD BEFORE MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TOOK TO A REPAIR STATION WHERE IT WAS FOUND THE RADIATOR FAILED AND ALLOWED FLUID TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. TRANSMISSION IS A COMPLETE LOSS,…
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AS I WAS ABOUT TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE LOST POWER, I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO GET OFF THE ON RAMP AND BACK TO THE FRONTAGE ROAD BEFORE MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TOOK TO A REPAIR STATION WHERE IT WAS FOUND THE RADIATOR FAILED AND ALLOWED FLUID TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. TRANSMISSION IS A COMPLETE LOSS, ALTHOUGH THE COST OF REPAIR ($5200) IS TROUBLING, THE FACT THAT MOMENTS LATER MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR CAUSED SOMEONE ELSE TO BE INJURED IS THE BIGGER ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECT AND FEEL THE NHTSA SHOULD TAKE A BETTER LOOK INTO MAKING THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. AT SOME POINT SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE FROM THIS. NISSAN HAS MADE A VERY UN-REASONABLE ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10760477
118,000 miles · Aug 29, 2015
Engine
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED SLIPPING SO I HAD IT LOOKED AT AND FOUND OUT THE COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE 118,000 MILES ON IT AND UNFORTUNATELY IT LOOKS LIKE I AM OUT OF LUCK. I AN VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NISSAN SINCE THEY KNOW THE FAILURE DOES NOT OCCUR UNTIL ABOUT 90,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10760139
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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