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:
94,867 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

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2006 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 4 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #77

Jun 062013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles

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

Radiator failed allowing coolant to contaminate transmission causing it to fail as well. I really like this vehicle and I feel Nissan should pay to fix all of these affected since it is a known equipment failure and has happened at such a wide range of mileage. I had this one checked at 60,000 miles and had no problem with neither part and I have been watching it regularly but didn't catch it in time when it finally went. I am an ase certified mechanic for the last 20+ years and once a transmission is contaminated with coolant there is only on fix and that is to replace or rebuild.....not just a flush and send on your way!

- Chaffee, MO, USA

problem #76

Jun 192013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 112,000 miles
Driving at a substantial speed of 40mph car just stopped even though car was still running. Radiator and transmission went all of a sudden. Was almost rear ended. Had towed to Nissan dealer in turnersville NJ. They stated that it was 12,000 of extended warranty that was issued a year or so ago. I was never notified of a class action suit and that this problem would occur all of a sudden as I was driving. Apparently a faulty radiator caused fluid to go into transmission and destroy it making car just stop running in the middle of a highway. The regional office told me I did not get a notice because I was the second owner. I was willing to pay a $3,000 copay but they would not even approve that. Now they want 5,900 to replace the transmission and radiator. The car is only worth 8 or 9 thousand. I am 67 years old and do not have that kind of money. I am in a hopeless situation. Please assist.

- Erial, NJ, USA

problem #75

Jun 212013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
Coolant leaked in to transmission causing damage to both radiator and transmission.

- Troy, TX, USA

problem #74

Jun 132013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,897 miles

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

I was preparing to merge onto the highway, I slowed down to yield to oncoming traffic. When the gap between oncoming cars was large enough I accelerated and proceeded to merge. Instead of accelerating my car began to rumble and move slowly. Instead of properly merging onto the highway it just slowly rolled into oncoming traffic. I became horrified and I was afraid to drive on the highway, and I had to reverse to back out. I took back roads to Nissan dealer. The car would rumble and vibrate and drive slowly as if it was stuck in 1st gear. Dealer determined that "transmission oil mixed with antifreeze" due to "cooler hose cracked and ready to break" rendering transmission incapable of proper operation. Nissan dealer replaced transmission, radiator, and flushed cooling system.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #73

Jun 152013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 82,536 miles
There was a jerk in my car and the check engine light came on. I pressed the gas and it wouldn't go anywhere. The radiator fluid leaked into the transmission and caused the my car to stop.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #72

Jun 012012

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
My vehicle is suffering the fate of countless others. I have the coolant intermix issue that has ruined my radiator and transmission. Now, I am outside the warranty period and I need a new transmission costing $4500! Nissan needs to recall this--I have spent thousands already and it simply isn't fair that they are trying to put a bandaid on a defect that has harmed and could continue to harm thousands of consumers. Please fix this!

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #71

May 292012

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles

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

While returning from lunch break, I pressed the accelerator on my 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. The vehicle hesitated and did not accelerate. It sounded as if it was idling but there was very little to no movement. This happened in the middle of the highway. After having the trucked towed and the problem assessed, I was told that the transmission and the radiator had to be replaced. This comes with a hefty price tag. In the mechanics explanation of the problems he asserted "you have heard about these Pathfinders, haven't you". well, I researched and found that the failed transmission and radiator is not a new occurrence. This has been and is happening regularly and there is no recall. This puts consumers in a bad position, especially when, like me, the warranty is expired. I am still waiting for a transmission to be shipped from California. By the way, I found out that it is on backorder. That's just how frequently this problem occurs. Make sure you purchase extended warranties and/or trade it before this happens to you. Or even worse someone is seriously hurt physically not just financially.

- Purvis, MS, USA

problem #70

Feb 052011

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
The timing chain has come loose due to the failure of a timing chain guide inside the motor. The plastic or rubber piece attached to the aluminum guide becomes separated from the base and falls down below the guide causing the timing chain to loose tension and rattle against the aluminum timing cover. This loosening of the timing chain causes the chain to rattle against the timing cover which could wear a hole or cause timing chain failure, could even cause the loose chain to jump a sprocket tooth a cause the engine to malfunction due to valves hitting the tops of the piston and causing bent valves and engine shut down. This is a common Nissan problem with the 3.5 liter V6 engine. Nissan needs to replace these poorly manufactured components. Many videos on youtube can be found on this problem with the 3.5 liter V6 engine. Many have complaint that Nissan will not recall nor pay for the repair.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #69

Jul 172012

Pathfinder

  • 89,427 miles
Our 2006 Pathfinder's radiator went out, something just popped and fluids just started leaking out, in July of 2012 at under 90,000 miles. I was told fluids mixed and could have possibly caused transmission problems. Got the radiator replaced and was told if the transmission starts acting up, it would need replaced. Later I got the notice of the extended warranty. Since I spent less than the co-pay, there was nothing I could do. Now, my radiator needs replacing again, along with my transmission, but I'm just over the 100,000 miles of the extended warranty, as of May 2013. I went through Nissan Consumer Affairs, got to the executive level, and was told there was nothing they could do for me since I was outside the warranty. If I would have known I was going to need my transmission replaced I would have had it done when the radiator went out the first time, now after it was "fixed" at a Nissan dealership, it fails again and this time it requires a new transmission. There is obviously a problem with the radiators they are installing, I'll be on my 3rd one now, and it's causing damage to the transmissions. If my first problem didn't happen till after the 100,00 extended warranty it would be a different story, but I already had 1 radiator fail, and Nissan said they fixed it. I see the extended warranty coverage came after a class action law suit, I hope something can be done before someone gets hurt from the radiator failing while driving. Please do something about this.

