Problems · by component

2006 Nissan Pathfinder power train problems

450 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder cite power train, 54% of all 837 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
450
54% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2024Power trainODI 11593953
“.Transmission failed do to coolant in transmission. .got stuck in traffic and couldn’t 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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2021Power trainODI 11425281
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2021Power trainODI 11404042
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 5, 2020Power trainODI 11343451
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2020Power trainODI 11316892
“THE TRANSMISSION IS SHUTTERING, FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING AT TIMES. THE COOLANT LOOKS LIKE CREAMY PASTE. THE SUV WANTS TO BOUNCE OR PULL TO THE SIDES. ALSO AT TIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE MOTOR IS RUNNING HIGH AND THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE SLOW.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2020Suspension, Power trainODI 11310456

Showing 6 of 450 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.