RoadVitals

2006 Nissan Pathfinder Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
413
Latest Jun 12, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
49%
of 837 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 413 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

The 25 most recent of 413, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 12, 2024

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of transmission failure during the gear shifting. The contact stated that the gear shifter would remain in neutral. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,364.

NHTSA ID
11593953
Incident
Jun 12, 2024
Mileage
128,364 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 14, 2022

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

NHTSA ID
11484498
Incident
Aug 31, 2022
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 17, 2021

.Transmission failed do to coolant in transmission. .got stuck in traffic and couldn’t go anywhere .this is a known problem with these vehicles .vehicle has been inspected by owner who is a mechanic .there were no warning signs

NHTSA ID
11425281
Incident
Jul 17, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 20, 2021

THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING A LITTLE LET FOR US WHEN I START FROM THE STOP SIGN OR FROM A DEAD STOP WHEN THE ENGINE IS COOL AND I 1ST STOP IT RUNS FINE FOR THE 1ST MINUTE OR 2 BUT THEN AS I'M DRIVING ALL OF SUDDEN IT START SLIPPING REAL BAD IF I'M IN REGULAR DRIVE WOULD YOU OVERDRIVE ON WHICH IN 5TH GEAR CANNOT GO ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER 55 MILES AN HOUR AND JUST THAT SLIPPING REAL BAD UNLESS I PUT IT IN 4TH GEAR BY TAKING THE OVERDRIVE OFF DANIEL RIDE OKAY FOR A WHILE BUT IT'S SOON AS I GO TO A STOP SIGN OR I STOPPED THE VEHICLE TAKING OFF IT'S SLIP SO BAD IT ALMOST IS NOT MOVE AT ALL ONCE YOU GET SOME MOVING AND RUNS NOT TOO BAD BUT THE LONGER I DRIVE IT TO WHERE SHE GETS UNTIL I SHUT IT OFF COOLED OFF AND THEN IT WORKS AGAIN FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES

NHTSA ID
11404042
Incident
Mar 18, 2021
Mileage
190,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 3, 2020

TRANSMISSION ISSUE DUE TO LEAK MIXTURE OR RADIATOR FLUIDS. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
11372812
Incident
Aug 2, 2020
Mileage
185,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 5, 2020

THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS DUE TO COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAS ESSENTIALLY RUINED THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO THE RADIATOR FAILING AND ALLOWING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION VIA THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLANT LINES THAT RUN THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR.

NHTSA ID
11343451
Incident
Jul 11, 2020
Mileage
160,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 8, 2020

TO ADD TO MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT MY TRANSMISSION TOTALLY WENT OUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO MY MOMS FRIENDS HOUSE. I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT TO GET PLACES I NEED TO GO.

NHTSA ID
11316894
Incident
Jan 7, 2020
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 8, 2020

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND I WAS DRIVING TO THE DOCTOR AND THERE WAS A SHUDDER. I DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS UNTIL I DID SOME RESEARCH WHICH EXPLAINS THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH NISSAN TRANSMISSIONS IN GENERAL. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT DUE TO BEING ON A FIXED INCOME. I'M PAYING PAYMENTS ON IT AND ALSO INSURANCE WHICH I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT. I NEED MY VEHICLE TO GET PLACES I NEED TO GET. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I REALLY BELIEVE NISSAN SHOULD RECALL TRANSMISSIONS AND FIX THEM.

NHTSA ID
11316892
Incident
Jan 7, 2020
Mileage
145,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Feb 20, 2020

THE TRANSMISSION IS SHUTTERING, FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING AT TIMES. THE COOLANT LOOKS LIKE CREAMY PASTE. THE SUV WANTS TO BOUNCE OR PULL TO THE SIDES. ALSO AT TIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE MOTOR IS RUNNING HIGH AND THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE SLOW.

NHTSA ID
11310456
Incident
Jul 8, 2019
Mileage
126,489 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 7, 2019

EL VEHICULO COJE LA REVERSA PERO NO EL DRIVE Y NO QUIERE ARRACAR NO LA PUEDO USAR NI MOVER HACIA FRENTE

NHTSA ID
11266921
Incident
Sep 9, 2019
Mileage
119,500 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 25, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11222463
Incident
Feb 15, 2018
Mileage
165,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 13, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11219655
Incident
Jun 5, 2019
Mileage
96,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 7, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11194434
Incident
Mar 18, 2019
Mileage
156,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 23, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11191039
Incident
Mar 23, 2019
Mileage
170,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 10, 2018

