2006 Nissan Pathfinder Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 450about this part
- Share
- 54%of 837 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,550miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 450 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder, 54% of the 837 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,550 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Radiator failed causing leak of radiator fluid into transmission causing vehicle to be towed to auto shop. Vehicle was in motion on highway and then would all of the sudden no longer accelerate. Mechanics, (got 3 estimates) all said same thing; that this was a problem with these pathfinders. My cost is about 6,500. I had just bought this vehicle for 8,500 about 3 weeks prior.”
NHTSA complaint #11194434, filed 2019-04, 156,000 miles“The transmission would not shift into overdrive, so I took the vehicle to aamco. The transmission was contaminated with coolant from the radiator, requiring a complete overhaul including the transmission computer. Estimated cost of damages is $4600! My vehicle is in excess of the extended warranty, however this is a design flaw that should be corrected by Nissan.”
NHTSA complaint #11054919, filed 2017-12, 189,000 miles“I was pulling into a parking space slowly with my foot on the brake, rolling into the space. As I braked a little bit more in order to come to a stop (I never took my foot off the brake), the car suddenly revved up,accelerated, and crashed right through a fence. I was able to slam it into park to get it to stop.”
NHTSA complaint #10895561, filed 2016-08, 100,000 miles“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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10192821May 10, 2016SERVICE INFORMATION Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies and replacement control valves (valve bodies) now come with blank Transmission…
- 10192691Nov 30, 2015IF YOU CONFIRM: A remanufactured automatic transmission supplied by ATC Drivetrain is installed in an APPLIED VEHICLE AND CONSULT-III plus (C-III plus) is not able to communicate…
- 10192524Feb 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when…
- 10192474Nov 20, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the…
- 10192051Oct 12, 2012Nissan has decided in the interest of customer satisfaction, to further extend the warranty for the Radiator Assembly on all 2005-10 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra vehicles…
- 10043950Apr 10, 2012Nissan: ecm replacement procedures with consult iii plus. Applies to all 2004 and later (does not apply to leaf/ev) vehicles.
- 10033345Mar 19, 2010Nissan: oil leaking from transfer case. Oil is leaking from one or a combination of three bolts at the rear of the transfer case. If bolts are not missing, do not replace…
- 10024689Apr 28, 2008Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement. 2004 to current nissan vehicles.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 27% |
| 2025 | 8 | 14% |
| 2024 | 9 | 10% |
| 2023 | 13 | 12% |
| 2022 | 17 | 12% |
| 2020 | 9 | 17% |
| 2019 | 9 | 12% |
| 2018 | 12 | 15% |
| 2017 | 34 | 18% |
| 2016 | 7 | 7% |
| 2015 | 77 | 24% |
| 2014 | 215 | 37% |
| 2013 | 371 | 42% |
| 2012 | 2 | 9% |
| 2011 | 7 | 16% |
| 2010 | 11 | 28% |
| 2009 | 8 | 22% |
| 2008 | 155 | 47% |
| 2007 | 337 | 60% |
| 2006 | 450 | 54% |
| 2005 | 585 | 56% |
| 2004 | 9 | 13% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 10 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 5% |
| 1999 | 8 | 8% |
| 1998 | 20 | 13% |
| 1997 | 19 | 9% |
| 1996 | 12 | 8% |
| 1995 | 20 | 12% |
| 1994 | 10 | 11% |
| 1993 | 3 | 6% |
| 1992 | 9 | 30% |
| 1991 | 14 | 36% |
| 1990 | 13 | 34% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
231 complaintsEngine cooling
185 complaintsEngine
147 complaintsOther or unknown
44 complaintsSteering
41 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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