IllustrationDEALERSHIP STATES THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS RADIATOR DUE TO MANUFACTURE DEFECT. REPAIR NOT ALLOWED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO MILEAGE. TOLD THAT REPAIR WOULD BE $10,000. *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 reportsCAR LOSES POWER, SHUTTERS, HAS HIGH RPM WITHOUT ACCELERATION, SKIPS GEARS, STALLS. HAD RADIATOR REPLACED ($1,200), BUT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WAS TOLD A NEW TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED DUE TO COOLANT MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND DAMAGING TRANSMISSION AND COMPONENTS ($4,500). *TR
ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER (AUTOMATIC), WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE A BIT THE VEHICLE SHOW SIGNS THAT THE SPEED-GEAR WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. WHEN I AM AT A RED LIGHT ALSO FOR EXAMPLE ONCE THE LIGHT CHANGE TO GREEN THE CAR TAKE A FEW SECONDS TO ACCELERATE TO THE PROPER SPEED MAKING IT AN INCONVENIENCE…
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ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER (AUTOMATIC), WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE A BIT THE VEHICLE SHOW SIGNS THAT THE SPEED-GEAR WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. WHEN I AM AT A RED LIGHT ALSO FOR EXAMPLE ONCE THE LIGHT CHANGE TO GREEN THE CAR TAKE A FEW SECONDS TO ACCELERATE TO THE PROPER SPEED MAKING IT AN INCONVENIENCE FOR OTHER CARS BEHIND ME SINCE THE SPEED WILL NOT PICK UP ON TIME. SOMETIMES ALSO IT TEND TO " SHOT" MAKING A WEIRD NOT BEFORE RESUMING PROPER SPEED AND THIS HAPPEN MOSTLY ON LOCAL ROADS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ACCELERATION FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SPORADICALLY DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH AN ABNORMAL REDUCTION IN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ACCELERATION FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SPORADICALLY DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH AN ABNORMAL REDUCTION IN ENGINE RPMS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,669.
WE HAVE A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH APPROXIMATELY 58,000 MILES. MY WIFE AND 1 WEEK OLD SON WERE OUT AND THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY RAN OUT OF GAS, EVEN THOUGH THE GAUGE SHOWED HALF-FULL. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THEM QUICKLY AND PICK THEM UP. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH THERE ARE 100,000S OF 2006-2008 PATHFINDERS AND XTERRA…
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WE HAVE A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH APPROXIMATELY 58,000 MILES. MY WIFE AND 1 WEEK OLD SON WERE OUT AND THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY RAN OUT OF GAS, EVEN THOUGH THE GAUGE SHOWED HALF-FULL. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THEM QUICKLY AND PICK THEM UP. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH THERE ARE 100,000S OF 2006-2008 PATHFINDERS AND XTERRAS WITH A VERY WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. I CALLED NISSAN AND APPARENTLY THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS PART THAT EXPIRED JAN 31, 2013 OR 72,000 WHICH EVER IS FIRST. MY CAR HAS 58K MILES AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO COVER THE REPAIR. THERE ARE TWO BIG ISSUES HERE - 1. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND 2. IF THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM WHY WOULD THEY NOT NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE PART FIXED OR FORMALLY ISSUE A RECALL. NISSAN HAS LOST MY BUSINESS FOREVER... *TR
WIFE DRIVING HOME ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE WAS LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, PULLED OVER AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, MADE IT HOME OK, THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL BUT DUE TO THE MILEAGE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE REPAIRS, NISSAN KNOWS OF THE DEFECTS OF THIS TRANSMISSION BUT REFUSES TO FIX IT, THE COMPONENTS WERE FAULTY WHEN ASSEMBLED AND TH…
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WIFE DRIVING HOME ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE WAS LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, PULLED OVER AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, MADE IT HOME OK, THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL BUT DUE TO THE MILEAGE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE REPAIRS, NISSAN KNOWS OF THE DEFECTS OF THIS TRANSMISSION BUT REFUSES TO FIX IT, THE COMPONENTS WERE FAULTY WHEN ASSEMBLED AND THEY REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FIX THAT IS NEEDED, THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE FOR A FAMILY OF FIVE AND WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 86K MILES. VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATING WHEN TRAVELING 40 MPH ON HIGHWAY, THEN LOSS OF POWER SOMETIMES. THE CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. COOLER LINE HAD FAILED AND MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION. I CALLED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY EXTENDE…
