CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005-2007 Pathfinder appears to have a widespread defect where coolant leaks into the transmission, causing transmission failure around 90,000 miles. Repair costs are typically upwards of $3,500.

According to the New York Times & a class action lawsuit, the defect actually extends through 2010 model year. More info here.

1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
99,643 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 1 of 8)

problem #147

Aug 312022

Pathfinder

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission oil cooler line in radiator broke causing coolant and transmission oil to mix and car is not driveable and needs $3,000 repairs

- Hagatna, GU, USA

problem #146

Sep 022022

Pathfinder

  • miles
Car shuts off In the middle of driving & also when simply parked. It starts jerking like it-??s trying to catch up then it kills. It-??s happened in front of traffic and busy roadways/intersections. It has happened more than once.

- Lake Charles , LA, USA

problem #145

Dec 222020

Pathfinder

  • 210,000 miles
Timming chain is making a bad noise.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #144

Jun 102019

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My timing chain on my Pathfinder has been defective. It has always been noisy but a few weeks ago it really started getting loud while driving in motion around. I had to have it towed to a shop as teeth were falling off the 'chain' into the oil. They say it is a known thing with 2005-2010 Pathfinders.

- Hampstead, MD, USA

problem #143

Apr 202013

Pathfinder

  • miles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:auxillary tank

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #142

Sep 012018

Pathfinder

  • 175,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled, but was able to restart. Additionally, the vehicle randomly revved up and accelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle's dynamic control slip off, service engine soon, and washer fluid warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the crankshaft sensor and battery needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 37003562. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

- Eastaboga, AL, USA

problem #141

Jun 152015

Pathfinder

  • 138,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The moment I purchased this vehicle it had check engine light and transmission problems and catalytic converters were bad. Would not pass inspection.

- Sicklerville, NJ, USA

problem #140

Feb 152018

Pathfinder

  • 165,000 miles
All 4 of my catalytic converters have had to be replaced (or need to be replaced - I've already replaced bank 1. now bank 2 is bad) in the past 12 months or so and now my radiator is leaking into my transmission. I discovered there was a class-action lawsuit on the radiator/transmission issue, but I'm outside of the warranty period. With respect to the catalytic converters, I occasionally smell exhaust, but the check engine lights stay on. With the transmission, it started out as gear slipping, causing rough driving (which the dealership told me was the catalytic converter). Then, it started running slow out of first gear and hard shifting. I took it to a transmission place that pulled transmission codes and when they dropped the pan, the fluid looked like a milkshake. The rough driving/gears slipping didn't matter - it could be on the highway or in the city. I don't know the exact date in 2018 that I had the issue, but I've been dealing with this issue for a year.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #139

Jun 052019

Pathfinder

  • 96,000 miles
I was driving on an interstate at normal highway speed when the car shuddered as if going over rough pavement. The engine started racing, but the car gradually lost forward propulsion. I steered to the emergency lane and stopped. After a minute, the car regained just enough forward motion to get me to the next exit, across an intersection (where the light just happened to be green, thank goodness), and into the parking lot of a large grocery store before the vehicle lost all propulsion. We pushed the car the last few feet into a parking spot. It was towed to a Nissan dealership. I was told the next day that the transmission warmer had failed, allowing radiator coolant to leak into the transmission, which ruined the transmission. The repair would cost $6000. I cannot put another $6000 into a 13-year-old vehicle, even though I've only had it for five months, so now I've lost the money I put into it and will have to start over with another vehicle.

- Friday Harbor, WA, USA

problem #138

May 242019

Pathfinder

  • 137,000 miles
While driving on the freeway or the city street, the car started to jerk and then suddenly cut off and lose power. This has happened at least five times at normal highway and freeway speeds in a straight forward motion. While on the freeway, I was able to glide over to stop the car and restart it. The car starts right back up and is drivable.the last time was on the city street, I was going about 35-40mph and the car again jerks and the engine cuts off and looses power. However, this time the steering wheel locked up preventing me to get over. I had to stop the car by breaking directly in the lane nearly causing cars to slam into me. Again, once I come to a complete stop and put the car in park I am able to start the engine and drive again. After this first happened, I took my car in for a tune-up, oil change, and a diagnostic test but nothing read as an error. I do not drive far distances just mainly around town and have received regular maintenance on my vehicle. I am now afraid to drive my car because the lose of power does not happen consistently but is very dangerous when it does and can definitely cause an accident/injury/death if someone is driving too close. I looked up recalls and found recall10V517000. It says there was a recall for 2004-2006 Nissan Pathfinders but my VIN # is not excepted. Please look into this for this matter because I do not feel safe for myself and others while driving

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #137

Mar 182019

Pathfinder

  • 156,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Radiator failed causing leak of radiator fluid into transmission causing vehicle to be towed to auto shop. Vehicle was in motion on highway and then would all of the sudden no longer accelerate. Mechanics, (got 3 estimates) all said same thing; that this was a problem with these Pathfinders. My cost is about 6,500. I had just bought this vehicle for 8,500 about 3 weeks prior.

- Delta Jct., AK, USA

problem #136

Mar 232019

Pathfinder

  • 170,000 miles
Transmission is failing quickly. I had to replace my radiator a few months ago because it cracked. That event left my wife and children stranded on the interstate.

- Mebane, NC, USA

problem #135

Jan 252019

Pathfinder

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. When the contact started the vehicle and attempted to drive in reverse, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who initially stated that the fuel pump malfunctioned. The mechanic replaced the fuel pump, but the failure persisted and the vehicle would not crank. The independent mechanic stated that the engine control module failed. Headquarter Nissan (1725 whittlesey rd, columbus, ga 31904, (706) 225-8100) informed the contact that there was no recall on the vehicle. The manufacturer agreed with the dealer and provided a case number. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was repaired per an unknown recall in 2011 and could not assist. The contact purchased the vehicle less than a year ago. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Phenix City, AL, USA

problem #134

May 212018

Pathfinder

  • 168,000 miles
My problem is with the radiator and transmission fluid contamination.. some hoses inside the radiator that carries transmission fluid and coolant cracked and contaminated both the radiator and transmission. This problem has caused my vehicle to lock into 4 wheel drive and contaminated both my radiator and transmission this problem will need to be repaired before the vehicle can be driven. It will be a costly repair that should be covered by Nissan on a recall according to all the complaints I have read about.

- Gibsonville, NC, USA

problem #133

May 292018

Pathfinder

  • 128,000 miles
Timing chain needs replaced pulled in and heard the tell tale buzzing sound had some one listen with stethascope to confirm

- Bristol, TN, USA

problem #132

Apr 012018

Pathfinder

  • 156,000 miles
Coolant leaks into transmission. This ruined the transmission and should be recalled.

- Alliance, NE, USA

problem #131

Jan 252018

Pathfinder

  • 105,000 miles
Have a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder SE, while driving at 65 mph the car shut off and I lost total power of the car and thankfully was able to pull over without getting killed. This has happened 2X I loos total power and the car shuts off. I called Nissan to see if there was a recall and they said no, however there is a recall #10V517000 which Nissan says my car is not involved in that advised this model had a recall for this very problem having the engine shut off while driving it. If there is a recall for this very reason and I have the make & model while Nissan will not investigate why this is happened as it is a direct safety problem. I was told that I could take it into Nissan for them to see what the problem was of course at my expense.

- Goshen, OH, USA

problem #130

Oct 202017

Pathfinder

  • 110,000 miles
The radiator was cracked where the transmission fluid is and it mixed with the antifreeze which caused both the radiator and the transmission to have to be replaced. The engine was on and vehicle was stationary when we noticed the temperature increased greatly and rapidly until it maxed out. The vehicle was leaking a mix of antifreeze and transmission fluid. We replaced the radiator but the damage was done already to the transmission. The vehicle was in motion when the transmission failed.

- Murrayville, IL, USA

problem #129

Jun 192017

Pathfinder

  • 129,000 miles
Defective radiator failed causing coolant and transmission fluid to mix that irreparably damaged the transmission.

- Bixby, OK, USA

problem #128

Aug 012017

Pathfinder

  • 210,000 miles
Radiator coolant leaked into the transmission $4000 car 10 years old however I had high mileage due to many road trips

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?