Total Complaints
1224 filings
NISSAN PATHFINDER · model year
1224 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2006NISSANPATHFINDER carries 1224 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 16 crashes, 0 fires, 18 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 PATHFINDER is power train with 413 filings, followed by engine (147) and engine and engine cooling (137). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 4 investigation files overlapping the 2006 PATHFINDER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
1224 filings
Crashes Reported
16 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 413 |
| ENGINE | 147 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 137 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 98 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 71 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 43 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK | 38 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 37 |
| STEERING | 37 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 32 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 31 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 24 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 16 |
| AIR BAGS | 13 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 11 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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, PEN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 REDU
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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, ARM
EQUIPMENT
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,
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
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
I've ran out of gas twice my indicator the gas tank gauge does not show that the vehicle is empty it shows it's full and then I run out of gas on the side of the road almost get hit by cars trying to get to gas station to get more gas in the middle of traffic very dangerous have my daughter with me trying to push my vehicle out of the way so I don't get hit apparently it's a recall that says mine was done but it's not done because it's still having problems I am the third owner of mine so I think it was mislabeled as completed if that's the case then how do I know any of these recalls have been done properly
See attached document for complaint.
The contact stated that the company owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the fuel gauge displayed a full tank, then suddenly displayed that the fuel was empty, improperly displaying the fuel level. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the fuel level sensor was high causing the fuel pump to fail. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Mileage: 130,000
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of transmission failure during the gear shifting. The contact stated that the gear shifter would remain in neutral. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,364.
Mileage: 128,364
I was hit on the drivers side, where the front drivers door stops and the back door begins. The other drivers was estimated at going 50-60 mph. My car spun and rolled over 360 degrees. None of the airbags deployed. The sheriff, ambulance, firefighters all told me to report it. The car was totaled at the scene so unfortunately no inspections were able to be made. There were not warning lights previous to the accident.
Transmission oil cooler line in radiator broke causing coolant and transmission oil to mix and car is not driveable and needs $3,000 repairs
Transmission oil cooler line in radiator broke causing coolant and transmission oil to mix and car is not driveable and needs $3,000 repairs
Car shuts off In the middle of driving & also when simply parked. It starts jerking like itâs trying to catch up then it kills. Itâs happened in front of traffic and busy roadways/intersections. It has happened more than once.
Car shuts off In the middle of driving & also when simply parked. It starts jerking like itâs trying to catch up then it kills. Itâs happened in front of traffic and busy roadways/intersections. It has happened more than once.
Car shuts off In the middle of driving & also when simply parked. It starts jerking like itâs trying to catch up then it kills. Itâs happened in front of traffic and busy roadways/intersections. It has happened more than once.
UNKNOWN. Every time I drive above 50 mph the car vibrates hard and itâs audible. It feels like the engine. I had it checked out by two mechanics but they couldnât figure it out. I had my wheels balanced, bought new tires at the mechanic suggestion. That hasnât helped. Iâm not sure if this is safe to drive and it doesnât make me feel safe. This has been going on for months. Please let me know if theyâre similar complaints and what I should do about it. Thank you
UNKNOWN. Every time I drive above 50 mph the car vibrates hard and itâs audible. It feels like the engine. I had it checked out by two mechanics but they couldnât figure it out. I had my wheels balanced, bought new tires at the mechanic suggestion. That hasnât helped. Iâm not sure if this is safe to drive and it doesnât make me feel safe. This has been going on for months. Please let me know if theyâre similar complaints and what I should do about it. Thank you
.Transmission failed do to coolant in transmission. .got stuck in traffic and couldnât go anywhere .this is a known problem with these vehicles .vehicle has been inspected by owner who is a mechanic .there were no warning signs
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING A LITTLE LET FOR US WHEN I START FROM THE STOP SIGN OR FROM A DEAD STOP WHEN THE ENGINE IS COOL AND I 1ST STOP IT RUNS FINE FOR THE 1ST MINUTE OR 2 BUT THEN AS I'M DRIVING ALL OF SUDDEN IT START SLIPPING REAL BAD IF I'M IN REGULAR DRIVE WOULD YOU OVERDRIVE ON WHICH IN 5TH GEAR CANNOT GO ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER 55 MILES AN HOUR AND JUST THAT SLIPPING REAL BAD UNLESS I PUT IT IN 4TH GEAR BY TAKING THE OVERDRIVE OFF DANIEL RIDE OKAY FOR A WHILE BUT IT'S SOON AS I GO TO A STOP SIGN OR I STOPPED THE VEHICLE TAKING OFF IT'S SLIP SO BAD IT ALMOST IS NOT MOVE AT ALL ONCE YOU GET SOME MOVING AND RUNS NOT TOO BAD BUT THE LONGER I DRIVE IT TO WHERE SHE GETS UNTIL I SHUT IT OFF COOLED OFF AND THEN IT WORKS AGAIN FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES
Mileage: 190,000
TIMMING CHAIN IS MAKING A BAD NOISE.
Mileage: 210,000
TRANSMISSION ISSUE DUE TO LEAK MIXTURE OR RADIATOR FLUIDS. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM
Mileage: 185,000
RADIATOR FLUID GOING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TCM FAIL
THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS DUE TO COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAS ESSENTIALLY RUINED THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO THE RADIATOR FAILING AND ALLOWING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION VIA THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLANT LINES THAT RUN THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR.
Mileage: 160,000
MY TIMING CHAIN ON MY PATHFINDER HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN NOISY BUT A FEW WEEKS AGO IT REALLY STARTED GETTING LOUD WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION AROUND . I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A SHOP AS TEETH WERE FALLING OFF THE 'CHAIN' INTO THE OIL. THEY SAY IT IS A KNOWN THING WITH 2005-2010 PATHFINDERS .
Mileage: 120,000
I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND I WAS DRIVING TO THE DOCTOR AND THERE WAS A SHUDDER. I DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS UNTIL I DID SOME RESEARCH WHICH EXPLAINS THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH NISSAN TRANSMISSIONS IN GENERAL. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT DUE TO BEING ON A FIXED INCOME. I'M PAYING PAYMENTS ON IT AND ALSO INSURANCE WHICH I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT. I NEED MY VEHICLE TO GET PLACES I NEED TO GET. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I REALLY BELIEVE NISSAN SHOULD RECALL TRANSMISSIONS AND FIX THEM.
Mileage: 145,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.