IllustrationTHE RADIATOR IS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *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 CAR STARTED TO RATTLE AND LOSE POWER AT 45 MPH. I DROVE IT HOME AND TRIED TO REVERSE IT IN WITH NO LUCK. I IMMEDIATELY KNEW I HAD A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I PARKED THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO LATER INFORMED ME THAT MY RADIATOR COOLANT FLUID HAD MIXED WITH MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND DESTROYED MY ENTIRE CAR. …
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MY CAR STARTED TO RATTLE AND LOSE POWER AT 45 MPH. I DROVE IT HOME AND TRIED TO REVERSE IT IN WITH NO LUCK. I IMMEDIATELY KNEW I HAD A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I PARKED THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO LATER INFORMED ME THAT MY RADIATOR COOLANT FLUID HAD MIXED WITH MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND DESTROYED MY ENTIRE CAR. THEY QUOTED ME BETWEEN 7000-9000 TO FIX THE CAR. I CONTACTED NISSAN WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TWICE TO UP TO 100,000 MILES. I FIND THIS IRONIC SINCE AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH THE ISSUE USUALLY OCCURS AFTER 100,000 MILES. NISSAN HAS KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR 7 YEARS AND HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE THE ISSUE AND NOT ISSUE A RECALL. NOW THE CONSUMERS HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL.
MY CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE LEAVING ME VULNERABLE TO ACCIDENT. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND IT IS ALREADY ON THIS SITE WITH 2 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS. HOWEVER, THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN OPENED SINCE 2012 FEB AND NO RESULTS. THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS [XXX] SENT TO THE NC CONSUMERS COUNCIL ON 18 FEB 12 WITH NO PUBLISHED RESUL…
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MY CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE LEAVING ME VULNERABLE TO ACCIDENT. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND IT IS ALREADY ON THIS SITE WITH 2 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS. HOWEVER, THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN OPENED SINCE 2012 FEB AND NO RESULTS. THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS [XXX] SENT TO THE NC CONSUMERS COUNCIL ON 18 FEB 12 WITH NO PUBLISHED RESULTS. I AM THINKING THAT MAYBE SOME MONEY UNDER THE TABLE WENT TO [XXX] FROM NISSAN. OKAY THE LAST PART WAS A JOKE BUT REALLY 2 YEARS OPEN INVESTIGATION. PLEASE HELP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
RADIATOR COOLER LEAKING WATER INTO TRANSMISSION,AND TRANSMISSION OIL INTO COOLING SYSTEM. TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 3 GEAR, ENGINE OVERHEATING DUE TO SLUDGE INSIDE RADIATOR, A TOTAL DISASTER FOR A LOW INCOME INDIVIDUAL TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET . *TR
DRIVING CAR IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND CAR COMPLETING STOPPED. IT TOOK ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO START. ONCE THE CAR STARTED IT CRANKED FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS BEFORE IT ACTUALLY STARTED. AT DEALERSHIP, THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING TWO NEW CAM SENSORS. AFTER PAYING $621.00 FOR THIS, MECHANIC TEST DROVE CAR AND FOUND IT TO BE "BUC…
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DRIVING CAR IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND CAR COMPLETING STOPPED. IT TOOK ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO START. ONCE THE CAR STARTED IT CRANKED FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS BEFORE IT ACTUALLY STARTED. AT DEALERSHIP, THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING TWO NEW CAM SENSORS. AFTER PAYING $621.00 FOR THIS, MECHANIC TEST DROVE CAR AND FOUND IT TO BE "BUCKING" AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND WE NEEDED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION. NISSAN IS REQUIRING $2,500 DEDUCTIBLE EVEN AFTER THEY REALIZE THEY MADE A FAULTY RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION. *TR
AT 99000 MILES TRUCK FAILED TO TAKE OFF THEN ALL OF SUDDEN TOOK OFF THEN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE TRUCK WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. DURING A ROAD TRIP WHICH CAUSED A 3 DAY DELAY AND 3000 DOLLARS IN REPAIR. NOW FAST FORWARD TO 111,975 MILES AND WAS GOING UP HILL AT LIGHT AND TRUCK STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS AND SPUTTERING, TOOK IT TO N…
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AT 99000 MILES TRUCK FAILED TO TAKE OFF THEN ALL OF SUDDEN TOOK OFF THEN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE TRUCK WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. DURING A ROAD TRIP WHICH CAUSED A 3 DAY DELAY AND 3000 DOLLARS IN REPAIR. NOW FAST FORWARD TO 111,975 MILES AND WAS GOING UP HILL AT LIGHT AND TRUCK STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS AND SPUTTERING, TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP STATED THAT COOLANT IN TRANSMISSION REPAIR COST 7246 AND STILL OWE 9200 ON TRUCK. *TR
WE STARTED TO HAVE A VERY LOUD AND CREEPING NOISE WHEN WE PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. SOUNDS LIKE WE WERE PULLING SOMETHING VERY HEAVY AND THE CAR COULD NOT RESIST IT. THEN, WE ALSO STARTED TO NOTICE ISSUES SUCH AS A DELAY IN GEAR CHANGES AND MORE NOISES NOW WHEN DRIVING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY…
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WE STARTED TO HAVE A VERY LOUD AND CREEPING NOISE WHEN WE PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. SOUNDS LIKE WE WERE PULLING SOMETHING VERY HEAVY AND THE CAR COULD NOT RESIST IT. THEN, WE ALSO STARTED TO NOTICE ISSUES SUCH AS A DELAY IN GEAR CHANGES AND MORE NOISES NOW WHEN DRIVING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT WITH A "BROKEN TRANS COOLER LINE IN RADIATOR WHICH MADE THE COOLANT LEAK AND MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEY WANT US TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND FLUSH ENGINE BLOCK BRINGING THE PRICE CLOSE TO 7K. I STARTED TO RESEARCH THIS AND I'M DEFINITELY ADDING MY COMPLAINT AND WILL SURELY CALL NISSAN TO SEE WHAT OPTIONS THEY WILL GIVE US. 2/20/15 *TR
TRANSMISSION FLUID IS MILKY COLORED. LOSS OF COOLANT. TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. SOMEHOW COOLANT IN TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND AS THE FREEWAY WAS COMING TO ITS END WHERE YOU HAVE AN OPTION TO GO ON ANOTHER FREEWAY OR INTO THE CITY AREA, MY CAR COMPLETELY DIED AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP. I WAS TRYING TO ROLL AND STEER MYSELF INTO A SAFE AREA SO THAT CARS WOULD NOT COME CRASHING INTO ME FROM BEHIND AS I…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND AS THE FREEWAY WAS COMING TO ITS END WHERE YOU HAVE AN OPTION TO GO ON ANOTHER FREEWAY OR INTO THE CITY AREA, MY CAR COMPLETELY DIED AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP. I WAS TRYING TO ROLL AND STEER MYSELF INTO A SAFE AREA SO THAT CARS WOULD NOT COME CRASHING INTO ME FROM BEHIND AS IT WAS AT NIGHT @ 7:30 PM. AFTER WAITING A MINUTE, I STARTED IT BACK UP AND THE VDC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS DRIVABLE BUT SOMEWHAT JERKY AND STALLED ONCE AGAIN ON MY WAY BACK HOME. I TRIED TO GET THE CAR HOME SAFELY SO I CAN HAVE AAA TOW IT TO THE NEAREST SHOP NEAR MY HOME IF NEEDED. I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME AND THEN TOOK IT TO A SHOP WHERE BOTH CAM SHAFT SENSORS WERE REPLACED FOR $500. CAR DROVE BETTER BUT THEN STARTED SHAKING AT 40 MPH OR 60 MPH UNLESS I PUT IT IN OVERDRIVE OR LET OFF THE GAS AND TRIED AGAIN. DRIVING IN OVERDRIVE HELPED. MY MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE SO I THEN FOUND ANOTHER SHOP THAT WAS FULL-SERVICE WHERE THEY DID A FULL DIAGNOSTIC. I RECEIVED THE CALL ABOUT 5 HOURS AFTER DROP-OFF WHERE HE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE AND YEAR AND THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR WHICH ALLOWS COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ULTIMATELY DESTROY THE TRANSMISSION. HE ALSO RECOMMENDED AS A FIX THAT I GET A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR AND HOSES AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION THAT WOULD GO IN IT WOULD BE A NEWER MODEL NISSAN PATHFINDER TRANSMISSION WHERE THEY HAVE CHANGED/CORRECTED THE DESIGN AND WOULDN'T INCUR THIS ISSUE AGAIN. HE STATED IT'S A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPS RUNNING AND THAT I WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES THAT IT STILL DOES RUN. AS I HAVE JUST PAID THIS CAR OFF A FEW MONTHS EARLIER, THE NEW COSTS INCURRED TO FIX THE PROBLEM CORRECTLY, WOULD RUN ME ANYWHERE FROM $5,600-$7,500. MY VEHICLE'S VALUE IS $8,000 ACCORDING TO EDMUNDS.COM. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND MY CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I MADE MY WAY TO A STREET LOCATION AND PULLED MY CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I SHUT THE CAR OFF. IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. *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.