Power Train. Review the 155 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

328 reports

139,627 miles · May 15, 2018

Power Train

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ON MONDAY MAY 7,2018 MY CAR WENT INTO REVERSE AS I WAS LEAVING MY DRIVE WAY BUT WAS VERY HESITANT ON MOVING. SO I PUT MY PATHFINDER BACK IN DRIVE AND IT STARTED HOPING BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY. I TRIED TO REVERSE AGAIN BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND TOOK THE VEHICLE IN. AFTER BEING THERE ALL DAY THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BOTH PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY VEHICLE HAD 139,627 MILES ON IT SO THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON IT. I CAME HOME RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN FOR THE ISSUE BACK IN 2013 BUT I CANNOT FILE TO GET ANY MONEY FROM THIS LAWSUIT SO I CALLED THE CORPORATE NUMBER FOR NISSAN. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE LADY ON THE PHONE SHE INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP WITH THE COST OF FIXING BOTH PARTS TO MY VEHICLE. SHE SAID BECAUSE I WAN'T THE ORIGINAL OWNER (MIND YOU THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR CERTIFIED USED FROM MOSSY NISSAN WITH 30,000 MILES ON IT) THAT THERE WAS NO RECORD OF ME OWNING THE VEHICLE. I SENT HER A COPY OF MY TITLE TO SHOW I WAS THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE BUT YET SHE SAID SINCE I HAD GONE OVER MILEAGE AND THE TIME FRAME FOR ANY WARRANTY THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. I ENDED UP HAVING TO PAY THE FULL AMOUNT OF $4697.18 FOR MY PATHFINDER TO BE FIXED. WHAT MAKES ME UPSET IS I ALWAYS HAVE MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT NISSAN AND YET NO ONE IN THE LAST 8 YEARS HAS TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR FOR THIS ISSUE. WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT THIS HE SAID THEY AREN'T ALLOWED TO MENTION THIS ISSUE UNLESS THAT VEHICLE HAS A CODE. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS NISSAN IS THE WORST! I HONESTLY WOULD HAVE CHANGED THE RADIATOR AT MY OWN COST IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS AN ISSUE. INSTEAD I ENDED UP HAVING TO OPEN UP A CREDIT CARD FOR THEIR COMPANY TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY AVOIDED.

NHTSA ODI #11093918

120,000 miles · Apr 1, 2018

Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF NOW AND NOW THE HORN HAS STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG.

NHTSA ODI #11082381

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2018

Service Brakes

I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CODE P1774, IN MY CAR AND I WANT TO KNOW IF I CAN HELP

NHTSA ODI #11076027

150,000 miles · Mar 2, 2018

EnginePower Train

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THIS PARTICULAR YEAR AND MAKE OF VEHICLE HAS A KNOWN MANUFACTURERS DEFECT THAT CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX IN WITH THE RADIATOR, WHICH IN TURN RUINS YOUR VEHICLE AND CAUSES ABOUT $5,000+ IN REPAIRS. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS SETTLED REGARDING THIS, AND ALL NISSAN DID WAS EXTEND THEIR WARRANTY. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS DEFECT DOESN'T ALWAYS BREAKDOWN PRIOR TO THE WARRANTY ENDING, IN MY CASE, IT HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS UP. SO NOW I'M STUCK WITH A VEHICLE I PURCHASED 2 YEARS AGO, THAT DOESN'T WORK, AND I STILL OWE MONEY ON IT, ALL BECAUSE OF THIS KNOWN DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11075819

128,000 miles · Mar 1, 2018

Power Train

COOLANT IS IN MY SONS TRANSMISSION . WE WENT TO GET IT IT FIXED AND WE WERE TOLD DON'T. TO DRAIN AND FLUSH IT WE WILL KILL THE TRANSMISSION!! THAT NISSAN NEW THAT THIS WAS HAPPENING AND THEY HAD A RECALL. WE CALLED THEM TODAY BUT THEY SAID THEY WON'T FIX IT TO BAD. HOW SAD. NOT RIGHT AND I'M NOT HAPPY

