2006 Nissan Pathfinder

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Power train is the leading concern among 837 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 837

Of the 2006 reports, 10 involved a crash. 11 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train450 reports · 54% of complaints
Owner complaints837Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train450
  2. Engine and engine cooling185
  3. Fuel system164
  4. Engine147
  5. Gasoline135
  6. Fuel/propulsion system71
  7. Other or unspecified43
  8. Steering41

Recalls and investigations

  1. Engine and engine coolingOct 28, 2010

    NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.

    THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

    Campaign 10V517000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Suspension, front, control arm, lower armMay 20, 2010

    NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

    IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

    Campaign 10E019000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Fuel system, gasoline, storage, auxillary tankMar 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.

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

    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.

    Campaign 10V075000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Air bags, frontalDec 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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 08V690000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. EquipmentJul 3, 2007

    CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE. THE INTERNAL PART NUMBERS WITHIN HOPKINS ARE: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035, AND 1290376035. A WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN AN INCORRECT POSITION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING. THIS RESULTS IN AN INCORRECT ROUTING OF WIRES BETWEEN THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND THE TOWING VEHICLE WIRING SYSTEM.

    THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE TOWING VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS BEING ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE TRAILER BRAKE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED ABILITY TO STOP AND CONTRIBUTE TO A POSSIBLE CRASH.

    HOPKINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL HARNESS WITH A REVISED HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT HOPKINS AT 800-835-0129.

    Campaign 07E046000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: engine

331 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Power train, Engine, Oct 18, 2012

    TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. STARTED LURCHING AND LOST SPEED. ALMOST GOT HIT. HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT PLUS THE TORQUE CONVERTER REBUILT. 10/15/2012 TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AGAIN AND LOSING POWER. AT MILEAGE 169,886 MECHANIC TOLD ME COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANMISSION. REPAIRED AGAIN AND BROUGHT HOME ON 10/18/2012. THAT EVENING TAKING MY SON TO FOOTBALL PRACTICE, LOST POWER GOING 50 MPH AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. I'M DONE WITH THIS DANGEROUS VEHICLE BUT I DON'T WANT ANYONE DRIVING IT. *TR

  2. Power train, Engine, Oct 17, 2012

    RADIATOR/ TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING BREAKDOWN RADIATOR WAS AFFECTED AS WELL AS WHEN THE INTERIOR COMPONENTS OF THE RADIATORS (INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COOLERS) BROKE DOWN ALLOWING COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AS A RESULT OF THE CONTAMINATION, THE TRANSMISSION AND OTHER DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENTS WERE DAMAGED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *TR

  3. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 12, 2012

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

  4. Power train, Engine, Oct 10, 2012

    VEHICLE ENGINE STARTED SKIPPING WHILE IN MOTION, ENGINE TEMPERATURE WENT UP TO OVERHEATED AND SPEED AUTOMATICALLY REDUCED ITSELF TO NO MORE THAN 35MPH ON THE ROAD, CAUSED TRAFFIC TO AVOID VEHICLE FROM HITTING IN THE REAR END. HAD TO DRIVE SMALL ROADS TO GET HOME. NISSAN SERVICE FIXED COOLANT PUMP BUT WE FOUND OUT LATER THIS WAS NOT THE ISSUE AS LESS THAN 6 MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME THE RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RUINED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. WE FIND OUT THAT NISSAN HAS HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF SUCH INCIDENTS AND HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. OUR COST TO REPAIR IS $8,700 FOR A 6 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