- Perrysburg, OH, USA

problem #68

Jun 092013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 77,467 miles
My wife reported her Pathfinder hesitating, noticeable lack in power, and a decrease in mpg. Before our family was about to travel to another state (New Mexico to Colorado) I decided to do my own little pre trip inspection. I pulled the air filter and blew it out with air, checked the oil dipstick and it read in operating range, when I pulled the transmission dipstick it was covered with contaminated oil. The engine coolant is mixing with the transmission fluid in the heat exchanger cooler. If this vehicle is driven any longer transmission failure is imminent.

- Farmington, NM, USA

problem #67

Jun 012013

Pathfinder

  • 91,000 miles

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

The radiator broke where it let coolant go into transmission and it ruin the transmission I purchase the car new in 2006 no one told me anything about this will happened and the Nissan corporation knew about this problem it will cost more than $7,000 in repair.

- American Canyon, CA, USA

problem #66

May 092013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 80,170 miles
We did not have an accident, but wanted it known that we were not sure we were going to make it to the dealership for repair. This is in reference to the Nissan radiator/transmission problems. The car was vibrating and felt like it was not going to make the 40 mile trip. While there was not an accident we certainly felt like we could have caused one or been in one if the vehicle failed on the highway. We were on our way to the dealership for the transmission repair.

- Dover Foxcroft, ME, USA

problem #65

May 032013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 122,000 miles
Check engine light came on. Went to Nissan dealership had it checked out. Dealership said radiator let fluid leak into transmission. They said I need a new radiator and new transmission at a cost of $5300. They advised me to call Nissan corporate which I did and they said I had too many miles for warranty to cover any expenses. Can't do without my SUV. American transmission quoted me a price of $4900 to replace radiator, transmission and new computer. I first bought a quest then a xterra and now the Pathfinder all purchased new from Nissan dealerships. It will be the last!!!!!!!

- Anderson, SC, USA

problem #64

Apr 192013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 87,000 miles
Our 2006 Nissan Pathfinder began to occasionally rumble when it was changing gears. We were advised by our mechanic that this was related to a failure in the vehicle's transmission/radiator cooler system. We contacted a Nissan dealership, and were advised that our vehicle's transmission and radiator would have to be replaced. He further advised that Nissan knew of this failing, and had extended their warranties on these vehicles to 10 years or 100,000 miles. However, this warranty includes up to a $3000 deductible. The deductible is determined by year and milage of the vehicle. Our Nissan has 87,000 miles, so we will have to pay a $2500 deductible for the repair work.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #63

Apr 012013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 64,800 miles
Started as a vibration on 5ft gear at around 45mph. During a routine check, it was found transmission oil into the cooling system. Hence, the transmission fluid was contaminated with coolant, causing transmission malfunction as a result of a defective radiator.

- Arecibo, PR, USA

problem #62

Apr 182013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 79,633 miles
My coolant leak fluid into my transmission, Nissan honored the extended warranty and is replacing the radiator and the transmission. My whole exhaust system needs to be replaced also and my cost for that is 1200.

- Secane, PA, USA

problem #61

Mar 052013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 86,500 miles
At higher speeds the car started shuddering / jerking when it was trying to up or downshift. At first it was not too noticeable however that changed relatively fast and he jerking was more apparent. After taking it to the dealer it was found to be a known problem with the car. The problem was a crack within the transmission oil cooler in the radiator causing intermixing between the transmission and the coolant. The dealer replaced the radiator and the transmission assembly. Since my vehicle had between 80000 and 90000 miles I was in the $2500 copay range.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #60

Mar 312013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
Complete loss of power and need to be towed to a dealership, then dealer diagnose, the problem as a failed transmission fluid, cooler located in de radiator assembly that allowed coolant to mix with and contaminate the automatic transmission fluid, resulting in damaged internal transmission components and a damaged internal transmission computer.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #59

Mar 272013

Pathfinder

  • 95,000 miles
Radiator failed causing transmission fluid to leak into radiator and vice versa (antifreeze into transmission). Car rumbles really bad and shifts hard. Had to replace radiator and flush transmission so about $600 for a problem that Nissan should fix.

- Chester, VA, USA

problem #58

Mar 202013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 118,000 miles
I was driving on the highway about 55 to 60 miles per hour and felt an intense vibration causing my car to start shaking as if I were on the rumble strips in the median. I drove the car to a mechanic and was told my radiator had leaked into my transmission destroying the torque converter. Nissan has refused to help me as well as I have been denied by an aftermarket warranty that Nissan persuaded me to purchase.

- Arnold , MD, USA

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