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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
85,845 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #17

Oct 232010

Pathfinder

  • 24,000 miles

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

This is in reference to the 2005 and 2006 Nissan Pathfinders and the failing in-radiator transmission coolers allowing coolant into the transmission causing them to fail. My 2006 has not failed but I am replacing the radiator today to stay ahead of the potential failure. (I am a mechanic and after reviewing approx 200 internet posts see the issue very clearly) you are welcome to the radiator I will be removing for a forensic evaluation of the internal transmission cooler, I have maintained my vehicle religiously and this would be a good indicator if there are corrosion issues with proper maintenance and low mileage. Just let me know where you would like it sent.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #16

Sep 142010

Pathfinder

  • 71,500 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving approximately 20 mph, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated the vehicle started vibrating and slowed down. The contact continued to drive home. The vehicle was taken to an auto parts store where a diagnostic test was performed; it was determined that a problem lay within the transmission. The vehicle was taken to a local transmission shop and they advised her that the transmission needed to be replaced and they turned the check engine light off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and where the contact was informed that the radiator and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 71,500 and the current mileage was 72,000.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #15

Mar 092010

Pathfinder

  • miles
Nissan 2006 Pathfinder models come with defects that Nissan will not take responsibility for. The fuel sending unit on this vehicles are defected and can cause people to run out of gas and put themselves in danger. Also the radiator can cause a leek and send fluid into the transmission causing possible accident. Nissan refuses to admit this is a recall problem.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #14

Jul 042010

Pathfinder

  • 57,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. While traveling 40 mph the contact noticed that the vehicle had began vibrating. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact had a intercooler placed on the transmission and the transmission was flushed. The contact noticed a year prior that the vehicle would intermittently vibrate. The current and failure mileages were 57000.

- Murray, UT, USA

problem #13

Aug 182010

Pathfinder

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the inside of the transmission had become milky with metal parts. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 86,000.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #12

Feb 172010

Pathfinder

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated she was driving at 50 mph when the heater and defroster failed. The windows had to remain open in order to keep the windows from fogging. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle would exhibit an unusual increase in engine rpms intermittently. The vehicle was inspected by a local mechanic who advised that radiator fluid leaked into the inner cooling system and into the transmission, causing the heater failure. The mechanic performed a transmission flush and replaced the transmission filter and radiator. Within five months, the transmission failed. Additionally, the fuel level gauge would sporadically read inaccurate fuel levels, causing her to run out of fuel twice without warning. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 10V075000 (fuel system, gasoline: Storage: Auxillary tank) but was unable to confirm if her vehicle was included with the recall. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 118,000.

- Paron , AR, USA

problem #11

Jul 212006

Pathfinder

  • miles

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

I own a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. After hearing about many transmission issues due to a faulty radiator/seal, I decided to be proactive since I only have 41,000 miles and one year remaining on my power train warranty. I called Nissan usa informing them of my concern, and to see if there was a fix in place before my warranty was up in one year. The woman informed me that unless there was a specific problem at this time, nothing could be done. I was calling to try to save them from an upcoming issues/repairs under warranty. I also called my local dealership, and he heard about the issue and stated that no fix or recall is in place. After owning multiple Nissan over the past 15 years, this new was disheartening. Nissan documented my call (I have a conf. Number). I already had U-joint replaced. Alternator tensioner, and timing chain replaced under warranty.

- Wakefield, MA, USA

problem #10

Apr 012010

Pathfinder

  • 60,000 miles
05 & 06 Nissan Pathfinders got a bad batch of radiators that were installed into there cars. The radiators are cracking and allowing the coolant to mix with the transmission fluid destroying both and leaving consumers with repair bills between $5500 and $7500. The danger in this matter is that cars are over heating on the roads, and transmissions are failing during driving. How safe can it be when a car is traveling down the road and complete loss of power happens at 70mph in the fast lane or in a steep incline. If your lucky enough to get to the shoulder safely then a family with kids could be trapped on the hwy or back roads of America forced to walk to the nearest town putting them in extreme danger of being run over and killed. Also if a car overheats and someone tries to force it down the road to a town that car could catch fire. All due to Nissan putting these radiators into there SUVS knowing its a family car. Nissan North America refuses to acknowledge the problem putting 10S of thousands of lives at risk.

- Fenton, MO, USA

problem #9

Jun 242010

Pathfinder

  • 134,000 miles
I purchased a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder off the showroom floor at my local Nissan dealership in July 2006. In August of 2006, the fuel pump assembly had to be replaced. In 2007, the fuel level unit had to be replaced. In 2009, the fuel module had to be replaced. Now, the transmission problems have begun. The dealer refuses to repair even though they are aware of numerous complaints from Pathfinder owners. I am out of money and patience with this vehicle. Nissan should issue a recall.

- Union, SC, USA

problem #8

Jun 102010

Pathfinder

  • 70,000 miles
I own a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder, radiator fluid leaked from radiator into transmission according to transmission specialist. 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. I am afraid to drive the vehicle until issues can be resolved. This leak has ruined my transmission requiring a new transmission/radiator which adds up to a price of around 5-8000 dollars. This vehicle has been serviced regularly and only has 70,000 miles. I believe this to be a serious safety concern Nissan is trying to hide from the consumer and should be addressed asap.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #7

Mar 022010

Pathfinder

  • 58,000 miles

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

In November 2008 I purchased my 2006 Nissan Pathfinder SE from a private owner. There were approximately 42,000 miles on the vehicle. After having it inspected, I was told it was in great shape and for 1 year I drove it with no significant problems. In November 2009, the gas gague began registering empty when it was on a quarter tank. The dealer replaced the fuel sensor ($400) which resolved the problem. I later found out that there was a recall on the same make/model and for that exact problem just 3 monthes after I had mine repaired, but because my VIN# was not on the recall list, I was told my money would not be refunded. Not long after this incident with 58,000 miles on my vehicle, I started having transmission problems, I was told by the dealership that even though my transmission is covered up to 60,000 miles, because the problem originated from a faulty seal on my radiator (only covered until 36,000 miles) that leaked antifreeze into my transmission, my transmission repairs were my responsibility. I call Nissan Corp. To report the problem and the representative informed me that Nissan has received multiple complaint calls form owners having the same problem with the same vehicle. She advised me to voice my concerns to you in hopes that you could reslove the matter.

- Amherst, NY, USA

problem #6

Feb 122010

Pathfinder 4WD 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
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.

- Lookout Mtn, GA, USA

problem #5

Feb 102010

Pathfinder

  • 65,000 miles
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.

- Easton, PA, USA

problem #4

Feb 132010

Pathfinder

  • 100,334 miles
The 2005/06 Nissan Pathfinder has an issue with the radiator (coolant) leaking into the transmission. The defect causes the car to smoke once the transmission has completely gone out. This also at some points causes the car to switch gears violently on when going above 60 mph.

- Orange, CA, USA

problem #3

Nov 152009

Pathfinder

  • 55,332 miles
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.

- Newark, CA, USA

problem #2

Oct 222009

Pathfinder

  • 91,000 miles
We have been having problems with our vehicle "shaking" at 40 mph and again at 60 mph. We have had it into the shop to be looked at but after replacing U-joints, some other items and putting new tires on our vehicle it didn't get better. My wife was driving our Pathfinder home one night with our daughters in the vehicle and noticed that the vehicle was sputtering. She thought that possibly she was running out of gas although it was showing a 1/4 tank but we had been noticing that the gas gauge would fluctuate when we would fill the vehicle up (something that we noticed other Nissan owners have mentioned as well). She stopped at the gas station and noticed that the vehicle was overheating. We had it towed to a Nissan dealership where they told us that the radiator leaked into the transmission and we were going to need a new radiator and new transmission. We are over our miles and our warranty has run out. We have contacted Nissan but were told that they are not obligated to fix anything or pay for anything since we drove our vehicle outside of our warranty and have put too many miles on our vehicle. We have been reading that this is a problem with the 2005 and we are thinking that this is going to be the same case for the 2006 and 2007 once the miles get to about 60,000. We have heard that Nissan has put out a bulletin on this problem and are aware of it but as the regional manager told us, they are not obligated to fix or pay for anything outside of the warranty. They know this is an issue and still they are not doing anything to make good on a product that has a manufacturer's defect. I'm sure that they are not interested in hearing this and have probably heard it before, but we will not buy another Nissan product and will make sure that we let as many people as we can know that Nissan does not stand behind their product.

- Brookfield, WI, USA

problem #1

Sep 302006

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles
: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, a popping noise was heard. While the vehicle was rolling backward, a ticking noise was heard. It rolled out of the driveway and clipped another vehicle causing minor damage. The vehicle came to rest across the street from the contact's driveway. A passenger had a minor injury to the arm. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who could not identify the problem. Updated 10/30/06.

- Selma, TX, USA

Not what you are looking for?