THERE IS A SYSTEM DESIGN FLAW WITH THE 05-10 NISSAN TRUCKS; PATHFINDER, FRONTIER, XTERRA. THE RADIATOR HOUSES BOTH COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. WHEN THE RADIATOR FAILS, IT LEADS TO COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING; RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND PREMATURE DESTRUCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION. OUR TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION AFTER THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 89K MILES. AFTER THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED AT 90K MILES AND THE ISSUE WAS TRACED BACK TO A CRACKED/RUPTURED RADIATOR; LEADING TO MIXING OF COOLANT AND RADIATOR FLUID WHICH IN TURN RUINED THE TRANSMISSION. THE COST OF THE INITIAL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT WAS $6000; THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN ALONG WITH THE RADIATOR AND FLUSHING THE SYSTEM AND REPLACING THE FLUIDS IS $8000. IN BOTH INSTANCES OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE, IT HAPPENED DURING DRIVING CONDITIONS ON A HIGHWAY WITHOUT SYMPTOMS OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE WORST PART OF THIS IS NOT THE COST. THE WORST PART IS THAT THIS KNOWN ISSUE ON NISSAN TRUCKS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CLASSIFIED AS A RECALL ISSUE BECAUSE THE FAILURE CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME, ESPECIALLY DURING DRIVING CONDITIONS AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY, OR DEATH.

NHTSA ID
11128488
Incident
Aug 26, 2018
Mileage
90,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 26, 2018

TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FAILURE. WAS ON MAINROAD AT TIME AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MECHANICS WHERE UPON LEARNING THIS IS A TYPICAL ISSUE FOR THESE VEHICLES. CANNOT DRIVE VEHICLE AND REPAIRS ARE VERY COSTLY.

NHTSA ID
11122416
Incident
Apr 30, 2016
Mileage
120,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 27, 2018

MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO HAVE A DELAY IN ACCELERATION WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSHED, AND THEN WOULD CATCH AND LURCH FORWARD. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION INNER COOLER RUPTURED AND HAS RUINED BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. FURTHER RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT NISSAN HAS FAILED TO ACCURATELY ADVISE OWNERS ABOUT, OR ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS NEGLIGENT AND WHOLLY UNETHICAL. NEGLIGENT IN THAT THE SYMPTOMS COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS HARM OUT INJURY, AS THERE IS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE DAMAGE BEING DONE. UNETHICAL IN THAT NOW NISSAN GETS TO PROFIT FROM THEIR NEGLIGENCE, AS IT WILL COST $5,000 TO REMEDY WHAT COULD AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH LESS COSTLY.

NHTSA ID
11104268
Incident
Jun 21, 2018
Mileage
155,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 21, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE "OVERHEATED" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE FAILED START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED AND CAUSED COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REBUILT AND A NEW RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,270.

NHTSA ID
11103071
Incident
Jun 18, 2018
Mileage
87,270 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 21, 2018

CAR OVERHEATED/NO START, HAD SUV TOLLED TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP WAS TOLD BY TECHICIAN WAS TOLD THE FOLLOWING. RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING COOLANT AND TRANS FLUID TO MIX. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO START.

NHTSA ID
11103055
Incident
Jun 16, 2018
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 11, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11101216
Incident
May 21, 2018
Mileage
168,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 15, 2018

DEFECTIVE RADIATOR FROM NISSAN, DROPPED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. IF THE RADIATOR WAS DEFECTED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD STILL BE IN TACT. THIS HAPPENED JUST REACHING THE 100,000 MILE MARK.

NHTSA ID
11093869
Incident
May 2, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 7, 2018

TRANSMISSION HAS WENT OUT DUE TO FACTORY DEFAULT THERE'S A RECALL ON THE EXACT ISSUE THAT I'M HAVING WITH MY CAR I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE'S AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OR SOMETHING TO REMEDY THIS BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE

NHTSA ID
11092172
Incident
Apr 15, 2018
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 4, 2018

RADIATOR MALFUNCTION CRACKED TRANSMISSION LINES, MIXING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION LINES, CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION, THE TRANSMISSION IS RUINED! NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THIS DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR! NEVER NO RECALL!

NHTSA ID
11083310
Incident
Apr 1, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 9, 2018

CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FAILURE DUE TO CO-MINGLING ATF AND COOLANT AT 136,000 MILES. CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, THEY REFUSED TO HELP IN ANY WAY, BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AS A "KNOWN" ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11078259
Incident
Mar 6, 2018
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 26, 2018

THE RADIATOR HAS BROKEN AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A COMPLETE FAILURE IN THE SYSTEM. BOTH MUST NOW BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
11075087
Incident
Feb 24, 2018
Mileage
91,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .