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
837 reports, newest first.
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
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
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
Steering, Oct 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,250 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,270. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 1, 2012
THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY DUE TO EMPTY TANK WHILE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED AT LEAST 5 GALLONS (1/4 TANK) LEFT IN THE TANK. *TR
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
Steering, Sep 28, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED WITH THE FAULTY STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE UPPER STEERING SHAFT COLUMN BEARINGS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING MALFUNCTION. THE UPPER STEERING SHAFT COLUMN WAS BEING REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,300.
Power train, Sep 27, 2012
MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAD SEVERE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 50MPH CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. *TR
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
Power train, Sep 25, 2012
I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON A HIGHWAY IN LIGHT TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN I BEGAN TO HEAR A HIGH-PITCHED WHINE FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WHEN I STARTED TO ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE "BUCKED," OR LURCHED FORWARD, AND BEGAN TO SHAKE. THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME; IF ANOTHER VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN MY PATH, I WOULD HAVE SLAMMED INTO IT. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT AND DRIVE/COAST TO A SAFE PLACE WHERE I IMMEDIATELY CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE REPAIR SHOP AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. NISSAN APPARENTLY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOT SUGGEST THAT THE POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE RADIATOR BE REPLACED BEFORE IT LED TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 20, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFUELED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESOLVE THE FAILURE MOMENTARILY BEFORE RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE FUEL SENSOR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY COOLING FLUID LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR. THE DEALER THEN PERFORMED A TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FLUSH AND THE FAILURE WAS RESOLVED. ONE YEAR LATER AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MODULE SYSTEM HAD FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A LEAK OF COOLING FLUID INTO THE RADIATOR SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Power train, Sep 19, 2012
I USE THIS VEHICLE TO COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK. I CURRENTLY SERVE IN THE U.S. MILITARY AND MUST DRIVE OVER CAUSEWAYS THAT ARE LOCATED OVER WATER TO GET TO WORK. THE VIBRATIONS FROM THE FAILING TRANSMISSION CAUSE A MAJOR CONCERN WHEN GOING OVER THESE CAUSEWAYS. IF THE TRANSMISSION WERE TO FAIL GOING 50 MPH IT COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT POSSIBLY KILLING MY FAMILY, ME AND POSSIBLY MANY MORE. TODAY I WAS TAKING THE FAMILY OUT FOR DINNER. ON OUR WAY I DROVE OVER THE CAUSEWAY DRIVING 55 AND CAME TO AN EXIT. AS I WAS EXITING, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING VIGOROUSLY. THANKFULLY THERE WAS ENOUGH ROOM TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE TO BRING IT TO A STOP. NOW THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE PAST 1ST GEAR, SO OBVIOUSLY I HAD TO GET IT TOWED. NISSAN MUST ADDRESS THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR. *TR
Power train, Sep 19, 2012
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN ACTING UP LATELY AND WENT INTO A SAFETY MODE THAT I CAN ONLY RUN ON 3RD GEAR. MY OVERDRIVE HAS BEEN GIVING ISSUES FOR A LONG TIME THAT IT WOULDN'T LOCK FULLY SO I HAVE BEEN RUNNING ON FOURTH GEAR. *TR
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
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
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
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 4, 2012
WHILE DRIVING ON A VERY BUST HIGHWAY TOWING OUR 3000 LB BOAT OUR SUV BEGAN TO SHUTTER AND SLOW DOWN SWIFTLY CAUSING TRAFFIC TO SWERVE DANGEROUSLY AROUND OUR BOAT AND CAR AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A MAJOR PILE UP. APPARENTLY, THE DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION LINES CAUSED THE FLUIDS TO MIX, OVERHEATING AND DAMAGING OUR TRANSMISSION. WE WERE UNAWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS CAR IN A PRIVATE SALE 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. LUCKILY A CRISIS WAS AVERTED, HOWEVER IT HAD THE POTENTIAL FOR A CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WITHOUT TOUCHING BRAKES THEREFORE NOT SIGNALING TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES THAT WE WERE INDEED SLOWING RAPIDLY. *TR
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
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
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 24, 2012
OUR PATHFINDER HAS FAILED AND BEEN "REPAIRED" 7 TIMES NOW FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S RELATED TO THE ISSUE ABOUT THE FUEL SENDING UNITS. I WAS EVEN ALSO TOLD BY NISSAN THAT THE SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED BEFORE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 22K MILES. TO DATE NO LESS THAN 3 UNITS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED (INCLUDING THE NEWLY DESIGNED ONE 2X ) TO ADDRESS PLASTIC GAS TANK ISSUES. ON THREE OCCASIONS WE'VE RUN OUT OF FUEL. IT REGISTERS 1/2 TANK AND THEN WE RUN OUT. OR IT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE 1/2 TANK AND THEN DROPS TO E AND THE EMPTY FUEL LIGHT COMES ON. THIS WHOLE THING HAS PASSED THE INSANE LEVEL. ONCE I HAD TO PAY 400+ FOR REPAIRS AS THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE WAS EXPIRED. I TRIED TO ARGUE IT WAS COVERED UNDER PREVIOUS REPAIRS BUT THAT'S LIKE SPITTING IN THE WIND (NISSAN AS WELL AS THE DEALER COWELS NISSAN). SINCE THE LAST "REPAIR" A FEW MONTHS AGO IT HAS ALSO FAILED 4 MORE TIMES. WE'RE JUST IN THE HABIT OF USING THE TRIP METER. FIRST QUESTION IS THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU POTENTIALLY COULD JUST RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE INTERSTATE. ALSO WITH ALL THESE ERRORS IN THE COMPUTER THE VEHICLE WON'T PASS STATE SAFETY INSPECTIONS. LAST TIME NISSAN REFUSED TO REPLACE THE SENDER UNIT OR AUTHORIZE ANY REPAIRS OR PAY FOR A LOANER VEHICLE. THEY CLAIMED THE MECHANIC DROVE IT HOME AND FOUND NO ERRORS...IS THERE SOMETHING YOU CAN HELP OUT WITH THIS ISSUE. WITH ALL THESE REPAIRS ALL THESE PARTS / LABOR WARRANTIED FOR 12M / 12,000 MILES. WHY ARE THEY NOT HELPING? CAN SOMEONE ASSIST US HERE ? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Aug 22, 2012
THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT! *TR
Power train, Aug 21, 2012
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS OR VIBRATES EXTENSIVELY AT APPROX 42 MPH, 55 MPH, AND 62 MPH. IT CANNOT DOWNSHIFT PROPERLY - I HAVE TO DRIVE ABOVE OR BELOW THE REFERENCED SPEEDS TO AVOID THE SHAKING. IN LATER INCIDENTS, THE VEHICLE JOLTED BUT NOT OUT OF CONTROL. *TR
Service brakes, Aug 19, 2012
THERE WAS A LINE OF CARS AND I TRIED TO STOP AND THE BRAKES STARTED TO MAKE A SOUND AND DOESNT RESPOND I MADE A LEFT TURN AND IT STOPPED. *TR