RoadVitals

2006 Nissan Pathfinder Suspension Problems

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

Data refreshed

Suspension 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.
9
Latest Feb 20, 2020
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.
1%
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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. 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. 9 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 suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
ElectricalFuel systemSuspension
Filed Dec 31, 2014

I WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED SHAKING EXTREMELY AND MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, ALSO THE SUSPENSION SHAKES CONSISTENTLY CAUSING ME TO SWERVE. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE, NOT READING PROPERLY. *JS

NHTSA ID
10669325
Incident
Dec 30, 2014
Mileage
155,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Feb 3, 2014

I AM HAVING A VERY HARDTIME WITH THIS VEHICLE. JUST BOUGHT ON JUNE 2013 FROM USED DEALERSHIP. IT IS MIXING THE ANTIFREEZE WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. I HAVE NO OTHER VEHICLE. AND NEED TO GET AROUND. MY FAMILY DEPENDS ON A GOOD USEFUL VEHICLE. THAT WILL NOT BREAK DOWN JUST ANYWHERE. AND WILL NOT COST THOUSANDS TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10562774
Incident
Jan 6, 2014
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Apr 27, 2013

VEHICLE JERKS AND STALLS BETWEEN 30 - 40 MPH SOMETIMES AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS WARMED UP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10509750
Incident
Apr 25, 2013
Mileage
80,710 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 3, 2012

2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER IS QUESTIONING WHY HER VEHICLE ISN'T INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL# 10E019000. *KB

NHTSA ID
10464922
Incident
Jul 2, 2012
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 9, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE AND BEGAN TO SHAKE WITH AN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A THIRD OPINION AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SPIRAL CABLE KIT WOULD NEED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 7/18/12 *CN THE U-JOINTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE STEERING PROBLEM CONTINUED. UPDATED 07/31/12

NHTSA ID
10457847
Incident
Dec 29, 2011
Mileage
72,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Apr 5, 2012

MY VEHICLE STARTED (MAR 2010) TO VIBRATE AT BETWEEN 45 AND 65 MPH, IT FELT LIKE I WAS GOING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP. BROUGHT IT TO DEALER THEY DIAGNOSED A BAD UNIVERSAL JOINT. TEN MONTHS (JAN 2011) LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN, ADDITIONALLY CAR WAS SHIFTING POORLY AND FELT LIKE IT COULDN'T FIND THE CORRECT GEAR BETWEEN 45 AND 65 MPH, DEALER SAID I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN THEY DROPPED THE DRIVESHAFT THEY SAID IT WAS JUST A UNIVERSAL JOINT BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE DRIVESHAFT. THE PROBLEM RECURRED IN MAR 2012, BROUGHT VEHICLE TO LOCAL MECHANIC (VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY) WHO CONSULTED A TRANSMISSION SHOP. WAS TOLD THAT RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION THROUGH A FAULTY HOSE/LINE IN THE RADIATOR AND VEHICLE NOW NEED A TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL AND NEW RADIATOR. I AM CONCERNED THAT TRANSMISSION COULD FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY ON HIGHWAY LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT AND INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10454216
Incident
Mar 24, 2010
Mileage
82,613 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 22, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A BOUNCING MOTION WITH A LOUD METAL TO METAL CLANKING NOISE. WHEN REACHING THE DESTINATION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE COMPLETELY BROKE IN HALF. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AXLE HAD A CRACK. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10E019000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.

NHTSA ID
10367054
Incident
Nov 19, 2010
Mileage
73,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Apr 21, 2007

FOR ALL THOSE REPORTING THE SWAYING ASSOCIATED WITH THE 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER, I HAVE A NISSAN TERRANO WHICH LOOKS VERY MUCH LIKE THE PATHFINDER. I EXPERIENCED SIMILAR SWAYING FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE AT SPEEDS OF ABOUT 40 MPH. I HAVE TRIED EVERY MECHANIC I KNOW, CHANGED MY SHOCKS, AND YOU NAME IT...LATELY, I WOULD HEAR A THUMP IN THE REAR WHEN I PULLED OFF FROM STOP POSITION. THE THUMP ALSO HAPPENS WHEN I RUN OVER A SHORT SPEED BUMP. WHEN I CAME HOME ONE EVENING, I WENT UNDER THE VEHICLE TO CONDUCT A VISUAL INSPECTION TO SEE IF I WILL FIND ANYTHING. LO AND BEHOLD, I FOUND OUT THAT THE BUSHINGS OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE WORN OUT TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY ARE BREAKING UP(THE BUSHINGS) WHICH ALLOWS METAL TO RUB OR HIT ANOTHER METAL AND THAT EXPLAINS THE THUMP THAT I WILL USUALLY HEAR. IN MY OPINION THE WORN OUT BUSHINGS ALSO EXPLAIN THE SWAYING THAT SEEMS TO COME FROM THE REAR BECAUSE JUST FIGURE IT OUT, THE BUSHINGS OF THE ARMS THAT LINK THE REAR AXLE TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE ARE WEAK, BUT THIS WILL NOT CAUSE SWAYING AT LOW SPEEDS, AND EVEN IF IT DID IT WILL BE UN-NOTICEABLE. THIS SWAYING AT HIGH SPEEDS IS DIFFICULT TO TELL SOMETIMES IF IT IS COMING FROM THE REAR OR FRONT. MY ADVISE IS TO CHANGE ESPECIALLY THE BUSHINGS OF THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS, THERE SHOULD BE FOUR OF THEM, TWO LONG ONES AND TWO SHORT ONES. IT MAKES SENSE TO ME AFTER ALL THE VEHICLE IS 10 YEARS OLD! ALSO MAKE SURE THAT NONE OF THOSE CONTROL ARMS ARE BENT. FEEL FREE TO SEND ME A QUICK EMAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10188498
Incident
Apr 21, 2007

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

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .