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.

9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,060
Average Mileage:
110,750 miles
Total Complaints:
231 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace transmission and radiator (131 reports)
  2. rebuild transmission and replace radiator (40 reports)
  3. not sure (26 reports)
  4. replace radiator and transmission (16 reports)
  5. new transmission (6 reports)
  6. radiator and transmission cooler replaced (5 reports)
2006 Nissan Pathfinder transmission problems

transmission problem

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2006 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 2 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #211

Dec 172016

Pathfinder LX 4.0lV6fi D

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

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

Nissan should have contacted owners and told them to replace the radiator. The persons I spoke with at Nissan told me they all replaced their radiators because they all knew it was a problem. Nissan would offer to pay around $2000.00 toward the repair but they are charging close to $8000. at the dealer to replace the transmission and radiator and no allowance toward the $500.00 rental car charge for 10 days, since this happened over Christmas. We have looked at trading our Pathfinder in and purchasing a new Murano but now, NO MORE NISSANS. Not only has Nissan lost a customer for life but I will complain everywhere I can.

I brought this to a private car repair shop and had the radiator and transmission replaced for a total of $4381.00. half of what Nissan wanted for the job. Also, my car was 6 months too old to benefit from the $2k Nissan was offering for help with the problem. Only had 52k miles on this car and it looks brand new.

- Michael S., Milford, CT, US

problem #210

Jan 042016

Pathfinder LE 4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

It is the only vehicle we have and I did not have any choice but to pay and have it repaired. I had to borrow money from a friend which I just finished paying back and also take out a personal loan. The transmission repair shop said they have seen a lot of these and knew right away what had destroyed the transmission.

Although we liked the Pathfinder LE very much, I will never buy another Nissan product because they obviously had a defective transmission design and refuse to stand by their vehicles. The extended warranty was a joke since most failures occurred beyond that period.

- John B., Lake Placid, FL, US

problem #209

Apr 202015

Pathfinder LE 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,000 miles

Love my car, hate Nissan's lack of ethics. I've always loved my Nissan vehicles whether it was an Altima or my current Nissan. Should I ever stop putting money into this one (2 catalytic converters, one ignition coil, O2 sensors, brakes, 2 sets of tires thus far), I highly doubt I will ever buy another. I have lost my trust in and respect for them.

- 24sevnlibrarian, Taylors, SC, US

problem #208

Oct 252016

Pathfinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

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

Let me begin by saying I love my 2006 Nissan Pathfinder! I have had minimal issues regarding it. I keep up with my oil changes. I am very upset to find out so many other owners have had this same problem and no one leaked the message out to the owners!!! However, antifreeze leaked with the transmission fluid and caused damages to my transmission. Now I'm stuck having to pay $3,000 to get this fixed. (I am waiting to hear from the dealer to see if there is anything they could do to help out with the co-pay) If so, I will log back in here and give them the shout out! If not, I don't know what I'll do!

- mlindon, Lafayette, LA, US

problem #207

Aug 222016

Pathfinder LE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 151,000 miles

Transmission coolant has leaked into transmission due to a defect in the transmission coolant box. Transmission is slipping. Will cost $3500 to repair.

- Douglas H., Buena Vista, VA, US

problem #206

Jul 012016

Pathfinder SE Off Road 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,686 miles

2 days after making myfirst payment on used 06 Pathfinder, Transmission started acting confused as to what gear it was in, very noticeable between the 35 -40 mph range. Then that same feeling of wanting to shift in and out of gears was noticeable anytime passing or elevation change. Dealer says that it must of just happened as there are no signs of corrosion, so they are putting in a new radiator and doing a transmission fluid flush...for almost $900 dollars. Seeing the posts here are making very worried this is only a bandaid that will bite me later.

HOW DOES A KNOWN FAILURE THAT IS BECAUSE OF BAD DESIGN, BAD QUALITY OF MATERIALS. .NOT BE COVERED BY THE COMPANY THAT HAS MADE THE MONEY OFF THE FAULTY PRODUCT..ONLY LEAD TO MORE MONEY GOING TO THE PROVIDER OF THE FAULTY PRODUCT...WELCOME TO FREE TRADE OUTSIDE OF AMERICA???

- Darren C., Sterling, AK, US

problem #205

May 012016

Pathfinder ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

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

Nissan Pathfinder bought 2011 Sept. Since then one problem or the next. This is one though seems to be the most annoying. The car jerks on highways and seems as if it will stop (as if a car that has run dry of fuel and wants to stop). It produces sound as if someone is grinding corn! I called Nissan Consumer Affairs and they directed me to where I bought it from in West haven George Harte Nissan. When those people diagnosed it they are saying it is transmission. and guess what, they did not get back to me after almost 1 week. I called and they told me to call back the Consumer Affairs number, this is really upsetting. I am expecting response from their regional office today , because absolutely Nissan sold me a DEFECTIVE product.

- okomoda, HAMDEN, CT, US

problem #204

Jun 012016

Pathfinder SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,266 miles

Thanks a lot Nissan!

LONG story short.....after starting to have issues with the performance of my 06 Pathfinder,I have discovered that I'm basically screwed!! Nissan you really need to fix your leaking radiator into the transmission issue!! I like many others are not going to be a returning customer, after dealing with this!! You not only have trained your dealerships (Eishenhauer) to act stupid on the situation,but the extended warranty companies are also aware,and won't cover the problem! (I have wasted $1500.00 on a Zurich Powertrain warranty)

I'm so disappointed and tired over this whole long ordeal, that's still ongoing....that all I can say at this point is

NISSAN YOU SUCK!! THANKS!! I cannot afford to fix this (I have also heard, it really is not ever fixed) I'm forced to sell my Pathfinder!!

I have spent enough $$ and time,on this transmission issue, I'm done!! (but not until I have told everyone about this,social media, here I come) Thanks again Nissan!!

- Linda H., Birdsboro, PA, US

problem #203

May 152016

Pathfinder SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,274 miles

We have carefully followed the mfg recommendations for maintaining our 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. It has 200,000 km but a regular maintenance inspection recently told us that all was well. Until our radiator failed and contaminated our transmission. Now we require a new radiator and transmission $7500. Now we know this is a know defect that could have been prevented with a simple rad change $600. We are just above the extended warranty for this known issue and have brought this to Nissan Canada's attention but they refuse to extend the warranty to us, despite our excellent service history at a Nissan dealership and our willingness to pay the $3000 customer co-pay. Nissan is losing a customer over this. Really disappointed, thought we were buying into a company whose reputation was quality and customer service, but that's just all talk. I see the new model Nissan Pathfinders are also experiencing transmission problems. We're done with Nissan. If you own a Pathfinder of this vintage, do yourself a huge favour and replace the rad before you have a massive repair bill on your hands.

I would also like to add that our Nissan dealership has been absolutely terrible. They are actively avoiding us and this problem.

- loraleid, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

problem #202

May 082016

Pathfinder LE 6.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

I bought my 2006 Pathfinder May 7 and on May 8 I immediately was feeling it vibrate when I was driving around 40 mph. After doing some research about it, I found out that the vibration could be coming from the transmission due to coolant from the radiator leaking into the transmission.

I took it into the shop to have the radiator disconnected from the transmission and to have my transmission flushed. The mechanic said the transmission fluid was cloudy so coolant for sure got in there and we just hoped that we caught it in time. My vehicle was acting pretty good for about two weeks and then my transmission failed. Look for my other complaint to read about what happened.

- lunder, Madison, WI, US

problem #201

Jun 022016

Pathfinder LE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,861 miles

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

While driving the kids to daycare, the car began to shudder as if I were driving over rumble strips.

The dealer said the transmission fluid was contaminated due to a defect in the radiator.

On the internet there are thousands of complaints about this issue. You can find them if you search but who ever searches for something like that BEFORE it happens.

Nissan should have notified the owners of this known issue. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away.

There was a class action lawsuit that did not help anyone with over 100,000 miles. Owners with over 100,000 should be a different class

- Joseph D., Allen, TX, US

problem #200

Mar 252016

Pathfinder SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,745 miles

I was a very loyal customer to Nissan. I have own 3 Nissan vehicle. I had all my maintenance and repairs done at the Nissan dealership. I am very upset and discussed by Nissan company. On 2/25/16 I brought my vehicle in for service; oil change, 4 new tires mounted, balanced and alignment, and cabin air filter changed, costing me $956.03. The tech stated that day liquid was found wet on my radiator pipes or hose and not to worry it could be addressed 3 to 6 months later. Trusting Nissan because once again all my maintenance and any work done to my Nissan 06 Pathfinder, Nissan has done.

A few weeks later I contacted Nissan to inform them my transmission was slipping. I brought my pathfinder in to find out my radiator fluid Leaked in to my transmission, and it would cost me over $6000.00 to replace the radiator and transmission. The thing that truly bothers me the most is the dishonesty and deceit. Nissan knew my radiator was leaking and didn't bother to fix it at that time so it wouldn't cause me other issues like transmission issues instead they waited to get more money out of me.

So when I brought it back 3/25/16 to see about my transmission not knowing about the connection of the radiator and transmission that Nissan was full aware of I was told my warranty had just ran out two days ago (3/22/16). But like I stated early my tech was aware of the leakage almost a month prior but told me it could wait 3 to 6 months later. He knew my warranty was about to expire but lead me on a wild goose chase.

Finally after I called head quarters I was granted the extend warrant but it still costed me over $3000.00. Nissan is and was aware of the problem of the radiator issue and put me in a situation where I am a single mother( can't afford $3000.00 to put in a car ) with one vehicle ( that gets me to and from work, and my children back and forth from school, etc.) where I was out of a vehicle for nearly a month because they order wrong parts, had to reorder parts which supposedly at most a 2 weeks job according to my tech, took a month.

If Nissan did their job when they found the leak and fix it I wouldn't have been put in that predicament. If Nissan new about the radiator issues why was that part recalled??? Nissan has turned a very loyal customer into very unhappy customer.

- Lea A., Kinston, NC, US

problem #199

Jul 152014

Pathfinder SE 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

Ridiculous that a company would not back up an obviously bad engineering design. And to extend the warranty to a point that where the problem still wouldn't show in most Pathfinders was an obvious out that would not obligate them to pay much at all. They know they're getting away with something here! I had to pay $5600 to get it fixed because it was cheaper to do that than to buy another card. I will never buy another Nissan again because of how they treated every Pathfinder owner. They're deceptive and don't want to stand behind their work.

- Andy S., Centennial, CO, US

problem #198

Aug 012014

Pathfinder SE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

Nissan seemed to know about this issue and when it would happen. They extended the warranty only right up to the failure. Transmission shop was very famalier with the problem. Way to go Nissan, never buy your product again.

- Jerry A., Russellville, KY, US

problem #197

Mar 012016

Pathfinder Early Gen 3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 137,930 miles

I took my car into the dealership less than 6 months ago for a full inspection. I drove 2 hours away to take it to the professionals in hopes that they could help me. My car was slipping and whining and also had electrical problems. They told me they did a full inspection and nothing was wrong with it..and sent me on my way. NEVER mentioning this huge vehicle default to unaware customers along with a slew of other problems that came into light less than a month after taking it in. I am just going to stick to the cracked radiator problem for now that did crack and ruin my transmission!

I went to them for help and they kept me in the dark, hoping that the problem would not occur. If given the option or at least the information to make the decision for myself i would have gladly replaced a radiator months ago when i took it in! Now, they are quoting me 5,984.00 to fix my car which could have been easily avoided. I am disgusted with Nissan and there evil corporate bullshit. I am devastated about my car which i dumped thousands into already and do not have the money to fix. It is obvious to me that it should be a recall and a problem they should be happy to fix for loyal customers..but alas nobody sticks up for the little guy anymore.

- tula79tula, Nevada City, CA, US

problem #196

Oct 012015

Pathfinder SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles

Purchased Pathfinder in 2013 with 140,000 miles from a dealership. After less than 3 years and 20,000 miles the transmission has gone and it will cost over 4,000 to fix while I am still financing over 9,000 for it. All extended warranty deadlines and limitations have expired before I had even purchased the car. It is amazing that for such a severe issue that has been detrimental to many based on my research, that Nissan does not have more realistic and helpful warranty standards. I am not a loss at what to do and Nissan or dealership has offered any help.

- jromo33, Biglerville, PA, US

problem #195

Mar 312016

Pathfinder LE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,000 miles

My family has bought 5 Nissans over the last 10 years. I own the Nissan Pathfinder LE. Today I went to get the oil change and radiator flush. The cost to repair the problem is $6700.00. This is the most ridiculous thing I have heard. Reading other people problem on this forum; Nissan should help in fixing this problem that they knew about. I will never ever buy Nissan in my life.

- Atul J., Largo, FL, US

problem #194

Mar 152016

Pathfinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

This is a known problem by Nissan. Thank goodness I purchased a warranty on this vehicle when I bought it used. It is covering most of the repair, however still leaving me with $650 out of pocket & no vehicle for two weeks. Thanks Nissan!!

- Candace M., Roanoke, VA, US

problem #193

Mar 212016

Pathfinder SE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,088 miles

Repair is a known issue and due to millage Nissan refuses to fix it.

- Lisa L., Elizabeth City, NC, US

problem #192

Mar 042014

Pathfinder LE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,905 miles

Had since new looked after it and now it sits for the last 2 years because of a failing transmission. The fix is $5000 and I just missed the cut off for warranty on it. I don't feel I should have to pay because Nissan knew about the problem and didn't tell me about it till it was to late. We will never buy another Nissan because of this.

- Robert G., Vernon, BC, Canada

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