IllustrationTRANSMISSION FAILURE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS ON INTERSTATE. *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 reportsMY 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED TO FEEL HEAVY AS I WAS DRIVING @ 35MPH..LIKE IF IT WAS DRAGGING SOMETHINNG...I STEP ON THE GAS AND TOOK A MINUTE TO GET BACK TO SPEED...STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT...AND TRIED TO GO AGAIN. AND IT SUDDENLY JUST GAVE ON ME....TRIED TO START IT UP AGAIN AND THERE WAS NO CRANK NO START ..IT LEFT ME IN TH…
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MY 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED TO FEEL HEAVY AS I WAS DRIVING @ 35MPH..LIKE IF IT WAS DRAGGING SOMETHINNG...I STEP ON THE GAS AND TOOK A MINUTE TO GET BACK TO SPEED...STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT...AND TRIED TO GO AGAIN. AND IT SUDDENLY JUST GAVE ON ME....TRIED TO START IT UP AGAIN AND THERE WAS NO CRANK NO START ..IT LEFT ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND IDLED HIGHLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND IDLED HIGHLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
HAVE EXPERIENCES SHUDDER WHILE DRIVING OVER LAST FEW MONTHS. ON DATE OF INCIDENT, I PULLED OVER AFTER ONE SUCH SHUDDER, THEN CONTINUED AND HAD NO TORQUE BUT WAS ABLE TO PROCEED, AS IF LOWER GEARS WERE NO LONGER WORKING. THIS ISSUE CONTINUED WHILE ACCELERATING AFTER EVERY STOP LIGHT AND SIGN. GOT HOME (WITH SICK CHILD) AND SHU…
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HAVE EXPERIENCES SHUDDER WHILE DRIVING OVER LAST FEW MONTHS. ON DATE OF INCIDENT, I PULLED OVER AFTER ONE SUCH SHUDDER, THEN CONTINUED AND HAD NO TORQUE BUT WAS ABLE TO PROCEED, AS IF LOWER GEARS WERE NO LONGER WORKING. THIS ISSUE CONTINUED WHILE ACCELERATING AFTER EVERY STOP LIGHT AND SIGN. GOT HOME (WITH SICK CHILD) AND SHUT DOWN VEHICLE. TRIED TO START 30 MINUTES LATER AND WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED TO MECHANIC. *TR
STARTED WITH A CLICKING NOISE THEN STARTED HIGH GEAR STARTED SHIMMING NOW STUCK IN HIGH GEAR & HAVE ANTIFREEZE IN TRANSMISSION. *TR
RADIATOR CRACKED AND MIXING OF COOLANT WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. RADIATOR NEEDED REPLACED. *TR
VEHICLE BROUGHT IN FOR OIL CHANGE AT THE NISSAN DEALER WHERE PURCHASED AND SERVICED. TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS SUSPECT, MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CROSS CONTAMINATION OF COOLANT AND ATF. DEALER WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND HAD TO ACCELERATE AGAIN VERY SLOWLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND HAD TO ACCELERATE AGAIN VERY SLOWLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS CROSS CONTAMINATION WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR AND COOLANT ENTERING THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND FLUSHED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE CONTINUOUSLY FLUSHED OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V690000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS NONEXISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
FIRST THE FUEL SENSOR WENT OUT. ONCE I GOT THAT FIXED (640.00) THE FUEL TANK WOULDN'T FILL UP AND THE GAUGES WERE OFF. THEN FLUID LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR (1,000.00). THEN I HAD TO FLUSH IT TWICE. THEN THE CAR OVERHEATED BECAUSE THE THERMOSTAT WAS GONE. $250.00. NOW THE CAR WON'T START AND I'M …
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FIRST THE FUEL SENSOR WENT OUT. ONCE I GOT THAT FIXED (640.00) THE FUEL TANK WOULDN'T FILL UP AND THE GAUGES WERE OFF. THEN FLUID LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR (1,000.00). THEN I HAD TO FLUSH IT TWICE. THEN THE CAR OVERHEATED BECAUSE THE THERMOSTAT WAS GONE. $250.00. NOW THE CAR WON'T START AND I'M BEING TOLD IT'S THE IGNITION GONE BAD. ALL OF THIS HAS HAPPEN OVER THREE MONTHS. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN. THIS WAS MY THIRD NISSAN AND LAST!!!!!!! WHERE ARE THE RECALLS IF THE SAME PROBLEMS ARE OCCURRING. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AND THE RADIATOR FLUID OVERFLOW CANNISTER STARTED TO EXPEL A PURPLE LIQUID. CAR WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACKED TRANSMISSION COOLING TUBE IN THE BASE OF THE RADIATOR AND THE ANTIFREEZE HAD MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. FOUND OUT ON LINE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN REFUSES TO ACK…
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THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AND THE RADIATOR FLUID OVERFLOW CANNISTER STARTED TO EXPEL A PURPLE LIQUID. CAR WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACKED TRANSMISSION COOLING TUBE IN THE BASE OF THE RADIATOR AND THE ANTIFREEZE HAD MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. FOUND OUT ON LINE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE AS A DEFECT. RADIATOR REPLACED AND COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHED ALONG WITH THE REQUIRED TRANSMISSION FLUSHING AND FLUID REPLACEMENT. REPAIRS BECAME VERY EXPENSIVE. ONLY HOPE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T FAIL NEXT. *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.