IllustrationVEHICLE STARTS SHUDDERING AND JERKING AT 45 MILES PER HOUR.... HEATER ONLY BLOWS HOT AIR WHEN CAR IS MOVING, BLOWS COLD AIR WHEN IDLING. *TR
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
What owners actually said
561 reportsI 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
THE FRONT WINDOWS OF THE VEHICLE GO DOWN AFTER YOU CLOSE THE DOOR WITH THE BEEPER/ ALARM. THAT HAPPEN SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER YOU CLOSE OR OPEN THE CAR SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY CONTACT WITH THE VEHICLE. IT IS VERY PREOCCUPANT BECAUSE THAT HAPPEN SOME TIME WITHOUT YOU NOTICE IT SO IF YOU ARE AT A PUBLIC PARKING YOUR CAR IS WIDELY OPEN.…
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THE FRONT WINDOWS OF THE VEHICLE GO DOWN AFTER YOU CLOSE THE DOOR WITH THE BEEPER/ ALARM. THAT HAPPEN SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER YOU CLOSE OR OPEN THE CAR SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY CONTACT WITH THE VEHICLE. IT IS VERY PREOCCUPANT BECAUSE THAT HAPPEN SOME TIME WITHOUT YOU NOTICE IT SO IF YOU ARE AT A PUBLIC PARKING YOUR CAR IS WIDELY OPEN. *TR
RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING US TO FULLY REPLACE BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. COVERED BY A $2,500 DEDUCTIBLE PLUS TAX. *TR
I HAVE A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I WAS DRIVING IT TO WORK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I JUST FELT MY CAR`S ENGINE IS HAVING A HEART ATTACK, - A MYOCARDIAL INFRACTION. THEN IT STARTED CHOKING MINUTE BY MINUTE. BY THEN I KNEW MY SILVER 2007 PATHFINDER IS TURNING BLUE. GOTTA CALL THE CODE BLUE TEAM. I AM A NURSE SO THIS IS THE ONLY WAY I C…
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I HAVE A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I WAS DRIVING IT TO WORK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I JUST FELT MY CAR`S ENGINE IS HAVING A HEART ATTACK, - A MYOCARDIAL INFRACTION. THEN IT STARTED CHOKING MINUTE BY MINUTE. BY THEN I KNEW MY SILVER 2007 PATHFINDER IS TURNING BLUE. GOTTA CALL THE CODE BLUE TEAM. I AM A NURSE SO THIS IS THE ONLY WAY I CAN EXPLAIN WHAT I THINK WHAT'S GOING ON RATHER THAN MECHANICALLY. THE CAR IS 7 YEARS OLD, ALWAYS USED PREMIUM GAS, USE SYNTHETIC OIL ON IT, ALWAYS TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK UP AND MAINTENANCE, ONLY 63,000 LESS MILEAGE, I'M THE SOLE DRIVER. GOT IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, GOT DIAGNOSED BY MECHANIC AND TOLD ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM IS SCREWED, AND EVENTUALLY DAMAGED THE PISTONS, THEN THERE WAS SOME LEAKAGE....THEY ASKED ME $4,100 FOR THE REPAIR. THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR COST IS VERY UNEXPECTED AND NOT MY PRIORITY RIGHT NOW CAUSE I HAVE OTHER MORE IMPORTANT TO SPENT IT WITH. AND READING "NISSAN NORTH AMERICA NAMED IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ALLEGING FAILURE TO DISCLOSE DEFECT IN TIMING CHAIN SYSTEMS WHICH RESULTS IN PREMATURE FAILURE". NISSAN NEVER ISSUED A RECALL AND NOW THE CONSUMERS HAS TO PAY COSTLY REPAIRS. I PAID $4,480 SOMETHING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED IN THE TRANSMISSION. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE AFTER SOME TIME. THE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED IN THE TRANSMISSION. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE AFTER SOME TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 12/01/14*LJ *JS
AT ACCELERATION OR WHILE DRIVING AT LOWER SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS, I AM AWARE OF A POORLY SETTLED CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT,HOWEVER IT DOES NOTHING TO PROTECT VEHICLES ABOVE 100,000 MILES. THE RADIATOR IS DOCUMENTED FOR CRACKING AND LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS MY FIRST VEHICLE PURCHASE AND I CAN ASSURE YOU…
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AT ACCELERATION OR WHILE DRIVING AT LOWER SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS, I AM AWARE OF A POORLY SETTLED CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT,HOWEVER IT DOES NOTHING TO PROTECT VEHICLES ABOVE 100,000 MILES. THE RADIATOR IS DOCUMENTED FOR CRACKING AND LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS MY FIRST VEHICLE PURCHASE AND I CAN ASSURE YOU I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A NISSAN PRODUCT AGAIN,I REALIZE ALL VEHICLES BREAK DOWN HOWEVER NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THE COMMON PROBLEM AND CONTINUED TO DISREGARD THE VALUE OF THEIR BRAND BY NEGLECTING TO RECALL AND REPAIR THIS COMMON FAILURE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT READING THE FUEL LEVELS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT READING THE FUEL LEVELS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RADIATOR FLUID MIXING SOMEWHERE ALONG THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT ROUTE, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF BOTH MAJOR ITEMS. *TR
CRACK IN RADIATOR THAT WAS INSTALLED BY NISSAN LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. DRIVING DOWN ROAD IT GOT STUCK IN HIGH GEAR. *TR
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.