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Engine coolingPart report

2006 Nissan Pathfinder Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
185about this part
Share
22%of 837 total for the year
Median mileage
99,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 185 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder, 22% of the 837 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Tried to sell the car and the buyer pointed out that the radiator must of cracked and mixed with the transmission fluid. He did not buy the car and now I am being told that I have to replace the transmission and the radiator. Apparently this is a huge problem on these cars and they need to fix this. Very upset and will never buy a Nissan again.”

NHTSA complaint #10586236, filed 2014-05, 107,864 miles

“My radiator is evidently cracked, leaking coolant into my transmission, causing failure to shift. My vehicle began losing power. At one point, I attempted to accelerate through an intersection from a stand-still as the traffic light turned green. I was nearly rear-ended by the vehicle behind me as my vehicle was not moving, like being stuck in neutral.”

NHTSA complaint #10606577, filed 2014-06, 86,000 miles

“Radiator developed a crack which leaked into transmission - both had to be replaced. We were told, due to a class action settlement in 2013, we were responsible for a deductible of $2,500 since our vehicle started problem after 80,000 and past march 1, 2014. Did not realize this problem until we took vehicle in, by that time mid april 2014 and at 81,990. This should be a recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10593688, filed 2014-05, 80,900 miles

“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!!!”

NHTSA complaint #10474578, filed 2012-09, 108,000 miles

“My Nissan Pathfinder was not heating/ defrosting...also, there was excessive noise when the truck was shifting gears. I brought it into my mechanic who told me coolant was leaking into the transmission, and the transmission and radiator would need to be replaced at a cost of approximately $4400.”

NHTSA complaint #10678180, filed 2015-01, 150,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202512%
202411%
202311%
201911%
201811%
201721%
201611%
201510%
201451%
201351%
201214%
201025%
2009411%
2008237%
200712823%
200618522%
200529028%
200434%
20032523%
20023522%
2001167%
200054%
199966%
199864%
1997178%
1996149%
19955231%
19943538%
19932551%
1992827%
1991821%
19901437%
1989427%
1988529%
1987526%

Other parts of the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder

Transmission and drivetrain
450 complaints
Fuel system
231 complaints
Engine
147 complaints
Other or unknown
44 complaints
Steering
41 complaints
Electrical system
34 complaints
Vehicle speed control
16 complaints
Air bags
14 complaints
Brakes
9 complaints
Suspension
9 complaints
Body and structure
6 complaints
Equipment
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology