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.
Of the 2006 reports, 10 involved a crash. 11 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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
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 and engine cooling
185 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 15, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 79,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 29, 2010
2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER WAS TAKEN TODAY FOR A ROUTINE YEARLY INSPECTION. ONLY ISSUE I HAVE HAD WITH IT IS THE HEATER PERIODICALLY DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY. AT THE NISSAN DEALER, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE VEHICLE IS IN NEED OF AN ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT A "COOLING LINE IS BROKEN AND ALL ANTIFREEZE MIXED IN WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID". ESTIMATED COST IS $7000. IN ADDITION, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS REPLACED. THE REPAIRMAN INDICATED "MANY" PATHFINDERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. AFTER SEARCHING ON-LINE, THERE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE ANGRY THAT THEIR PATHFINDERS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, YET NISSAN IS STILL NOT ASSUMING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF THIS. I ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE. THIS IS QUITE DISCONCERTING, AS THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD, AND I AM NOW BEING TOLD I SHOULDN'T EVEN BE DRIVING IT. THEY ARE OFFERING TO HELP ONLY BY GIVING US A GREAT DEAL ON A TRADE. HOWEVER, I NO LONGER TRUST NISSAN, AND WOULD NOT TRADE FOR ANOTHER NISSAN. I AM ASKING NISSAN FOR SOME EXPLANATION, AND SOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ON THIS ISSUE, BUT I HAVE NOT HAD A REPLY. THE DEALER ONLY OFFERS A "GREAT" TRADE-IN VALUE - THE MANUFACTURER HASN'T REPLIED YET (ASSUMING THEY WILL REPLY AT ALL". THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME ON THIS MATTER AND ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO ASSIST. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 18, 2010
TRANSMISSION STALLING VEHICLE MAKING VEHICLE JUMP. CALLED NISSAN MOTORS ABOUT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. HAVE READ ON BOARDS THIS PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR IS VERY COMMON IN THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLE JUST ALL OF THE SUDDEN STARTS JUMPING WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PAID TOO MUCH MONEY FOR THIS NISSAN TO BE HAVING THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS AND DO NOT WANT TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. NISSAN IS NOT COOPERATING WITH ALL THE CONSUMERS THAT OWN THESE VEHICLES. I AM AFRAID IT IS GOING TO COMPLETELY STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 11, 2010
TRUCK BEGAN TO SHUDDER AS IF DRIVING ON RUMBLE STRIPS, THEN OVERHEATED ON MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLING FLUID MIXED DUE TO DEFECT. RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AND TRUCK COMPLETELY FLUSHED SEVERAL TIMES. GOOD CHANCE THAT TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED, ALSO. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WAS $1500. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 25, 2010
2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER - IN AUGUST THE FUEL GAUGE STOPS WORKING I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. IN DECEMBER THE RADIATOR COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIX AND I HAVE TO REPLACE RADIATOR AND FLUSH TRANSMISSION FLUID. IN JANUARY THE IPMD MODULE GOES OUT, CAR GOES COMPLETELY DEAD ON FREEWAY AND ALMOST CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. IN FEBRUARY SES LIGHT GOES ON AGAIN THIS TIME CATALYTIC CONVERTER GOES BAD. FEBRUARY 24 COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING AGAIN TAKING TO SHOP TOMORROW. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE ISSUES, IF YOU SEARCH THE INTERNET YOU WILL DISCOVER THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. PLEASE HELP. I'M SURE I WILL BE POSTING AGAIN NEXT MONTH. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 12, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 11, 2010
NISSAN PATHFINDER, 2006 DEALER STATES RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO & MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION OIL. CAR WOULD HAVE A SEVERE VIBRATION ABOVE 40MPH APPROX. WHEN CHANGING FINAL GEAR. THERE IS NO HEAT FROM HEATER. CAR TEMP WOULD RISE AT SPEEDS OVER 40MPH. DEALER ASKED FOR $8000 FOR REPLACEMENT OF RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. CAR UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BUT THEY STILL WON'T COVER DEFECT RADIATOR. COMMON PROBLEM FOUND ONLINE WITH 2005 & 2006 MODELS, THEY CAN CATCH ON FIRE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT TURNING ON. NISSAN HQ DECLINED ANY HELP. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 23, 2009
THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS LOCATED IN THE RADIATOR AND CRACKED. THIS RESULTS IN THE MIXTURE OF ANTI-FREEZE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. SO THE ENDING RESULT IS ANTI-FREEZE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING THEN FAILS.......THERE IS A LONG LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS AT THE EDMUNDS CAR WEB SITE. HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX?ED_DISPLAYMAKEMODELRELATEDDISCUSSIONS@@.EF14C39!MAKE=NISSAN&MODEL=PATHFINDER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Feb 10, 2009
I PURCHASED AN AFTER-MARKET ENGINE COLD AIR INTAKE FOR MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AFTER I INSTALLED THE INTAKE A PIECE OF METAL FROM THE INTAKE BROKE OF AND GOT LODGED IN THE THROTTLE OF MY VEHICLE DURING A TRIP TO LOS ANGELES, CA. THE METAL PIECE CAUSED MY CAR'S ENGINE TO STALL THE DIE COMPLETELY ON THE FREEWAY WITHIN A MATTER OF SECONDS. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET MY VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC IN BARSTOW, CA WHO REMOVED THE METAL DEBRIS FROM THE THROTTLE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THE METAL HAD BROKEN LOOSE FROM INSIDE THE INTAKE. WHEN I REMOVED THE INTAKE AND EXAMINED THE INSIDE I FOUND MORE PIECES OF METAL READY TO BREAK FREE. THE METAL FRAGMENTS WERE LEFT HANGING AND CLEANED UP AFTER THE METAL WAS CUT AND THE O2 SENSOR FITTING WAS WELDED ON. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Aug 31, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR NEEDLE REMAINS ON THE EMPTY SYMBOL, EVEN WHEN FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TWO WEEKS LATER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS A SHORT IN THE CLUSTER AND THE PART HAD TO BE ORDERED FROM PUERTO RICO. THE PART ARRIVED A WEEK AND A HALF LATER AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUSTER. ONE WEEK LATER, THE ODOMETER BEGAN TO DISPLAY THE INCORRECT MILEAGE. THE ODOMETER WAS LATER REPAIRED. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE AS SOON AS IT WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS THE TENSION BELT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BELT, BUT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE. THE BELT WAS REPLACED AGAIN, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNSURE IF THE REPLACEMENT PART WOULD BE DEFECTIVE AS WELL. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, SPEED, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,566 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 693.