CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005-2007 Pathfinder appears to have a widespread defect where coolant leaks into the transmission, causing transmission failure around 90,000 miles. Repair costs are typically upwards of $3,500.

According to the New York Times & a class action lawsuit, the defect actually extends through 2010 model year. More info here.

1.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
103,800 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Nissan Pathfinder cooling system problems

cooling system problem

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2006 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #32

Jun 182018

Pathfinder

  • 87,270 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- East Hartford, CT, USA

problem #31

Jun 302017

Pathfinder

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. When the vehicle was taken to the alhambra Nissan dealer in alhambra, ca for a routine oil change, the contact was also advised to have a transmission oil change. The technician performed an oil change on the transmission and the transmission failed eight days later. The vehicle was towed to the alhambra Nissan dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission and the radiator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not serviced due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was old in age and out of warranty. The manufacturer did not offer further assistance. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #30

Nov 012016

Pathfinder

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. On several occasions, while driving between 10-50 mph, the transmission failed to operate as intended. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission failed due to contamination of the transmission from the radiator fluid acid. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #29

Dec 072016

Pathfinder

  • 132,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 35 mph, the contact had to depress the accelerator pedal all the way down to the floor in order for the vehicle to accelerate. The service engine warning indicator illuminated. The dealer diagnosed that radiator fluid was leaking into the transmission fluid reservoirs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.

- Amityville, NY, USA

problem #28

Nov 292014

Pathfinder

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was contamination of radiator fluid in the transmission and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. While the vehicle was previously in park, there was engine oil leaking underneath the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator was leaking fluid into the transmission and that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

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problem #27

Jul 112016

Pathfinder

  • 168,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road and towed to a local dealer who diagnosed a transmission failure due to a radiator leak. The dealer completely rebuilt the transmission. The failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to another dealer where it was diagnosed that the rebuilt transmission caused an "inter cooler failure". the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that it was not the manufacturer's problem. The contact was referred back to the dealer that installed the rebuilt transmission. The dealer stated that the manufacturer was aware of the rebuilt transmission and referred the contact back to the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that nothing could be done. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 10V517000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 168,000.

- Lafayette, GA, USA

problem #26

Jan 282016

Pathfinder

  • 157,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. While attempting to complete a left turn, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator hose cracked and leaked fluid into the transmission, which contaminated the transmission. It was diagnosed that a component within the steering column fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,000.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #25

Dec 242015

Pathfinder

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the transmission failed due to a leak in the radiator. The vehicle was diagnosed and taken to a dealer to be repaired. The details of the repairs were unknown. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #24

Dec 302015

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving approximately 60 mph, all the instrument panel warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the transmission and radiator were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000. Updated 03/09/16

- Renton, WA, USA

problem #23

Nov 032015

Pathfinder

  • 126,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 40 mph, an abnormal sound emitted from the vehicle. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the transmission fluid was mixing with the engine coolant. As a result, the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 126,000.

- Des Moines, IA, USA

problem #22

Oct 292015

Pathfinder

  • 111,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the radiator fractured. As a result, radiator fluid leaked into the transmission and caused the vehicle to decelerate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the radiator and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired.the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,800.

- Fountain, CO, USA

problem #21

Aug 192015

Pathfinder

  • 156,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. While the vehicle was stopped, it started to accelerate independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic stated that coolant from the radiator was leaking into the transmission. The mechanic also stated that the radiator and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 156,000.

- Sylvania, GA, USA

problem #20

May 072015

Pathfinder

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving at 55 mph, the contact noticed vibrations underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #19

Feb 072015

Pathfinder

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. While the vehicle was at the dealer for an unrelated issue, the technician discovered that the vehicle needed a new transmission. The contact stated that the radiator leaks coolant onto the transmission, which caused corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.

- Kenner, LA, USA

problem #18

Jun 012013

Pathfinder

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the radiator fractured and as a result, the radiator fluid leaked into the transmission causing the vehicle to decelerate. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- New Albany , MS, USA

problem #17

Apr 292013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • miles
Contamination of radiator and transmission fluids. Should have been a Nissan recall to fix the problem. Now 10,000 to repair and I put the bill and tell me to take home and park it. Transmission could go out anytime. Why no recall and where is justice here. I trade cars when my finances allow me to, not when I have to, so this is my complaint will Nissan be held accountable? I know there's many more people out there with the same problem and Nissan should be accountable because it could have been corrected.

- Bruno, WV, USA

problem #16

Mar 052014

Pathfinder

  • 126,000 miles
Took my car in for brand new tires..mechanic attempted to start my car, but failed. Had to get my car towed to a Nissan dealership and they stated 24 hours later after receiving my car I will need a new transmission and radiator although my car was maintained and always serviced. They stated I will need to pay $6,000 for repairs to drive my car. Right now I am paying a car note and can't drive my car.

- Snellville , GA, USA

problem #15

Jun 012012

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated the service engine light illuminated, and the fuel system gauge displayed the incorrect fuel levels. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. A warranty letter was received from Nissan to repair the radiator crack assembly failure, but the vehicle did not qualify due to the mileage. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximately failure mileage was 85,000. The current mileage was 109,000. Updated 3/19/13 updated 3/29/2013

- Fayette , MS, USA

problem #14

Sep 012012

Pathfinder

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the transmission started to slip. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that anti-freeze had entered the transmission from the radiator. As a result, both the radiator and the transmission would need to be replaced. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 85,000.

- Elisabeth, PA, USA

problem #13

Aug 312012

Pathfinder

  • 134,139 miles
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.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

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