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2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 86K MILES. VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATING WHEN TRAVELING 40 MPH ON HIGHWAY, THEN LOSS OF POWER SOMETIMES. THE CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. COOLER LINE HAD FAILED AND MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION. I CALLED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100K BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $2500 OUT OF POCKET. LEARNED OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2012. NISSAN NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IF THEY HAD NOTIFIED ME ON TIME, I WOULD STILL BE UNDER THE 80K WARRANTY. I HAVE NO MONEY TO FIX MY CAR AND NOW I'M STUCK PAYING FOR A CAR THAT I CAN'T DRIVE. *TR
VEHICLE WAS HESITATING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. DAUGHTER PULLED CAR IN DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL. THEN ALL OF THIS FLUID LEAKED ON TO THE DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. PATHFINDER AT DEALERSHIP NOW TO BE REPAIRED. WILL COST ME $3000 FOR A KNOWN DEFECT. DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT THAT THE CONSUMER HAS TO PAY FOR …
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VEHICLE WAS HESITATING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. DAUGHTER PULLED CAR IN DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL. THEN ALL OF THIS FLUID LEAKED ON TO THE DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. PATHFINDER AT DEALERSHIP NOW TO BE REPAIRED. WILL COST ME $3000 FOR A KNOWN DEFECT. DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT THAT THE CONSUMER HAS TO PAY FOR THE MISTAKES OF THE MANUFACTURER. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH THIS ISSUE - AND NISSAN SHOULD BE THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE ENTIRE AMOUNT. *TR
2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE - 92,000 MILES EST. - I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2007 AND HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED UP UNTIL THE PAST TWO WEEKS. MY STORY IS THE SAME AS OTHERS - TRANSMISSION STARTED GETTING ROUGH, PARTICULARLY AROUND 45-50 MPH AND ON INCLINES. THERE IS AN AUDIBLE AND JOLTING CLUNK MOVING FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. WHI…
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2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE - 92,000 MILES EST. - I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2007 AND HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED UP UNTIL THE PAST TWO WEEKS. MY STORY IS THE SAME AS OTHERS - TRANSMISSION STARTED GETTING ROUGH, PARTICULARLY AROUND 45-50 MPH AND ON INCLINES. THERE IS AN AUDIBLE AND JOLTING CLUNK MOVING FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING IN THE ABOVE RANGE, THE VEHICLE SOUNDS JUST LIKE DRIVING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVEN'T EVEN TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP YET, AND I ALREADY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN BABIED FOR YEARS BEING THAT IT IS THE SOLE AUTOMOBILE THAT MY WIFE AND KIDS DRIVE IN. I'LL BE [XXX] IF I'M GOING TO PAY A $3000 DEDUCTIBLE FOR A DEFECT THAT NISSAN HAS HAD FULL KNOWLEDGE OF FOR YEARS NOW! TO[XXX] WITH THE SETTLEMENT THAT LEFT MOST OF US OUT IN THE COLD WHILE PADDING THE POCKETS OF THE ATTORNEYS! IT IS TIME FOR THE NHTSA TO STEP UP AND MAKE THE ONLY RIGHT AND SAFE DECISION THAT NISSAN REFUSES TO MAKE! THESE CARS ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD IN THIS CONDITION! MINE WILL REMAINED PARKED IN THE DRIVE UNTIL NISSAN IS FORCED TO RECALL EVERY VEHICLE WITH THESE FAULTY RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THIS IS MY COMPLAINT. I HOPE THAT NISSAN DOES THE SMART THING HERE. THEY HAVE LOST ME AS A CUSTOMER FOR LIFE, AND I'VE OWNED OR DRIVEN OVER A DOZEN NISSANS IN MY TIME. IT'S A SHAME THAT THIS COMPANY WILL SIT BACK AND LET THESE COMPLAINTS MOUNT UP UNTIL TRULY FORCED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THEY SHOULD BE DISGRACED KNOWING THAT RIGHT NOW THERE ARE MOTHERS & CHILDREN DRIVING IN VEHICLES THAT COULD SUFFER COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT ANY POINT LEADING TO INJURY AND DEATH. MY ADVICE TO ALL IS TO BRING THIS TO THEIR DOORSTEP. TECHNOLOGY OFFERS US THE ABILITY TO BRING THE FIGHT TO THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN. I'LL BE BOMBARDING EMAIL ADDRESSES AND VOICEMAIL BOXES UNTIL THIS IS RESOLVED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
RADIATOR FAILED, LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO TRANSMISSION. THIS MIXING OF ANTIFREEZE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE VIOLENT VIBRATIONS AND ROUGH SHIFTING IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NISSAN SHOULD RECALL ALL MODELS WITH THIS RADIATOR. I HAD TO PAY $2500.00 TO HAVE THIS DEFECT REPAIRED. *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.