  5. Power train, Engine, Oct 4, 2012

    MAJOR ISSUES WITH MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. INTERMIX WITH COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP KNEW AFTER A FEW MOMENTS FROM LIFTING MY HOOD. THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED IT WOULD COST OVER $1500 TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION AND ADVISED ME TO COME BACK AFTER 10K MILES. AFTER HAVING THE RADIATOR ($800) REPLACED I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY FOR LESS THAN A MILE AND MY RPMS WERE REVVING HIGH WHEN I ACCELERATED AND THE TRUCK WAS OBVIOUSLY STUCK IN GEAR. TOOK PATHFINDER BACK (TWO DAYS) TO MECHANIC AND FOUND THE RADIATOR CONTAMINATED ONCE AGAIN AND NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH WILL COST $2500 THAT I DON'T HAVE AND I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW VEHICLE. I'M MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE. MY HUSBAND IS DRIVING A 2005 ALTIMA WHICH IS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND JUST HAVEN'T BROKEN DOWN COMPLETE. NISSAN SHOULD RECOGNIZED THIS ISSUE AND ADDRESS ASAP. *TR

  6. Engine, Oct 4, 2012

    DEAR SIR/MADAM: MY HUSBAND, OUR THREE SMALL DAUGHTERS, AND MYSELF WERE PULLING OUT OF TOYS R US WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CAR JERKED AND CHOKED AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE DEPRESSION OF THE ACCELERATOR. WE NARROWLY AVOIDED BEING BROADSIDED BY A SEMI-TRUCK! THANK GOODNESS MY HUSBAND SWERVED AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WHERE WE COASTED TO A STOP. IT WAS HARROWING TO SAY THE LEAST. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. HE WAS UNABLE TO "REPRODUCE" THE SYMPTOMS. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM TWICE SINCE THEN AND I'VE CONTACTED NISSAN USA TO NO AVAIL. WE WON'T EVEN DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY SINCE THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE. REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

  7. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 2, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BOTH COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,139.

  8. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 29, 2012

    THE 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE RADIATOR (COOLANT) LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. TRUCK BEGAN TO SHUDDER AS IF DRIVING ON RUMBLE STRIPS. LEAKING FLUID CAUSES WHAT FIRST STARTS OUT AS A RUMBLE DURING SHIFTING AROUND 40 MPH, THEN EVENTUALLY LEADS TO A SEIZE OF THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME. SHOULD THE TRANSMISSION FAIL WHILE IN TRAFFIC IT COULD CAUSE A ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,800 MILES. *TR

  9. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 26, 2012

    I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A BUSY MAJOR HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. MY CAR SPUTTERED AND STALLED UNABLE TO EXCEED 40 MPH. I PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER AND WAITED OVER AN HOUR FOR THE TOW TRUCK WHILE CARS ZOOMED PAST ME AT 60 MPH. MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A RADIATOR THAT LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN HAS SEVERAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AGAINST THEM FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR UPDATED IVOQ 10/24/12

  10. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 18, 2012

    RADIATOR LEAKED INTO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH SHORTED OUT, BUT NOT UNTIL TRANSMISSION WAS BURNT UP. *TR

  11. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 16, 2012

    TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY FAILED DUE TO LEAKAGE FROM THE RADIATOR CRACK. RUMBLING STARTED AT ABOUT 130K MILES, TRANSMISSION STARTING SLIPPING SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. WE TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND PAID $300 FOR A COMPLETE FLUSH AND REPLACEMENT OF FLUID. IT DID NO GOOD - TRANSMISSION IS NOW NOT WORKING AT ALL. *TR

  12. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 10, 2012

    I TOOK MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP BECAUSE WHEN I ACCELERATED OR SLOWED DOWN IT WAS GIVING A "BUCKING" FEELING AND MY REGULAR MECHANIC REFERRED ME TO THEM. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE FAULTY RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR ANYWHERE FROM $4800-$5500. WOW WHAT A SHOCK! THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!! *TR

  13. Power train, Engine, Sep 2, 2012

    THIS BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY SHOWING PROBLEMS ON THE HIGHWAY, DURING ACCELERATION (AFTER LETTING OFF THE GAS PEDAL TO SLOW) THE CAR WOULD START TO SHAKE SLIGHTLY AND LOSE POWER BEFORE AGAIN RUNNING SMOOTHLY IN MAY 2011. LATER IT STARTED TO DO IT AT SLOWER SPEEDS DURING ACCELERATION. THEN IT WOULD SOMETIMES HAVE ONE OR TWO CLUNKS DURING ACCELERATION, BEFORE AGAIN RUNNING SMOOTHLY. WE TOOK OUR CAR AGAIN TO OUR MECHANIC IN MAY 2012, AND FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR HAD BEEN LEAKING, THEN GUSHED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WE REPLACED THE RADIATOR, AND FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION TO HELP FIX THE ISSUES. THE ISSUES STILL CONTINUE TODAY, ALTHOUGH WE RARELY DRIVE THE CAR AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE AN NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR

  14. Power train, Engine, Aug 28, 2012

    I TOOK MY NISSAN PATHFINDER ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.1ST VISIT 11/29/2011, 2ND VISIT 3/12/2012, 3RD VISIT 6/11/2012 INTERMIX WITH COOLANT AND TRANNY FLUID, REPLACED RADIATOR 800.00, TOLD ME TO COME BACK AND TEST FLUIDS AFTER 1000 MILES, SAME ISSUE, FLUSHED OUT THE TRAN FLUID 250.00,T OLD ME TO COME BACK AFTER 1000 MILES TO TEST FLUID, SAME PROBLEM. PAID 600.00 TO CLEAN OUT TRANSMISSION PAN AND WHATEVER BS THEY TOLD ME, NOW RPMS ARE REVVING HIGH WHEN I TRY TO TAKE OFF, AND I AM AT RISK FOR STALLING OR TRANSMISSION FAILING IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION OR HIGHWAY. MY WIFE AND I ARE EXPECTING OUR 1ST CHILD IN JANUARY AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE BRINGING OUR NEWBORN IN THIS VEHICLE AND PUTTING HER LIFE AT RISK. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, AND LODGED A COMPLAINT THEN ANOTHER REP CALLED ME BACK AND SAID I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE 98K ON MY VEHICLE AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY OFFERED WAS UP TO 80K. REGARDLESS THERE ARE MANY PATHFINDER OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM, SHE DISPLAYED NO EMPATHY, AND KEPT SAYING THE SAME THING, "I UNDERSTAND YOUR FRUSTRATION, BUT WE CANNOT HELP YOU"....UNBELIEVABLE!! VEHICLE HAS 98K AND IT'S PAID OFF. DON'T WANT A NEW VEHICLE, AND WANT NISSAN TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS THIS PROBLEM! *TR

  15. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 27, 2012

    GOING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING REAL BAD THE RPM GAUGE WAS GOING NUTS. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP THEN TRIED TO START IT AGAIN THE VEHICLE JUMPED UNCONTROLLABLY. PARKED IT AND HAD IT PICKED UP BY A TOWTRUCK. WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. FAULTY VALVE ON RADIATOR CONTAMINATED TRANSMISSION. I AM SO GLAD THAT ME AND MY DAUGHTER WERE OK THIS WAS VERY SCARY. *TR

  16. Power train, Engine, Aug 17, 2012

    CAR STALLED AT RED LIGHT, SMOKING FROM HOOD TOOK TO MECHANICS ADVISED OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE, LEAKING BROWN STUFF. *TR

  17. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 1, 2012

    I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN JUNE 2011 FROM BENSON NISSAN IN SPARTANBURG, SC. I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THESE VEHICLES WERE HAVING &OF COURSE IT WASN'T MENTIONED IN THE SALE. IT WAS ALREADY SLIGHTLY PAST THE 80,000 MILE WARRANTY (THE PREVIOUS OWNER WAS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF PROBLEMS) FOR THE RADIATOR. LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE I TOLD THE SALES PERSON &A MECHANIC THAT THE CAR WAS JERKING AT AROUND 60 MPH WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THE MECHANIC BLAMED ?BAD GAS? & ?ETHANOL? & ASSURED ME IT WASN'T THE TRANSMISSION. LESS THAN A MONTH LATER, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER?S &TOLD THEM THE CAR WAS STILL JERKING AT 60MPH &ASKED THEM ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION. THEY AGAIN TOLD ME THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR CONTINUED TO SHAKE WORSE WHEN SHIFTING &I CONTINUED TO CALL NISSAN &COMPLAIN. THE SALES PERSON EVEN OFFERED TO TRADE THE CAR IN FOR ME, BUT RENEGED WHEN HIS MANAGER DECLINED BECAUSE I ?GOT TOO GOOD OF A DEAL ON THAT CAR &(THEY) COULDN'T TRADE IT BACK.? THE SHAKING BEGAN TO GET WORSE &SPREAD TO LOWER GEARS &I ACCEPTED THE FACT THAT I WAS SOLD A LEMON. THROUGH ALL THIS, NO ONE AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THE TRANSMISSION OR RADIATOR PROBLEM. I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT ONLY AFTER I BEGAN TO RESEARCH HOW TO REPAIR IT MYSELF &BY THEN ALL I COULD DO WAS PRAY. BARELY ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE WHILE ON THE WAY TO MY PARENT?S HOUSE WITH MY CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT, &WHILE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, THE CAR STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. I BARELY GOT IT TO MY PARENT?S HOUSE &ENDURED A LOT OF ANGRY DRIVERS AROUND ME. IT COST $3700 TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION &REPLACE THE RADIATOR THAT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION &FINALLY AFTER GETTING IT BACK THE JERKING WHILE SHIFTING HAS STOPPED. I SHOULD'VE BEEN INFORMED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AT PURCHASE OR AT LEAST AFTER COMPLAINING &NISSAN NEEDS TO MAKE GOOD ON THEIR FAULTY PARTS BEFORE SOMEONE IS REALLY HURT. *TR

  18. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 30, 2012

    DRIVING THE CAR AS I NORMALLY DO AND FELT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND ACTING FUNNY CAR LOST POWER ON HWY TOOK TO AN AAMCO TRANSMISSIONS MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED IN TO TRANSMISSION. SO TO GET IT FIXED HAD TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION,NEW TORQUE CONVERTER AND NEW RADIATOR. I SEE TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND NISSAN DOSE NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM YOU CALL THEM AND THEY BRUSH YOU OFF. MEAN WAIL EVERYONE IS SPENDING ANY-WARE FROM $5000 TO $7000. COULD THIS GET LOOKED IN TO? *TR

  19. Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 23, 2012

    VEHICLE SHAKES AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHEN DRIVING. DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. TOOK TO AMOCO AND TOLD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS MIXING WITH THE RADIATOR AND BOTH FAILED. COST OVER $4,000 DOLLARS TO FIX OR IT IS UTTERLY USELESS - JUST OVER 82K MILES. INVESTIGATION SHOWS DANGEROUS TREND FOR SAFETY AND COMPLETE PRODUCT DEFECT, WITH YEARS OF FOREKNOWLEDGE BY NISSAN. DRIVING IS DANGEROUS SINCE THE VEHICLE DOESN'T ACCELERATE CONSISTENTLY AND STEERING VIOLENTLY SHAKES. *TR

  20. Power train, Engine, Jul 8, 2012

    DROVE TO WAWA FOR GAS AND AS CAR WAS IDILING IT OVER HEATED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. GOT MY CAR HOME AND STARTED POKING AROUND ONLINE JUST TO FIND THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. DON'T KNOW IF TRANSMISSION IS DESTROYED YET BUT TIME WILL TELL. HORRIBLE THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. AND WHAT A HAZARD I HAD MY 3 CHILDREN IN CAR AND HAD TO TELL THEM NO BASEBALL FOR THEM. AND TOP IT OFF THERE WAS NO SIGNS OF ANY ISSUES AND CAR ONLY HAS 59,799 MILES ON IT. *TR

  21. Power train, Engine, Jul 8, 2012

    WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND NOTIFIED THEM OF SHUDDERING WHEN DRIVING IN EXCESS OF 40MPH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS 'MILKY' AS A RESULT OF COOLANT MIXING IN WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR. ADVISED REPAIRS TO INCLUDE A TRANSMISSION COOLER WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF $8,000+. ALSO ADVISED THAT MILEAGE OF 91,033 VOIDED EXTENDED WARRANTY. (3 YEARS, 80,000 MILES) VEHICLE IS NON-OPERABLE DUE TO TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

  22. Power train, Engine, Jun 25, 2012

    JUST PURCHASED 2006 PATHFINDER FROM LOCAL (JEEP/DODGE) DEALER. WAS LITERALLY DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE LOT WHEN I ENCOUNTERED VIBRATION AND NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME AND AFTER CHECKING THE FLUIDS FOUND A MILKY WHITE (ATF?) FLUID IN THE COOLANT/RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE HAS 87500 MILES AND I'M BESIDE MYSELF RIGHT NOW. THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM SEEMS WILLING TO WORK WITH ME TO REMEDY THE SITUATION BUT I'M NOT SURE IF THEY'LL PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR...? AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET FOUND THE MASS OF FOLKS DEALING WITH THE SAME RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION FAILURE PROBLEM. I'VE GOT AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER THIS WEEK... WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. NHTSA PLEASE HELP THE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF NISSAN OWNERS DEALING WITH THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT! *TR

  23. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 9, 2012

    AT FIRST INCIDENT, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD START SLIPPING CAUSING A VIBRATION WHILE THE OVERDRIVE WAS ON, THE VIBRATION WOULD GO AWAY WHEN OUT OF OVERDRIVE. THEN THE CAR WOULD STALL WHEN YOU WOULD TRY TO TAKE OFF AT A STOP, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE UNTIL YOU WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND CRANK IT AGAIN. AS YOU WOULD PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. THEN EVEN WITH THE CAR OUT OF OVERDRIVE WHILE AT SPEEDS AT 55 MPH OR HIGHER THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT WORK, YOU WOULD HAVE TO LET OFF ON THE ACCELERATOR AND WAIT ON THE RPM'S TO DROP AND THEN IT WOULD GO INTO GEAR AGAIN.I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE ADVISED THE TROUBLE WAS IN A SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP, THEY CHECKED THE FLUID AND SAID THERE WAS WATER IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSED BY A COOLANT LEAK FROM INSIDE OF RADIATOR GETTING INTO THE TRANSMISSION LINES CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD DUE TO COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *JS

  24. Engine, Jun 4, 2012

    IN OCTOBER OF 2011, MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER BEGAN VIOLENTLY VIBRATING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I REACHED 60 MPH. SOMETIMES IT WOULD STOP WHEN I LET UP OFF THE GAS. OTHER TIMES IT WOULD CONTINUE TO SHAKE. AFTER REPEATED VISITS TO THE MECHANICS AND NEW TIRES, ROTATIONS, BRAKES AND BALANCING, WE DECIDED TO GO TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THEY DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS COOLANT THAT HAD MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AS A MATTER OF FACT HE HAD 5 NISSAN PATHFINDERS ON HIS LOT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER MULTIPLE SEARCHES, WE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF ENTRIES OF PATHFINDER OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. EVENTUALLY, THE CAR STARTED TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO NISSAN IN MY TOWN AND CONTACTED CORPORATE. I WILL BE FILING A CIVIL SUIT IF THEY DO NOT AGREE TO PAY AND FIX MY CAR THAT I HAVE HAD FOR ONLY 3 YEARS. *TR

  25. Power train, Engine, May 31, 2012

    AS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OUR 2006 PATHFINDER HAS BEEN FOUND TO HAVE ANTIFREEZE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND WE ARE NOW TOLD IT WILL TAKE 4500 DOLLARS TO FIX. THIS IS NO DOUBT A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AS THERE WAS NO WAY TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING OR KNOWING FOR SURE WHEN IT DID. THIS SUV HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY PROFESSIONALS AND THEY DID NOT CATCH IT, I BELIEVE NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THIS BASED ON ACTIONS THEY HAVE TAKEN AND NOW SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. *TR