NHTSA ODI #11075652

209,000 miles · Feb 6, 2018

Power Train

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ON 17 JANUARY 2018, I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND ON I-20, I WAS TAKING MY NIECE AND NEPHEWS TO SCHOOL, THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT A FEW MILES AHEAD, SO TRAFFIC WAS CRAWLING LUCKILY. IT STARTED WHEN WITH THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T RESPOND WHEN I PUSHED ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT WOULD TAKE A WHILE FOR THE VEHICLE TO GAIN SPEED. THEN I STARTED SMELLING OIL COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS, SO I TURNED OFF THE HEATER AND TRIED TO MAKE MY WAY TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HAD TO TURN THE HEATER ON AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE AND I HAD THE KIDS IN THE CAR. AS I WAS TRYING TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, ALL TRAFFIC STOPPED, AND I SMELLED THE OIL AGAIN AND SAW SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND POPPED THE HOOD TO CHECK WHAT WAS SMOKING OR WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. AS I WAS LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD, I HEARD FLUID LEAKING, SO I STARTED LOOKING AROUND, AND WHEN I LOOKED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, THERE WAS A HUGE OIL SPILL. LATER I FOUND OUT IT WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID AND IT WAS MILKY WHITE ATTACHED ARE THE PICTURES OF THE OIL SPILL AND WHEN I PULLED THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK AND SAW IT WAS MILKY WHITE ALSO. UPON DOING MY RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AND YEAR OF VEHICLE. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, AND ALL THEY DID WAS EXTEND THE WARRANTY, THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL, PEOPLE CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE ISSUE REPAIR COSTS ARE NEARLY $6000.00

NHTSA ODI #11067255

131,476 miles · Feb 1, 2018

Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (BENTON NISSAN, 5487 ACADEMY WAY, BESSEMER, AL 35022) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SPIRAL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH…

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NHTSA ODI #11066185

96,000 miles · Jan 21, 2018

Power Train

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AT ABOUT 94000 MILES THE RADIOATOR CRACKED CAUSING THE ANTIFREEZE TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. WHICH IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THESE VECHILES. SO TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND RADIATOR AS WELL. NOW AT 128000 THE PATHFINDER IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. THE RADIATOR IS FILL OF THE MILKY FLUID THAT IS THE RESULT OF THE TWO FLUIDS MIXING. SO WITH IN TWO YEARS DO TO THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BUT THIS TIME I HAVE TO PAY THE WHOLE THING CAUSE THE PATHFINDER IS OVER THE 100000 MILE MARKER. LAST TIME I HAD TO PAY THE FIRST 3000 DOLLARS OF THE BILL. HOW IS THIS PROBLEM NOT BEING RECALLED ON THESE PATHFINDERS.

NHTSA ODI #11063968

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2018

Unknown Or Other

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THIS CAR HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES OF A VIBRATION THAT COMES AND GOES EVERY NOW AND THEN AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND MECHANICS AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT'S MAKING THAT VIBRATION ON THE VEHICLE AND JUST THE OTHER DAY 01/10/2018 MY WIFE WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WORK AND SHE SAID THAT THE CAR STARTED VIBRATING VERY BAD THAT IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL A PART AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND IT STOP VIBRATING AFTER A LITTLE BIT AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BUT THE LIGHT IS ON SO I HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND SEE WHAT'S THE ISSUE AND HOPEFULLY HE FINDS IT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11062101

70,000 miles · Jan 8, 2018

Power Train

RADIATOR COOLENT LEAKED IN TO TRANSMISSION AT 70000

NHTSA ODI #11061304

Official recalls

23V067000 · Air Bags:frontal

Feb 10, 2023

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

10V401000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

Sep 10, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

10V075000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank

Mar 3, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

08V690000 · 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

DP12004 · 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)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

Power Train:automatic Transmission

Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

Power Train